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The Forbidden Queen

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The Forbidden Queen

By: Anne O'Brien
Narrated by: Emily Lucienne
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About this listen

A Sunday Times Bestseller England’s Forgotten Queens

‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.’
-The Times

The jewel in the French crown, Katherine de Valois, is waiting under lock and key for King Henry V. While he’s been slaughtering her kinsmen in Agincourt, Katherine has been praying for marriage to save her from her misery. But the brutal King wants her crown, not her innocent love.

For Katherine, England is a lion’s den of greed, avarice and mistrust. And when Katherine is widowed at twenty-one she is a prize ripe for the taking. Her young son the future monarch, her hand in marriage worth a kingdom.

This is a deadly political game; one the Dowager Queen must learn fast. The players – Duke of Gloucester, Edmund Beaufort and Owen Tudor -are circling.

Who will have her? Who will ruin her?

This is the story of Katherine de Valois. The forbidden queen who launched the most famous dynasty of all time…

Praise for Anne O’Brien

‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.’
- The Times

‘A gem of a subject … O’Brien is a terrific storyteller’
- Daily Telegraph

‘Joanna of Navarre is the feisty heroine in Anne O’Brien’s fast-paced historical novel The Queen’s Choice.’
-Good Housekeeping

‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue.’
-Woman & Home

‘Packed with drama, danger, romance and history.’
-Pam Norfolk, for the Press Association

‘Better than Philippa Gregory’ – The Bookseller

‘Anne O’Brien has joined the exclusive club of excellent historical novelists.’ – Sunday Express

‘A gripping historical drama.’
-Bella

‘This book has everything – royalty, scandal, fascinating historical politics and ultimately, the shaping of the woman who founded the Tudors.’ – Cosmopolitan

www.anneobrien.co.uk
@anne_obrien

Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Political Romance Royalty Science Fiction Women's Fiction Middle Ages England Tudor Marriage

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Critic reviews

Praise for Anne O’Brien

‘Joanna of Navarre is the feisty heroine in Anne O’Brien’s fast-paced historical novel The Queen’s Choice.’
-Good Housekeeping

‘O’Brien is a terrific storyteller’
- Daily Telegraph

‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue.’
-Woman & Home

‘Packed with drama, danger, romance and history, The Queen’s Choice is the perfect reading choice for the long winter nights.’
- The Press Association

‘A gripping historical drama.’
-Bella

All stars
Most relevant

What did you like best about The Forbidden Queen? What did you like least?

The story lines dragged out to the point of being boring and the narrator had me falling asleep, I feel somewhat sorry for her as the material she had to work with was the worst.

What could Anne O'Brien have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

If she can't write a decent story with all the historical material available, please leave it alone instead of dragging the story out with fluffy romantic rubbish. Take time to read some of Elizabeth Chadwick's books to see how it's done.

What didn’t you like about Emily Lucienne’s performance?

Everything

Did The Forbidden Queen inspire you to do anything?

Yes leave this review

Any additional comments?

Said it all above

This has to be the worst historical novel ever

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Another queen brought to life in a beautifully told story. When I listen to Anne's stories I am living in the worlds she creates. The Forbidden Queen was extra good thanks to the beautiful, pitch perfect narration.

Heartbreaking romance

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Excellent all round and beautifully read, the second I have heard by the narrator and both were engrossing

beautifully written and beautifully read

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I was really looking foward to this book but the narrator spoilt it for me. so slow and monotonous, I tried speeding it up but gave up in the end and returned it.

narrator

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it was a little on the long side but never the less it was a good and different story.

all round good.

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