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  • The Winter Crown

  • Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy, Book 2
  • By: Elizabeth Chadwick
  • Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
  • Length: 18 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (262 ratings)
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The Winter Crown

By: Elizabeth Chadwick
Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
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Summary

Eleanor of Aquitaine

A loving mother. A betrayed wife. A queen beyond compare.

1154

Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful women in Europe, is crowned queen of England beside her young husband Henry II. While Henry battles their enemies and lays his plans, Eleanor is an adept acting ruler and mother to their growing brood of children. But she yearns for more than this - if only Henry would listen.

Instead, Henry pushes Eleanor to the sidelines, involving himself with a young mistress and denying Eleanor her rightful authority. As matters reach a crisis, Eleanor becomes caught up in a family rebellion. And even a queen must face the consequences of treason....

Award-winning author Elizabeth Chadwick continues the fascinating story of a queen fighting for her rightful place in a world of divided loyalties and passionate betrayals.

©2014 Elizabeth Chadwick (P)2014 Isis Publishing

Critic reviews

"An author who makes history come gloriously alive." (The Times)

"Meticulous research and strong storytelling." (Woman & Home)

"A sumptuous ride." (Toby Clements, Daily Telegraph)

What listeners say about The Winter Crown

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Depressing

Touted as a story of the most powerful woman in history its a story of relentless verbal and ultimately physical abuse. I found it increasingly hard to listen to her powerlessness and abuse...completely depressing.
The narrators lack of capacity to protray any nuance in voice made the young men sound stupid, all older men angry at all tomes and other women sound stupid. Not in enjoyable experience

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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What about the rest

I'm hoping that there will be another book detailing the queens detainment and her sons battles with the king, the Kings eventual death in France and the rise of Richard, the lionheart. Eleanor was a formidable woman the wife of two kings and the mother to two kings of england

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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Annoying

What a truly great story and character but the narration is dreadful. She’s “acting” her way thru and it’s just not required. I want to interpret the words and deeds myself when I read a novel but it’s being forced on me with this narrator who’s portrayal of both Henry and Eleanor ignores the hugely interesting subtle power battles and instead is almost pantomime. Her children’s voices are ridiculous and she makes every male sound ridiculous- their actions show this though we don’t need her to make their voices ridiculous too, we’re not in kindergarten! Almost gave up at chapter one because of it but I just love Eleanors story and strength. Portrayed here with the weakest pathetic voice - when in truth she makes a brilliant job from a horrendous situation.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

absorbing.

Enjoyed the description of this medieval world, and its history. Hope there is a sequel.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Winter Crown

These books are amazing. Let's just take a moment to think about what this lady accomplished. This wasn't modern day. This was medieval times. I just can't fathom what a remarkable person she must have been. How strong to have given birth to so many living children. To wield as much power as she did. Seriously. Read this series. I can't think of any other historical novels that have had such an impact on me.

However, let's set all that aside...

Elizabeth Chadwick is an amazing writer.

I am including one quote that stuck with me for days now.

"It was like dropping a precious crystal goblet and then receiving cuts as you picked up the shards. Just when you thought there were no shards left to hurt you, you would discover another needle-thin spike and you would bleed."

When I first read the quote, it really gave me pause. Later in the story she references the quote a few times...talking about "another shard" at different parts of the book. I found this to be so true. We don't just fall in and out of love in an instant. It happens with hundreds...sometimes thousands of tiny cuts. In our failed relationships we can all find ourselves imbedded with tiny shards of glass. I don't know...I just found that so insightful.

This is fiction...based on fact....Of course we don't know what these characters said to one another...how they truly felt from day to day...but the facts are there...and the imaginative, embellished tapestry that Chadwick displays for us is just magnificent. I can't wait to read the third instalment of this series. I have just so loved the first two book so very much...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book

Loved returning to the court and seeing the world as Eleanor lived her life and times

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great story, slow narration

Recording was improved, in my opinion, by speeding up the pace. The story was fab

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Much enjoyed this book and had taken me back in time..Looking forward to more from this brilliant author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant!

This second book of the story of Eleanor has been truly informative and fascinating. My only criticism is the narrator's pronunciation of some of the French words, surely an aspect which should have been taken into account and easily rectified? Her delivery otherwise was excellent. Living in France, I was delighted to find I have been to many of the places described, which, for me, made the book even more interesting. Now, on to the third book!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyed the story

Loved it. The natration was good. Got through the book quickly. look forward to the next book

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