Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books

In this “year of Eleanor” this is the third new release about the fascinating Eleanor of Aquitaine. Although Cecelia Holland has written several books, this is the first one that I have read (some of her earlier works are being reissued) and she takes a slightly different approach to Eleanor’s story.

Focusing on an approximately one year period of time - from shortly before Eleanor first meets Henry of Anjou to the time the pair is married – Holland’s Eleanor is ruled by her ambition and passionate nature. Shortly after their first meeting, Eleanor and Henry manage to find a time and place to do a little mattress dancing which only serves to make both of them want more. But Eleanor soon finds herself in a situation she didn’t expect and she agrees to a plan so outlandish that it just might work.

The key to Eleanor’s secret is her sister Petronilla (Petra). Usually a very minor character in stories about Eleanor (sometimes warranting no more than a few sentences), Petra gets virtually equal time with Eleanor and much of what unfolds is from her point of view (in third person). I found this a nice change of pace. Shy and lacking in self confidence, Petra has always lived in her sister’s shadow. She loves Eleanor but envies her as well. Loyal without question, Petra does as her sister commands, but as the months pass, a new Petra emerges and Eleanor’s failure to appreciate the sacrifice her sister is making drives a wedge between them.

Eleanor can be selfish and cruel; but she also has moments of regret, compassion and loneliness.  I found myself alternately liking her and thinking she was the meanest sister in the world. Given the time period covered, Henry is a fairly minor character (as he is off trying to drum up support for his claim to England) and a few scenes between him and his mother have me wishing there were more books about the Empress (and desperately waiting for Elizabeth Chadwick’s upcoming book in June 2011– The Lady of the English). A side story involving one of the young girls that attend Eleanor and a Welsh troubadour-in-the-making provides some interest and a glimpse into the lives of those not born into the nobility.

I enjoyed Holland’s writing style and look forward to reading more of her books!

Rating: Very Good (4 stars)

In case the FTC asks: I received a copy from the publisher to review. So what?