This author does a very credible job of writing YA books which tell a historical event. In this book, Carolyn Meyer tells the story of young Victoria. Destined to be queen by a happenstance of Uncles who either die early, or who have children, none of which are legitimate. Shortly after her birth, Victoria's father dies, leaving her mother and a caretaker,

Exceedingly dominating and controlling mother, Victoria leads a very sheltered life and Kensington palace. Victoria is also controlled by Sir John Conroy, her mother's "adviser." Because she rarely sees King William and others, she is lonely, leading an exceedingly dull and empty life. When she is placed on the throne, she feels the freedom of letting her mother know how much she disdains and resents her. Sleeping all her life before she came to be Queen, the first announcement is to tell her mother that she will have her own room.

Ruling England, Ireland and India, Victoria's 63-year reign is the longest of any female monarch in history. Falling deeply in love with her German cousin Albert, their marriage is a happy one with nine children. Unfortunately, when Albert died at a young age, Victoria was forever heart broken.

This book focuses on Victoria's young life, and thus there is not a lot of text regarding her rule, her marriage and her long reign. ( )

I loved this book. I am a sucker for anything about queen victoria :) ( )

This is one of those cases of the book not fitting the reader (or vice versa). I found it tedious, far too mild to be as fascinating as it should be, considering the historical subject, but I think readers who like historical fiction -- especially personal narratives from the point of view of young female rulers -- will enjoy it, as long as they don't expect a rip-roaring story. But I found it NOT AT ALL AMUSING. (This is an inside joke for those who have already ready the book and I may elaborate later on a certain narrative choice that drove me crazy.) Meyer's research into Queen Victoria is certainly impeccable, and her attention to period details without relying on stilted info-dumping is worthy of praise, but I still felt like I was reading a really boring girl's diary. ( )

Fictional journal of Princess Victoria as she is raised and prepared to become the Queen of England. ( )