The cover of this book is so misleading (at least the cover of the book that I read) "A story of Eleanor of Aquitaine" - no it's not! It is the story of a young girl married off to an ambitious older man who loves falcons. Isabelle is definitely the focus of the story - Eleanor doesn't even appear until about 3/4 of the way through and then as an older woman imprisoned by her sons due to the struggle between them. Isabelle isn't particularly a likeable character and although it does seem as the setting represents the actual time, much of the characterization, etc. does not. The ending was pretty trite - disappointed. ( )

When I finished this book, I needed to mull over what I was thinking. Had I gone with my very first impression, I would have told you that there were many problems with this novel, the 'mystery' was easy to figure out, important secondary characters are lost toward the end, and you don't get involved with the Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine until about 65% of this novel. I would tell you that our main character, Isabelle, was (for the times) a willful, dishonest, whiny character that I just couldn't sympathize with. Her family was mean to the point of unbelievability. After some minor research, I found that an important part of this book was historically incorrect. But this is fiction, is it not?

I wonder about the ending too. It really wasn't a true ending (sort of a cliff-hanger in my mind)-I wonder if it was meant to be this way to get us to think or if there will be another book coming?

After mulling over this book overnight, I'm going with my first opinion. I was able to finish this book but was unhappy doing so.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, author, and Edelweiss. ( )