Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Solomon's Crown is an exceptionally well written and lyrical queer historical romance by Natasha Siegel. Released 14th March 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Dell imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.
This is a "what if" romance set in the 12th century between Richard of Aquitaine (aka the Lionheart) and Philip II of France. Both of them, viewed through the lens of modern society were more or less absolute rulers who made some dubious decisions about harming the people living within their huge spheres of influence: the crusades, driving the Jews out of France, unprovoked crushing and looting folks who just wanted to be left alone, etc.
The author says openly at the beginning that neither of them were paragons of virtue and that the two main characters aren't the *historically* accurate real figures, and license was taken. For readers who love historical accuracy and the sort of "what if" that weaves fiction around a solid framework of actual history, there are freedoms taken here which will likely annoy. On the other hand, for readers who love a well written queer romance, the author can certainly write.
It's full of frustrated longing and lingering touches and not much historical accuracy.
Three and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reviewed by annieb123 on
Reading updates
- 20 August, 2023: Started reading
- 20 August, 2023: Finished reading
- 20 August, 2023: Reviewed