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Formats
Ebook Details
  • 05/2024
  • 978-1-7773974-5-6 (ebook) B0CZ5P398R
  • 381 pages
  • $2.99
Paperback Details
  • 05/2024
  • 978-1-7773974-4-9 (paper) 1777397448
  • 381 pages
  • $14.99
Keira Morgan
Author
The Importance of Wives
Keira Morgan, author

Adult; General Fiction (including literary and historical); (Market)

Recently orphaned Duchess Anne of Brittany is not quite 12, yet her situation could not be more perilous. She is a girl, she has just inherited one of the richest duchies in Europe—and enemies surround her. It is 1488, and men do not believe that women can rule. The French want to seize her duchy. Across the channel, the English hover, ready to attack. And Anne’s guardians want her power for themselves. They plot to marry her to their chosen candidate, and rule in her stead. It is the traditional fate of heiresses. But Anne has ideas of her own. She is strong-minded and trained to rule. When she refuses to obey, she finds herself in a civil war, supported by only a few loyalists. Then France invades. Will a girl so young be able to defend her duchy against two adversaries? Even her most trusted allies advise her to marry. Must she sacrifice her beliefs for her people? Can even a husband save her from the invading French? Must she give up her duchy? Or will she find another way to guard her inheritance?
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 8.50 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: The Importance of Wives is an authentic late 15th century romp that proves to be both compelling and dramatic. It is an absorbing and meticulously crafted tale with brilliantly observed characters and an enthralling storyline.

Prose: The Importance of Wives is addictive and captivating with well written characters and an interesting plot. Morgan's delicate use of language contains subtle narrative flourishes that highlight the story's romanticism and lyrical depth.

Originality: The Importance of Wives is a confidently written period drama with excellently articulated dialogue that feels authentic and measured. A must for those who love well written historical dramas, The Importance of Wives intricately blends fact and fiction to create a thoroughly impressive tale.

Character/Execution: Duchess Anne of Brittany is a strong-minded protagonist brilliantly realized by Morgan. Anne's burgeoning maturity and sense of responsibility come to the fore, bolstered by dynamic stretches of dialogue and great plot development.

Blurb: A riveting historical drama.

Date Submitted: May 11, 2024

Reviews
Morgan’s third novel illuminates the bold life and struggles of Anne of Brittany as the 15th century gave way to the 16th. Orphaned at 11, Anne inherits the feudal duchy of Brittany, situated between French Provinces, the Atlantic Ocean, and the English Channel, from her father and fights to be recognized as the de facto ruler. Though betrayed by her guardians, Madame de Dinan and Marshal de Rieux, who plot to get her married to the obnoxious Alain d’Albret, Anne refuses to be cowed, thwarting d’Albret’s self-interested schemes. In a clever counter move, she dares to have herself crowned and declares her opponents, rebels. But life and love remain complicated, and for Brittany’s welfare she is forced to marry by proxy Maximilian, King of the Romans, who promises to be there as Anne and Brittany face the direst of times.

Morgan’s language evokes an ambience of the gated cities, ducal castles, courtly intrigue, and “plump ruddy prince”s, conjuring rich detail without diminishing narrative momentum. Among the host of characters peopling the pages, the maternal figure Madame de Dinan, Anne’s gouvernante, stands out, offering support but perhaps uncertain loyalty. These only add to the demands made on Anne. As a pre-teen, she shows remarkable courage and intelligence in thwarting the underhanded moves of people whom she believed she could trust. Though her love for her land is idealistic, she exhibits pragmatism in her decisions about marriage.

The pace of the novel remains brisk to the end, even as Morgan’s research and her deep knowledge of the era and obvious love for her subject shine throughout. The curious custom of marriage by proxy will fascinate and amuse contemporary readers, but the fact that marriage itself was often rooted in political considerations among the ruling elite is explored without 21st century judgment. Morgan blends fact and fiction seamlessly and the result is an authentic story of a strong woman ruler determined to defend her right to rule and face the challenges of her situation.

Takeaway: Brisk, involving historical novel of Anne of Brittany, protecting her duchy.

Comparable Titles: Rozsa Gaston’s Sense of Touch, Tracy Chevalier’s The Lady and the Unicorn.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

News
05/11/2024
The Importance of Wives: A BookLife Review Editor's Pick

Morgan’s third novel illuminates the bold life and struggles of Anne of Brittany as the 15th century gave way to the 16th. . . . .

Morgan blends fact and fiction seamlessly and the result is an authentic story of a strong woman ruler determined to defend her right to rule and face the challenges of her situation.

Takeaway: Brisk, involving historical novel of Anne of Brittany, protecting her duchy.

Read more of the review of  www.keiramorgan.com

Formats
Ebook Details
  • 05/2024
  • 978-1-7773974-5-6 (ebook) B0CZ5P398R
  • 381 pages
  • $2.99
Paperback Details
  • 05/2024
  • 978-1-7773974-4-9 (paper) 1777397448
  • 381 pages
  • $14.99
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