This was an enjoyable, detailed and interesting historical read.

I loved discovering more about Queen Berengaria , an often forgotten female figure of the medieval world. It was fascinating to hear her story, both through her eyes and that of her lady in waiting and friend, Lady Avelina.

The novel was very readable, and rich in its description of the medieval world as the protagonists travel across Europe and onto Jerusalem. The result was an engrossing immersive read that is perfect for lovers of historical fiction, and strong female-led stories.

At times, I did find the plot a little slow and the writing occasionally felt a bit stilted,

Overall though, it was a very enjoyable read that brought a forgotten medieval woman to life, in an engaging and immersive way.

Carol McGrath's The Lost Queen is set during the tumultuous period of the Third Crusade. The story follows Berengaria of Navarre, who becomes the wife of Richard the Lionheart and daughter-in-law of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Berengaria must navigate a path fraught with political intrigue, personal challenges, and the harsh realities of medieval life.

Berengaria faces many obstacles as the new Queen of England, from the complexities of court politics, a difficult mother-in-law, and arduous travels as she follows Richard on his crusade. The journey is vividly depicted, and Berengaria's strength and determination shine through, making her a relatable and inspiring protagonist.

Berengaria and Richard the Lionheart’s marriage, arranged for political reasons, develops into a complex and evolving partnership as they are presented with emotional and political pressures. Berengaria loves her husband but he frequently neglects her, and his country, to pursue personal glory as he fights the crusades. Their relationship adds a personal dimension to the wider historical events.

The Lost Queen is rich in historical detail, bringing the 12th century to life with vivid descriptions of the era's customs, clothing, and settings. The narrative is crammed with authentic details that transport readers back to a time of knights, castles, and crusades, providing a deep immersion into the period.

The story showcases various aspects of medieval life. From the extravagance of royal ceremonies to the brutality of warfare, the novel provides a multifaceted view of the time. One particularly memorable vignette involves the putting on of a medieval play, a rewritten version of Persephone in the Underworld," which serves as a fascinating glimpse into the cultural practices of the period.

The Lost Queen is a well-researched and engaging historical novel that will appeal to fans of the medieval era. McGrath's ability to blend history and storytelling makes this a must-read for anyone interested in the lives of medieval queens and the intricacies of their worlds. Through Berengaria's eyes, readers experience the triumphs and tribulations of a queen in one of the most turbulent times in history.

A really well written and brilliantly researched book about a little known queen of England who never even stepped on English soil.
Everyone has heard of Richard the Lionheart, but who has heard of his queen from Navarre?
Or even about the few women who went on the crusades, why they went, and what it must have been like for them?
It filled in quite a few gaps in my knowledge of that period in history, with the spotlight on the Mediterranean for a change.
I look forward to reading more by this author.

When reading The Lost Queen, it’s difficult not to feel sorry for Berengaria of Navarre, married at a very young age to Richard 1, King of England, known as Richard the Lionheart. Throughout their marriage, Richard selfishly neglected both his wife and the country of which he was king, putting above both his love of crusading.

The novel opens on the young Princess Berengaria’s long and arduous journey, replete with danger, to meet Richard in the Holy Land and marry him. Because Richard had embarked upon the Third Crusade soon after his coronation, Berengaria had to be brought to him where he was encamped in order for them to marry.

On the journey, Berengaria was escorted by the frosty Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard’s mother, who’d sought the alliance with Navarre in order to protect the southern borders of Aquitaine. But Berengaria was fortunate to encounter on her journey a fictional character, Avelina FitzWilliam, who was travelling with a group of nuns to the Holy Land to ascertain whether her much loved husband William was truly dead, as she’d been told he was. The two women became great friends and their stories made riveting reading.

At the end of a hazardous journey, Berengaria married Richard in Limassol, Cyprus, and thence accompanied him on the Third Crusade.

For Berengaria to accompany Richard on a crusade, and Avelina, too, who travelled with Berengaria, determined to find out the truth about her husband, showed Berengaria to be a strong, confident woman, determined to be a support to her husband. Unfortunately, though, with Richard away fighting for so much of the time, and with a mother-in-law who was distant in her manner and who didn’t inspire closeness, Berengaria spent much of the marriage that she had approached with great enthusiasm in the company of her ladies rather than with her husband, who was away fighting. In this, Berengaria excites great sympathy, and this reader found herself very much hoping throughout the book that Richard would eventually put his wife first and start to prioritise visiting her.

The book is very well researched and well-written, with an attention to detail that marks all of the novels written by Carol McGrath. As a result, the reader is caught up in the stories of Berengaria and Avelina, and the range of characters who surround them, and gains a real insight into the life lived by the nobility involved in the Crusades, and into the daily life outside the castle walls. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.

My thanks to Headline Accent and NetGalley for a copy of the novel in return for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. I had heard of Berengaria but knew little about her. The little I have read about Richard the Lionheart was a fairly romantic view of a hero. This book shows him in a more realistic light as someone who was a hardened campaigner who neglected Berengaria and his kingdom. This book is very readable and brings this period of history to life. Berengaria was a strong woman who made the best of her circumstances and stood up to Richard when he was prepared to marry off his sister for his own purposes. On reading further I was pleased to see Berengaria led a long life. Well researched and written.

I’ve read quite a few books by Carol McGrath now and I’m never disappointed. If you love historical fiction and you’re looking to move on from the Tudors and Stuarts, I’d recommend picking up any of her books. This one is no exception.

The novel covers the little known history of Queen Berengaria who was the wife of Richard the Lionheart. We see life from her point of view and the view of her court which is a little different as normally we see things from Richard’s point of view or the view of his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine.

As you might expect, if you’re a fan of HF or have read any of Carol McGrath’s books before, the plot is detailed, characters well rounded and the prose/dialogue engaging. I enjoyed reading this in just a couple of sittings. If you are looking to branch out in your HF timelines then I’d definitely pick this up.

Thank you to the author, publishers & NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review.

I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion.
I have to confess I’ve not heard Queen Berengaria, wife of Richard the Lionheart, so I was curious to find out more.
This detail in this book is impressive, from the descriptions of markets, camps , food and clothes and I loved the authors writing.
The book covers a period that isn’t typically written about- although there are books about the crusades, I don’t think I’ve read a book from the point of view of the women who have joined the crusades.
Berengaria, journey from a young Princess to a confident consort is well described and Avelina’s story adds a perspective from a non-Royal. As expected, there is intrigue, war and conflict. Even though this is Garia’s story, Eleanor of Aquitaine steals the scene at the start of the book.
The pace was a little slow for me in the middle but on the whole I did enjoy this book.
Perfect for Fans of
Who would like to read non-Tudor historical fiction

I loved this novel as I do all the author's books! I enjoyed it because of the excellent historical research (Carol is a historian) which she weaved into a very interesting and fascinating tale. I was quickly immersed in the storyline. The novel is told through two women's eyes, a queen Berengaria of Navarre, and a lady (fictional character). Both meet on their way to a crusade and become fast friends. Because of this feminine point of view, I learned a lot about what it meant to be a married woman, its dangers and its expectations waiting for a husband gone to war... Romance plays a role but only as a support to show women's role in the Medieval Ages. A great read which I highly recommend.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.