Author Shelley Puhak does an extremely good job of telling the stories of two Merovingian Queens, during the beginning of the medieval era, and combining scholarship with storytelling to bring the era and characters to life. With early history, the risk is always whether the author relies on primary sources and risks the book becoming too academic and dry, or whether telling the story means that this is traded for historical accuracy. It’s a delicate line to walk, but I think Puhak manages it well. Yes, sometimes you feel her own opinions coming through, but, overall, this is a readable account which shines a light on women, who are normally overlooked on the history of the period.

The Dark Queens is a history book about two Merovingian queens, Brunhild and Fredegunde, who ruled over parts of France in the 6th century. I love books about medieval monarchy, but I've never gone this deep – and I definitely want to keep reading more about the Dark Ages as it's such a fascinating period of history. The mix of cultures, the way the Romans lived alongside the so-called barbarians, the way the language and culture is so different to how we think of western Europe... This story, however, was batshit insane. Like, an absolutely unhinged level of death/assassination/casual murder. I honestly couldn't believe how much happened. Shelley Puhak tells the story really vividly and I was mostly able to remember the protagonists and sequence of events – which is impressive storytelling when they all have very unfamiliar names like Chilpuric and somebody is murdered every three pages. My only complaints is that I wish there had been more context and scene-setting of 6th century Europe; I would have loved to know more about the kind of society they lived in. But I'd really recommend if you like reading about medieval queens

THE DARK QUEENS is one of the best non-fiction books I've read in a while. it is a striking narrative of powerful, ambitious women determined to gain and keep power - and the many forces arrayed against them.

It is such a tumultuous time (and their actions do not always help there!) It's a tale that lends itself well to a fast paced tale that's gripping with all these betrayals and double crossings. The continued repetition of assassinations and the like really helped make me want to keep reading because you could never be sure anyone was safe - in that way, it felt like a novel more than a recount of history.

The narrative style is also closer to novel prose than most non-fiction books I've read. For a start, while the book does include quotations from sources, these are marked only by quotation marks, not who said it - these are included in the notes at the back. By removing the "according to X source", it really helps the book flow and makes it feel more intimate by not appearing to put it through someone else's lens.

It was also fascinating to see the size of these kingdoms, how much land the Franks covered in only a few kingdoms (by contrast, England is split into many more much smaller ones in this period, which was my frame of reference.) I absolutely loved that there were several maps scattered throughout showing the shifting sizes of the territories, as it really helped get a sense of who was taking what. There are maps at the start, and I thought (as is usually the case) that these would be the only ones, but I was wrong. It's a little detail, but one that adds a lot of clarity.

It was very interesting to read this soon after reading THE VALKYRIE, which is a retelling of the legend that sprang up from the lives of these women. I really liked finding out about the truth that had inspired it, and having read the fictional account, it leant me a bit of familiarity with the names. I really liked it when my reading links up as it adds more layers.

"The Dark Queens" was an interesting account of two ruling queens during the early middle ages. I had no idea that they even existed and was fascinated by learning more about their lives.

This one shot past all of my expectations, as this period of history is nothing that I've ever read before. I've usually found that any book that states they are writing about the women during any time in history, it's more of the men around them rather, with the little bit of information on how the males perceived what the women were doing. In the case of the latter, this is true, but the author manages to make logical perceptions of how the queens acted. The decisions of what the author believes the queens did is believable, and I can see how further conclusions are arrived to do this. While it's not possible for everything about the queens to be known, the author makes a very good stab of making this book readable and enjoyable to read.

I would highly recommend this book due to this. I have already been looking up other books by the author to see what else she offers. This is one of the few authors who, after reading one of their books, look forward to reading others; even if they may not be in subjects that I'm interested in or have ever piqued my interest.

When reading this book you almost get drawn in to forget that you are reading a non fiction novel.
The story is that of Fredegund and Brunhild (lived circa 543-613, from Merovingian Dynasty) and the historical record is being interpreted and translated by the author for readers.

I hadn't heard of these two queens before reading this book and made me wonder how much of history has been forgotten and I look forward to seeing what Puhak will come out with next.

Fascinating double biography of two queens from the 6th century Merovingian Empire. Brings the machinations and feuds of two strong women, Brunhild and Fredegund, to life and throws light on a hidden part of early medieval history

I am well versed in female monarchs of Britain over times but sadly was lacking in knowledge about other countries so I was thrilled to be approved this. Such brilliant writing and research, vivid and engaging. A superb read

I am obsessed with this book. It was, quite literally, mind blowing.

The only time I have ever heard of the Merovingians was in a passing comment in the film, The Da Vinci Code. Reading this is like opening up a whole new world; one of kick-ass, battling queens.

This is a history book that reads like an epic fantasy, I kept going through and exclaiming 'this CAN'T have happened'. But, it did. And it is incredible!

An absolute must read. For everyone. Right now. Whether you are into non-fiction, feminist reads, historical fiction, fantasy - literally any genre - you will love this book!

This extensively researched book is delightfully accessible! It's concise without ever feeling rushed and enjoyable for both history and non-history readers alike. Cannot recommend enough.

This is a fascinating study of two little known queens living in Europe before the Medieval period: Brunhild a Visigoth princess, born to the higher echelons of their society, and Fredegund, a former slave who schemed her way to marry the king. They are rivals, and the rivalry between them led to civil war. The author paints an interesting picture of life at the time, and the reader learns how these women wielded power and influence without the governing hand of a man. Despite being so powerful and influential during their lives, eliminating all opposition including some step-sons and ruthlessly promoting their own dynasties, both women fell into obscurity after the death as history is always written by the victors.

The book is well researched and well written, a compelling portrait of Merovingian Europe at this time. Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's always exciting to discover new queens, especially ones that are so fascinating but not talked about as often. Then after you read their stories you wonder why they aren't more known. These women led complex lives not to mention their relationships with those around them. I would highly recommend this book, not only was it interesting and well researched, it was also an easy engaging read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Dark Queens is a fascinating reappraisal of two figures from early Medieval Francia: the sixth century Queens Brunhilda and Fredegund. They both ruled at the height of what we call "the Dark Ages": or the "lost centuries" a period of history where (at least in the case of Britain) few to any records survive, and Western Europe was still in a state of flux between the waning Roman Empire and the various Germanic tribes who filled the void after the Empire fell.
One of those groups were of, course, the Franks. Romans didn't have names like Chilperic and Clothere, after all.

The book served as a biography of the two women, who are traditionally said to have been caught in a blood feud which lasted decades: although it is possible that at times they worked together. Not only that, but it presented a picture of the nature of rulership during this turbulent and often brutal period.
My only complaint really was the ideal that Fredugund in particular should be elevated to the status of some feminist icon, and that everything negative that was said about her was obviously a lie spread by hostile chroniclers and misogynists.

I mean, I'm all one for not judging the past by modern standards, it is what I was trained for as a historian, but this was a woman who almost certainly had several people (including children) murdered simply for the "crime" of opposing her or being threats to her power. Don't know about anyone else, but although she might be an interesting example of female rule although her role should be acknowledged and not forgotten, and her story deserves to be told properly... I don't think we should put such people on pedestals to be upheld as role models or icons.

I mean among the many people she had murdered, or probably had murdered were innocent kids, her own stepchildren to be precise. I just cannot consider a child murderer to be an icon and heroine.

Thaks to Head of Zeus for approving my request for this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all oponions expressed are my own.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I LOVED this book - the authors style was very engaging and the information fascinating. .I can’t recommend this book enough.

I would like to thank netgalley and Head of Zeus for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable biography, learnt lots.

Horrifying, entertaining and informative in equal measure. The writing style is not at all dry and I personally had had no idea who these women were, or their families, or the world in which they were born. If you like reading about the darker side of history, this is for you.

this was the first non-fiction book I've read in a while, so it did take me a little while to get into it, but Shelley Puhak creates such a vivid picture of the time she is describing that it didn't take too long. She creates this immersive world in times long gone and you can't help but follow along. Before you know it, you're in a world full of betrayal, murder and plotting. And it's told from the perspective of two warring queens, different in every possible way, except that they crave power and wish to bestow their sons with it. At times it could feel a little convoluted, there were names that resembled each other (and I got them mixed up often) and I didn't always understand what was going on, but then I suppose that was also accurate for that time period. Overall it was a book that I would recommend, if only just to read about two scheming women who lived in a time where women were told to be demure and reverent.

I liked how this book framed the stories of the women in this. The tone used in the book was factual and informative but was also easily accessible for the most part. There were a couple of places where this wasn't the case and the novel felt like it was a bit of a struggle to get through. I feel that this is a highly informative text for a time period as there is less research and discussion about the role of high-status women.

This is a fascinating dual biography of two little-known medieval queens, Brunhild and Fredegund, who belonged to the Merovingian dynasty and ruled over large swathes of the lands we now know as France and Germany. I don’t often find myself drawn to non-fiction, but this book was a great choice for me as it’s both educational and entertaining – and every bit as readable as fiction.

Most people today have probably never heard of Brunhild and Fredegund and it seems there’s a good reason for that: as Shelley Puhak explains, following the deaths of the two queens, their stories were rewritten – and some of their achievements erased altogether – by the rulers who came after them, including their own son and nephew Clothar II, and later by Charlemagne’s Carolingian dynasty. And yet the influence of these two Merovingian women lived on, in legends and fairy tales, in the naming of roads, and in the character of Brunhild the Valkyrie from Wagner’s opera Der Ring des Nibelungen. Most intriguingly, a battle strategy of Fredegund’s appears to have inspired, whether directly or indirectly, the ‘Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane’ episode of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

The two queens came from very different backgrounds. Brunhild was a princess from Visigothic Spain who was married off to King Sigibert of Austrasia in 567 as part of a political alliance. Austrasia was the north-eastern territory of the Kingdom of the Franks; Neustria to the west and Burgundy to the south were ruled by Sigibert’s brothers, Chilperic I and Guntram, respectively. Fredegund, a former slave, rose to power when she married Chilperic of Neustria following the death of his wife under suspicious circumstances. This was only the first of many murders with which Fredegund would be connected; she went on to be associated with a whole series of poisonings, tortures and political assassinations. Brunhild is portrayed as a much more sympathetic character, but the prejudices of the sources do need to be considered!

After the deaths of their husbands, both Brunhild and Fredegund reigned as regents on behalf of their young sons and grandsons. Their kingdoms of Austrasia and Neustria were engaged in war for many years, fuelled by a rivalry between the two queens, which originated in Fredegund allegedly being responsible for the murders of both Galswintha, Brunhild’s sister, and King Sigibert, Brunhild’s husband. However, they were willing to work together where necessary and both queens proved themselves to be strong, intelligent, politically astute women in a world dominated by men.

The Dark Queens is not a particularly academic book. It’s written in the style of narrative non-fiction, drawing on the available primary sources such as the writings of Gregory of Tours and Venantius Fortunatus but sometimes finding it necessary to speculate in order to fill in the gaps. Despite this, it’s clear that Shelley Puhak has carried out a huge amount of research in writing this book and she does include a list of all of her sources, both primary and secondary, at the end, along with a comprehensive section of notes and references. Although The Dark Queens may not satisfy readers who are looking for something more scholarly, I thoroughly enjoyed it and am so pleased I’ve had the chance to get to know Brunhild and Fredegund. I’m surprised they haven’t been written about more widely; they would be wonderful subjects for historical fiction and would make a nice change from the Tudors!

Merovingian France may not have been on everyone's radar but it had been on mine for quite a number of years - and I had written about both on a old webpage I created back in the late 1990s (now archived for posterity). And in particular, the incredible and oft times deadly rivalry between two women who managed to wield more power than their contemporaries.

Firstly we have Brunhilde/a, Queen and wife of Sigebert, King of Austrasia. A women of pedigree who - like her sister before her - was destined for a marriage of political consequence. And then secondly we have Fredegund/a, a slave-girl at the court of Neustria, who in this capacity came to the attention of Chilperic I, and who clawed her way to becoming his third wife - a position she had no intention of relinquishing.

The rivalry between not only these two women but also by the sons of Clothar I King of the Franks, upon the disintegration of his kingdom, would resonate through the generations to come, resulting in the death knell for the dynasty which came barely two centuries later.

Both women suffered the same fate in the end - to either be written out of the history books or the have their reputations so besmirched as to become the epitome of the fallen Eve or Jezebel reincarnate. And the fate of Brunhilde would not rear its ugly head under the Tudor Dynasty, when Henry VIII dispatched the aged Duchess of Salisbury in 1541.

Puhak brings all of her research together to provide the reader with an accessible account of the Merovingian period under these two women. Ample notes and sources will be much appreciated by those seeking to further enrich their own knowledge of the dynasty.