The Young Queens is a History book that looks at three powerful and distinct personalities whose lives were intertwined; Catherine de Medici, Elisabeth and Mary Stuart. The three were connected through familial ties, with Catherine being Elisabeth’s mother and Mary’s mother-in-law (though her marriage to Catherines son was quite short lived) and lived in a time of unprecedented feminine power across Europe.

I really enjoyed the way this was written, it was full of rich detailed information, but presented in an engaging manner, not at all boring. It is important to keep in mind, that it is a Historical text and if readers are not used to reading lengthy non-fiction books such as this, they potentially could find it a little dry.

The book is separated into different parts and chapters which broke things up well and gave the reader a good sense of chronology. Additionally, the extensive footnotes throughout show how well researched this text was, this is also shown in the extensive bibliography at the end.

If you enjoy watching or reading historical fiction books or TV shows that feature this historical period and are keen to learn more, or, you just like reading about some of the fascinating women who held power at the time, then this is the book for you. Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power by Leah Redmond Chang is a great nonfiction that weaves together the lives of three formidable and fascinating women.

This book takes three epic, fascinating, and intricate women and combines them appropriately to bring us the wonderful historical accounts of three queens: Catherine de’ Medici, Elisabeth de Valois, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Each are unique in their own right, but similar nevertheless. All wielded power and position, yet had to navigate (some better than others), the obstacles, constraints, duties, and expectations (personally and professionally) that were thrown their way.

The author did an amazing job presenting each and also creating a context that helped bring them all together for the reader. The sixteenth century never looked so good.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/15/23.

I'm a big fan of this era of history, but I found this incredibly hard to get through. It was too dry and I found parts far too hard to read. I struggled to get through this book.

If you enjoy this era of history and reading about the power plays that were going on, then this is the book for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.