I received a copy of this beautiful book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Queen of the Sea
by Dylan Meconis
Published by Walker Books
on June 25, 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Length: 400 pages
Published by Walker Books
on June 25, 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Length: 400 pages
Ages: 10 - 14 years
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Synopsis:
Cult graphic novelist Dylan Meconis offers a rich reimagining of history in this hybrid novel loosely based on the exile of Queen Elizabeth I by her sister, Queen Mary.
When her sister seizes the throne, Queen Eleanor of Albion is banished to a tiny island off the coast of her kingdom, where the nuns of the convent spend their days peacefully praying, sewing, and gardening. But the island is also home to Margaret, a mysterious young orphan girl whose life is upturned when the cold, regal stranger arrives. As Margaret grows closer to Eleanor, she grapples with the revelations of the island's sinister true purpose as well as the truth of her own past. When Eleanor's life is threatened, Margaret is faced with a perilous choice between helping Eleanor and protecting herself.
When her sister seizes the throne, Queen Eleanor of Albion is banished to a tiny island off the coast of her kingdom, where the nuns of the convent spend their days peacefully praying, sewing, and gardening. But the island is also home to Margaret, a mysterious young orphan girl whose life is upturned when the cold, regal stranger arrives. As Margaret grows closer to Eleanor, she grapples with the revelations of the island's sinister true purpose as well as the truth of her own past. When Eleanor's life is threatened, Margaret is faced with a perilous choice between helping Eleanor and protecting herself.
My Thoughts:
Young Margaret knows she was sent to live at the convent on the island when she was just a baby. She knows this because she asked all of the ten people that were there when she arrived; the nuns, the servants, and even the old, sleepy priest. When a woman named Eleanor is brought to the island, Margaret comes to understand that the place that she has called home for so long is nothing but a prison for exiled enemies of the crown. She vows to help Eleanor and finds her place in the world.
This beautifully illustrated middle-grade graphic novel is an alternate history based on Queen Elizabeth I's early life. I've read a few books about Queen Elizabeth I in the past so I did pick up on the similarities with the family history between the royal half-sisters and the subsequent exile. While this may not be an accurate retelling, it is written and illustrated in a way that really delves into the monarchy, religion, and way of life at that point in time.
Aimed toward young readers that may or may not have encountered this historical time period before, the book does a fantastic job of explaining life in a convent and its religious purpose, from the different orders of nuns to the unique roles that each of them took on and what was expected in order to survive on a remote island.
I'm a big fan of traditional illustration and absolutely loved the artwork that makes up this graphic novel. I really enjoyed that when Margaret was telling a story about her past or the 'Queen of the Sea', the illustrations looked a little bit more childish, as if she were illustrating her memories for us in a juvenile way while the main plot is beautifully illustrated and watercolored.
This book is a bit on the lengthier side, with nearly 400 pages, but absolutely worth it! I flew through it and then read it again to my daughter and enjoyed it immensely both times. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys historical fiction or sequential art!
This beautifully illustrated middle-grade graphic novel is an alternate history based on Queen Elizabeth I's early life. I've read a few books about Queen Elizabeth I in the past so I did pick up on the similarities with the family history between the royal half-sisters and the subsequent exile. While this may not be an accurate retelling, it is written and illustrated in a way that really delves into the monarchy, religion, and way of life at that point in time.
Aimed toward young readers that may or may not have encountered this historical time period before, the book does a fantastic job of explaining life in a convent and its religious purpose, from the different orders of nuns to the unique roles that each of them took on and what was expected in order to survive on a remote island.
I'm a big fan of traditional illustration and absolutely loved the artwork that makes up this graphic novel. I really enjoyed that when Margaret was telling a story about her past or the 'Queen of the Sea', the illustrations looked a little bit more childish, as if she were illustrating her memories for us in a juvenile way while the main plot is beautifully illustrated and watercolored.
This book is a bit on the lengthier side, with nearly 400 pages, but absolutely worth it! I flew through it and then read it again to my daughter and enjoyed it immensely both times. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys historical fiction or sequential art!
Many thanks to the author/illustrator, publisher, and Goodreads for this fantastic graphic novel!
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