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  • The Summer Queen

  • Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy, Book 1
  • By: Elizabeth Chadwick
  • Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
  • Length: 18 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (93 ratings)

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The Summer Queen

By: Elizabeth Chadwick
Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
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Publisher's Summary

Eleanor of Aquitaine.

A loving mother. A betrayed wife. A queen beyond compare.

Eleanor of Aquitaine's story is legendary. She is an icon who has fascinated readers for over 800 years. But the real Eleanor remains elusive - until now. Based on the most up-to-date research, best-selling novelist Elizabeth Chadwick brings Eleanor's magnificent story to life, as never before.

Young, vibrant, privileged, Eleanor's future is golden as the heiress to wealthy Aquitaine. But when her beloved father dies suddenly in the summer of 1137, her childhood ends abruptly. Forced to marry the young prince Louis of France, Eleanor is still struggling to adjust to her new role when Louis' father dies and they become King and Queen of France. Leaving everything behind, the vivacious Eleanor must face the complex and faction-riddled French court. She is only 13.

Overflowing with scandal, politics, sex, triumphs and tragedies, The Summer Queen is the first novel in a stunning trilogy from award-winning and much-loved author Elizabeth Chadwick

©2013 Elizabeth Chadwick (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"An author who makes history come gloriously alive." (The Times)

"Meticulous research and strong storytelling." (Woman & Home)

"A sumptuous ride." (Toby Clements, Daily Telegraph)

What listeners say about The Summer Queen

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A believable Eleanor

History made story. I enjoyed this book and having read non-fiction about Eleanor this was close to fact. The narrator captured the youth of the Duchess and carried the male voices well too. Thank you.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Royal Porn.

I went into this book with high hopes. I love these kinds of stories and I have been looking for a new royal obsession. I love Gregory, even though her books can seem like smut. I feel like the sex and drama has a place.

This is not the case with this book. This book is basically some woman's sexual fantasy. Sex punctuates every single moment of importance almost as if women and men would continually have sex if it wasn't for the fact that our lives are busier now.

I have no idea about the characters beyond their sexual endeavours. It is actually very strange.

It's sad that the story of such a great Queen is reduced to some sexual fantasy, almost as if the crux and aim of feminism is free love. Not that any of this is free. Even the sex is dictated by men as well as their political and financial standing.

The performance was great. The story is so disappointing.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional

Loved it. Beautifully written and excellent audio reading. I look forward to the next two in the series.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A little disappointing

Interesting tale. I enjoyed the story but was disappointed with the narration. The reader was so slow I found her an excellent sleeping pill. Her interpretation of the characters was unconvincing and lacked depth as she waffled on. I will explore more from this author as I liked her style of writing but with a different narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Tee
  • 20-04-2017

Get thrown back in time

Amazing story, fantastic narrator! As always a pleasure to be immersed in a world far different to what we have today. Loved it!!!! Second book already purchased :)

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    5 out of 5 stars
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History at its most entertaining

loved all of it. Very easy to listen too. A jolly good explanation by author at end of how and why she depicted Eleanor as she did.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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lovely strong female lead

i adore historical novels and this one does not disappoint. i am looking forward to the next read inthe series.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Slow in the middle but overall great story

I really enjoyed the story and thought the voice actor was spot on. thank you!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

History Alive

Well researched and written book. Characters believable and tension maintained from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading The Winter Queen.

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