BOOK REVIEW: "The Secret Eleanor" by Cecelia Holland

There have been many novels on Eleanor of Aquitaine released in the historical fiction world lately.  Most of the novels surround her marriage to King Henry II, their tumultuous relationship, their many children who rebelled against their father, Thomas Becket, and Henry's imprisonment of Eleanor, but rarely do you see a novel on that time period in Eleanor's life before she became the wife of Henry and eventual Queen of England.  You also rarely see a book that focuses on Eleanor's sister Petronilla.  In "The Secret Eleanor" by Cecelia Holland a whole other side of  Eleanor of Aquitaine's life is told.

"The Secret Eleanor" follows the time period of Eleanor as Queen of France, frustrated with her unhappy marriage to King Louis VII of France, and longing to become the wife of the passionate and headstrong Henry of Anjou who could become the next King of England.  The novel focuses on her waiting and planning to get an annulment and leave Louis and France behind and become the wife of the much younger Henry.  She also desires to return to her beloved Aquitaine and fully rule there.  The true main focus of the novel is the relationship between Eleanor and her younger sister Petronilla.  The relationship is complicated full of love, respect, loyalty, but even mixed with jealousy and dislike at times.  When Petronilla has to step in for Eleanor and pose as the Queen of France, the novel takes an interesting twist and turn so different from other novels on Eleanor of Aquitaine.  It is a unique book on a time in Eleanor's life before a dynamic and difficult marriage, scheming and plotting sons, and imprisonment. 

"The Secret Eleanor" will captivate fans because it is so different from other novels on Eleanor of Aquitaine.  Readers will enjoy reading about the relationship between Eleanor and Petronilla as well as experiencing Eleanor's dynamic and vibrant personality shining through the pages of the novel.  The novel also portrays the complicated power struggles for land and castles that were going on between King Louis, Duke Henry, and even Eleanor herself. 

Most importantly this novel portrays a fierce and cunning version of Eleanor.  Many novels get so caught up in her rumored sexual escapades or lovesick pining for Henry, but this novel captures her intelligence and ambition.  Isn't that what was most alluring about Eleanor of Aquitaine?

To purchase "The Secret Eleanor": http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Eleanor-Cecelia-Holland/dp/0425234509

For more information on Cecelia Holland: www.thefiredrake.com/