The Fatal Crown

I have read that this book was historically inaccurate-it was still a good book. I read it when it came out in the early 90's. It's a good historical romance novel and I think you should read it

It's entirely possible to love or hate Ellen Jones' "The Fatal Crown." This is historical fiction in the tradition of Margaret George's great novels like "The Memoirs of Cleopatra" and "The Autobiography Of Henry VIII". ...mostly it stays true to the facts of this horrible period in English history ...As with any historical novel, Jones makes up nearly all of the dialogue and she does do some wild speculation about the birth of the future Henry II. However, she is very careful to make sure her speculation coincides with facts that are unexplainable otherwise.I am a fairly good student of Eleanor and Henry II and there is not much doubt that the very popular books on Eleanor pretty much enhance her life beyond what really occurred. This does not stop me from enjoying a good historical novel about either of them. In this case, the speculation about the Empress Maude and King Stephen is probably fantasy, but Jones does a credible job of making sure that all the wild events fit into the known historical facts. In fact, she is the only novelist I have yet read who came up with a plot that actually explained the bizarre swings of fortune that occurred during the long civil war between Maude and Stephen. She keeps a very positive narration on both sides (something that so many novelists just can't seem to pull off - most just *have* to demonize one party or the other). She has decent explanations for Maude's actions in London as well as Stephen's crazy releases of both Maude and the adolescent Henry as well as his final act of making Maude's son his heir instead of his own son Eustace.When history is insane (and it certainly was during this period), I can find enjoyment in a crazy plot designed to explain the insanity. ...

Very well written and fast paced. 500+ pages that just disappeared--I didn't want it to end. Wonderfully drawn characters that you come to know and care about. Action, adventure, history and some very good sex. Jones does play a bit fast and loose with the history--but after all it is ficiton and the book is so good that it really doesn't seem to matter. While suggesting that Henry II might actually not be a Plantagenant (did I spell that correctly?), might send some to screaming--Jones is not the first author (in fiction or non-fiction) to make reference to an attraction and admiration existing between royal rivals Maud and Stephen. Even the beloved Sharon Kay Penman makes some reference to this in "When Christ and His Saints Slept." Anyway, Jones does get most of the rest of the history right and I always find it enjoying to read anything about Stephen of Blois and Maud, especially books that paint Maud in a favorable light. It seems to me she was unfairly manipulated to the extreme throughout her life and then abused by the historians as well. As historical romance goes, this is one of the best I've read. I can't wait to read the sequel.

I found this book extremely enjoyable and a quick read. The romance part I did not enjoy much but it was essential to the events in the book. It was well written which made the descriptions that much more interesting. And the time period was wonderful.