The Devil's Queen

A Novel of Catherine de Medici

By: Jeanne Kalogridis

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Catherine de Medici is one of the most maligned monarchs in history: blamed for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in which hundreds of innocents died. What motivated this Renaissance woman who was born of Florence's most powerful family, and one day came to rule France?

In her latest historical fiction bestseller, Jeanne Kalogridis tells the story of Catherine, a tender young girl, destined to be a pawn in Machiavellian games. Left a fabulously rich heiress, imprisoned and threatened by her family's enemies, she was finally married off to a handsome prince of France.

Overshadowed by her husband's mistress, the conniving Diane de Poitiers, and now consort to a King, Catherine resorted to sorcery to win his love, enhance her fertility and foil her enemies. Against the lavish and decadent backdrop of the French court, and Catherine's visions induced by the black arts, Kalogoris reveals the great love and desire Catherine bore for her husband Henry, and her stark determination to keep her sons on the throne.

Critic reviews

“Both the unabridged and abridged recordings feature a brilliant, perfectly nuanced performance by pseudonymous narrator Kate Reading...” —Library Journal

“You'll be captivated by Kate Reading's narration. She eases us into Catherine's character with fluid pronunciations of Italian and French and a flow that sweeps us into her story.” —AudioFile

“Jeanne Kalogridis's deftly written historical novel is superbly narrated by Kate Reading...The Devil's Queen is enthusiastically recommended as a personal 'theater of the mind' experience.” —The Midwest Book Review

Slow start, great book. Love Jeanne!

I've been a Jeanne Kalogridis fan for years. This is just one more installation of her historic genius.

Very interesting twist on this infamous queen

I enjoyed this take on Catherine M. History tends to make her out to be an evil, calculating, cold woman. This book gave a refreshing point of view on the struggles of women in the political scene of Renaissance Europe. Her involvement with astrology/occult and her keen intelligence of people, politics and herself, even at times very lurid and gritty, was very provocative.

Excellant!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I did not sleep for days. could not stop listening.

What did you like best about this story?

A better understanding of Catherines place in history

Which scene was your favorite?

When she was being lifted up on the wall.

Catherine Medici

This book is enjoyable. It has made me want to read more abouth Queen Catherine and her family.

Engaging and Entertaining

I enjoyed this audiobook very much. The narrator was excellent, and really conveyed the tone and mood of the book well.
The story was extremely engaging and was one of those "hard to put down" books. I love that all of the French names were pronounced correctly as well. This grand overarching story of Catherine di Medici was an great read.