Book Review: Queen of Shadows, by Anna Belfrage

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun. Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule.

In Queen of Shadows, Anna Belfrage brings warmth and vulnerability to the perilous and centuries-old scandal of the relationship between Alfonso XI and Leonor de Guzmán. 

King Alfonso is charismatic and astute. Beneath the armour of kingship is a man burdened by expectation and loneliness his relationship with Leonor is the emotional refuge that steadies him amid the brutality of court politics.

 
Leonor de Guzmán emerges as an intelligent and emotionally resilient figures who understands the dangers surrounding her position. Every privilege granted by Alfonso’s devotion carries with it the threat of ruin, yet her strength is in her  refusal to surrender her dignity in a political storm.

What makes Queen of Shadows especially compelling is the tension between tenderness and danger. Every exchange between Alfonso and Leonor unfolds beneath the shadow of suspicion and looming betrayal. Anna Belfrage sustains this atmosphere, ensuring that the quietest moments shimmer with unease.

 
The supporting cast deepen the emotional complexity, particularly through the characters of Alma and Rodrigo. Alma brings a grounded emotional perspective, offering moments of compassion, insight, and wisdom that counterbalance the ruthlessness of the court.

 
Rodrigo embodies the tensions of loyalty and survival in a fractured kingdom. His presence adds another layer to this exploration of the personal sacrifices demanded by power. Together, these characters ensure the narrative extends far beyond the royal couple at its centre.

Queen of Shadows succeeds because the characters are shaped by desire and ambition, yet doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of the time. The result is a historical novel of epic scale which leaves the reader with a sense of the humanity behind the legends of history.

Tony Riches

# # #

About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. Anna has just released the final instalment, Their Castilian Orphan,  in her other medieval series, The Castilian Saga ,which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has recently released Times of Turmoil, a sequel to her time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding. . .  Find out more from Anna's website  www.annabelfrage.com  and find her on Facebook, Bluesky and Twitter @abelfrageauthor

Sign up to Anna’s newsletter to keep up with new releases, give-ways and other fun stuff: http://eepurl.com/cjgatT