Review: A Triple Knot by Emma Campion

[jordantyler91]

I didn't see this book listed under this forum & as it's historical fiction, I don't think it fits into the other categories. I apologize if this is somewhere else & I missed it!

Here goes:

Let me start with this: I cannot finish this book.

Actually, I should probably start with a plot description. This novel falls under the realm of historical fiction. It concerns the life of Joan of Kent, cousin to and ward of King Edward III. Her father was named a traitor when she was younger and was executed for his crimes. Since then, her and her brother have fallen into the hands of the King and his Queen, Philippa. Joan is destined for a politically advantageous marriage to help the King of England take France. This is the start of all of Joan's troubles. The King and Queen agree to at least two different matches for Joan--both of them bad (the first is a child molester and the second is a homosexual jealous of Joan's relationship with the crown prince). In order to get away from the first suitor, Joan must marry a knight whom she actually loves. However, they decide to keep it a secret and she is married off to the second suitor. The knight tries and tries again to get the King and the Pope to recognize their marriage but she is kept from him in order to benefit the King and Queen. Meanwhile, the crown prince is obsessed with Joan and seeks to off both of Joan's husbands. Keep reading to find out how the story ends but I cannot...

It's not that I don't enjoy historical fictions. I used to read the fictional diaries of ladies like Cleopatra and Marie Antoinette when I was in third grade. There are quite a few things wrong with the crafting of this novel:

1. The introduction to the story is confusing. There is a list in the beginning of the book with names and relationships between the royal family. This did not help me. I am still confused as to whether Joan's father was the dowager queen's husband or brother. Maybe both, considering the time period.

2. The random changes in perspective threw me off. For the majority of the novel, the story is written from Joan's point of view. But every once in a while there are perspective chapters from the Queen or the knight. I felt that the perspective of the Queen was unnecessary and that the perspective of the knight should have been more consistent. He drops off the face of the earth for about 100 pages while others deliberate on Joan's future. I wish the author would have continued to provide insight into his character so that their relationship could be more enticing. As it is, he's a man twice Joan's age with nothing to offer her but his sometimes wish-washy love.

3. The part that stopped me from reading the book entirely was the pacing. I kept expecting some kind of plot progression but really Joan is just stuck for at least 150 pages with nothing happening! I wish the author might have speed up these bits to get to the next point in the plot! Around the 280 page mark (e-book format), she lost me (100 pages away from the finish). I have tried for three days to get back into it and cannot!

The one redeeming part of this novel is Joan's character progression. She has, what I feel, to be the appropriate emotions and responses to most of the things that happen to her (except her connection with her cousin which I don't understand). I empathize with her struggle and can relate to her tough character. Overall, I'd give this book 2/5 stars.

Thanks for Bloggingforbooks.com for sharing this book with me. You might also find this review on goodreads and my blog.