Week in Review #1

 

This first week of the year I read and reviewed three books, one for each blog. Will I try to read more than three books a week? Maybe. Maybe not. We'll see. 

The books I read:

1. Cloaked in Beauty. (Texas Ever After #3) Karen Witemeyer. 2024. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical fiction, christian fiction, romance]

I would recommend this book to people who...

• Enjoy clean, sweet historical romance
• Enjoy historical fiction set in Texas
• Interested in a fun blend of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty (the books are not fantasy, but contain slight 'nods' to classic fairy tales)
• love Karen Witemeyer's books

A Queen's Game. Katharine McGee. 2024 [November]. 368 pages. [Source: Library] [YA Historical, YA Romance, YA Fiction] [3 stars]

I would recommend this book to people who...

• love a LOT of gossip-y scandal with their "historical" fiction
• enjoy books with multiple narrators and alternating points of view
• enjoy books that star royalty
• care more for frothy good times than historical preciseness

The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah. Jane Yolen. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]

I would recommend this book to people who...

• enjoy Jane Yolen's books; she's a PROLIFIC children's author
• enjoy picture books with a historical setting
• enjoy picture books based on family history and/or oral storytelling
• enjoy reading about reading; this book celebrates learning to read
• enjoy picture books with strong, gumption-y heroines
• looking for Jewish picture books

 I also began--in earnest--my "century viewing" challenge where I hope to watch a movie for every year. Though if there are gaps, I hope to fill in those gaps with other films from that decade. We'll see how it goes. Most likely I will watch a movie--maybe two--tonight, so this list is only up to date until 5PM Saturday January 4th.

1920s

• 1920 One Week is a silent movie starring Buster Keaton. He stars as a newly wed with a "home improvement" project that goes horribly wrong.
• 1921 The Haunted House is a silent movie starring Buster Keaton. He stars as a bank clerk having a TERRIBLE day at work; he ends up in a "haunted house" and much mischief occurs.
• 1922. The Blacksmith is a silent movie starring Buster Keaton. He is a blacksmith or probably more likely a blacksmith apprentice. Customer satisfaction is not his strength it's fair to say....and he's on the run by the end of the short.
• 1924. Sherlock Jr is a silent movie starring Buster Keaton. He plays a movie projectionist who dreams of being a detective....he gets his opportunity...for better or worse. 

1940s

• 1946 Bandit of Sherwood Forest is a swashbuckling film. It stars Cornel Wilde as the son of Robin Hood. King John has died and his son, Henry III, is in danger by an evil regent. Is this film remotely accurate to the times? No. Did the writers understand the Magna Carta? Probably not. This one was in color. (One of two color films I watched this week)

1950s

• 1953 The Blue Gardenia is a black and white murder mystery--of sorts. It stars Richard Conte and Anne Baxter, however, notable for me is who plays the murder victim--none other than Raymond Burr! Did I solve this one within the first five to ten minutes, yes, I've watched too much Perry Mason not to read the clues properly. 

1980s

• 1982 Ivanhoe is an adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's adventure book. It is a New Year's Day tradition. I absolutely love, love, love, and adore this adventure-packed historical romance. I love Anthony Andrews and Sam Neill.

I found everything to be at the very, very least moderately entertaining. I did. I really LOVED Sherlock JR. Ivanhoe is one I've seen at least a dozen times but absolutely love and adore. Blue Gardenia was at the very least a great one-time view. I'm not sure I loved it so much that I want to watch it again and again. I should also probably mention it features Nat King Cole as a performer! Bandit of Sherwood Forest had me fact-checking things until I gave up and realized that it was a waste of time.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

1. A Queen's Game

1. A Queen's Game. Katharine McGee. 2024 [November]. 368 pages. [Source: Library] [YA Historical, YA Romance, YA Fiction] [3 stars]

First sentence: May of Teck hated weddings.

Premise/plot: A Queen's Game is YA historical fiction. The three main characters--protagonists--were historical figures, in varying degrees of royalty. Many of the "main" characters (and/or their love interests) were grandchildren of Queen Victoria--though not all. The three young women at the center of this one are May (May of Teck, aka future Queen Mary) Hélène d’Orléans (daughter of an exiled King of France), and Alix of Hesse (aka future Empress of Russia). 

The book follows the ups and downs of their love lives--or lack thereof. May of Teck is descended from a first cousin of Queen Victoria, she's always been on the fringe instead of front and center in the royal family. She has ambitions of marrying *into* the family but Queen Victoria may have other plans for her grandsons. A fictional American, Agnes, tries to influence May of Teck to be more bold, daring, ambitious, to fight dirty. WHY? No one quite knows except the book needs to be more Gossip Girl.  Hélène follows her heart and gives into her passions--quite literally, of course. Of the three narrators her chapters almost always lead to some degree of smut. Alix's story has its own obstacles--from within and without--she is falling head over heals in love with he who would be the next Tsar--Nicholas. Everyone opposes the match. She has her own reservations--though real or fictionally imagined who knows--because of medical/genetic concerns.

My thoughts: The book does NOT give a year (which in my opinion is a CRIME for historical fiction based on real people and somewhat real events). My best guess is 1890 to 1891. One of the love interests dies in  January 1892, so definitely before then. Could it be set earlier? Sure. 

The book is driven by gossip, scandal and/or the potential of such. It is frothy for sure. Like in her American Royals series, this has alternating narrators, the male love interests do not get their own point of view although they play huge roles in all the chapters. 

It is on the lighter, frothier, fluffier side of historical fiction. But it might serve as an introduction to a later period of the British royal family. Teens may not be familiar with all that happens next in their stories.

 Wikipedia links
Mary of Teck (referred to throughout the book as May)
Alix of Hesse (Alexandra Feodorovna) 
Hélène d’Orléans
Prince "Eddy" (aka Albert Victor Christian Edward, Duke of Clarence)

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews