The First Princess of Wales

A Novel

By: Karen Harper

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 22 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

Joan of Kent may have been the daughter of a disgraced earl, but there's more than meets the eye about this high-spirited and savvy woman...who soon changes the course of history.

At the height of the Middle Ages in the 14th century, King Edward III of England is determined to use any means necessary to expand his power and gain control of England's bitter rival, France. His own son, Edward, prince of Wales, is far from immune from his political plans. And when Joan of Kent, now free from exile, sees her chance for revenge, she takes it. A calculated plot to scandalize the royal family for revenge for her father's downfall and execution soon turns into the most surprising thing: love. When Joan learns that the prince of Wales actually returns her feelings, she has to make a decision: follow through her with plan or give it all up for true love? Will love cost her everything she's ever wanted?

The First Princess of Wales by New York Times best seller Karen Harper reveals a story full of scandal, royal intrigue, and the biggest figures of the Middle Ages - and a true love story that impacted the rest of British history.

©2006 Karen Harper (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Dissapointing

This is a romance novel with some history thrown in. I love the narrator who does read many similar books, I simply enjoyed listening to her beautiful voice and a story that didn’t require contemplation or serious focused listening.

Edit! Edit! Edit!

I loved Karen Harper’s Elizabeth 1 mysteries and ‘Mistress Shakespeare’, so I was excited to listen to a novel based on the Plantagenets but what a disappointment this book has been. I persisted to the end but there were many times I wanted to give up. There is very little history and a number of anachronisms. It seems that the substitute for history or plot is sex. There are so much sex that I even started talking out loud playing “bingo” with the descriptions. It was incredibly annoying. Honestly, the story could have been a tight little novel if two thirds was edited out. The characters are one dimensional and unlikable. Joan is presented as a silly, self-centred child throughout the story. The Prince of Wales is simply, well, insatiable. Having said that, I will still look for this author’s other novels as this one seems not up to her usual level of excellence.

Pleasant storyline with satisfying ending!

Window into the life Joan of Kent, showing, like many historical fiction novels a women living in a mans world. I found Joan’s willful spirit refreshing; though at times tedious in the beginning has a satisfying ending! I enjoyed listening and would recommend😊
side note: I haven’t found any other audiobooks about Joan of Kent; many Tudor court novels, nice hear something different!

Horrible!

The story goes back and forth in what might be a plot if you want to stretch it. It could have been resolved or presented in a different manner rather than dragging the reader/listener in a Yo-to of boring fights and encounters with little death. Weak! All about sexual encounters& endless descriptions of clothing and food prep. Really disappointed by it.

Amazing

Wow! Loved every single minute of this book! Well written, well read. Just amazing! Was sad to see it come to an end.

Romantic Novel

I purchased this title just to be able to listen to my favorite narrator’s voice. While not what I usually look for in historical fiction, I was entertained.

like a beloved fairy tale

This story is magnificent. There is romance without gratuitous sex scenes, action, adventure, & history. I loved it. The narrator does a fantastic job with the different voices as well. Overall, I highly recommend.

Could not wait to be done with it.

I love historical fiction, even bad historical fiction. But this story was more of a sappy, romantic fiction, or with very little historical content. So disappointing and so predictable the narration was good though.

Predictable at times but well written

I have to start by saying I love this time period and the narration of the story. Some parts are predictable but overall it kept me wanting to listen more and more.

Just Okay

About half way through, knowing how it would end, I didn't care if I finished it or not. The Duchess Joan and Prince Edward encounter each other throughout their lifetimes. Prince Edward is immediately smitten, while Joan denies her attraction, believing he's partially responsible for her father 's death. Over time the Duchess learns Prince Edward 's father actually tried to save her father. However events prevent their being together. Prince Edward 's mother arranges a marriage for Joan because the queen doesn't believe Josh's station is high enough for her son. Edward and Joan continue to encounter each other and now both recognize their inevitable attraction.

It's meant as a live story, but is quite contrived and unrealistic.

Nothing happens

I kept skipping the chapters ahead to see if the story actually goes anywhere and it kind if does but my Lord there's a load of rubbish along the way. So much love and sex description and hardly any historical interest. Honestly not found 1 chapter yet without her declearong her undying love. Just incredibly dull to listen too which is a shame as I love Bianca the reader just a very boring book which had so much potential

Dire

Unlike me, don’t waste your credit 🙄. Fluff and flummery. Stick to Boreman, Weir and Gregory