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The Steel Beneath the Silk
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Rachel Atkins
- Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins
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3 out of 5 stars
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Not Penman's best.
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At the side of the most famous warlord of history, Matilda worked, not as a quiet, modest wife, but as a leader...as a ruler just as ruthless as her husband. Under her soft mask of beauty and modesty there lay the heart of a woman powered by ambition. A woman who was strong, courageous, and devious.... Through the eyes of one of the most extraordinary women of history unfold the events leading to the invasion of England and the battle that would decide its fate....
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2 out of 5 stars
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Publisher's Summary
A breathtaking conclusion to Bracewell’s Emma of Normandy Trilogy, brimming with treachery, heartache, tenderness, and passion as the English queen confronts ambitious and traitorous councilors, invading armies and the Danish king’s power-hungry concubine.
In the year 1012, England’s Norman-born Queen Emma has been ten years wed to an aging, ruthless, haunted King Æthelred. The marriage is a bitterly unhappy one, between a queen who seeks to create her own sphere of influence within the court and a suspicious king who eyes her efforts with hostility and resentment. But royal discord shifts to grudging alliance when Cnut of Denmark, with the secret collusion of his English concubine Elgiva, invades England at the head of a massive viking army. Amid the chaos of war, Emma must outwit a fierce enemy whose goal is conquest and outmaneuver the cunning Elgiva, who threatens all those whom Emma loves.
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What listeners say about The Steel Beneath the Silk
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Debrah
- 04-16-21
Felt like it ended too soon
I get that the Author would have to imagine Emma of Normandy during Cnut's reign. She was able to do it in her first marriage but totally ended the story unfinished after Cnut comes to power. Sad.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rene
- 12-23-21
best out of all the series
even if you don't get the other books in the series, this one on its own is a wonderful read. you'll find yourself totally engrossed, having trouble putting it down and not listening, and I felt real regret when the book ended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nikki
- 12-19-21
Loved the story
All three of these books are wonderful. However; there is a different narrator for every book in the series. As a result, the sounds of the characters, pronunciation, and cadence changes with each book and it’s hard to adjust to. All three narrators do a good job, but you have to take a break in between books because the adjustment is painful every time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JO
- 08-26-21
Enjoyed this series!
I am a big fan of historical fiction. And I loved this trilogy. I didn't even know a Queen Emma existed, so many books have focused on better known English kings and queens. Some reviews have complained about the narrator however she spoke clearly and I was able to understand everything she read. I enjoyed the series.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ann Rose
- 04-16-21
Queen Emma
Loved this book. Well done. Over too soon! Patricia Bracewell takes you back in time & captures the essence of what Emma must have been like, with her trials, tribulations, passions and spirit.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Richard
- 03-25-21
Fantastic!!
A brilliant final book to an epic trilogy. Emma is one of the most fascinating figures in British history and her world is brought to life superbly. It's a gripping tale with a host of vividly painted characters. Can't recommend this trilogy enough. I'm just sad I've finished it.
