Young Queens

Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power

By: Leah Redmond Chang

Narrated by: Olivia Dowd

Orphaned from infancy, Catherine de’ Medici endured a tumultuous childhood. Married to the French king, she was widowed by forty, only to become the power behind the French throne during a period of intense civil strife. In 1546, Catherine gave birth to a daughter, Elisabeth de Valois, who would become Queen of Spain. Two years later, Catherine welcomed to her nursery the beguiling young Mary Queen of Scots, who would later become her daughter-in-law.

Together, Catherine, Elisabeth, and Mary lived through the sea changes that transformed sixteenth-century Europe, a time of expanding empires, religious discord, and populist revolt, as concepts of nationhood began to emerge and ideas of sovereignty inched closer to absolutism. They would learn that to rule as a queen was to wage a constant war against the deeply entrenched misogyny of their time.

Following the intertwined stories of the three women from girlhood through young adulthood, Leah Redmond Chang's Young Queens paints a picture of a world in which a woman could wield power at the highest level yet remain at the mercy of the state, her body serving as the currency of empire and dynasty, sacrificed to the will of husband, family, kingdom.

©2023 Leah Redmond Chang (P)2023 Recorded Books

Historical storytelling at its best (audiobook edition)

A well interwoven story of Catherine DM, Mary QS, and Elisabeth dV …Exceptional narration by Olivia Dowd … non-fiction at its best!

Fascinating and Well-told

This is a fantastic look into the lives, letters, relationships, and responsibilities of these historical figures. Very accurate and detailed, with just enough embellishment and speculation to humanize the women. Beautifully performed, though a little slowly paced.

A Rich Entangled History That Entertains While It Educates

This book was so thorough and so well written as it connected up the lives of these three historically important queens. It completely educates while entertaining you through the entire length of the reading by a fabulous narrator. The twists and turns and the insider information about a time in history, not only intrigues, but makes us clearly aware of how history can repeat itself and maybe doing so in seemingly disguised or obvious ways today! I loved it I couldn't put it down.

accurate and not too dry

Well read. They spoke clearly as I was able to increase the speed easily. Good information. Most I knew so was not really needed but got it on sale.

Hard to Put Down

What I appreciate is the evidence brought in and woven together in the telling of the Queens. I learned so much and have so many questions it inspires continued reading.

Excellent writing, engaging narration

This book has shed new light on the queens of the Elizabethan era, delving deeper into the emotional ties between three powerful women. Highly recommend.

So well researched!

This is a narrative, not a novel, but it is as engrossing as any romance!! So rich in detail. My only complaint is a lack of detail
regarding Mary Stuart’s last years. But a fantastic book with so much insight into three queens of that era.

Very interesting

A lot of details well told. I learned more than expected. Long, but I listened to the full length.

can’t recommend enough

Content was great, narrator was great, if you love your maligned medieval women you’ll like this

Such a good narrator

History about women, written by a woman, narrated by a woman. I loved it and learned so much