No Ordinary Pawn - an Editorial Review of "The Queen Among Kings"

Book Blurb:

She came to England expecting chivalry and courtly grace. What she found was betrayal, corruption, and a king more interested in favorites than his crown...

Isabella of France, once the daughter of kings, became a queen stripped of lands, wealth, and influence—left to navigate a treacherous court and a husband whose obsession with Hugh Despenser threatened to ruin the kingdom.

But Isabella is no ordinary pawn. With intelligence, courage, and a heart tempered by love and loss, she gathers allies in secret, forms a daring plan, and challenges the very men who seek to control her. Her cause is not only her own survival, but the future of her son, the heir to England’s throne.

A tale of cunning strategy, forbidden romance, and the relentless pursuit of justice, The Queen Among Kings traces a queen’s rise from powerless exile to masterful architect of her own—and England’s—destiny.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/jEeZQAP

Author Bio:

Brian Martin writes historical fiction rooted in the real politics and power struggles of medieval England and France. His first novel, The Queen Among Kings, explores the turbulent world of the Plantagenets, weaving together the ambitions of Isabella of France, the downfall of Edward II, and the ruthless rise of Roger Mortimer and Hugh Despenser. His work focuses on character‑driven political intrigue grounded in documented events, bringing the brutal logic of medieval power to life.

Editorial Review:

Title: The Queen among Kings

Author: Brian Martin

Rating: 4.2

“Isabella stood ready to invade the country of which she had been queen for the last eighteen years. Unlike most invaders, Isabella wasn’t sailing to England for power or wealth. Isabella was invading England to free it from the men she feared would drive it to ruin… Isabella didn’t have the money to pay for this war.”

This passage which has been captured from the prologue of “The Queen among Kings” by Brian Martin, introduces the protagonist, Queen Isabella, a formidable woman who against all odds tries to redefine the history of England. She is the wronged party, a queen who has lost her lands and even her husband, King Edward II, who over the course of eighteen years fell deeper into Hugh Despenser’s venomous hold. The reader immediately feels sympathy for Isabella, but also becomes curious to know what actually happened that bringing things to such a desperate point. They also understand that what she is doing takes immense courage, especially without an army, money or the help and support of powerful men like her brother, King Charles IV of France.

“I beg you my gentle lord, to instruct your chancellor to take steps speedily in this matter, and determine what is best to do for your honor and profit. If action is not speedily taken, this will do you great harm and be of much benefit to the said Count.’

“Is she not clever? How many queens would be so wise as to be aware of such troubles, and so prudent as to warn their king?” Edward asked. “Yes, and with such force and precision, too,” responded Despenser without looking up from the document he was reading.”

This moment occurs early in the story when Isabella is still loyal and supportive, trying to help her husband govern well and safely. She has identified a political threat to him and has written to warn him. The reader sees her as astute, intelligent and genuine, qualities that earn her praise from the king. But it is Despenser’s response that really carries the weight of the moment. He plants seeds of distrust, and the reader senses that in the near future, Edward might be swayed to stop seeing his wife as an asset and instead view her a s athreat.

““It’s only a possibility, Your Grace,” said Despenser, holding up his hands. “One of many that we must consider. Someone in your realm must have helped Mortimer and we must find out who.” Despenser knew his man and knew enough not to press too hard on the possibility that Isabella had helped Mortimer. The seed had been planted, and that was enough for now. Whomever he may have suspected of helping Mortimer to escape, Edward was sure of one thing: a free Mortimer loose about the kingdom could lead a rebellion to depose him.”

Here, Despenser is seizing every opportunity available to advance his agenda. He is suspicious of Isabella, an idea he plants and wait for it to grow, nourished by Edward’s own insecurities and fears. The reader understands that this might severe their marriage, especially if Edward entertains the thought of her as a traitor. The reader watches as Isabella gets destroyed not by a mighty force, but by a thousand small cuts. The moment also reminds the reader of what she stands to lose, including her dignity, lands and income. They also hope that her labeling as a traitor doesn’t bring about a self-fulfilling prophecy where she will, in reality, become one.

Brian Martin approaches the story from both sides of the conflict allowing the reader to understand the psychology and motivations behind both the king and the queen’s decisions. That kind of approach has created a richer, more engaging narrative, featuring these two key figures who respectively, have their weaknesses exploited and their emotions pushed to extremes by betrayal. What sets this book apart among its peers is its unique portrayal of the King Edward II, as a man with real emotional needs and vulnerabilities, unlike in other books where he is majorly portrayed as weak and foolish. Here, he is a king who feels like he has the potential for goodness, but lacks the strength to resist a manipulative and poisonous counselor.

“The Queen among Kings” has woven personal drama into its political narrative making the story feel very human. It doesn’t shy away from showing its main characters moral complexity, rather, it allows them to be flawed even as the novel heads towards a victory that feels undoubtedly rightfully earned. This is a historical novel that is psychologically rich, morally complex, and emotionally devastating. It doesn’t just tell a story, rather, it makes the reader feel the weight of history throughout.

---

To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission