Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
LGF - Livre de Poche (1973), Edition: Nouvelle, Poche
Description
"This is the original Game of Thrones." George R.R. Martin. 'No woman shall succeed in Salique land' Louis X is dead, poisoned, murdered, by the hand of Mahaut d'Artois. Her plan is simple - to clear the path to the throne for her son-in-law Philippe. However, there is the small matter of Queen Clemence and her unborn child. As the country is thrown into turmoil, Philippe of Poitiers must use any means necessary to save his country from anarchy. However, how far is he willing to go to clear his path to the throne and become King in his own right?
User reviews
LibraryThing member CaroPi
This book puts into balance one of the weakness of polish monarchy: It has to be a boy. England accepted woman to come into power and they maintain their strength, but the anachronistic laws of France just show us one more time how this regulations far from make their nation stronger it make it
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weaker, and history will confirm this one more time years after these events took place. Show Less
LibraryThing member Joanne53
The best person to be the King, might just happen to be the Queen
LibraryThing member john257hopper
This the fourth book in the author's Accursed Kings series of novels set in early 14th century France during a developing crisis for the ruling Capetian dynasty. King Louis X has died young suddenly, leaving a pregnant widow Clemence, and the realm must wait in abeyance to see if she gives birth to
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a son. By the machinations of Louis's younger brother Philippe and other relatives acting either for or against him, chaos and civil war threaten to break out. Clemence gives birth to a son, who becomes King Jean I, but dies after only a few days, though there is a twist in the tail. Featuring the usual mix of plotting, betrayal, murder and mayhem, this is another colourful slice of Medieval historical fiction. These re-releases trumpet George R R Martin's statement that this series is the original Games of Thrones, but I think this is true only superficially, and I disagree strongly with his view in the foreword that he has "always regarded historical fiction and fantasy as sisters under the skin, two genres separated at birth". Great stuff. Show Less
LibraryThing member Andrew-theQM
George R R Martin was right when he called these books the original Game of Thrones - so many characters and all of them plotting to become King (or even Queen) of France. At one point I was struggling to remember who was who, and had to keep looking back to the list of characters at the front. Boy
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were some of these people evil! I really did enjoy this book and look forward to marching on with book 5 soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member wishanem
The 4th book in Maurice Druon's Iron King series, and the most disturbing by a margin of two horrific crimes. Another layer of tragedies are lain on the story's heroes, while the villains see mostly success. This books lays out the boldest schemes of the most ambitious nobles, promising that some
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will be punished appropriately, but that promise isn't fulfilled before the end of the book. I do intend to pick up the next book in the series, but I'm a little disappointed that the story hasn't included a single happy ending for any significant character yet. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
1957
Physical description
382 p.; 6.77 inches
ISBN
2253004057 / 9782253004059
UPC
002253004057