What readers think of Victoria, plus links to write your own review.

I love Historical Fiction, so I was eager to read this story of the young Queen Victoria. I had seen the movie “Young Victoria” a few years ago and really enjoyed it. The first few chapters of this book reminded me very much of the movie.

Ms. Goodwin’s descriptions brought the story to life for me. I found myself getting frustrated with Victoria as she was quite childish. How difficult it must have been to see that Victoria was, at times, not mature enough for the responsibilities placed upon her, but to be unable to do or say anything because, after all, she was the Queen.

You may wonder then why I gave the book only three stars. If it were categorized as Historical Romance I would give it four stars, but as Historical Fiction it only gets three stars. The book really says very little about what responsibilities Victoria actually had. The entire book is Victoria mooning over Lord Melbourne. (I can see why as he, being much older, showed the maturity needed for a proper Prime Minister. He was also the only one that seemed able to carefully direct Victoria to the proper decisions or behaviors.) Then when Albert does come along it is like a Harlequin story – they hate each other and then after some time suddenly discover they can’t live without each other.

So, if you want romance it is a good read. But if you want to learn historical information regarding Queen Victoria you might look elsewhere.

I was of two minds regarding this novel of young Queen Victoria. I thought for the most part that it was an easy, pleasant read chronicling the early days or this 18 year old girl turned queen who had no preparation whatsoever for the task ahead. I enjoyed looking in on her relationship with Lord M, and how she began to develop as a woman.
But then I thought it really began to drag. I did not think the relationship with her cousin Albert was very well developed. I would have enjoyed more depth and insight into their union

This book has a lot of buzz, in part because of the tv miniseries, but in my view, the book fails to live up to the hype. Historical fiction is tricky, and while the concept of the Queen Victoria as a teenager is fresh, I was disappointed in the development of all the characters. Victoria herself seemed a lot more teenage style icon than queen, and it was difficult to understand the fascination that she held for Melbourne. Similarly, the end of one relationship in favor of Albert seemed rushed and unlikely to me. But the London setting, Buckingham Palace, and the clothes all made a positive contribution to the story. All in all, I still prefer "An American Heiress."

I am a big fan of historical fiction, but this book does not count among my favorites. It is an easy to read love story, begins in 1835, two years prior to Victoria's ascent to the throne, and ends with her proposal to Albert in 1839. Victoria's less-than-satisfactory relationship with her mother and her mother's power-hungry friend, Sir John Conroy, are explored. On the romantic front, her quasi-romantic relationship with her prime minister, Lord Melbourne, dominates the book. In the last few chapters, husband-to-be Albert finally comes to the fore. After a brief courtship, Victoria manages to win Albert. Or is it he who manages to win her? The best I can say is that the book did spur me to further reading about the social and political milieu into which Victoria found herself thrust at the age of 18.

I love Historical Fiction, so I was eager to read this story of the young Queen Victoria. I had seen the movie “Young Victoria” a few years ago and really enjoyed it. The first few chapters of this book reminded me very much of the movie.

Ms. Goodwin’s descriptions brought the story to life for me. I found myself getting frustrated with Victoria as she was quite childish. How difficult it must have been to see that Victoria was, at times, not mature enough for the responsibilities placed upon her, but to be unable to do or say anything because, after all, she was the Queen.

You may wonder then why I gave the book only three stars. If it were categorized as Historical Romance I would give it four stars, but as Historical Fiction it only gets three stars. The book really says very little about what responsibilities Victoria actually had. The entire book is Victoria mooning over Lord Melbourne. (I can see why as he, being much older, showed the maturity needed for a proper Prime Minister. He was also the only one that seemed able to carefully direct Victoria to the proper decisions or behaviors.) Then when Albert does come along it is like a Harlequin story – they hate each other and then after some time suddenly discover they can’t live without each other.

So, if you want romance it is a good read. But if you want to learn historical information regarding Queen Victoria you might look elsewhere.

This book provides excellent context for the PBS Masterpiece Theater presentation coming in January. However, as a stand alone novel, I feel it had some short comings. Too much time was spent on her very early years. It dragged in places and was some what repetitive. I learned new information about The Bedchamber Crisis, John Conroy and Lord Melbourne. The book ends in 1839 when Victoria fell in love with her cousin, Prince Albert. Perhaps more pages on the early years of their marriage...or is that saved for the next book or season 2 of the TV show?

I struggled to get through Victoria. I am afraid I read this book from today's perspective. I got so tired of reading how Victoria would only be happy if she married. She would come into her own if she had a man to guide her. Too much detail was given to her infatuation with Lord Melbourne. This book was more romance than historical fiction.

I was looking forward to reading about a young girl who becomes a strong woman leading her country. All I got was a weak story line of a romance. Victoria relies on Melbourne throughout, never really involving herself in her country's politics. She goes by her hairstylist's sadness, Melbourne's politics, etc. to make decisions on her next royal ruling. Never delving into what is truly going on in her country. This is a romance novel of "spirited young girl meets awkward young prince" with no meat or depth. She is more concerned about her hairstyles, the cut of her dress than the turmoil in her country. No where in this novel is there a hint of the depth of Victoria either as a queen or a woman. I am so disappointed.