The Bad Queen

By Carolyn Meyer and Jodi Reamer

In this latest installment of her acclaimed Young Royals series, Carolyn Meyer reveals the dizzying rise and horrific downfall of the last queen of France. From the moment she was betrothed to the dauphin of France at age fourteen, perfection was demanded of Marie-Antoinette. Desperate for affection and subjected to constant scrutiny, this spirited young woman can’t help but want to let loose with elaborate parties, scandalous fashions, and even a forbidden love affair. Meanwhile, the peasants of France are suffering from increasing poverty and becoming outraged. They want to make the queen pay for her reckless extravagance—with her life.

Includes historical notes, an author’s note, and bibliography

• Language: English
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Release date: Apr 12, 2010
• ISBN: 9780547487885

Carolyn Meyer

Carolyn Meyer is the acclaimed author of more than fifty books for young people. Her many award-winning novels include Mary, Bloody Mary, an ABA Pick of the Lists, an NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, a New York Times bestseller; White Lilacs, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an NYPL Best Book for the Teen Age, and an IRA Young Adults' Choice; and Marie, Dancing, a BookSense Pick. Ms. Meyer lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Visit her website at www.readcarolyn.com.

Reviews for The Bad Queen

[sararush · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Meyer imagines the life of Marie-Antoinette as a young girl through her death giving us a Queen who was not entirely rotten but self absorbed, shallow, and inept at public relations. All of the chapters begin from a rule that was likely given to the monarch, and the bulk of the rules refer to her rampant unchecked spending. Which Meyer details and then lets the young monarch rationalize. Meyer clearly went out of her way to give an impartial view if the notorious Queen. She does play to Antoinette's spoiled and thoughtless reputation, but balances those fatal flaws with the struggles of young girl trying to fit in amongst the anti-Austrian climate and furthermore portrays Antoinette a loving mother her mother and a dutiful wife. My only complaint is that Meyer shifts the narration from Maire to her daughter, Maire Therese, over the last hundred pages, and I am not sure why. I can only guess that she wanted to keep the narration flowing from a youthful perspective. It only serves to alienate the reader from our narrator during the most critical events of her life. Otherwise, though much of the historical details are fashion and court custom based, readers are also given insights into the American and French Revolutions. Plus the author gives a historical note and a bibliography which many of my "adult" fictionalized novels of actual historical figures do not even bother with. The story is an instantly engrossing choice with a tragic appeal that young ladies should devour like cake.

[rebecca191 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Marie-Antoinette, known as Antonia as a child, grew up as the youngest daughter of Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, a mother who demanded no less than perfection and dedicated herself to making politically advantageous marriages for her many children. In 1768, the year Antonia turns thirteen, her mother determines to marry her off to Louis-Auguste, the heir to the throne of France, who is one year older than Antonia. From that day forward, everything changes for her. Everything must be perfect - she must look perfect, learn to speak French perfectly, and perfectly memorize the many tedious rules of etiquette practiced at the French court. Now more than ever, her life is no longer her own.After much tedious education and perfection of her looks, Antonia finally sets off to marry Louis-Auguste in 1770. She must leave behind everything of her former life and give up her Austrian identity, including her name - she is now to be known by her new French name, Marie-Antoinette. At the court of Versailles, she is miserable. She feels unwelcome by many who do not want their future queen to be Austrian, and the many rules that govern her every action at court are stifling. In addition, her marriage is unhappy and she fears she might not produce an heir to the throne and be sent home in disgrace. Determined to at least be happy in some way, she throws caution to the wind, disregards the rules of court life, and decides to live a life of luxury, parties, and entertainments - angering the people of France, who suffer from increasing poverty.The Bad Queen is a fascinating look at the life of Marie-Antoinette from the when she is a young teenager, through the French Revolution, when her own daughter, Marie-Therese, concludes her tragic story. It paints a sympathetic portrait of Marie-Antoinette, and shows how she was not truly a bad or evil person, but simply a girl who at far too young an age was married to a boy who had not been prepared to be a king, leading to poor choices that ultimately caused their downfall. I highly recommend this book, and the other Young Royals books, to readers who enjoy young adult historical fiction.

[c.vick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was only after I read this book that I was made aware that it was part of a Young Royals series by author Carolyn Meyer. Because my interests tend to historical fiction and royalty (especially, I admit, princesses), it turns out I've read a few of Meyer's works without realizing it was a series! All of this is to say that while I've seen many people evaluate this against other Young Royals books, I'm glad I got the chance to look at this book for its own merits. Well, sort of...Sophia Coppola's recent (ish) film is an obvious inspiration, and because of that, the novel Marie Antoinette: The Journey becomes an influence as well. It shows, but I think, in a good way. Fraser's scholarship is top notch, and Meyer mines it here.The tale takes us from more or less the time it is decided the spoiled, practically illiterate Antoine discovers she is to marry the king of France, to the end of her life during the French Revolution. Mostly, it is narrated by Antoinette herself, shedding some interesting light on why Marie Antoinette may have behaved in some of the outrageous ways she did, without excusing the behavior. I'm a big fan of Fraser's Marie Antoinette: The Journey and something of an Antoinette sympathizer, so the story worked well for me. Those more inclined to think ill of the French queen may feel differently.Much has been made of the last bit of the book, which is narrated by Marie and Louis's eldest daughter, rather than Antoinette herself. Many did not like the change of voice, which is understandable, as it is a bit jarring. However, I appreciate the reasons Meyer made this choice.The most obvious is that Marie Antoinette can't write her own death. I thought reading about the beheading of the Queen was very touching coming from her daughter. While the narrator may not be the same, the narration manages continuity through this shift. That is, we continue to see the world of France through the eyes of a young girl. Lastly, (for shame!) I never did know what the fate of the Bourbon princess was. I'm glad to know now.Overall, I think the story was exciting, moving, detailed, interesting, and terribly accurate. Top-notch historical fiction!

[jasmyn9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A look into the life of the notorious queen Marie Antoinette. The story, told in a journal format, begins when Marie is very young and still living in Austria. It follows her life as she prepares to marry and become the dauphine of France...eventually becoming the Queen. The story follows her blunders and misconceptions, her disappointments and her few joys. We follow her through the end of her life at the guillotine. This fictional account of what Marie Antoinette's life may have been like gives a new look into the infamous queen. It portrays her in different light, a confused child forced into the world of adults in a culture she not only doesn't understand, but one she wants to change for the better. The story was engaging and captivating. My heart went out to her and the entire royal family and the rebellion overtook their lives. While their decisions may have led to their downfall, we see how they may have known no better.

[rivkabelle_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Marie Antoinette has never been my favorite queen in history - mostly because I'm not a fan of French history in general. I picked up this book because the cover & title were intriguing, and I liked the way each chapter was titled by a rule. The story itself has tons of details regarding court life at Versailles, and has a feel of authenticity to it that is sometimes lacking in historical fiction. The read was easy, though by the end it was a bit more difficult to read - just knowing how it was ...more Marie Antoinette has never been my favorite queen in history - mostly because I'm not a fan of French history in general. I picked up this book because the cover & title were intriguing, and I liked the way each chapter was titled by a rule. The story itself has tons of details regarding court life at Versailles, and has a feel of authenticity to it that is sometimes lacking in historical fiction. The read was easy, though by the end it was a bit more difficult to read - just knowing how it was going to end, you know? The story is told from Marie Antoinette's perspective, but switches over to her daughter, Marie Therese's voice right when things get bad. It's an interesting method, and it worked very well.

[nanajlove_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A unique biographical account of one of many misunderstood figures from history. Narrated in the voice of young Marie-Antoinette, the reader watches as a young girl is prodded and shoved into a future others have chosen for her. I couldn't help but be drawn into Marie-Antoinette's sad life, cheer for her simple successes, and marvel at her ability to retain her royal dignity despite her seemingly insurmountable challenges.  

[sensitivemuse · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy reading anything about Marie Antoinette and this one does not disappoint! as this book caters to the younger age crowd, Marie Antoinette’s voice certainly ‘feels’’ younger. The book does a good job covering most of the main moments of her life leading up to her death. The book paints her somewhat in a sympathetic light, although ignorant and oblivious to what really is happening outside of the palace walls. Her large spending sprees and luxuries are a result of her desperate desire to please others, and to be surrounded by her friends (albeit, they all have another agenda). You can’t help but shake your head at these actions, but on the other hand, she was lonely, with no one to really talk to, and being under the constant scrutiny of others, you do sympathize and try to understand what’s she’s feeling. Her admirers and friends don’t help much in that matter either, as they just grab and take what they can. So although she’s done mistakes and she can disliked for her behavior, you can’t help but pity her as well.The way her story is told is perfect and the writing style is superb. Although it’s a huge thick novel, I found it easy to read, and quick to read through. The setting and descriptions are well done and realistic, so everything is easily pictured. The little rules outlining the beginning of every chapter are cute but it goes to show the lengths to which Marie Antoinette was raised and how she was expected to be at court. It’s rigid and very restrictive, and you can’t blame her for wanting to break rules to suit herself and her comfort - much to the chagrin of others in the French court.This was a great telling of Marie Antoinette tale for younger readers and I greatly recommend this for those wanting to know more about a misunderstood Queen. Those wanting to read a more adult version of this book, I’d recommend Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund. It’s a more detailed account of her life, and also very well done.

[yearningtoread · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I learned a lot from this book. About history, about the personal life of Marie-Antoinette, about human nature. There were so many facts, so many interesting ideas and concepts. So many statements that could have been true, so many affairs that might not have been true. Marie-Antoinette and her story are one big puzzle - one that will always be difficult to solve and sort through. (And one that will always be worth it in the end.) No one can know which facts are true and which are not; many have been deemed false. The most famous of Marie-Antoinette’s quotes – “Let them eat cake!” – has been studied by many historians over time and most agree that is was one of the (many) lies told about her.Marie-Antoinette was raised in Austria until she was fifteen years old, where she grew up the youngest of fifteen children. Most had been married long before, and now was time to watch the last few sisters and brothers leave and marry the man or woman who would best protect the Austrian throne. Antonia, as she was called in Austria, is to be married off to the dauphin of France – the next in line to the French throne. With all the work to do to get Antonia presentable to her future husband, Antonia has no time – nor the desire - to think about what lies ahead.When she is ready to be married, Marie-Antoinette is sent to France, where she begins her life as the dauphine of France. But what she finds there is not what she was expecting. At first life is rocky - adjusting to the new rules, such as wearing stays and no riding horses, and learning who it “looks good” to talk to and who it doesn’t. Then it is smooth – as soon as she gets a hang of French life, no matter how much she dislikes it, Marie-Antoinette begins to live life like she believed she was entitled to as queen of France. She builds theaters, designs lavish gardens, makes beautiful dresses and order the most expensive of jewels. She commits herself to gambling, wasting her husband’s money away for the sake of a desire that could not be quelled.This is only the beginning – the beginning of her downfall. While she trying to build herself up, Marie-Antoinette only paves the way for a major failure. After falling in love with Count Axel von Fersen but staying faithful to her husband (or so this book claims), the country begins to decline. The people of France are poor, they have no bread, and they blame it on the gambling, wasteful queen, Marie-Antoinette. The rumor on the streets is that when asked what to do with the poor, starving French men and women at the gates of Verseilles, the bad queen answered, “Let them eat cake!” The people are furious, enraged, and they are going to have vengeance.The story does not end happily. If you are looking for sappy romance with an ending that makes everyone warm and fuzzy inside, please…do not read this book. However, I highly recommend it. For those of you who like historical novels, this is a treat. And for those of you who dislike historical novels but like romance, adventure, and intrigue, this is a treat. The only thing that I would say against this book is that it is probably not a young man’s first pick…but that’s ok. Not every book is. And this book, while being excellently written and planned out, is not for young readers. Marie-Antoinette’s life is very PG-13…from the things she did to the things that people said she did to the things that happened to her. Not only is this book fairly violent (more than I was expecting, that’s for sure), but it holds some mild sexual comments and issues that should be considered. Marie-Antoinette’s married life and court life mostly revolved around the fact that her husband would not visit her bed, and how she didn’t become pregnant until she’d been married for around seven years. Her husband’s lack of desire and actual fear of “the act” (as it is called) is often discussed; and Marie-Antoinette’s almost-affair with Count Fersen is touched up on a bit. Menstrual cycles and other couples’ happiness in marriage (or unhappiness, for that matter) are alluded to. These topics are crucial to the story and the facts of Marie-Antoinette’s life, and Meyers handles them with great care. However, because they are more mature topics, I think this book is geared toward teens fifteen and older.If I could sum up this entire book in one word, I’d choose the word chilling. It was excellent, but it made my heart race and goosebumps form on my arms. Especially the end. I couldn’t believe the incredible ability with which Carolyn Meyers relates the last few years of Marie-Antoinette’s life. It was cold, depressing, and full of sorrow. It really happened. The life of this bad queen was not meant to end happy, and the way Carolyn Meyers portrays it is so realistic that I cannot help but believe that this is almost exactly how the queen of France and her family must have felt as she and her husband faced their deaths at the dreaded Madame la Guillotine.