Review: Leonor by Catherine Mathis
Leonor
Queens of Portugal Trilogy
by Catherine Mathis
Review:
Having enjoyed Ms Mathis' thrilling novel, Inês – the first in her fascinating Queens of Portugal trilogy – I was looking forward to reading Leonor. And as expected, Leonor was well worth my time.
In an age where women were often no more than chattel, especially in noble circles across Europe, it's refreshing to read about these forgotten women in history. Unwilling to sit back, their ambitions and powerful (and at times lethal) plots are a treasure for an historical novelist. Leonor is no exception.
Portugal in the 14th century was a turbulent place, as was much of the Iberian peninsula. Noble families vied for supremacy; Papal dispensations were granted and withheld; murder plots abounded. A hotbed of intrigue.
Leonor is born into a noble Portuguese family, and raised to expect to do her duty. So she's married off to a man who is as uncaring about their marriage as she is, and – with an overbearing mother-in-law ruling the roost – there is no space for young Leonor to truly discover a contented life. Her unhappiness seeps through the pages, and readers feel great sympathy towards her – until she begins to learn from those around her. Highly intelligent, she adopts a ruthlessness that shocks her family. But when she meets King Ferdinand, her ambition grows beyond control. She now knows what she wants, at any cost.
In a way, it was tragic to watch the woman, who started out as an unhappy, if spoilt young girl, soon become the very epitome of what she despised: a determined, utterly selfish person, who ended up being responsible for great unrest.
Her relationship with Ferdinand was well-observed, I thought. Ms Mathis had clearly undertaken much in-depth research into primary sources. Life at court felt realistic for the era, with all its plots, expectations, jealousies, and treacheries.
Did the author make Leonor likeable? No, though there was an occasional flicker of a conscience. But the focus was clearly on her known history and character, and Ms Mathis added compelling factors such as moods, determination, and a ruthless streak that sees Leonor do much damage. In a king, such attributes would have been hailed as strong, decisive. In a queen, not so. But Ms Mathis brought this woman to life, with all her flaws, fears, and scheming, and this is what makes this story so engrossing.
Well-researched, and with realistic characters, Leonor is a novel for readers who enjoy learning about forgotten women in history, whose reputation is not always positive, but whose ambitions take them to heights others could only dream of. Leonor did what she had to do.
Another highly recommended read. I'm looking forward to reading the third novel in this intriguing series.
Blurb:
A queen’s ambition. A kingdom on the edge. One woman’s hunger for power will set Portugal ablaze—unless she’s devoured first.
Portugal, 1367. The court is a powder keg, and Leonor Teles de Meneses is the spark. Born noble, married off for duty, Leonor aches for more—freedom, passion, a place at the heart of power. Her wit is sharp, her enemies sharper. Her king? He’s both lover and battleground.
As the crown changes heads and alliances shift like sand, Leonor fights for a voice in a world that wants her silent. She’s hemmed in by jealous sisters, a mother-in-law from hell, and a husband who’d rather write poetry than rule. But when the king’s eye lands on her, the stakes soar. Now, every whispered rumor, every stolen glance, every calculated risk could mean everything—or nothing.
Palace intrigue, forbidden love, and betrayal pulse through every corridor. In this world, trust is a luxury, and secrets are currency. Leonor’s choices will tip the scales of dynastic conflict and decide the fate of a kingdom hungry for an heir.
If you crave the courtly drama and rich detail, get ready to lose yourself in a tale of ambition, desire, and survival—where every move could be your last.
Buy Link: Universal Buy Link
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Catherine Mathis
Catherine Mathis writes stories set in medieval Portugal, bringing legends to life by sharing Iberian Tales.
Mathis was born in Berlin, the daughter of an American spy. She grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. She self-funded her degree from Sewanee, majoring in history with a medieval focus, and she had a career in finance.
Travel brought her the opportunity to return to an earlier love of all things Middle Ages, both as a writer and a reader.
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