To Crown A King

This is about some of the beginning of Scottish history which not much is written about not like English history!You will enjoy where this story takes you and helps you understand why and when history is in the making happened! It moves to me a little slow,a little boring at times but then all of a sudden it gets better! Didn't get confused on the change of events as they happen so if I didn't you wont! Enjoy!! Thank you Met Galley for this go to read first!

This story is a retelling of the history of the first war of Scottish independence depicted in Braveheart from the female perspective. Christina Bruce, sister to Robert the Bruce, is the central character and according to this version of the story was a pivotal character in history.

This story was action packed covering this time period in Scottish history from many different aspects. It depicts the stark violence of the time and how little influence women had in the time period. Contrasting that, Christina is a dynamo who is every bit as fierce and cunning as the rest of her family often going toe to toe with heads of rival Scottish families, English lords and even William Wallace himself.

I enjoyed the story, although I strongly doubt its probability, it was nice to reimagine the events as told. I appreciated that the story was told with conflict and emotion without being overly dramatic simply because the protagonist was a female. Melin’s approach to writing female-centric historical fiction reminded me of Phillippa Gregory or Alison Weir. This was a great read whether you know Scottish history or are looking to learn some more about it (this is an easy toe-dip in for those intimidated by heavy historical depictions). The only hitch for me was that the ending totally left me wanting more, hopefully a continuation is in the works!

To Crown a King by Raedene Jeanette Melin is the fictionalized story of Christina Bruce, the sister of Robert the Bruce, and the struggle of William Wallace to win Scotland's independence. Little is documented of Christina but Melin has taken what there is and made in into a wonderful story, reminiscent of many of the Wallace and Robert Bruce stories already written, but from a new perspective. Christina is unique among women of the time, and yet extremely traditional. She outlived many of her contemporary rebels, living to marry twice and support the cause courageously.

To Crown a King is an extremely readable book and Christina a very sympathetic character. The plot was what it was and Melin managed to uncomplicate it and make it accessible to a lover of history but not a non-fiction reader. The struggle is real and has been going on for a thousand years...still is today although not nearly as violently as in the past. I recommend this book highly for any lover of history or of Scotland.

I received a free ARC of To Crown a King from Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #tocrownaking