Oriana's Book Blog

Nancy Goldstone’s The Rival Queens is a juicy, drama-packed tale of political ambition, betrayal, and family dysfunction that will leave you wondering how on earth two people with the same royal bloodline could hate each other this much. It’s a wild ride through 16th-century France, chronicling the deadly feud between Catherine de’ Medici, the iron-willed queen mother, and her fiery, headstrong daughter, Marguerite de Valois. If you think your family has issues, trust me, these two will make your Thanksgiving dinner spats look like a picnic.

Goldstone masterfully brings history to life in a way that feels as much like a high-stakes soap opera as it does a well-researched historical account. The backdrop of the story is France’s tumultuous Wars of Religion, where Catholics and Protestants were literally tearing the country apart, but let’s be honest: the real drama is in the relationship between Catherine and Marguerite. Catherine is the ultimate helicopter mom, but instead of fretting over Marguerite’s grades, she’s manipulating her political alliances and orchestrating marriages like she’s playing an intense game of chess—with real blood on the line. Marguerite, for her part, is no pushover. She’s beautiful, brilliant, and bold, but she’s also a victim of her mother’s ruthless ambition. Watching their dynamic unfold is both horrifying and fascinating.

Goldstone doesn’t just skim the surface of their feud; she dives deep into what made these two women tick. Catherine, often vilified as a scheming, poison-wielding villain, is given some surprising nuance here. Goldstone paints her as a woman who was handed a near-impossible job: holding together a fractured France while juggling a fragile dynasty, faith wars, and, oh yeah, a daughter who was more interested in love than power. But don’t get too sympathetic—Catherine’s manipulations, including her infamous role in the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, are as cold-blooded as they come. Then there’s Marguerite, who starts out as a pawn in her mother’s political games but refuses to stay one for long. She’s clever, resilient, and unapologetically rebellious, proving that she’s just as much a force to be reckoned with as her formidable mother.

What makes The Rival Queens so compelling is that it doesn’t read like a dry history book. Goldstone’s writing is vivid and engaging, with a knack for finding the little details that bring her characters to life. She peppers in just the right amount of humor, scandal, and intrigue to keep the pages turning. You’ll find yourself gasping at Catherine’s ruthless plotting one moment and cheering for Marguerite’s defiance the next. The pacing is sharp, bouncing between court intrigue, marital disasters, and full-blown battles without ever losing steam.

And let’s talk about the side characters for a moment. The cast of historical figures that Goldstone brings into the mix is every bit as colorful as the queens themselves. There’s Henry III, Catherine’s son and Marguerite’s brother, whose flamboyant behavior and fragile masculinity only add fuel to the fire. Then there’s Marguerite’s husband, Henry of Navarre, a Protestant king whose love-hate relationship with Marguerite provides enough drama to fill its own book. Goldstone’s portrayal of these players makes it clear that while Catherine and Marguerite were the stars of this tragic saga, they were far from acting alone.

That being said, the book isn’t without its flaws. At times, Goldstone’s clear sympathy for Marguerite makes her portrayal of Catherine feel a bit one-sided. While she does a great job adding depth to both women, Catherine occasionally feels like more of a caricature—a power-hungry mother who never learned to let go. Some readers may also find themselves getting a little lost in the whirlwind of names, titles, and political alliances. This is 16th-century France, after all, where everyone seems to be named Henry or Charles, and keeping track of who’s stabbing whom (literally or figuratively) can be a bit dizzying.

But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise brilliant book. What Goldstone excels at is making history feel alive and relevant. The rivalry between Catherine and Marguerite isn’t just a tale of two queens—it’s a window into a world where women had to fight tooth and nail for power, agency, and survival. It’s a reminder that the personal is political, especially when you’re a royal.

In the end, The Rival Queens is a deliciously entertaining blend of history, biography, and drama. Whether you’re a seasoned history buff or just someone who loves a good story about strong, complicated women, this book has something for you. Goldstone gives us queens who are neither saints nor villains but fully realized, deeply flawed human beings struggling against impossible odds. And honestly? That’s what makes their story so unforgettable.

Final Rating: 4.5/5

Why? Goldstone’s writing is sharp, her research is thorough, and the story she tells is both gripping and accessible. The only thing holding it back from a perfect 5 is the occasional unevenness in character portrayal and the sheer complexity of the historical setting, which might leave some readers reaching for a family tree. Still, this is historical nonfiction at its most addictive—think Game of Thrones, but real, and with fewer dragons (unfortunately). Read it, savour it, and be glad you’re not a 16th-century royal.