The World Turned Upside Down

Where is Abagail?That is the question many are asking: the queen, the guards, her childhood friend, and Abagail herself. She’d been brutally abducted and thrown into a dark cave in the depths of the palace without any reason and with only an old, seemingly crazy, woman as company. When Princess Margot found her lady-in-waiting, Lady Abagail, absent from her bed, she is frantic for answers, but given none from her mother, Queen Henrietta, or her father, King Charles I. She was no longer the child whose whims were indulged since she soon is to marry Prince Leon of Spain, a way to end a terrible war…reparations masked as a dowry, a daughter to seal the deal.In the dark and cold, Abagail is given a shocking revelation making her question her life. The old woman, who calls herself Beatrice, is actually the queen’s younger sister and, wait for it…Abagail’s mother long missing these past fifteen years, and wait for it…her father is King Charles himself. They make a plan of escape, although Abagail regrets it will come at the cost of the young guard’s life, and despite Abagail’s success and new found freedom, it is her mother’s final sacrifice that she would regret the most. When the queen learns of her sister’s death and Abagail’s escape, she is distraught, saddened, and emphatic that Abagail must be found…immediately!It is 1645, and England is in the midst of great social turmoil with cries of “People First,” “End the War Tax,” and “Freedom of Worship”. Abagail desperately tries to hide, especially from the man who assaulted her, the palace guards looking to capture her, and the father of the young guard wanting revenge. Is she prepared for all that is to happen? Can she trust the goodness of some—a woman at the bakery, a family with an illegal trade, a man who turned away from the clergy? With the streets a powder keg prepped to explode and the monarchy in jeopardy, will she be caught in the middle as a savior or a pawn?Steven Mendel has turned my world upside down with an engaging epic incorporating historical figures and events from England’s Civil War of 1645 with the fictional storyline of an illegitimate heir to the English throne and her awakening view of what life could and should be during a time where many want a future less laid out by unfair laws and circumstances. With palace intrigue, uprisings, traitors, loyalists, lies, truths, and a trial of the century, Mendel’s drama is complex and compelling. Although there are some satisfying, if not happy, endings, there were a couple of loose ends left to the readers imagination. The story included fascinating debates about divine right to rule, the role of the church and the monarchy, and the corrupt nature of society during the 1600s. Abagail is a fascinating character who finds the path she’s on better suited for her, but the dangers are real and her dilemma difficult: on what side of the revolution is her loyalty—freedom or family? James, once set to become a member of the clergy, shares much of Abagail’s quest for freedom and love, but their approaches are different. Well-written. Diverse characters. Couldn’t put it down!Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

Steven Mendel's sweeping historical novel keeps the reader turning the pages with characters from all walks of life in a time of social unrest and change. The humanity of all of the characters, and the author, shine through as we're carried along with the story.

Mendel's book was an experience - delving into a time period and mentality that few of us know about. I started to read it and couldn't put it down! The characters drew me in and spoke to me from their time, helping me to understand what their lives were about. Don't miss it! My only request - a sequel.

A wonderful cross between fairy tale and historical fiction. Kings and Queens. Courtiers, lovers and international intrigue. Makes me want delve into the history of that era. Recommended.