Young Royals: Duchessina -
A Novel of Catherine de' Medici
by Carolyn Meyer

    DUCHESSINA by Carolyn Meyer
    Category:  Historical
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  6/1/07
    Publisher:  Harcourt
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Rummel
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Catherine de’Medici, Duchessina, grows up in a palace in Florence where her family rules the city. When her family
    falls out of power, she must flee. She becomes imprisoned within the walls of convents for her protection against the
    angry mob that calls for her death. At the first convent, the nuns make their hatred of her family no secret.

    The Duchessina lives in misery, enduring the pain as best she can under the circumstances. Finally, the tides change
    and her family once again controls not only Florence but the papacy as well. The Pope, her old guardian, calls for
    her to live in Rome until he can make arrangements for her future.

    As one of the richest woman in Europe, the Pope intends to make an advantageous marriage. He marries the
    Duchessina off to the Dauphin of France. The Dauphin cares little for his new wife and Catherine’s misery
    continues, but she creates advantages to help ease her pain and eventually finds contentment.

    A wonderful outlook on the creation of Madame Serpent, remembered in history as the "girl who endured."  
    Carolyn Meyer takes another historical princess and adds strong characters and rich details to spin a delightful tale.