Dark Angels by Karleen Koen

Dark Angels by Karleen Koen

Having just read the two British historical novels by Ken Follett, I happened across this book and decided to continue my reading about British history. This novel is very different from the two Follett novels; it is much more a romance novel and less a historical novel, although it is based on certain historical events. This book is about Charles II of England, who ruled England from 1660-1685, following the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. This novel is a prequel to Koen's bestselling Through a Glass Darkly and its sequel, Now Face to Face.

This book is primarily about the court of Charles II. The protagonist, a young woman named Alice Verney, a maid of honor to the Queen, is the vehicle for describing the machinations of the court as the King spends most of his time and energy collecting mistresses and seeking pleasure in their entertainment. Evidently the book is based on actual historical characters and actual historical events, and it seems to be an accurate description of a King whose reign seems to have been focused on sexual pleasures and has been described by historians as a playboy sex-fiend. The book describes the disdain with which the King treated the Queen, and the constant plotting by individuals at court as they tried to gain favor with the King.

Although the book may provide an accurate description of the court of King Charles II, I found the book less about history and more simply a romantic intrigue. Once again, I found myself thinking of the remarkable differences between men and women writers. Women usually write from the perspective of the women in the story, and men usually write from the perspective of the men in the story. Women write more about people and feelings, and men write more about events. I suspect that women would enjoy this book more than men; I think of it almost as "chick lit".