Promised to the Crown

Daughters of New France Series, Book 1

By: Aimie K. Runyan

Narrated by: Esther Wane

In her illuminating debut novel, Aimie K. Runyan masterfully blends fact and fiction to explore the founding of New France through the experiences of three young women who, in 1667, answer Louis XIV's call and journey to the Canadian colony. They are known as the filles du roi, or "King's Daughters" - young women who leave prosperous France for an uncertain future across the Atlantic. Their duty is to marry and bring forth a new generation of loyal citizens. Each prospective bride has her reason for leaving - poverty, family rejection, a broken engagement.

Despite their different backgrounds, Rose, Nicole, and Elisabeth all believe that marriage to a stranger is their best, perhaps only, chance of happiness. Once in Quebec, Elisabeth quickly accepts baker Gilbert Beaumont, who wants a business partner as well as a wife. Nicole, a farmer's daughter from Rouen, marries a charming officer who promises comfort and security. Scarred by her traumatic past, Rose decides to take holy vows rather than marry. Yet no matter how carefully she chooses, each will be tested by hardship and heartbreaking loss - and sustained by the strength found in their uncommon friendship, and the precarious freedom offered by their new home.

©2016 Aimie K. Runyan (P)2018 Tantor

Quite the story

It took me a minute to get used to the accent, but the story was wonderful. It took lots of twists and turns, linking the 3 women. From the heartbreaking moments to the moments where they found forgiveness for those in their pasts, and found happiness, you’re hooked in. It’s not all joy and happiness but gives a much better, truer story. I really enjoyed this book.

Enjoyable

Liked the historical nature of the story. Wished the narrator would’ve paused between chapters more.

Brings an important period in history to life!

A must read for anyone descended from a daughter of the king. The lives of the characters express the possibility of our own ancestors.

I enjoyed this one.

I enjoyed it, I was craving a more historically accurate work of fiction, and I feel it did a good job!
I get invested in the characters.

Not especially historical, but enjoyable

I really enjoyed the storylines of this book, but as has been mentioned, I feel like the author missed an opportunity to make it much greater by not including much historical context. I love learning about different times and cultures by seeing them through their people’s eyes, and this novel didn’t have much of that. There were a few token details that I savored, but other than that, just not much information to give you a feel of what life and society was like in that particular time and setting. I still really enjoyed the book, however, and immediately read the sequel.

Loved the setting

This was fun to read in preparation for a trip to Quebec. I loved the portrait of French pioneer life in the 1670’s Quebec City area. I also enjoyed getting to know the 3 main characters Rose, Nicole and Elizabeth.

Trigger warning- fertility, loss of pregnancy

I have never truly understood why folks would mark things trigger warnings, I always thought it was silly. WELL if you are struggling with fertility, there are a few parts in this book that will give you real tears and I'm not usually emotional like that. Besides those bits I enjoyed this book.

Unique piece of women’s history

Very much enjoyed the unusual historical topic of women’s role in French Canadian colonialism and the characters portrayed therein.

Historical Fiction

Trigger Warning
There is a scene in the beginning when the young teen girl is repeatedly raped by her uncle. It's not described in great detail, but it greatly affected me and I almost stopped listening to this audiobook.
But, thankfully, I was able to get past this scene, although it is referred to throughout the book!

Besides this assault, the book is an incredible tale of several young women who come from various walks of life in France. Their friendship ties them together as they serve the King of France by becoming wives for the settlers of Canada's New France. The stories are filled with hardships and struggles, joys and hope! The author weaves these amazing tales together so flawlessly that it's like reading their diaries!

The narrator was perfect! Getting the emotions of the various characters as they suffer and rejoice, fight, and heal!

There is romance, but I believe the women's strength and fortitude is the main focus of this story! Their friendships and their marriages are the backbone of their success in this colonial life!
I loved it!

Interesting history less well know in the US

I enjoyed the story and learning about the history of New France, a topic not covered much in the US.