Preview
  • The Fatal Crown

  • By: Ellen Jones
  • Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
  • Length: 23 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (118 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Fatal Crown

By: Ellen Jones
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $34.94

Buy for $34.94

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Against the seething political intrigues of 12th-century Europe, two royal heirs will surrender to passion as they vie for the most glittering, treacherous prize of all: the English throne

At nine, Maud, an English princess, was sent to Germany to become the bride of the Holy Roman Emperor - a political alliance with a man her father’s age. At 25, the widowed Maud must marry once again, this time to 14-year-old Geoffrey Plantagenet. But it is with Stephen of Blois, Maud’s fiercest rival for the British throne, that the headstrong princess discovers the true meaning of desire.

Stephen, a descendant of William the Conqueror, believes absolutely in his God-given right to rule. Torn between his illicit passion for Maud and his own towering ambition, he knows he must choose. Stephen’s decision will wrench him from the arms of the woman he loves, ignite civil war, and lead to a shattering act of betrayal that, decades later, will come full circle and change the course of English history.

©1991 Ellen Jones (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Fatal Crown

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    59
  • 4 Stars
    34
  • 3 Stars
    16
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    61
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    52
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Story But A Bit Far-fetched

I enjoyed listening to this book immensely. However, some aspects are a little absurd, mainly Henry's paternity and Maud's overly romantic nature towards her cousin. That being said, I understand this is historical 'fiction' and it really was a greatly entertaining book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Well written

I wish the author would not have included all the sex scenes. I didn't enjoy them. Had to skip past them. It took away from the story. Also, I thought the idea that Maud had a love affair with Stephen of Blois to be farfetched, and that Henry II was their child. Henry had the famous Plantagenet temper. But I realize this is fiction so it was entertaining.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Maybe better in print?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I could not finish it. I felt the reading was entirely too over-dramatic. Very actor-y. I was so distracted by the reader that I could not enjoy the story.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Having read about Matilda (Maud) and Stephen before, I was interested to hear another take on their story. I'm a bit skeptical about the romance plotline, but, who knows?

How could the performance have been better?

See above - WAY too emotive.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Doubtful.

Any additional comments?

Too bad. Maybe I'll try again with a print version?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great!

Lots of intrigue. A great book for anyone that likes embellished historical novels. I was disappointed when it ended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Not overly romantisized

Entertaining and educational, in that order. SO based on the assumption that Henry was sired by Steven he would actually have been a Norman.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen, highly recommend.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator was very entertaining and engaging in how she captured the essence of each character. Being a woman, of course I was delighted by the aspect of love between Maude and Stephen. I also found it to be very educational about England's rich history of events I wouldn't have otherwise learned about.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful