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Title: Shattered Crowns: The Scapegoats

Author: Christina Croft

Narrator: Jack Wynters

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-29-17

Publisher: Christina Croft

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

On 28th June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his morganatic wife, Sophie Chotek, were shot dead in broad daylight on a crowded street in Sarajevo. The murder of a relatively unknown archduke in a remote Bosnian city might well have been quickly forgotten were it not for the fact that this seemingly minor event ignited a spark that would explode into one of the bloodiest conflicts in history. Within four years, over sixteen million people from one hundred countries would lie dead on the battlefields of the First World War.

Members Reviews:

Good, but I expected more

I'm not sure I'm the best person to rate this. I have been teaching history for 42 years and my particular specialty is 19th and 20th century Europe. I don't usually read fiction but I thought I would give this trilogy a try because the causes of WWI and the collapse of the great dynasties is a great passion of mine. I think historians might find this trilogy interesting if they are fiction lovers; if they are used to nonfiction the conversations and musings of familiar historical figures can be irritating, at best. For all those who do not know the facts about these unfortunate people, I think the trilogy is an excellent beginning. There is no doubt that Christina Croft knows her history and tries to pack a good deal of it into each chapter, hoping to bring her characters to life for those who do not already know them. In short, I recommend them to the fiction lover.

I knew the stories of the royal families and their part in world War I or The Great War. But What I found was a well ...

I asked for this series of books as gifts and I was excited to read them. I knew the stories of the royal families and their part in world War I or The Great War. But What I found was a well written and researched book telling the story of not just the personal sides of their lives but of the times and places they lived. I was expecting a good story, but when I read the first few pages of the first book in the series, I realized I was reading a piece of literature, with the descriptive style of a poet, reminding me of the first time I read Pride and Prejudice. I felt I was with the people in the story and looking into their world. For any fans of historical fiction this series of books gives the reader a believable look at the people involved in The First World War.

A Captivating and Ground-Breaking Book!

This is an amazing read for so many reasons! WWI is not always an easy subject to read about, due to sheer volume. Christina manages to bring the material to us in an intelligent and clear form. Not an easy feat, by any means. In addition, each historical character is clearly researched, but is also treated with respect, compassion and dignity. Give yourself a chance to allow your mind and heart to re-consider these men and women with the new light shed on them through this book. Finally, here is an author that presents an in-depth portrait of so many of the royal cousins - Tsar Nicholas, Franz Ferdinand, Emperor Franz Josef, Karl,and so many more. Particularly interesting is her ability to really capture Kaiser Wilhem! If you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in the great palaces across Europe prior to WWI, here's your chance! The lively and realistic conversations between the characters will captivate you. The vivid landscapes and happenings will draw you in completely.