What readers think of Victoria, plus links to write your own review.

I was looking forward to reading about a young girl who becomes a strong woman leading her country. All I got was a weak story line of a romance. Victoria relies on Melbourne throughout, never really involving herself in her country's politics. She goes by her hairstylist's sadness, Melbourne's politics, etc. to make decisions on her next royal ruling. Never delving into what is truly going on in her country. This is a romance novel of "spirited young girl meets awkward young prince" with no meat or depth. She is more concerned about her hairstyles, the cut of her dress than the turmoil in her country. No where in this novel is there a hint of the depth of Victoria either as a queen or a woman. I am so disappointed.

This is the first time I haven't finished a Book Browse review on time. Although I had looked forward to reading this book, I struggled to get through it. The writing and focus seemed more appropriate for a YA novel than a mature historical novel. Yes, I know that Victoria was only 18, and that she depended on Lord Melbourne's advice, but turning this relationship into an adolescent crush and an old man's fancy was a big mistake. It made the queen seem giddy, petulant, and self-absorbed. Yet after all this mooning over Melbourne, she falls head over heels in love with Albert in a few day, after an initial period of their hating one another. Nothing of much consequence happens in this book, and it sheds no light on how Victoria might rule for the next 50 years. This was a real disappointment. I will watch the BBC series based on this novel--but I sure hope it's better than this.