The Continuing Romance of the Princess Royal Victoria and Frederick III - an Editorial Review of "Under a Cloud"

Book Blurb:

From acclaimed Victorian historical author, Luv Lubker, the author of "Under His Spell" comes the continuing romance of the Princess Royal Victoria and Frederick III of Prussia.

Vicky's father, Albert, the Prince Consort, has just died, leaving her and her family under a heavy cloud of grief, without their dearest friend and advisor, at a most critical time: The political horizon grows dark with storm clouds at the entry of Bismarck to Germany's political stage in 1862.Will Fritz's courage stand the test as he confronts the spider in its web? Is Prussia really fighting for the rights of the Schleswig people, or is so much blood being shed for the sake of Prussia's aggrandizement? Join Vicky and Fritz on their journeys under the blue cloudless skies of the Mediterranean to the peaceful heather-clad hills of the Highlands of Scotland; to the burning heat of the North African desert to the raging blizzards of a winter war in Denmark. When Vicky's closest friend disappears, will she be able to keep the secret? Will old enemies prove to be friends, and old friends prove to be enemies?

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/S4V51

Author Bio:

Luv Lubker has lived in the Victorian era half her life, making friends with the Bronte sisters and the extended family of Queen Victoria. Now she knows them quite as well as her own family.

Born in a cattle trough in the Appalachian mountains, Luv lives in Texas - when she comes to the modern world.

When she isn't living in the Victorian era, she enjoys being with her family; making and eating delicious raw food, riding her bike (which she only learned to ride at 25 though she ridden a unicycle since she was 7), and watching animals - the passion of her childhood.

Editorial Review:

Under A Cloud, by L. Lubker, is a novel about the Royal Family of Queen Victoria. It opened after the recent death of her Prince Consort, Albert of Saxe Coburg. The book is written from a third-person omniscient point of view and primarily focuses on the interactions between Fritz and Vicky. Vicky is Queen Victoria’s daughter, and Fritz is Vicky’s husband. They primarily resided in Germany in the days before the rise of Bismarck and the German wars that united the country for the first time in its history.

At its core, the story weaves an intricate tapestry of royal life amid the turbulence of mid-19th century Europe. It follows a royal family's personal and political struggles—centered on the poignant partnership of Fritz and Vicky—as they contend with grief, duty, and ambition. Their journey explores the tension between personal love and familial responsibility, set against political intrigue, war, and shifting allegiances. This premise is realized through the interplay of private emotions and public roles, inviting readers to witness how personal external pressures and internal conflicts constantly test vulnerabilities, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Physical descriptions focus more on emotional states than detailed features like eye or hair color. Characters are depicted grappling with grief, longing for familial connections, and seeking support amidst turmoil within the monarchy structure. The book is dialogue-driven, which leads the author to sum up events in the story rather than depict them so the reader can experience them. Overall, while there are moments where deeper POV consistency could be improved by aligning character knowledge with their observations or reactions more closely, there is generally good adherence to maintaining an immersive narrative perspective through most interactions.

Fritz's actions show areas where the premise is in action most significantly. In Chapter One, for instance, he shows tender care for Vicky during her pregnancy and her reflective sorrow over family losses, establishing early on the theme of navigating personal grief and vulnerability in a public royal domain. As Fritz contemplates his father's potential abdication amid ministerial crises, the narrative dives into the complexities of power. Here, the tension between personal integrity and the demands of statehood is palpable, showcasing the dual life of duty versus emotional need. And, during a St George's Chapel wedding, this chapter juxtaposes moments of joy with the weight of historical pain and misunderstanding. Fritz's reflective discomfort in formal garb and the impact of lingering past traumas on current relationships highlight how public ceremonies and private memories continually reshape personal identity. Finally, as Fritz prepares to leave for war, Vicky's deep-seated fears for her husband's safety and the bittersweet farewell underscore the sacrifice inherent in his royal duty. This poignant parting cements the central tension between personal bonds and imperial responsibilities and sets the stage for unfolding conflicts in both the personal and political spheres.

The author exemplifies how the narrative skillfully fulfills the promise of its premise by intertwining personal emotions, familial ties, and the relentless pressures of royal responsibility in a time of political and social upheaval.

However, there are too many moments in the story where the character knows things they shouldn’t. For example, Fritz seems to know the details of Bertie's potential marriage to Princess Alix and his conversations with Vicky, even though he shouldn't have been privy to those discussions: "Have you thought about Princess Alix?" "Yes, and – I am very grateful for the trouble you and Vicky take about my affairs. I understand the trouble it could make for you both, for Vicky to suggest such a marriage. But yes, I have thought of it a good deal of late..." This information seems beyond what Fritz would naturally be aware of.

There are instances where the author neglects to filter description or action details in a way that fits Fritz's personality. For example: “He turned, finding Bertie standing behind him, struggling to keep back tears. Bertie was the only one besides Alice who had not given into emotion during the ceremony. Fritz put his hand on his shoulder, and Bertie glanced up at him. “Fritz, I – you know what Mama said, just after Papa’s death.” Fritz waited for Bertie to steady his voice. “I didn’t mean to do anything which upset Papa so much. You don’t think I am –” “No, Bertie, you are not responsible for your dear father’s death, and your Mama does not think so, either, really. It was only the feeling of annoyance exaggerated in the first moment of grief.” The reader will want to know what it was that Bertie did that made him think he might have caused his father’s death. That’s a serious allegation to make against oneself, and then have the author walk away from it.

Vicky, too, seems to know political intrigue and discussions that may be beyond what she would realistically know or observe. For example, when she discusses the rumors about attempts to displace Fritz as heir and make Fritz Karl the heir instead: "Fritz writes that there are stories that the Kreuzzeitung people are trying to get him displaced... They can't change that! And there is such loyalty! When that was said at the military dinner, an old blind veteran jumped up and cried, ‘We are here to prevent this!’ Isn’t it splendid?” This level of insight into political machinations may be unrealistic for a character focused on family matters and relationships.

The author summarizes some actions rather than dramatizing them through Vicky's perspective. For instance, when discussing how Baby's illness improved after his fever breaks, "Vicky told Mama. 'He must not be taken from you; he is the comfort God sent you after Papa was taken,' she said." This summary approach detracts from immersive storytelling through deep POV.

Overall, while the author provides rich detail about Vicky's and Fritz’s personal life and emotional experiences, there are instances where insights into politics or external events seem out of place given her primary focus on familial relationships and his focus on his father’s succession and the political tension in Germany.

The story has some anachronistic slips, particularly in Chapter Nine, which is entitled Warriors, Ducks, and Pickles. Although the content remains anchored in historical events (a wedding at St George's Chapel, reflective moments on royal rituals), the title "Warriors, Ducks and Pickles" is a bit unconventional and may lead readers to expect a lighter or less formal treatment than what the historical, regal narrative offers. Adjusting the title to something that conveys both the historical setting and the thematic weight could help maintain reader expectations consistent with the rest of the text.

In Chapter Seventeen, elements are introduced, like electrotherapy for Willy's arm. While therapeutic experiments were emerging in the 19th century, the treatment must be described to reflect the experimental yet period-accurate understanding of medical science at the time. Adding contextual details, such as commentary on contemporary scientific thought or referencing established practices of the era, would cement this chapter's alignment with historical reality, minimizing any risk of seeming anachronistic.

Nearly every chapter adheres closely to the conventions of historical fiction, offering clear period markers, detailed settings, and historically resonant plotlines. The minor deviations—particularly the quirky title in Chapter Nine, potential linguistic slips in Chapter Nineteen, or technical details in Chapter Seventeen—are the only areas requiring minor adjustments. With these refinements, the text would uniformly conform to the genre, ensuring that all chapters contribute seamlessly to the rich, historically grounded narrative.

Under A Cloud by L. Lubker weaves an intricate tapestry of royal life amid the turbulence of mid-19th-century Europe.

*****

Under A Cloud by L. Lubker received 4 stars from the Historical Fiction Company.

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