A richly detailed royal biography of love, rivalry, betrayal, and destiny within one of Europe’s most storied dynasties.
 
The Serpent and the Moon by Princess Michael of Kent brings to life one of history’s most dramatic love triangles: King Henri II of France; his captivating mistress, Diane de Poitiers; and his brilliant, long-suffering queen, Catherine de’ Medici. Drawing from extensive research, historic letters, and royal archives, the author paints an intimate portrait of ambition, power, and passion at the heart of the French Renaissance.
 
Filled with court intrigue, political maneuvering, lavish detail, and unforgettable personalities, the book unveils the complexities of a marriage forged for politics, a love affair that defined an era, and the queen who ultimately triumphed through strategy and resilience.
 
This immersive biography transports readers into a world of opulence, secrets, and shifting alliances that shaped the course of European history.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A vivid, dramatic retelling of real royal lives and rivalries
Deeply researched, richly atmospheric, and full of historical insight
Perfect for fans of court intrigue and powerful women in history
Reads like a sweeping historical novel but grounded in fact
Captures love, politics, betrayal, and resilience in equal measure
 
🌟 Perfect For
Readers of royal histories and European biography
Fans of Alison Weir, Antonia Fraser, and Margaret George
Book clubs that enjoy historical drama and real-life intrigue
Anyone fascinated by the French Renaissance or royal romance
Collectors of detailed historical nonfiction
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed The Serpent and the Moon, you might also like:
Catherine de Medici by Leonie Frieda — a powerful queen’s legacy in full
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors — love and politics in France
The Rival Queens by Nancy Goldstone — court intrigue between sisters in power