Historia Magazine

The magazine of the Historical Writers Association

  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • New Books
    • TV, Film and Theatre
    • One From The Vaults
  • Latest Releases
  • Columns
    • Doctor Darwin’s Writing Tips
    • Watching History
    • Desert Island Books
  • Awards
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Historia in your inbox

The Shogun’s Queen by Lesley Downer

3 November 2016 By Editor

The Shoguns QueenThe year is 1853, and Japan teeters on the brink of turmoil.

Growing up among the samurai of the Satsuma clan, the beautiful, headstrong Okatsu had – like all the clan’s women – been encouraged to be bold, taught to wield the halberd and to ride a horse. But then the black ships appear. Bristling with cannon and manned by strangers who to Japanese eyes are barbarians, their arrival threatens Japan’s very existence. And turns Okatsu’s world upside down.

For her feudal lord has chosen her for a very special role. She has been given a new name – Princess Atsu – and a new destiny: to save the realm. Her journey takes her to Edo Castle, a place so secret that it cannot be marked on any map. And there in the Women’s Palace – a place where only one man may enter – she seems doomed to end her days. But behind the palace’s immaculate facade, amid rumours of murders and whispers of ghosts, Atsu must unearth one last secret – the secret of the man whose fate is, it seems, irrevocably linked to hers: the Shogun himself …

Based on the remarkable true story of a woman who sacrificed everything – love, loyalty and maybe life itself – in a bid to save her world, The Shogun’s Queen is epic, romantic historical fiction at its finest.

www.lesleydowner.com

Share this article:Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

Filed Under: Latest Releases

Search

Latest Releases

The Lying Dutchman by Graham Brack

20 May 2022

Dead in the Water by Mark Ellis

19 May 2022

Widows of the Ice by Anne Fletcher

15 May 2022

See more new releases

Let’s stay in touch

Sign up for our monthly email newsletter:

Or follow us on social media:

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook

Editor’s Picks

From the Mill to Monte Carlo by Anne Fletcher

15 June 2021

William of Orange's army arrives in England

Why the Glorious Revolution was . . . well, neither

4 November 2018

Historia Q&A: Ben Kane

15 May 2018

Popular Topics

16th century 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century 2020 Ancient Rome Andrew Taylor Anglo-Saxons author interview biography book review Catherine Hokin ebook Emma Darwin Giveaway historical crime historical fiction history HWA HWA Crown Awards HWA Debut Crown Award HWA Non-Fiction Crown interview Katherine Clements London Matthew Harffy medieval new release paperback research review Second World War Shortlist short stories the writing life Tudors TV drama TV review Vikings writer's life writing writing advice writing tips WWII

The Historical Writers’ Association

Historia Magazine is published by the Historical Writers’ Association. We are authors, publishers and agents of historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction. For information about membership and profiles of our member authors, please visit our website.

Read more about Historia or find out about advertising and promotional opportunities.

ISSN 2515-2254

Recent Additions

  • The Lying Dutchman by Graham Brack
  • Dead in the Water by Mark Ellis
  • King by Ben Kane: exclusive extract for Historia

Search Historia

Contact us

If you would like to contact the editor of Historia, please email editor@historiamag.com.

Copyright © 2014–2022 The Historical Writers Association