Girl in a Cage (Stuart Quartet Series #2) Book

I really enjoyed this book!
The story is split between Marjorie's time in the cage as a prisoner and the time before she was imprisoned that she spent leading up to the cage. This enabled the story to give us both the historical background information and war strategy that was discussed amongst the Scottish characters, and the struggle and tormenters Marjorie faced as she was imprisoned in England.

In the pre-cage narrative we meet two major female characters: Marjorie's stepmother, now Queen Elizabeth, and Isabel, Countess of Buchan. I found both characters to be fine examples of strong female characters, but each in a different way. Elizabeth showed intellectual strength, holding her own and contributing valuable insight during war planning meetings and talks with her husband the king, exhibiting a cool and collected manner even when confronting difficulties or enemies. Isabel showed physical strength, she was the warrior type that took control and was ready to enter the fray of war itself.

Marjorie herself was also a strong female lead. She displayed boldness and courage both when confronting her elders about wanting to be included, brought along, allowed to help with this or that, and when facing her enemy, English King Edward. I found her character to be very well written and compelling in this book.

Although geared towards middle school aged readers and narrated by an 11 year old, the dialogue in the book was not "watered down" for the sake of younger readers. Just as Marjorie may have been confused by much of what she heard, so may a younger reader. The experience can be shared with the young voice of the narrator, or enhanced for an older reader who enjoys delving deeper into the story and strategy that went on in the discussions of war.

The imagery in the book was beautiful, but also not in excess. There were several good utilizations of metaphor/simile that made reappearances to bring back full circle the ideas they were enhancing.

I would definitely consider this book extremely well written, a fine piece of literature that does not limit itself to the target age group.

My only negative thoughts: with the large amount of historical context in the book, the many different friends/enemies/allies were hard to distinguish and tell apart, I had a hard time keeping track of who was friend and who was foe when I would take breaks in reading this book and come back to it. Also, Marjorie was placed in one scene at Dumfries in the book where she was not likely present in the real account of her life, and that scene stood out to me as awkward and unusual in regards to her presence in it.

Overall, an excellent book and darn good historical fiction! Would definitely recommend this, can't believe I waited so long to read it myself after having it for so many years.