Becoming Queen Victoria

While traveling during Christmas, I picked up this book and was captivated by the history I'd never known. Granted, I've read about Victoria and Albert: their reign, their children, the influence they had upon the world, etc. What I didn't know was the background to Victoria's reign and the circumstances that allowed her to become queen.

Kate Williams does an excellent job of including the historical facts but still keeping flow and interest. Never did I think about quitting as the story pulled me in and I wanted to fill all the gaps that I didn't know existed. The number of people who should have been crowned, but through unusually and tragic circumstances were unable to produce an heir, is what allowed Victoria (at age 18) to take the seat of one of the most powerful countries at that time. By her own account, Victoria did not fully believe she would become the sovereign. Her uncles and several cousins died, thus leaving the throne to her.
The kings and queens of Europe have always been fascinating to me, and this book provided more information and piqued my interest in studying some of the lesser-known royals of the early 19th century.