Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley at BRBF

Description

“You may not know Marie-Louise Christophe but once you have met her, you won’t forget her. Vanessa Riley’s historical novel feels timely and relevant, commemorating a time when Black women were queens.” —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Praised by bestselling author Jodi Picoult as “timely and relevant,” Queen of Exiles is Vanessa Riley’s stunning historical novel inspired by the remarkable true story of Queen Marie-Louise Christophe of Haiti.

In 1810, Marie-Louise Christophe is crowned queen beside her husband, King Henry I, ruler of the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti—the first and only free Black nation in the Western Hemisphere born from the Haitian Revolution. But freedom comes at a tremendous cost. Haiti faces crushing debt imposed by France, political instability, and rejection from nations unwilling to recognize Black sovereignty.

As King Henry struggles beneath the weight of leadership and descends into mental illness, Queen Louise becomes a steady political force determined to preserve the future of her people and her family. Yet when revolution erupts in 1820 and Henry dies by suicide after being overthrown, Louise and her daughters are forced to flee Haiti with only their courage, their jewels, and the remnants of a fallen kingdom.

Exiled in Europe during the Regency era, Louise refuses to surrender her crown—or her dignity. Moving through the glittering courts of Italy and across European society, she rebuilds her fortune, establishes her own royal presence, and challenges the assumptions of a world fascinated by—and threatened by—Black royalty.

Surrounded by gossip, political maneuvering, royal balls, and marriage proposals, Louise and her daughters must redefine themselves while confronting questions of race, womanhood, power, and belonging in a male-dominated European world.

Richly researched and emotionally powerful, Queen of Exiles is the unforgettable story of a resilient Black queen who survives revolution, exile, and heartbreak to reclaim her life on her own terms.

Perfect for readers who love:

• powerful women from history
• sweeping historical fiction
• stories inspired by real Black royalty
• political intrigue and royal courts
• emotionally rich, character-driven narratives
• untold stories of the Regency era and the Haitian Revolution

Each signed copy is personally autographed by Vanessa Riley, making it a treasured addition for readers of historical fiction and collectors alike.