Review Detail

Prisoners in the Palace

Young Adult Fiction 377

Historical YA at its best

June 20, 2011 (Updated: June 06, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Seventeen-year-old Liza Hastings finds herself an orphan after both of her parents die in a tragic accident. Now penniless, she has to earn a living by being a lady's maid to sixteen-year-old Princess Victoria at Kensington Palace in 1836. Liza finds that others of the court want to use her to their advantage. This includes Princess Victoria's aunt and even Sir John Conroy, the Duchess' confidant. Liza does her best to survive inside a royal court filled with whispers and intrigue.

I totally loved this book! It reminds me of the recent movie THE YOUNG VICTORIA only this is told through the point of view of a lady in waiting who just happens to come from a former up and coming trading family. Liza was the one who was supposed to be introduced to society. Now that her family is dead, she's the one waiting on Princess soon to be Queen Victoria.

The time period is shown in lush and beautiful detail complete with the whole Dickens feel of the other people who aren't so fortunate to live like the royals. I also loved how Liza interacts with Princess Victoria, who's not shown in total rosy colors which makes her feel more real. For example, when she finds out about the fate of her former lady in waiting, she's more interested in how she can get back at Sir John. Liza's fate was very common at that time. Without parents or money you did end up in the streets or even worse.

I love the whole intrigue of the courts and how even royals had secrets. And Liza does have a huge secret that is used to the Baroness Lehzen's advantage. She speaks German but the Duchess and Sir John don't know. So Liza is able to hear their real intentions for the Princess.

I also love how Victoria is show as being very much like a teenager. She loved to dance, was mischievous, and loved her dog. It was fun to see that side of her. Most other stories only show her as serious.

A great read for those who love historical YAs. This story is guaranteed to make you want to find out what happened to Princess Victoria after you finish the book. I know I did!