Dawn Patitucci’s debut novel, THE QUEEN’S PROPHET, is an ambitious affair. A work of historical fiction set in the rarely explored world of 17th-century Spain, the author focuses on one courtier in particular: the dwarf Maribarbola, devoted servant to Queen Mariana. Through Mari’s eyes, we see both depravity and decadence, each at their highest extremes.

The novel opens as German-born Maria-Barbara mourns the death of her longtime mistress, a countess who treated her as a boon companion. Ever practical, Mari soon wonders what will become of her in a world in which only the rich and high-born pay to keep dwarves, albeit often as pets and as jesters. Can she find another position where she is respected, her opinions valued? Patitucci dramatically brings to life Mari’s real-world social concerns, thoughts that never crossed the minds of her cohorts --- and probably never that of the reader, either --- and are well-worth pondering.

"Patitucci is to be commended for tackling a tricky location and time in history.... She really does make the extravagance of every jewel on the king’s finger apparent, as well as the cruelty of society, come to vivid life."

Resourceful Mari makes her reputation as a trickster and prophetess. Before long, she ends up in the household of Queen Mariana of Spain, niece and wife to the melancholy King Philip IV. The royal couple is desperate for a male heir, and it’s up to their court’s latest jewel, Maribarbola the Prophetess, to bring succor to all of Spain. Soon, Mari discovers that there is far more to navigating court intrigues than just winning the favor of her mistress, as she is used and in turns learns to use others. In fact, if she doesn’t master the art of political machinations, she might find herself, and the Queen she has come to adore, dead…or worse.

Patitucci is to be commended for tackling a tricky location and time in history. Early modern Spain doesn’t receive attention from most historical fiction authors, who might prefer the same period, but in England or France (under the reigns of Charles II or Louis XIV). She really does make the extravagance of every jewel on the king’s finger apparent, as well as the cruelty of society, come to vivid life.

However, Patitucci’s preoccupation with another court figure, the dwarf Nicolas, sometimes forces our main character, Maribarbola, to the sidelines; perhaps she was too ambitious to write a novel about just one person who fascinated her. In addition, Mari’s attitude toward the world around her swings very rapidly from joy to despair, which can be both jarring and compelling in such a short timeline. Overall, a longer book might have allowed the author more time to create a more well-rounded narrative and space for all of the delicious detail she attempts to cram into one short volume.