Kristina : The Girl King

This is the story of a girl who, technically, became the ruler of her country (Sweden) at the age of six. Actually, she didn't really become the ruler upon her father's death; a group of men were really the ones in power.

She was brought up as a prince, not a princess, by her own choice. She doesn't ever want to get married or have children, and her tastes in activities run to those usually enjoyed by males.

Her mother hates Sweden and is incredibly critical of everything Kristina does or wears.

At the time of the story Kristina is eleven-years-old and either is studying or already has studied algebra, geometry, geography, astronomy, Latin, German, French, Swedish and Greek, and she plans to learn Spanish and Italian. Obviously an incredibly intelligent young girl carrying a course-load far in advance of students that age in today's schools.

Most of the book has to do with her daily life, as expected, and her problems with her mother and with others who just can't accept that she doesn't want to behave in a feminine manner.

Although she officially takes over the throne when she's old enough, she rules only for a few years then abdicates the throne, tired of all the pressures and restrictions of a ruler.

It's a somewhat interesting book, but just not quite as interesting as most of the rest of the Royal Diaries stories.

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