In The Three Musketeers, a historical fiction novel, D’Artagnan, a young man from Gascon who is loyal to the king and queen, travels to Paris seeking to become a musketeer. There he discovers his future best friends, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, and a plot by Cardinal Richelieu to steal the throne. The four friends go on many adventures in service of the queen and her reputation, but are often foiled by Milady, a beautiful, evil, and mysterious agent of the Cardinal. In a surprising twist at the end, Milady is brought to justice and D’Artagnan receives his wish and is promoted in the musketeers.
This is one of my favorite books. It is filled with intrigue, mystery, and romance. The characters are well rounded and believable, each with a distinct personality. I liked the winding plot and the different twists. The historical figures were very interesting because of Dumas’ interpretation of their personalities. I especially liked the way the king and queen were shown as people with strengths, weaknesses, and human struggles. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction or the classics. I would give this book five stars.