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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This was the first Philippa Gregory book I have read. I enjoyed it, in fact I want to go find some history books now to work out which bits were fact and which were fiction. I did feel that some of the scenes dragged on and could have been edited down. On the whole an enjoyable novel.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
After reading The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool, I must say that I was a little disappointed in this one. While I love Catalina as a character, and the descriptions of the Alhambra was meaningful because I've spent time in Granada, I found her rather one-dimensional.
I found the climax of the book and subsequent jumping ahead to be very jarring and odd, since it completely skips over the birth of the child that she is so focused on having throughout. Moreover, when faced with the greater ambition of Anne Boleyn, all the fight in her that's built throughout just leaves her, which I found to be belittling.
I found the climax of the book and subsequent jumping ahead to be very jarring and odd, since it completely skips over the birth of the child that she is so focused on having throughout. Moreover, when faced with the greater ambition of Anne Boleyn, all the fight in her that's built throughout just leaves her, which I found to be belittling.
Entertaining read, and though the basic history is there, it's clear that it's fiction. Interesting take on why Katherine was or said she was a virgin when she took Henry as her husband after being married to his brother.
This was almost a 5 star for me - really enjoyed getting caught up in the 1500's...on to the next one in the series!
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Violence, Xenophobia, War
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts
I love both history and historical fiction, and while this book was overall...fine, it was a ~struggle~ to get through. The writing never really flowed and was sometimes redundant, I thought the switching of points of view odd, and I oftentimes found myself bored. That said, I still believe it is a good book for one to familiarize themselves with the general life of Catalina of Aragon, at least up until Henry VIII's attempt to have their marriage annulled (remembering that it is historical fiction and thus not 100% accurate, of course).
Bookstagram | Lnk.bio
Bookstagram | Lnk.bio
I'm becoming more disappointed in Gregory's books as I go on. This was another one where I was bothered by the constant switch from 3rd person to 1st person. Might just be my mood, but I was not impressed with this book and started skimming again, just to reach the end.
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes