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gilliske's review against another edition
3.0
A story based on true facts. Such novels always excite me that little bit more. I like to look up afterwards (to prevent spoilers) how close or far from the truth the plot takes you. In this case, the author remains very close to it. And that creates a nice sense of wonder, how sometimes real life can be so exciting, adventurous, enchanting, but unfortunately also so cruel and heartbreaking, that even without fantastic additions it can perfectly serve as the basis for a solid fiction novel.
In this story Bagwell takes the reader on an adventure through 17th century Europe. We follow the long and, as 'miraculous' described, wanderings of Charles II, exiled king of England, who is desperately trying to regain his throne. He is helped by some loyal subjects including Jane Lane, from whose point of view the story is told. She is a historical heroine, a pivotal figure in the successful flight of Charles II and later also honored as such.
However, there were some negatives to the book.
The main character, Jane Lane, although still portrayed as a heroine, is portrayed too strongly as yet another young woman who is easily seduced by some sweet words and then completely submits to the whims of her lover. He becomes the center of her life, her world. And that's precisely why our heroine loses a bit of her shine.
It is to be expected that the amorous story between Charles and Jane entails the 'necessary' sex scenes, but I fail to understand why it was necessary to add two relatively explicitly described self-gratification scenes in the book 10 pages away. They do not add value to the story and contribute nothing to the character formation of the characters. I just didn't feel they fit the story.
Sometimes the story gets a little boring. But actually this just makes clear that the main character is going through a grueling, monotonous and therefore boring time. So that is easily forgiven ;-)
In this story Bagwell takes the reader on an adventure through 17th century Europe. We follow the long and, as 'miraculous' described, wanderings of Charles II, exiled king of England, who is desperately trying to regain his throne. He is helped by some loyal subjects including Jane Lane, from whose point of view the story is told. She is a historical heroine, a pivotal figure in the successful flight of Charles II and later also honored as such.
However, there were some negatives to the book.
The main character, Jane Lane, although still portrayed as a heroine, is portrayed too strongly as yet another young woman who is easily seduced by some sweet words and then completely submits to the whims of her lover. He becomes the center of her life, her world. And that's precisely why our heroine loses a bit of her shine.
It is to be expected that the amorous story between Charles and Jane entails the 'necessary' sex scenes, but I fail to understand why it was necessary to add two relatively explicitly described self-gratification scenes in the book 10 pages away. They do not add value to the story and contribute nothing to the character formation of the characters. I just didn't feel they fit the story.
Sometimes the story gets a little boring. But actually this just makes clear that the main character is going through a grueling, monotonous and therefore boring time. So that is easily forgiven ;-)
gillis's review
3.0
A story based on true facts. Such novels always excite me that little bit more. I like to look up afterwards (to prevent spoilers) how close or far from the truth the plot takes you. In this case, the author remains very close to it. And that creates a nice sense of wonder, how sometimes real life can be so exciting, adventurous, enchanting, but unfortunately also so cruel and heartbreaking, that even without fantastic additions it can perfectly serve as the basis for a solid fiction novel.
In this story Bagwell takes the reader on an adventure through 17th century Europe. We follow the long and, as 'miraculous' described, wanderings of Charles II, exiled king of England, who is desperately trying to regain his throne. He is helped by some loyal subjects including Jane Lane, from whose point of view the story is told. She is a historical heroine, a pivotal figure in the successful flight of Charles II and later also honored as such.
However, there were some negatives to the book.
The main character, Jane Lane, although still portrayed as a heroine, is portrayed too strongly as yet another young woman who is easily seduced by some sweet words and then completely submits to the whims of her lover. He becomes the center of her life, her world. And that's precisely why our heroine loses a bit of her shine.
It is to be expected that the amorous story between Charles and Jane entails the 'necessary' sex scenes, but I fail to understand why it was necessary to add two relatively explicitly described self-gratification scenes in the book 10 pages away. They do not add value to the story and contribute nothing to the character formation of the characters. I just didn't feel they fit the story.
Sometimes the story gets a little boring. But actually this just makes clear that the main character is going through a grueling, monotonous and therefore boring time. So that is easily forgiven ;-)
In this story Bagwell takes the reader on an adventure through 17th century Europe. We follow the long and, as 'miraculous' described, wanderings of Charles II, exiled king of England, who is desperately trying to regain his throne. He is helped by some loyal subjects including Jane Lane, from whose point of view the story is told. She is a historical heroine, a pivotal figure in the successful flight of Charles II and later also honored as such.
However, there were some negatives to the book.
The main character, Jane Lane, although still portrayed as a heroine, is portrayed too strongly as yet another young woman who is easily seduced by some sweet words and then completely submits to the whims of her lover. He becomes the center of her life, her world. And that's precisely why our heroine loses a bit of her shine.
It is to be expected that the amorous story between Charles and Jane entails the 'necessary' sex scenes, but I fail to understand why it was necessary to add two relatively explicitly described self-gratification scenes in the book 10 pages away. They do not add value to the story and contribute nothing to the character formation of the characters. I just didn't feel they fit the story.
Sometimes the story gets a little boring. But actually this just makes clear that the main character is going through a grueling, monotonous and therefore boring time. So that is easily forgiven ;-)
mrsbooknerd's review
2.0
The first few chapters of this book were quite good with progression and the initial meeting of Jane Lane and king Charles II. I felt that after this there was minimal progression and I quickly became bored. The action of the first third of this book should have been given more detail and page time, maybe with a bit more of a development of their relationship.
The second third was so slow it almost stopped, though it detailed Jane's exile there was no action. "We walked, we reached somewhere, I was tired, we ate and slept, we continued walking, I was more tired..."
For several chapters she was just walking!!
Jane was interesting to begin with, strong opinions and a need for adventure but by the middle she was a simpering mess who knew that Charles was unfaithful but still just fussed about him as though she had no mind. A complete character change!
The second third was so slow it almost stopped, though it detailed Jane's exile there was no action. "We walked, we reached somewhere, I was tired, we ate and slept, we continued walking, I was more tired..."
For several chapters she was just walking!!
Jane was interesting to begin with, strong opinions and a need for adventure but by the middle she was a simpering mess who knew that Charles was unfaithful but still just fussed about him as though she had no mind. A complete character change!
tillybh's review
4.0
The title. It was the thing that both drew me in through its evident historical-ness, and yet also had me thinking, 'its just another book about yet another mistress', damning it before I'd even read it. But this book is so much more.
The story of Jane Lane, a lady of noble birth who has grown up with the shadow of Cromwell and his hatred and suspicion of royalty and nobility. Her life is rather mundane, but it all changes when supporters of Charles II come to her family home seeking help for the King.
Now I admire her spirit. I don't think I could have done as she did. But there were certain things that rather annoyed me about her. She went on this dangerous mission because she was "bored", and every time Cromwell's soldiers appeared she'd start fainting, rather diminishing the proud and fearless heroine picture portrayed at the beginning.
But that's not all. As it is told in the first person, it can get a little repetitive - all she can think about is Charles and I found her almost to be moping, which also made her seem like just another weak female pining for her love.
But that aside, it was fantastic. It was a wonderful story and I could not put it down. But I had to only give it 4 stars, as while it was overall a fabulous novel, the points mentioned above did detract from it, even if it was only nominally! And I prefer the U.S. title of The September Queen. It's a lot more imaginative (do you know how many books I have seen called The King's Mistress??!)
The story of Jane Lane, a lady of noble birth who has grown up with the shadow of Cromwell and his hatred and suspicion of royalty and nobility. Her life is rather mundane, but it all changes when supporters of Charles II come to her family home seeking help for the King.
Now I admire her spirit. I don't think I could have done as she did. But there were certain things that rather annoyed me about her. She went on this dangerous mission because she was "bored", and every time Cromwell's soldiers appeared she'd start fainting, rather diminishing the proud and fearless heroine picture portrayed at the beginning.
But that's not all. As it is told in the first person, it can get a little repetitive - all she can think about is Charles and I found her almost to be moping, which also made her seem like just another weak female pining for her love.
But that aside, it was fantastic. It was a wonderful story and I could not put it down. But I had to only give it 4 stars, as while it was overall a fabulous novel, the points mentioned above did detract from it, even if it was only nominally! And I prefer the U.S. title of The September Queen. It's a lot more imaginative (do you know how many books I have seen called The King's Mistress??!)
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