Scan barcode
katiegilley's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for a book club at work, and to be honest, I probably wouldn't have finished it if not for that club. I'm glad I did because it got much better at the end - but for the first 300 pages I just wasn't sure I could hang in there.returnreturnThis one was really interesting because it focused mainly on Mary Boleyn, Queen Anne Boleyn's sister, the sister who doesn't get too much press. She had a very interesting story - married at 13, bedded with the King by 15 - and then realized that life at Court isn't so grand. returnreturnFor me, there was not a single likable character in the first half of the book (possibly with the exception of Katherine of Aragon), but Mary becomes more and more likable and I definitely started pulling for her to buck tradition and to get on with her on life as a "nobody!" returnreturnThis was rich with history and even made me do a bit of research into the time period. I was admittedly ignorant about the time period, but I find myself wanting to learn more and more to see what pieces were "historical" and which pieces were "fiction" in Gregory's novel.
lizzycatslibrary's review
3.0
This is one of those books that is entertaining and a fun to read, but doesn't add much to your literary knowledge. I enjoyed the book and would suggest it to anyone who likes historical fiction and enjoys a good mix of drama and historical inquiry. If you like Phillippa Gregory you will enjoy this. Of her books, though, this was not my favorite. I would suggest the Queen's Fool or the Constant Princess over this one.
sageofthewoods's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nicholslaw's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
iloveflorencepugh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
missbecca's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
katiedru98's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
trudy1963's review
5.0
At about half way through this book I was only planning on giving it 3-4 stars because the way they treated women (and the way the women took the treatment) was so irritating that I couldn't like any of the characters. I know it was historically correct but it was still annoying. Then Mary came to her senses (as much as she could for her time period) and I found myself interested in her story. This is the first book I've read by Philippa Gregory and I was amazed at how quickly she hooked me into reading this book. Even while irritated during the first half I loved her writing style and her ability to bring this story to life.
ased08's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0