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marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
It's very oddly paced. I know Katherine was in England for longer than she was married to Henry (because of the whole brother marriage thing) but it feels like trying to cover her whole life until Henry moves on was just too much and so some parts feel like they aren't being written with as much care as others (particularly towards the end)
sslovesbooks_1's review
5.0
As a history teacher in Scotland we don’t cover really any of the Tudor period and I was blown away by this book about Henry VIII’s first wife Katherine of Aragon.
I have read a few of Philippa Gregory’s books from the Plantagenets series and enjoyed them but I had such a great time with this one. Katherine is portrayed as such a strong and determined woman and her drive to become a good queen and wife was such an inspiring read. I loved her character in this one.
This book put me through a raft of emotions, I was teary of the death of her first husband and as the story moved on I became more and more sympathetic to Katherine’s position. As for Henry, I was not a fan but I learned so much about a period in history I don’t really know that much about. It really gave such an insight into the power of the court and the goings on.
I’ve already finished the next book on Anne Boleyn and again really enjoyed it and I am off down a rabbit hole of Tudor England. Once I’ve completed this series I’m going to go to Alison Weir and her six queens series for some comparison. I’m also reading Wolf Hall so I’m truly cemented back in the 16th century.
I would recommend the audio book for this, it totally brought Katherine and the time to life.
Historical fiction fans would love this and it was my favourite book of January.
I have read a few of Philippa Gregory’s books from the Plantagenets series and enjoyed them but I had such a great time with this one. Katherine is portrayed as such a strong and determined woman and her drive to become a good queen and wife was such an inspiring read. I loved her character in this one.
This book put me through a raft of emotions, I was teary of the death of her first husband and as the story moved on I became more and more sympathetic to Katherine’s position. As for Henry, I was not a fan but I learned so much about a period in history I don’t really know that much about. It really gave such an insight into the power of the court and the goings on.
I’ve already finished the next book on Anne Boleyn and again really enjoyed it and I am off down a rabbit hole of Tudor England. Once I’ve completed this series I’m going to go to Alison Weir and her six queens series for some comparison. I’m also reading Wolf Hall so I’m truly cemented back in the 16th century.
I would recommend the audio book for this, it totally brought Katherine and the time to life.
Historical fiction fans would love this and it was my favourite book of January.
mdeck24's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
missbecca's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
kristiinaness's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't the most exciting book but I'm glad I read it before The Other Boleyn Girl because I feel like it was good background. Even though of course, it is very fictional historical fiction.
keraashley's review against another edition
3.25
I wish the author didn’t end the book where she did bc I feel like she stopped right when Katherine’s life get dramatic. Also to write about how destined she is to be queen and then cut out 13 years of her ruling? Okay. Sure.
I like the idea that Katherine and Arthur did love each other and he wanted her to succeed with him. So cute. I can’t believe how much I care about never knowing whether those 2 ever had sex or not. And fuck you Henry VIII, big fucking sexual harassing man child.
I like the idea that Katherine and Arthur did love each other and he wanted her to succeed with him. So cute. I can’t believe how much I care about never knowing whether those 2 ever had sex or not. And fuck you Henry VIII, big fucking sexual harassing man child.
semperlunaris's review against another edition
3.0
Another of my insomniac reads; I have a great fondness for all of Henry VIII's wives, and I have often wondered what might have happened had Arthur survived.
It's an ok read with quite a bit of repetition in places, like most of Gregory's work.
If you're familiar with it, you know what you're getting into.
It's an ok read with quite a bit of repetition in places, like most of Gregory's work.
If you're familiar with it, you know what you're getting into.
mermaid_mina's review against another edition
It was a slog. Too slow and not enjoyable.
gabmc's review
3.0
I liked how this story was told, with first person chapters and third person chapters. It was so interesting finding out more about Catalina/Katherine of Aragon - first wife of Henry VIII and born to be the Princess of Wales. She was betrothed to Henry's older brother, Arthur, from birth and married him when she was 16. Tragically he died after only five months of marriage. Then she married Henry and became Katherine. She was a great Queen but history only remembers her as the beheaded first wife of Henry VIII. Looking forward to reading more in this series.