Reviews

Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer

envy4's review against another edition

5.0

Read this book in middle school and it made me a reader and a historian! Thank you

shorty_320's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this story on the life of Mary Tudor. Found it to be extremely educational and I am really looking forward to reading more from Meyer.

shhchar's review against another edition

I read this a while ago, I find the whole historical chapter fascinating.

itclouie's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

taneilcasey's review

3.0

Mary, Bloody Mary is about young Mary Tudor, and the trials she faces as she grows up. The things that happen to her give an interesting insight as to why she did things when she became queen. I really enjoyed this book, especially since I love to read about the lives of the Tudors.

mione_willow's review against another edition

dark emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hapigairu's review against another edition

dark informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

vikingwolf's review against another edition

3.0

This is the story of the early years of Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. She goes from being her father's beloved Princess to a bastard child when Henry turns his attention to Anne Boleyn. Mary has to face being separated from her mother and being humiliated by Anne who forces her to be maid to the new Princess Elizabeth. Mary is helpless as her mother dies alone and can never forgive Anne for destroying her family.

This was an interesting read because we are used to hearing about the bloody reign of Queen Mary, but these books give you an insight into why she turned into such a bitter, jealous and unhappy woman. The book is written in the form of her thoughts as events unfold and I found this to be a good historical fiction novel. It would be a good introduction for a young adult into the Tudor world.

justmo's review against another edition

dark informative fast-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? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Rape

chelse34's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this historical fiction and learned a lot from it! This is the story of "Bloody Mary" during her growing up years, and kind of gives you perspective of why and how she got her nickname. Her father was one reason... that man! This doesn't portray Mary as a villain, rather she is the heroine. She watches on while her monarchy is being swept out from under her feet because her father marries Anne Boleyn. She is therefore illegitimate and has no title or position. She even becomes a servant to Elizabeth, her new born half sister!

This story is like Cinderella, only backwards. No wonder she went crazy when she got the throne back and killed those Protestants! She was trying to "fix" things!