Reviews

The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory

lizzycatslibrary's review

2.0

I was really disappointed with this read. It wasn't the writing, because I still got through the book alright. It was just the characters, especially Queen Elizabeth. She was portrayed as this mouse like character who couldn't do anything for herself. She was being played by everyone the entire book and she didn't seem to care a bit about it. She was so weak and malleable that I just really lost interest in her character. Not to mention that Sir Robert Dudley was an ass... a true ass. I don't know... just wasn't feeling this one at all.

jbridges99's review

2.0

Finally finished this one. I just could not get into it at all. I felt it just dragged on and I didn't really feel a connection with the characters or the story at all. Usually I hate for a book to end but I'm glad to be done with this one and able to move on. I wanted to love it as I have loved her other books but I just couldn't.

hazelcoleman's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

naomimg's review

dark emotional 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? Yes

3.0

bfrance99's review against another edition

emotional 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

I will read pretty much anything that Philippa Gregory writes, and enjoyed this one as much as any other. The plot wasn’t quite as strong as her others in the series, but the exploration of Robert and Amy Dudley’s characters and relationship was fascinating. Robert Dudley in particular is an incredibly interesting courtier, and Elizabeth is a well-known and equally interesting monarch. Amy Dudley/Roshart is much less famous, and remembered for only one thing. Philippa Gregory’s interpretation of events in her ‘best guess’ story isn’t what I instinctively agree with, but as always, I’m impressed by her thoughtfulness and consideration, especially in reflecting of female characters who are often overshadowed by their male counterparts. 

eggjen's review

4.0

While it was nowhere near as good as The Other Boelyn Girl, it did begin to capture my interest somewhere in the middle, much the same. The ending definitely surprised me, although I had suspected parts of it, and was left wondering a LOT and wishing I knew more of the history of this time period.

cassandrabee's review

2.0

The Virgin's Lover was well written of course. I love Gregory's ability to blend history and fact so well with fiction. This book was, however, aggravating from start to finish. The Queen and Robert are deplorable, miserable human beings really. There was not a moment in which I was not infuriated by this book. Gregory's books are great, but I would recommend picking up a different one.

psyduckforlife's review

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

I have loved many of Philippa Gregory’s books prior to this one. Her storytelling pulls you in and holds your attention through the entire book. But I’m not sure that I agree with her choices made to portray Elizabeth in this book. How did Elizabeth go from an intelligent, master manipulator in the Queen’s Fool to a weak, scared, love-sick puppy whose only thoughts derive from Robert Dudley? I was annoyed with Elizabeth and finished the book just to be done with it. Amy’s character felt very empty and added very little to the story. 

gurbindertakhar's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

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

2.0

beccamonster44's review

2.0

I could not believe the way that Queen Elizabeth I was portrayed in this novel. To imagine that one of the longest running monarchs who was able to achieve a significant amount of progress during her reign was nothing more than an amalgamation of every single weak whiny woman in live trope is an insult. I’m only giving this two stars because it had a little bit of promise early in the novel before the setting changed to court.