Reviews

The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory

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.

labunnywtf's review

2.0

This was not written by the same Philippa Gregory who has written all of the other Tudor books I've loved. I'm quite certain of it.

Because I hated the two female main characters. Hated them. Wanted both of them to end up like Anne Boleyn.

W.T.F. She spent Queen's Fool setting Elizabeth up as a masterfully manipulative young woman who could do anything she set her mind to, and even when she had to do something she didn't want to do, she managed to spin it around for herself. And if she wasn't plotting, her associates were, and getting her everything she wanted.

So who is this mealy-mouthed fishwife that we have to deal with in this book?!

And Amy Robsart? Who the hell cares! She's so irritating I wanted her to die two chapters in instead of at the ass end.

GAH. This was the first Gregory book I dived into without hesitation, as I do all the others. I should've seen this coming.

mrsbrewcrew's review

2.0

The slowest, most political of the Gregory books that I've read so far. I didn't enjoy this story as much as the others.