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beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
You have read the stories about Queen Anne and King Henry but what about Princess Elizabeth? In Young Bess, the first book in the Elizabeth I trilogy, readers learn about Elizabeth “Bess” and her life after her mother’s death. Bess does not have much love for he father, the King. In fact you could say she will not be heart broken when he dies. Bess strikes up a romantic interlude with her step-mother, Catherine Parr’s husband, Tom Seymour. She and Tom are playing a dangerous game. Though, who is really playing whom?
I liked this book. I have to admit that I don’t know much about the Tudor era but I find books about this time period fascinating. This was a nice change from all the other books that are currently out about Queen Anne and Kind Henry VII. This book focused on Princess Elizabeth. In Young Bess, Elizabeth is really conniving and vindictive. Bess and Tom’s relationship I felt was more of a love/hate relationship than the real deal. She almost made her father, King Henry VIII look good. Young Bess is a check out read for fans of the Tudors. I can’t wait to continue this exciting journey with author, Margaret Irwin.
I liked this book. I have to admit that I don’t know much about the Tudor era but I find books about this time period fascinating. This was a nice change from all the other books that are currently out about Queen Anne and Kind Henry VII. This book focused on Princess Elizabeth. In Young Bess, Elizabeth is really conniving and vindictive. Bess and Tom’s relationship I felt was more of a love/hate relationship than the real deal. She almost made her father, King Henry VIII look good. Young Bess is a check out read for fans of the Tudors. I can’t wait to continue this exciting journey with author, Margaret Irwin.
almostg's review against another edition
5.0
Just brilliant. Irwin makes wonderfully vivid characters out of the historical figures who feature less often in fiction about the Tudors: Henry Seymour, John Dudley and Edward VI's companion Barnarby stood out. Full of cinematic and emotional scenes I won't forget. (I had to sit down and cry at the scene with the ships on the river, going out to Russia...You'll see.)
lreay89's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book on the early life of Elizabeth I during her Brothers reign and the intrigue she shared with The Admiral. I found that the book was written in an engaging and believable way with a lot of historical content. It was obviously meticulously researched.
I especially enjoyed the working in of the popular rumours that have surrounded the time without presenting them as facts but still allowed the reader access to some theories of that period of time.
I found myself quiet liking the Princess Elizabeth and feeling sorry for the situation she found herself in which was in no way of her own making. A real sink or swim account of her early life. I am really looking forward to continuing the trilogy with [b:Elizabeth, Captive Princess|18216055|Elizabeth, Captive Princess (Elizabeth Trilogy, #2)|Margaret Irwin|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1374253651s/18216055.jpg|25642556] and [b:Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain|18216065|Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth Trilogy, #3)|Margaret Irwin|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1374254013s/18216065.jpg|25642580]
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this period of history.
I especially enjoyed the working in of the popular rumours that have surrounded the time without presenting them as facts but still allowed the reader access to some theories of that period of time.
I found myself quiet liking the Princess Elizabeth and feeling sorry for the situation she found herself in which was in no way of her own making. A real sink or swim account of her early life. I am really looking forward to continuing the trilogy with [b:Elizabeth, Captive Princess|18216055|Elizabeth, Captive Princess (Elizabeth Trilogy, #2)|Margaret Irwin|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1374253651s/18216055.jpg|25642556] and [b:Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain|18216065|Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth Trilogy, #3)|Margaret Irwin|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1374254013s/18216065.jpg|25642580]
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this period of history.
julkatt's review against another edition
3.0
Vivid, engrossing read. Explores the life of Queen Elizabeth as a young girl before ascending to the throne. Offers insight into her moral, character, and intellectual development. Sympathetic depictions of the major historical figures overall, though some are dealt with a little heavy-handedly (Duchess of Somerset, Frances Grey).
helenephoebe's review against another edition
3.0
Review - Not a brilliant telling of the story, but one of the better ones. It is interesting to read about Elizabeth's early life, particularly before the death of her father, Henry VIII, even a fictional retelling, as you don't know how much of it is actually true. It'll be interesting to see how the story continues and how Margaret Irwin deals with the Lady Jane Grey crisis and Elizabeth's imprisonment in the Tower.
Genre - Historical / Drama
Characters - Elizabeth I / Edward VI / Henry VIII / Mary I / Thomas Seymour / Catherine Parr / Kat Ashley / Edward Seymour / Anne Stanhope / Jane Grey / Mr Asham / Mr Cheke
Setting - London, Sudeley & Hatfield (England)
Series - Elizabeth Trilogy #1
Recommend - Yes
Rating - 15/20
Genre - Historical / Drama
Characters - Elizabeth I / Edward VI / Henry VIII / Mary I / Thomas Seymour / Catherine Parr / Kat Ashley / Edward Seymour / Anne Stanhope / Jane Grey / Mr Asham / Mr Cheke
Setting - London, Sudeley & Hatfield (England)
Series - Elizabeth Trilogy #1
Recommend - Yes
Rating - 15/20
mountainblue's review against another edition
5.0
I can't wait to re-read this trilogy. It was pure joy but i just wish the author continued with the series as it felt like she left it at a cliff-hanger at the end of book 3.
saeb_20's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Child abuse
mountainblue's review
5.0
I can't wait to re-read this trilogy. It was pure joy but i just wish the author continued with the series as it felt like she left it at a cliff-hanger at the end of book 3.
wyrmbergsabrina's review
3.0
This took me much longer to get through than I thought it would. At times it read like a history text, giving me mountains of information about the events happening around Young Bess, rather than telling me more about her feelings. I suppose that's that hardest thing about historical novels where the focus is on a known historical figure; the author has to tread carefully between what we know from written documents and paintings, and what the writer can infer from small clues that may or may not have been left behind.
This is the first historical novel I've read where the focus is on a known person, and it was very well researched, written cleanly and certainly told me the events that happened around the time; how the actions of others had a direct influence on members of the royal household. This would not have been possible if the story was only told from Bess' point of view.
I certainly learnt a lot about the young future Queen's teenage years, the scandals that surrounded her, and the careful line she had to walk after the death of her father; no mean feat for the amount of men that craved the power they could get by controlling the royal children.
This is part of a series about the life of Elizabeth, and Mary and although ends with a very positive outlook on the future, which history tells us was not as simple as we'd wish it, there is certainly enough set up to make the reader want to know more about young Bess' next steps.
At this point in history, Lady Jane Grey has just been declared Queen, and many of us know her tale already. I wonder how Elizabeth's tale will be told in the next instalment?
Read if you like the Tudor era, lots of historical information, and plenty of scandal.
This is the first historical novel I've read where the focus is on a known person, and it was very well researched, written cleanly and certainly told me the events that happened around the time; how the actions of others had a direct influence on members of the royal household. This would not have been possible if the story was only told from Bess' point of view.
I certainly learnt a lot about the young future Queen's teenage years, the scandals that surrounded her, and the careful line she had to walk after the death of her father; no mean feat for the amount of men that craved the power they could get by controlling the royal children.
This is part of a series about the life of Elizabeth, and Mary and although ends with a very positive outlook on the future, which history tells us was not as simple as we'd wish it, there is certainly enough set up to make the reader want to know more about young Bess' next steps.
At this point in history, Lady Jane Grey has just been declared Queen, and many of us know her tale already. I wonder how Elizabeth's tale will be told in the next instalment?
Read if you like the Tudor era, lots of historical information, and plenty of scandal.