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irenetrexqueen's review against another edition
4.0
Great quick listen to take your mind out of the world. Saw some of the twists but not all. Lots of left, right, up, and down.
Will note there is 1 spicy QUICK scene, where the last book was pretty much fade to black.
Will note there is 1 spicy QUICK scene, where the last book was pretty much fade to black.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
A few people's reviews that I have read about this book said that you should really read the first book in this series, The Tudor Secret. I disagree. I have not read the first book but I did not feel like I missed anything by not reading the first book. I had not problems jumping right into this book. My issue was in the beginning, I felt that the story moved slow. I sort of skimmed over it to get to the good parts when the story picked up the tempo. This did not happen until about a third of the way into the book for me. After Brendan was in court. From here things started getting interesting.
Also, I was not really into all of the characters so this did add some to the reason that it too me a longer time to read this book. However, it was nice to have Brendan lend his voice as the narrator for this book. It did make me feel like I was walking in his shoes. Which made me like him more. I have read a few books by Mr. Gortner and the one thing that he does best is bring the world of the Tudor era alive. Overall, I did have a good time reading this book. Historical fans will like this book.
Also, I was not really into all of the characters so this did add some to the reason that it too me a longer time to read this book. However, it was nice to have Brendan lend his voice as the narrator for this book. It did make me feel like I was walking in his shoes. Which made me like him more. I have read a few books by Mr. Gortner and the one thing that he does best is bring the world of the Tudor era alive. Overall, I did have a good time reading this book. Historical fans will like this book.
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
3.0
Fun read (or rather listen). Plenty of twists to keep things interesting
andrew65's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.75
enchantingtaleswithalex's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Like it's predecessor, I found this book to be full of mystery and intrigue that kept me guessing as I put the pieces of the puzzle together. Brendan Prescott must once again return to his false persona as Daniel Beecham in order to appear in the court of Queen Mary I so that he can protect Princess Elizabeth from harm. And there is no shortage of danger for him to confront.
I will confess to being extremely unhappy about the fate of one character in particular, as I found myself rather liking the adorable boy who followed Brendan around like a shadow. Peregrine deserved a better fate. (Obviously though I recognize that not everyone gets the happy ending, especially in this court.)
I appreciate the vivid pictures that are given in the description all the way through so that I have an understanding of where I am at all times. And the various characters are set into brilliant roles that keep the story moving without getting too long or boring. Gortner does a brilliant job navigating the real life suspicions and perils that the Princess Elizabeth faces during this time.
Now it's time to move onto the final book and I find myself with unending questions. But if Kate does not get safely out of this with Brendan, I may riot.
I will confess to being extremely unhappy about the fate of one character in particular, as I found myself rather liking the adorable boy who followed Brendan around like a shadow. Peregrine deserved a better fate. (Obviously though I recognize that not everyone gets the happy ending, especially in this court.)
I appreciate the vivid pictures that are given in the description all the way through so that I have an understanding of where I am at all times. And the various characters are set into brilliant roles that keep the story moving without getting too long or boring. Gortner does a brilliant job navigating the real life suspicions and perils that the Princess Elizabeth faces during this time.
Now it's time to move onto the final book and I find myself with unending questions. But if Kate does not get safely out of this with Brendan, I may riot.
kayedacus's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 stars
I was sooooo not ready for this book to end.
This was a fun, fast-paced story, as expected; however, there were a few things with it that didn't work quite as well for me as the first book.
***Spoilers below***
The biggest problem I had with this book was not that Brendan found himself succumbing to Sybilla's seductive ways but that he spent most of the book not remembering Kate---not thinking at all about the woman he's supposedly in love with and wants above all else to marry and spend the rest of his life with. The confrontation between Brendan and Kate when they do finally see each other again did not have the emotional impact or resonance it would have if Kate hadn't been forgotten/not mentioned for three-quarters of the book. It's an "out of sight, out of mind" type of scenario, which gives no weight to Brendan's "betrayal" of her with Sybilla. Yes, I understand that men process emotions differently and can compartmentalize their thoughts and emotions; but it didn't ring true that he wouldn't think about Kate at all once he was separated from her.
Another issue I have is the amount of time that's passed between Book 1 and Book 2. When Scarcliff is telling Brendan about how he and Nan scrimped and saved their money to buy the tavern, this seems as if it would be something that would have taken years and years to accomplish, not just a few months. King Edward VI died July 6, 1553 (an event covered in Book 1). Jane Grey "reigned" as queen from July 10 through July 19, 1553 (Book 1) and was then rightfully deposed by Queen Mary I (still in Book 1). Jane Grey was then imprisoned in the Tower. In Book 2 (this book), Jane and the Dudleys, including her husband Guildford, are still imprisoned but, before the end of the book, they are executed, which happened on February 12, 1554. So, somehow, in seven months, Scarcliff and Nan saved enough money to buy a tavern by working as a mercenary/man for hire and a prostitute? I find that really hard to believe.
I'm also very upset by Peregrine's demise. I kept hoping that he'd pop up again and that we'd find out that the poison only made him seem dead but didn't actually kill him. I miss him. :-(
Those few issues aside, I did enjoy the book and look forward to the next installment!
I was sooooo not ready for this book to end.
This was a fun, fast-paced story, as expected; however, there were a few things with it that didn't work quite as well for me as the first book.
***Spoilers below***
The biggest problem I had with this book was not that Brendan found himself succumbing to Sybilla's seductive ways but that he spent most of the book not remembering Kate---not thinking at all about the woman he's supposedly in love with and wants above all else to marry and spend the rest of his life with. The confrontation between Brendan and Kate when they do finally see each other again did not have the emotional impact or resonance it would have if Kate hadn't been forgotten/not mentioned for three-quarters of the book. It's an "out of sight, out of mind" type of scenario, which gives no weight to Brendan's "betrayal" of her with Sybilla. Yes, I understand that men process emotions differently and can compartmentalize their thoughts and emotions; but it didn't ring true that he wouldn't think about Kate at all once he was separated from her.
Another issue I have is the amount of time that's passed between Book 1 and Book 2. When Scarcliff is telling Brendan about how he and Nan scrimped and saved their money to buy the tavern, this seems as if it would be something that would have taken years and years to accomplish, not just a few months. King Edward VI died July 6, 1553 (an event covered in Book 1). Jane Grey "reigned" as queen from July 10 through July 19, 1553 (Book 1) and was then rightfully deposed by Queen Mary I (still in Book 1). Jane Grey was then imprisoned in the Tower. In Book 2 (this book), Jane and the Dudleys, including her husband Guildford, are still imprisoned but, before the end of the book, they are executed, which happened on February 12, 1554. So, somehow, in seven months, Scarcliff and Nan saved enough money to buy a tavern by working as a mercenary/man for hire and a prostitute? I find that really hard to believe.
I'm also very upset by Peregrine's demise. I kept hoping that he'd pop up again and that we'd find out that the poison only made him seem dead but didn't actually kill him. I miss him. :-(
Those few issues aside, I did enjoy the book and look forward to the next installment!
bethashcroft's review against another edition
4.0
Very captivating novel, clearly inspired by some historical facts.
mefi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
A few days ago Courtney Lewis blogged about New Adult and ended with "I'd be interested to hear what other people feel fall into New Adult but are not contemporary romance. What is out there that would appeal to this transitioning age group?"
Well, here's one that's not just historical fiction but the lead is not some plucky girl, it's a young man (probably late teens - if we're told, I forgot the exact age)! Perfect for history loving guys. Set in the Tudor Era, during Queen Mary's reign, we get a serious dose of the intrigues and plot surrounding Mary, her half-sister Elizabeth, the proposed marriage of Mary to Philip of Spain, and the Dudley family (already in the Tower for the whole Queen Jane Grey thing, soon to be in bigger trouble over the Wyatt Rebellion). Our hero is Desmond Prescott, who alludes to his royal blood (he's from the wrong side of the blanket) often and is loyal mainly to Elizabeth but mostly to the Tudors, so willing to do Mary's bidding as well. Not an easy balancing act!
What's interesting is that this is one of the few books that paints Mary in a sympathetic light - not so much of the Bloody here. As with all historical fiction, the language and some of the details feel a bit too modern but overall this is a great read for people a little intimidated by Hilary Mantel's tomes.
ARC provided by publisher.
Well, here's one that's not just historical fiction but the lead is not some plucky girl, it's a young man (probably late teens - if we're told, I forgot the exact age)! Perfect for history loving guys. Set in the Tudor Era, during Queen Mary's reign, we get a serious dose of the intrigues and plot surrounding Mary, her half-sister Elizabeth, the proposed marriage of Mary to Philip of Spain, and the Dudley family (already in the Tower for the whole Queen Jane Grey thing, soon to be in bigger trouble over the Wyatt Rebellion). Our hero is Desmond Prescott, who alludes to his royal blood (he's from the wrong side of the blanket) often and is loyal mainly to Elizabeth but mostly to the Tudors, so willing to do Mary's bidding as well. Not an easy balancing act!
What's interesting is that this is one of the few books that paints Mary in a sympathetic light - not so much of the Bloody here. As with all historical fiction, the language and some of the details feel a bit too modern but overall this is a great read for people a little intimidated by Hilary Mantel's tomes.
ARC provided by publisher.