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bamamelereads's review against another edition
4.0
First, thanks to Grove Atlantic for the ARC. This was just as entertaining as the first book, The King’s Witch. But I was much more irritated by Frances’ actions this time around. One would have thought her appetite for scheming would have died with Tom, but apparently not. Worth a read, but new readers would definitely be lost if they hadn’t read the first book.
krismcd59's review against another edition
3.0
My review of this book appears in Historical Novels Review issue 89 (August 2019):
In 17th-century England, misogyny, lust, and religious bigotry drive most of King James I/VI’s decisions, according to Tracy Borman, who continues the Frances Gorges trilogy five years after The King’s Witch. Frances has survived the wholesale slaughter of the Gunpowder Treason conspirators, including her lover, Thomas Wintour, and finds herself pregnant and unprotected.
Borman, a well-regarded historian, has published numerous non-fiction works about the Tudor and Stuart courts. Her encyclopedic knowledge is on display in this trilogy, her first foray into fiction, and sometimes the reader gets the feeling that she’s simply moving from one documented incident to the next, with Frances’ reactions as filler in between. However, the narrative picks up speed as Frances struggles to protect her son and husband while various ambitious conspirators try to make use of her privileged position as the confidante of the Princess Elizabeth. This puts Frances into the thick of several dramatic events, including the secret marriage and attempted escape of James’s rival claimant to the throne, Arbella Stuart; the marriage negotiations for the Princess; and the tragic early death of Henry, Prince of Wales. In each, Frances, a talented healer, finds herself repeatedly suspected of witchcraft and treason. On the personal front, she begins to fall in love with Thomas Tyringham, the man who has given her a marriage of convenience, but must decide whether to trust him with her rapidly-expanding web of potentially fatal secrets.
Unfortunately, the incident-packed narrative leaves little room for character development (aside from Frances), and the Stuart men in particular come off as cartoonishly villainous. Similarly, Queen Anne and the Princess offer a level of protection to the continually beset Frances that strains credibility. Still, Borman keeps the story moving, managing to create a plausible love story for Frances and her husband in the midst of the rapid moral and familial disintegration of the Stuart Court.
In 17th-century England, misogyny, lust, and religious bigotry drive most of King James I/VI’s decisions, according to Tracy Borman, who continues the Frances Gorges trilogy five years after The King’s Witch. Frances has survived the wholesale slaughter of the Gunpowder Treason conspirators, including her lover, Thomas Wintour, and finds herself pregnant and unprotected.
Borman, a well-regarded historian, has published numerous non-fiction works about the Tudor and Stuart courts. Her encyclopedic knowledge is on display in this trilogy, her first foray into fiction, and sometimes the reader gets the feeling that she’s simply moving from one documented incident to the next, with Frances’ reactions as filler in between. However, the narrative picks up speed as Frances struggles to protect her son and husband while various ambitious conspirators try to make use of her privileged position as the confidante of the Princess Elizabeth. This puts Frances into the thick of several dramatic events, including the secret marriage and attempted escape of James’s rival claimant to the throne, Arbella Stuart; the marriage negotiations for the Princess; and the tragic early death of Henry, Prince of Wales. In each, Frances, a talented healer, finds herself repeatedly suspected of witchcraft and treason. On the personal front, she begins to fall in love with Thomas Tyringham, the man who has given her a marriage of convenience, but must decide whether to trust him with her rapidly-expanding web of potentially fatal secrets.
Unfortunately, the incident-packed narrative leaves little room for character development (aside from Frances), and the Stuart men in particular come off as cartoonishly villainous. Similarly, Queen Anne and the Princess offer a level of protection to the continually beset Frances that strains credibility. Still, Borman keeps the story moving, managing to create a plausible love story for Frances and her husband in the midst of the rapid moral and familial disintegration of the Stuart Court.
paperbird_06's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
evandegrift1's review against another edition
5.0
The first 100 pages move rather slowly. It’s a lot of catching up to where everyone is now and what is going on. But after that it really picked up and I couldn’t put it down! I did get a bit frustrated with the main character at times. She seemed to keep digging herself a deeper hole. But I could understand her reasoning for her actions.
I do not know a whole lot about the Stuart period of England’s history. There are countless moves out there about the Tudors. Quite a few about the Plantagenets. But not many about the Stuart’s. This series does an amazing job of covering all of the historical facts, while drawing you in with a fictional story. I found myself cheering on the relationship between Frances and Sir Thomas, while also intrigued by the issue of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth. It was definitely a 5 star read for me and I am looking forward to the 3rd book in this trilogy.
I do not know a whole lot about the Stuart period of England’s history. There are countless moves out there about the Tudors. Quite a few about the Plantagenets. But not many about the Stuart’s. This series does an amazing job of covering all of the historical facts, while drawing you in with a fictional story. I found myself cheering on the relationship between Frances and Sir Thomas, while also intrigued by the issue of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth. It was definitely a 5 star read for me and I am looking forward to the 3rd book in this trilogy.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
The novels in this series are an entertaining way to learn about the Jacobean historical period and how people lived.
The historical background is well researched and vivid and it was a great way to learn about this historical period.
This is an engrossing and entertaining novel, I loved the well written and realistic characters.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
It was an excellent read, highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The historical background is well researched and vivid and it was a great way to learn about this historical period.
This is an engrossing and entertaining novel, I loved the well written and realistic characters.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
It was an excellent read, highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
zoeadams's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first, but still interesting. The writing seemed forced at times, hence the three stars.
kahlia_rose's review
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annarella's review
5.0
The novels in this series are an entertaining way to learn about the Jacobean historical period and how people lived.
The historical background is well researched and vivid and it was a great way to learn about this historical period.
This is an engrossing and entertaining novel, I loved the well written and realistic characters.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
It was an excellent read, highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The historical background is well researched and vivid and it was a great way to learn about this historical period.
This is an engrossing and entertaining novel, I loved the well written and realistic characters.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
It was an excellent read, highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
kristin's review
4.0
I received a finished copy and an digital arc of this book and am grateful for both.
I would like to thank netgalley and Grove Atlantic for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank Becca Mundy and Border Fiction for a free finished copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the final book in the trilogy.
I would like to thank netgalley and Grove Atlantic for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank Becca Mundy and Border Fiction for a free finished copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the final book in the trilogy.
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