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georgemay's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
wheezybird's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
annarella's review
5.0
It was a fascinating and engrossing read that kept me hooked till the end.
I loved the well researched historical background, the mix of historical facts and fiction, and the well crafted plot.
The characters are well developed and interesting, the historical background is fascinating.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the well researched historical background, the mix of historical facts and fiction, and the well crafted plot.
The characters are well developed and interesting, the historical background is fascinating.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
Early review:
I do love a Tudor mystery but haven't read any for a while as I think I've overdosed on them. Well, this was one that caught my eye with the dramatic cover and the mention of having the eyes and ears of the ravens to survive Tudor Times. If you've ever been to the Tower of London where this book is set, you see them everywhere, looking, watching....they're quite evil looking birds and there's a legend which says that if they all fly away from the tower, bad things will happen. Well they've clipped their wings apparently so they can't fly, but just think of the belief which led this to happen!
The novel stands out for that very reason - the symbolism and the fear and gothic nature of the entire story. We think we all know what it must have been like to have lived in Tudor times as a woman, but this novel really gives new insight and a showcases the fear, the ravens and the combined imagery packs quite a powerful punch.
I enjoyed getting to know Joan Vaux and hearing her voice come across the centuries to tell her story. It's a very powerful read and one which sucks you in early on and totally immerses you in time and place. Although thankfully you can close the book when it gets too much whereas for the poor women of the time , there was no escape.
Tudor fans and those yet to discover the genre will really like this!
I do love a Tudor mystery but haven't read any for a while as I think I've overdosed on them. Well, this was one that caught my eye with the dramatic cover and the mention of having the eyes and ears of the ravens to survive Tudor Times. If you've ever been to the Tower of London where this book is set, you see them everywhere, looking, watching....they're quite evil looking birds and there's a legend which says that if they all fly away from the tower, bad things will happen. Well they've clipped their wings apparently so they can't fly, but just think of the belief which led this to happen!
The novel stands out for that very reason - the symbolism and the fear and gothic nature of the entire story. We think we all know what it must have been like to have lived in Tudor times as a woman, but this novel really gives new insight and a showcases the fear, the ravens and the combined imagery packs quite a powerful punch.
I enjoyed getting to know Joan Vaux and hearing her voice come across the centuries to tell her story. It's a very powerful read and one which sucks you in early on and totally immerses you in time and place. Although thankfully you can close the book when it gets too much whereas for the poor women of the time , there was no escape.
Tudor fans and those yet to discover the genre will really like this!
emmap2023's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Set during the reign of Henry VII at the introduction of the Tudor Dynasty, this followed the story of Joan Vaux herself a victim of the turmoils of court during the reign of the polar opposite kings in Edward and Richard.
The death of the two boys in the Tower still lingers in the memories of the court as a new era approaches. Lady Margaret's son Henry has returned and assumed his rightful position on the throne, he is to merge the two houses with his marriage to Elizabeth of the house of York with Lancaster. Joan was kindly under Lady Margaret's patronage for a time during the upheaval and her mother was her lady in waiting for a time, now Joan finds herself honored with a position in the future queens court.
Joan finds herself living in the shadow of the Tower of London and she not only has to navigate the politics of court, a jealous younger sister of the queen and the expectations of a women at court. She finds herself drawn to the dark and yet beautiful conspiracy of Ravens that reside within the Tower's walls. She uses her eyes and her instincts not only to traverse this at times tempestuous position but also to ensure that, thanks to the old beliefs the Ravens remain protected and present within the grounds as for this fair country to prosper they must truly thrive.
Joanna Hickson is a new author to me and I have to say I found her writing style to be easy to read, leading the reader in a fluid and beautiful writing style that makes you want to just carry on reading.
As this was a little known part of the tudor history I am uncertain to how much fact can be attributed to this historical fiction title however, despite enjoying it there was nothing to make it stand out and more than other writers in this particular genre of history. I also do believe that the direction of this book leaves it open to further intrigue in the books to come, it will definitely be interesting to see the continuation of Joan's story and to see how her son continues to thrive (or not) with his friendship with Prince Henry.
I gave this book 4* and would like to thank both NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
The death of the two boys in the Tower still lingers in the memories of the court as a new era approaches. Lady Margaret's son Henry has returned and assumed his rightful position on the throne, he is to merge the two houses with his marriage to Elizabeth of the house of York with Lancaster. Joan was kindly under Lady Margaret's patronage for a time during the upheaval and her mother was her lady in waiting for a time, now Joan finds herself honored with a position in the future queens court.
Joan finds herself living in the shadow of the Tower of London and she not only has to navigate the politics of court, a jealous younger sister of the queen and the expectations of a women at court. She finds herself drawn to the dark and yet beautiful conspiracy of Ravens that reside within the Tower's walls. She uses her eyes and her instincts not only to traverse this at times tempestuous position but also to ensure that, thanks to the old beliefs the Ravens remain protected and present within the grounds as for this fair country to prosper they must truly thrive.
Joanna Hickson is a new author to me and I have to say I found her writing style to be easy to read, leading the reader in a fluid and beautiful writing style that makes you want to just carry on reading.
As this was a little known part of the tudor history I am uncertain to how much fact can be attributed to this historical fiction title however, despite enjoying it there was nothing to make it stand out and more than other writers in this particular genre of history. I also do believe that the direction of this book leaves it open to further intrigue in the books to come, it will definitely be interesting to see the continuation of Joan's story and to see how her son continues to thrive (or not) with his friendship with Prince Henry.
I gave this book 4* and would like to thank both NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
bookietracey's review against another edition
5.0
This is a historical fiction book which is mostly set around The Tower of London. This interested me greatly as it is one of my favourite landmarks in London. This is the story of Joan Vaux who marries Richard Guildford. Joan becomes the Lady of the Ravens. The story starts at the beginning of Henry VIIs reign and details his coronation and his marriage to Elizabeth of York.
The descriptions in this book are fabulous and it makes you feel part of the book. This book has been so well researched and it is well written.
I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. If you are interested in Tudor history or a fan of historical fiction you will love this book.
The descriptions in this book are fabulous and it makes you feel part of the book. This book has been so well researched and it is well written.
I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. If you are interested in Tudor history or a fan of historical fiction you will love this book.
secre's review against another edition
4.0
It's a good recommendation for a book when I finish it and immediately wander off to purchase another novel by the author; in this case, First of the Tudors. Lady of the Ravens takes a well known period of history and puts a somewhat different spin on it by focusing on a character who is largely outside of the politics and action of court. Set at a time of deep unrest in the country, Joan is excluded from many events by both her gender and her status and so the narrative is often far more personal than it is political and yet it is filled to the brim with historical detail.
Set in and around the Tower of London, this is an engaging and engrossing read that immerses you in the time. I appreciated just how immersive the personal lives of not just Joan but also the Court were; you get a close view of the tragedies and joys of the Tudor time and a reminder of just how dangerous life was. Not just for the young men on the battlefields but for women in childbirth and the fragility of childhood with diseases like measles and whooping cough that can be treated now but were potentially fatal then.
I rarely read historical books set further back than the World Wars, but I'm glad I took a chance on this. It shines a light on history in a way that is captivating and entertaining, whilst also highlighting the dangers and the tribulations. Managing to capture both the higher workings of the throne and the minutia of day to day life, this is a lovely, gentle read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy.
Set in and around the Tower of London, this is an engaging and engrossing read that immerses you in the time. I appreciated just how immersive the personal lives of not just Joan but also the Court were; you get a close view of the tragedies and joys of the Tudor time and a reminder of just how dangerous life was. Not just for the young men on the battlefields but for women in childbirth and the fragility of childhood with diseases like measles and whooping cough that can be treated now but were potentially fatal then.
I rarely read historical books set further back than the World Wars, but I'm glad I took a chance on this. It shines a light on history in a way that is captivating and entertaining, whilst also highlighting the dangers and the tribulations. Managing to capture both the higher workings of the throne and the minutia of day to day life, this is a lovely, gentle read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy.
elatedbooks's review against another edition
The pacing & content is just…boring?
And while I did like the idea of a more realistic & less sensationalised historical fiction it just gives you no reason to continue. Plus the main character is super annoying :/
And while I did like the idea of a more realistic & less sensationalised historical fiction it just gives you no reason to continue. Plus the main character is super annoying :/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
rhonaea's review against another edition
3.0
First of Joanna Hickson for me- well researched, thoughtfully recreated and well-told. The story of the last of the Plantagenets and first Tudors on the throne unfolds through the eyes of Joan Vaux, Lady Guildford. If you are interested in this period of history it’s another window on that world.
endlessmidnight's review against another edition
4.0
A very solid intriguing story about a woman who survived the Tudor Court. I really enjoyed it, given how it's light hearted, but also filled with dangers. And it's about the early Tudor period which was far from solid rather than the later.