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armywife2310's review against another edition
4.0
My full review and interview with the author can be found here on my blog: http://armywife2310.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/in-defense-of-the-queen-by-michelle-diener/
lilkim714's review against another edition
4.0
http://www.girllostinabook.com/2013/07/review-in-defense-of-queen-by-michelle.html
xjennoe's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes a series just keep on getting better and this one certainly did. This book never let go of me, the suspense was always there. Susanna was truly in trouble.
This is the third book in the series about Susanna and Parker. Still not married ;) but it's coming. There is a message for the queen, but the question is deliver it or not? Treason? And then there again is a plot that needs to be uncovered and dangers for both of them. There is lots of running, spying and hiding.
Now why was this book the best one so far? I always have a hard time putting the finger on what. It just was. The pages flew by, the characters were awesome, the punches kept on coming and the writing was excellent. So, it just was the best one so far :D And I want more. Mostly cos I want them to get married and I could see them getting into a lot of trouble at the wedding.
An interesting series set in Tudor times. Suspense, secrets and spies.
This is the third book in the series about Susanna and Parker. Still not married ;) but it's coming. There is a message for the queen, but the question is deliver it or not? Treason? And then there again is a plot that needs to be uncovered and dangers for both of them. There is lots of running, spying and hiding.
Now why was this book the best one so far? I always have a hard time putting the finger on what. It just was. The pages flew by, the characters were awesome, the punches kept on coming and the writing was excellent. So, it just was the best one so far :D And I want more. Mostly cos I want them to get married and I could see them getting into a lot of trouble at the wedding.
An interesting series set in Tudor times. Suspense, secrets and spies.
100pagesaday's review against another edition
4.0
Treachery and treason in the court of King Henry VIII...
As an avid reader of historical fiction and a lover of the Tudor England time period, I was destined to enjoy this book. There were a few things I had to suspend but disbelief about (such as a favored female painter for Henry VIII), but overall I enjoyed it very much.
Susana Horenbout receives a secret and dangerous message to pass on to Queen Catherine. The message almost gets her killed as well as sent to the Tower for Treason by Cromwell. And so the adventure begins. The story and characters kept me engaged while reading; I entered this series with "In Defense of the Queen" and will definitely like to read the rest of the books in the series.
As an avid reader of historical fiction and a lover of the Tudor England time period, I was destined to enjoy this book. There were a few things I had to suspend but disbelief about (such as a favored female painter for Henry VIII), but overall I enjoyed it very much.
Susana Horenbout receives a secret and dangerous message to pass on to Queen Catherine. The message almost gets her killed as well as sent to the Tower for Treason by Cromwell. And so the adventure begins. The story and characters kept me engaged while reading; I entered this series with "In Defense of the Queen" and will definitely like to read the rest of the books in the series.
bookfever's review against another edition
5.0
I received In Defense of the Queen for review through NetGalley and also a huge thanks to Michelle Diener to send me a link that approved it for me. She's always so kind to me for letting me review her books. Thank you, Michelle!
Defense of the Queen is quite different in many ways from the other two books in the Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series. And I mean that definitely not in a bad way because I loved this book as much as the other two in the series. Being the third book in this series doesn't take any of the overall amazingness of it.
In Defense of the Queen we meet Susanna's brother Lucas who has secret information from her father from Margaret of Austria to pass along to queen Katherine. This leads to Susanna (and excuse me for the spoiler) being temporarily imprisoned in the Tower by accusations of treason. Her and her betrothed Parker's life are in more danger than ever...
It was different in a way because I read it in less than a day, just in a few hours. I almost never read that fast and just the last book I read which was about the same size took me a whole week to read. It can only be because Michelle Diener's writing is exceptionally fantastic. The other things that made it different was the story. It felt different to me, good different of course because of where it all headed. I never expected a lot of things to happen the way they did.
Historical facts and fiction thrown together the way Michelle Diener does is amazing. I love reading the afterword where she explains some of the actual facts and love how she tries to make them as accurate as she can. Her writing is still as flawless as ever. I had a hard time stopping to read chapter after chapter so before I knew it I was finished and left speechless. I also dearly love when I see some Flemish words in these books. I can't help but smile at that since I am Flemish and Susanna Horenbout actually came from Ghent here in Belgium.
Susanna as always was very strong as a main character. Even when she was locked up in the Tower she kept her cool although she was very afraid. I do admire her for her courage. She and Parker truly make a perfect pair and I love how Parker would do anything for her. Maybe even flee Engand to be safe. I love romance and although there isn't much of it, I'm glad it's not the main object in these books. The way Michelle writes it feels like perfection to me. Nothing to comment on at all.
Overall, In Defence of the Queen was a amazing addition to the Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series that I loved reading. Hard to put this book down, it's as exciting and deadly as ever. I can't wait for the next instalment and read about more adventures from Susanna and Parker.
Defense of the Queen is quite different in many ways from the other two books in the Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series. And I mean that definitely not in a bad way because I loved this book as much as the other two in the series. Being the third book in this series doesn't take any of the overall amazingness of it.
In Defense of the Queen we meet Susanna's brother Lucas who has secret information from her father from Margaret of Austria to pass along to queen Katherine. This leads to Susanna (and excuse me for the spoiler) being temporarily imprisoned in the Tower by accusations of treason. Her and her betrothed Parker's life are in more danger than ever...
It was different in a way because I read it in less than a day, just in a few hours. I almost never read that fast and just the last book I read which was about the same size took me a whole week to read. It can only be because Michelle Diener's writing is exceptionally fantastic. The other things that made it different was the story. It felt different to me, good different of course because of where it all headed. I never expected a lot of things to happen the way they did.
Historical facts and fiction thrown together the way Michelle Diener does is amazing. I love reading the afterword where she explains some of the actual facts and love how she tries to make them as accurate as she can. Her writing is still as flawless as ever. I had a hard time stopping to read chapter after chapter so before I knew it I was finished and left speechless. I also dearly love when I see some Flemish words in these books. I can't help but smile at that since I am Flemish and Susanna Horenbout actually came from Ghent here in Belgium.
Susanna as always was very strong as a main character. Even when she was locked up in the Tower she kept her cool although she was very afraid. I do admire her for her courage. She and Parker truly make a perfect pair and I love how Parker would do anything for her. Maybe even flee Engand to be safe. I love romance and although there isn't much of it, I'm glad it's not the main object in these books. The way Michelle writes it feels like perfection to me. Nothing to comment on at all.
Overall, In Defence of the Queen was a amazing addition to the Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series that I loved reading. Hard to put this book down, it's as exciting and deadly as ever. I can't wait for the next instalment and read about more adventures from Susanna and Parker.
ashnight's review against another edition
5.0
A great novel. The twists and turns in it have you on the edge of your seat as you read. I was very reluctant to put it down, wanting to know what happened next. I hope that there will be more adventures with Susanna and Parker
slc333's review against another edition
5.0
I love the relationship between Susanna and Parker. They love one another, they trust one another and they are partnership. I like how Susanna tells Parker about the letter her brother brought immediately and they work out the best way to handle it together. I like how even though Parker is the Kings man and loyal his primary loyalty is to Susanna. I love Michelle's heroines - they are strong, smart, practical and likable and Susanna is no exception. However I often find that while her heroes are fine that don't have that same presence - I like them well enough but I don't love them- Parker is the exception. I love him - he is a little bit dark, very dangerous and devoted to Susanna. I also like Harry (our young Parker in training). I enjoyed the story line with the return of assassin Jean and was not at all surprised with the direction that took. Given that Susanna & Parker haven't had their wedding yet I am hoping for another story.
samantha_randolph's review against another edition
4.0
Exciting plot and relatable characters: Full review at Fresh Fiction.
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=38758
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=38758
unabridgedchick's review
5.0
I'm pretty much a die-hard Diener fan now -- she made me inhale (and love), three Tudor-era hist fics! After being blown away by Daughter of the Sky, her historical novel set in 19th century South Africa, I agreed to review this one despite my finickiness about Tudor historical novels. I was lured by her appealing heroine, a painter at Henry VIII's court.
On a whim, I picked up the first two books in the series, In a Treacherous Court and Keeper of the King's Secrets, despite my enormous review queue, and I inhaled both by Saturday before starting this one. This one, hands down, is my favorite of the series so far, which like the other books is brisk, action-filled, slightly romantic/sexy, and intriguing.
I apologize now for the awkward review: writing something sensible about a book I'm mostly arm-waving about is hard! Plus, I'm still caught up in all three books and I really just want to shove them at everyone.
Our heroine, Susanna Horenbout, is a Belgian (Flemish) artist, sent by her father to work in Henry VIII's court. From the moment she stepped foot in the UK, her life has been filled with intrigue and danger, but she has found protection (and love) with one of Henry's low born courtiers, John Parker.
This book starts a mere few months after the end of the second book, with the arrival of Lucas, Susanna's brother, in London. While Susanna has started illuminations and portraits for Henry and his court, Lucas assumes he will take on the responsibility of his family's commission, much to Susanna's bitterness. But Lucas' arrival is not for work, she quickly learns, as he forces on her a secret letter to Queen Catherine that embroils her in unwelcome intrigue. At the same time, her betrothed's advancement at court has rankled both strong courtiers and Cardinal Wolsey, and her brother's machinations lead her to be imprisoned on charges of treason.
Both Susanna and Parker are historical figures from Henry VIII's court, although little is known about them particularly. But Susanna was a painter, and Parker was Henry's Yeoman of the Crossbows, and they really did marry. I'm completely in love with Susanna, who is a wonderfully competent heroine -- pragmatic, calm, and savvy -- and she makes the series for me. Despite the possibly over-the-top intrigue and drama, her realistic responses to the danger and excitement keep the story grounded for me.
While this book is very readable as a standalone, I think there's a huge emotional payoff by reading the first two books. They're brisk and fun and set up both Susanna and Parker's relationship, their relationship with Henry and his court, and explain why the villains in this book are so determined to get them. I believe this is a self-published sequel (the previous two novels were published by Gallery), and having read them all back-to-back, I had no idea this one wasn't traditionally published.
Tudor fans will want to get this series as well as those who want a 'lighter' historical novel that doesn't stint on historical detail or fascinating characters. (I am, needless to say, dying for another book with them!)
On a whim, I picked up the first two books in the series, In a Treacherous Court and Keeper of the King's Secrets, despite my enormous review queue, and I inhaled both by Saturday before starting this one. This one, hands down, is my favorite of the series so far, which like the other books is brisk, action-filled, slightly romantic/sexy, and intriguing.
I apologize now for the awkward review: writing something sensible about a book I'm mostly arm-waving about is hard! Plus, I'm still caught up in all three books and I really just want to shove them at everyone.
Our heroine, Susanna Horenbout, is a Belgian (Flemish) artist, sent by her father to work in Henry VIII's court. From the moment she stepped foot in the UK, her life has been filled with intrigue and danger, but she has found protection (and love) with one of Henry's low born courtiers, John Parker.
This book starts a mere few months after the end of the second book, with the arrival of Lucas, Susanna's brother, in London. While Susanna has started illuminations and portraits for Henry and his court, Lucas assumes he will take on the responsibility of his family's commission, much to Susanna's bitterness. But Lucas' arrival is not for work, she quickly learns, as he forces on her a secret letter to Queen Catherine that embroils her in unwelcome intrigue. At the same time, her betrothed's advancement at court has rankled both strong courtiers and Cardinal Wolsey, and her brother's machinations lead her to be imprisoned on charges of treason.
Both Susanna and Parker are historical figures from Henry VIII's court, although little is known about them particularly. But Susanna was a painter, and Parker was Henry's Yeoman of the Crossbows, and they really did marry. I'm completely in love with Susanna, who is a wonderfully competent heroine -- pragmatic, calm, and savvy -- and she makes the series for me. Despite the possibly over-the-top intrigue and drama, her realistic responses to the danger and excitement keep the story grounded for me.
While this book is very readable as a standalone, I think there's a huge emotional payoff by reading the first two books. They're brisk and fun and set up both Susanna and Parker's relationship, their relationship with Henry and his court, and explain why the villains in this book are so determined to get them. I believe this is a self-published sequel (the previous two novels were published by Gallery), and having read them all back-to-back, I had no idea this one wasn't traditionally published.
Tudor fans will want to get this series as well as those who want a 'lighter' historical novel that doesn't stint on historical detail or fascinating characters. (I am, needless to say, dying for another book with them!)