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sammilittlejohns's review
3.0
I liked reading this book! Haha what a great way to start a review 😂😂.
I enjoyed this book for numerous reasons. The first one obviously being the story itself: a historical fiction set during the reign of Henry VIII and the dissolution of the monasteries. It follows Margery, a young, orphaned girl who was raised at Arden, one of the monasteries unfortunately seized by the King's men. It's a story of realistic hardship, of travelling, of relationships, politics but also happiness. The plot was incredibly realistic, WHICH I ENJOY, as opposed to everything feeling either too depressing or too happy, the plot was balanced and felt REAL. I felt also that the level of writing invoked a mixture of Bernard Cornwall, for it's realistic, historical grittiness, but also Phillipa Gregory for its female (yey) characters. I loved that the plot was actually about women during such a politically unstable time, especially low born women and not some Princess or Lady simply commenting on the times.
The characters in this are also such a mix. You have Margery, the young orphan girl; the Nuns of Arden, a largely older group of women; Grace, a once high born girl cast out to have her bastard child, Andrew, and take the Veil, but also Francis, a mentally disabled yet gentle character. It's honestly so refreshing to read outside the usual historical fiction female troupe. Girls, u know the one I mean. The secretly 'i never thought about it' naturally beautiful rich lady who is a natural at court politics and INTELLIGENT, more so than ANYONE ELSE EVER. No, this bunch was a well written, diverse group of imperfect, realistic people, and honestly it was refreshing. I feel the plot was about right as well. While I'd love it to have gone on longer (Judith Arnopp has such a blunt style that perfectly fits historical fiction) I do feel it was the appropriate length for the plot it has, after all there is only so much travelling you can read before u cbb any more (looking @ u Lord of the Rings). The plot is also a really good mix of politics and events without over encumbering the reader with useless facts which make you feel like you're reading an article or journal rather than a fictional novel.
The only thing I have to say NEGATIVELY is not much. I received my copy of this book, a kindle, via Netgalley and there were mistakes in the texts. At some points of the story sentences or portions of the text, I really can't tell as sometimes sentences end in the middle or start somewhere really random, just stop making sense and I feel a lot has been missed out. Unfortunately I can't tell if this is a fault with the Kindle copy or not as I feel it surely wouldn't have been missed out from a published book, therefore I will give this book the benefit of the doubt and say IT WOULD BE FINE IF YOU BOUGHT THE BOOK ITSELF.
Overall, I think this book is a nice quick read set in an interesting time period from an interesting point of view and with a whole host of interesting characters. I would recommend a read if you're looking for a different bit of historical fiction.
I enjoyed this book for numerous reasons. The first one obviously being the story itself: a historical fiction set during the reign of Henry VIII and the dissolution of the monasteries. It follows Margery, a young, orphaned girl who was raised at Arden, one of the monasteries unfortunately seized by the King's men. It's a story of realistic hardship, of travelling, of relationships, politics but also happiness. The plot was incredibly realistic, WHICH I ENJOY, as opposed to everything feeling either too depressing or too happy, the plot was balanced and felt REAL. I felt also that the level of writing invoked a mixture of Bernard Cornwall, for it's realistic, historical grittiness, but also Phillipa Gregory for its female (yey) characters. I loved that the plot was actually about women during such a politically unstable time, especially low born women and not some Princess or Lady simply commenting on the times.
The characters in this are also such a mix. You have Margery, the young orphan girl; the Nuns of Arden, a largely older group of women; Grace, a once high born girl cast out to have her bastard child, Andrew, and take the Veil, but also Francis, a mentally disabled yet gentle character. It's honestly so refreshing to read outside the usual historical fiction female troupe. Girls, u know the one I mean. The secretly 'i never thought about it' naturally beautiful rich lady who is a natural at court politics and INTELLIGENT, more so than ANYONE ELSE EVER. No, this bunch was a well written, diverse group of imperfect, realistic people, and honestly it was refreshing. I feel the plot was about right as well. While I'd love it to have gone on longer (Judith Arnopp has such a blunt style that perfectly fits historical fiction) I do feel it was the appropriate length for the plot it has, after all there is only so much travelling you can read before u cbb any more (looking @ u Lord of the Rings). The plot is also a really good mix of politics and events without over encumbering the reader with useless facts which make you feel like you're reading an article or journal rather than a fictional novel.
The only thing I have to say NEGATIVELY is not much. I received my copy of this book, a kindle, via Netgalley and there were mistakes in the texts. At some points of the story sentences or portions of the text, I really can't tell as sometimes sentences end in the middle or start somewhere really random, just stop making sense and I feel a lot has been missed out. Unfortunately I can't tell if this is a fault with the Kindle copy or not as I feel it surely wouldn't have been missed out from a published book, therefore I will give this book the benefit of the doubt and say IT WOULD BE FINE IF YOU BOUGHT THE BOOK ITSELF.
Overall, I think this book is a nice quick read set in an interesting time period from an interesting point of view and with a whole host of interesting characters. I would recommend a read if you're looking for a different bit of historical fiction.
alirenreads's review
4.0
What a sad tale, but an eye-opening one. This is a great example of historical fiction, one that expertly mixes both fiction and non-fiction.
We follow Margery and her fellow sisters (nuns) in 1500’s England, a time when the introduction of the Protestant faith was shaking the solid ground of the Catholic Church. Lives were upended, King Henry was becoming the poster boy for divorce and remarriage, and small parishes and abbeys were being shut down to fill the King’s coffers and deeply offend the Catholic Church. Nuns, monks, and servants were turned out of their respective homes as a result of these closures, leaving most without a place to go and little to no hope of survival as they wandered England.
This story gives the reader an intimate look at the scenarios that played out for the lives of the uprooted. This part of the story goes deeper than the historical facts we are given at surface level, and encourages us to look closely at what this moment in history meant for so many, religious or otherwise.
Excellent story, wonderfully written, and so worth the read. Highly, highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Margery and her fellow sisters (nuns) in 1500’s England, a time when the introduction of the Protestant faith was shaking the solid ground of the Catholic Church. Lives were upended, King Henry was becoming the poster boy for divorce and remarriage, and small parishes and abbeys were being shut down to fill the King’s coffers and deeply offend the Catholic Church. Nuns, monks, and servants were turned out of their respective homes as a result of these closures, leaving most without a place to go and little to no hope of survival as they wandered England.
This story gives the reader an intimate look at the scenarios that played out for the lives of the uprooted. This part of the story goes deeper than the historical facts we are given at surface level, and encourages us to look closely at what this moment in history meant for so many, religious or otherwise.
Excellent story, wonderfully written, and so worth the read. Highly, highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
ravenclawlibrarybooks's review
4.0
Set in the reign of Henry VIII the land is in turmoil. The smaller monasteries are waiting daily for the arrival of the King’s men to take their land and scatter their clergy. Arden Priory has remained unchanged for almost four hundred years. When a nameless child is abandoned at the gatehouse door, the nuns take her in and raise her as one of their own.
This was an interesting read and one that I enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Judith Arnopp for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read and one that I enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Judith Arnopp for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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