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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this but I did get sick of hearing about Henry’s leg every 5 pages!
I’d have liked to understand more about the politics - the Duke of Norfolk was a fascinating character.
I’d have liked to understand more about the politics - the Duke of Norfolk was a fascinating character.
Good book, but told from 3 voices: Anne of Cleeves, Jane Boleyn, and Katherine Howard. It is the story of two Queens and how Henry disposed of them both. A lot of inner dialogue, which can get annoying at times. Overall a good book.
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
After reading The Other Boleyn Sister last year I became fascinated by the wives of Henry VIII and wanted to carry on reading more of their stories. This is the story of Henry’s fourth and fifth wives Anne of Cleves and Katharine Howard, only one of whom survived their marriage. I love Phillipa Gregory’s writing style, writing of the Tudors in a manner not just relating to the period, but also very readable in today’s modern world. Katharine Howard is particularly relatable as a silly, selfish 14 year old girl, with no understanding of the world, or what she is getting herself in to. Jane Boleyn, the sister-in-law of Henry’s second wife Anne, is the third story told in this book, and I really enjoyed her conflicted but level-headed characterisation. I definitely can’t wait to read more from the Tudor Court series.
Another amazing read! So much rich story telling that gives a whole new perspective to the story!
stopped reading it about 100 pages into it. Did not like the changing 1st person every chapter. Had to keep reminding myself who was writing that part.
This book centres on the life of three women after the death of Jane Seymour: Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Jane Boleyn.
As with most of the books in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Gregory gave each character their own individual persona, with Anne being kind and sensible, Katherine being niave and materialistic and Jane being greedy and delusional.
I particularly loved her portrayal of Katherine. Despite her foolish and selfish traits, she was endearing and I felt of her how I believe Gregory wanted readers to feel, a good natured young girl whose crime was simply being a relatively normal, if not spoilt, teenage girl.
Jane Boleyn was also fantastic. She was in complete denial of her wrongdoings, but at times you also bought into her delusions. Sometimes she almost convinced me of her love for her husband and sister-in-law, until you are reminded of her betrayal of both George and Anne Boleyn. I would recommend reading the prequel, 'The Other Boleyn Girl' to appreciate this aspect of Jane's character.
Some reviews talk about the repetitive nature of some aspects of the book, for example Anne saying Henry is a madman and Katherine saying 'what do I have now?'. Personally I didn't feel that it was overly repetitive and it was the needed amount to emphasise how truly mad Henry was, or how in the midst of improsnment Katherine still longed for her dresses and hoods.
I think it especially impressive that even though you know how it ultimately ends for at least two of the characters, you still find yourself wanting to find out how their ending comes about.
As with most of the books in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Gregory gave each character their own individual persona, with Anne being kind and sensible, Katherine being niave and materialistic and Jane being greedy and delusional.
I particularly loved her portrayal of Katherine. Despite her foolish and selfish traits, she was endearing and I felt of her how I believe Gregory wanted readers to feel, a good natured young girl whose crime was simply being a relatively normal, if not spoilt, teenage girl.
Jane Boleyn was also fantastic. She was in complete denial of her wrongdoings, but at times you also bought into her delusions. Sometimes she almost convinced me of her love for her husband and sister-in-law, until you are reminded of her betrayal of both George and Anne Boleyn. I would recommend reading the prequel, 'The Other Boleyn Girl' to appreciate this aspect of Jane's character.
Some reviews talk about the repetitive nature of some aspects of the book, for example Anne saying Henry is a madman and Katherine saying 'what do I have now?'. Personally I didn't feel that it was overly repetitive and it was the needed amount to emphasise how truly mad Henry was, or how in the midst of improsnment Katherine still longed for her dresses and hoods.
I think it especially impressive that even though you know how it ultimately ends for at least two of the characters, you still find yourself wanting to find out how their ending comes about.
This was an entertaining read. I don't know why I expect Gregory's books to be bodice-ripping trash. This is the third one I have read, and it definitely kept my attention. She is a good writer. Her characters are compelling and she does incorporate many historical elements, so I liked that. I don't know that I would read many of her other books, but this one did not disappoint.
Apparently skipped over Jane Seymour. Not much to say
I was enthralled from start to finish! I've always been interested in Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard, the two queens who don't seem to garner as much attention as the other four queens of Henry VIII. I love how Anne turned out, basically going whichever way Henry blew, and ultimately becoming the lone survivor of the three characters on whom the book focuses. I also enjoyed Katherine Howard's light and sunny behavior, not seeing her doom until it was far too late to turn back. In some ways she reminded me very much of Pride & Prejudice's Lydia Bennet. Then there was Jane Boleyn, perhaps the craziest woman of all, the one who hid within her own delusions until the Duke of Norfolk finally stripped them from her and forced her to see what her actions had wrought.
Then, through it all, there is Henry himself. Quite mad at this point in his life, not to mention revolting on so many levels. His attraction to Katherine, a girl nearer to the age of his children than himself, was horrible, as was his callous treatment of Anne.
An excellent, excellent story!
Then, through it all, there is Henry himself. Quite mad at this point in his life, not to mention revolting on so many levels. His attraction to Katherine, a girl nearer to the age of his children than himself, was horrible, as was his callous treatment of Anne.
An excellent, excellent story!