333 reviews for:

The Pretender

Jo Harkin

4.14 AVERAGE

challenging slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
funny slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
dark informative sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
funny informative medium-paced
adventurous medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated

Literary historical fiction, the vocabulary was so unique.  I listened to some of this on Spotify and the narration was excellent.
slow-paced

The middle dragons bitten he’s in Henry’s service but otherwise good. Reader of audio version is very good. 
funny informative sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging dark slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The Pretender is the story of a pretender to the English throne based on the true story of Lambert Simnel. Told as the different guides he takes on throughout his life, from farmer to training in France and Ireland.

I found this a novel of three parts, the build up to Simnel trying to take the English throne (or those around him who are trying to stake his claim). It was a really interesting backstory. I did find whilst his time in Ireland was interesting, it did jump around a bit. I then found the last quarter of the book a bit confusing and that it lost focus.

Overall an interesting book but I felt like it didn't need to be so long. An engaging story but a bit overwrought on times.
adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced
adventurous funny informative reflective tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes