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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun and sprawling and yet made me cry at the end: the mark of an excellent historical novel.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I enjoyed the witty remarks and the character development, but that is about. What a slow and (repetitive) plotless book this was. I wished I DNF at page 100.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
gosh, i have so many things i could say about this book. i’ve needed time to parse out what i think and how i feel about this book before writing a review.
i received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, so thanks to them and the publisher, Knopf, for sending me this copy in exchange for a review. i can honestly say when i requested this ARC, i was not prepared to love this book as much as i do.
it’s a longer read and the writing takes getting used to, since the writing style lends itself to historical accuracy. don’t let that intimidate you because the book is hilarious and follows the story of a young boy who learns he is a secret heir to the English crown following the War of the Roses and with Henry VII as King. the main character, who is a young child for most of the book (we follow him from the time he’s 8 til he’s a young adult), is considered a political threat despite having no idea what’s really going on at any given time.
we watch this character grow from a young, genuine child to someone who has been hardened by the adults around him who have conspired for and against him. we watch him fall in love and go through heartbreak, we watch and feel the betrayal he feels when adults in his life prove their untrustworthiness, and even when he’s making morally wrong decisions, it’s hard not to root for him.
this book does a great job poking fun at the British monarchy and the wealthy lords and ladies that uphold the diabolical and dysfunctional political system. there’s a lot of parallels to politicians today that feel more relatable than a book set in the 15th century (where leaders kill children and wage endless wars) should.
definitely add this one to your TBR.
i received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, so thanks to them and the publisher, Knopf, for sending me this copy in exchange for a review. i can honestly say when i requested this ARC, i was not prepared to love this book as much as i do.
it’s a longer read and the writing takes getting used to, since the writing style lends itself to historical accuracy. don’t let that intimidate you because the book is hilarious and follows the story of a young boy who learns he is a secret heir to the English crown following the War of the Roses and with Henry VII as King. the main character, who is a young child for most of the book (we follow him from the time he’s 8 til he’s a young adult), is considered a political threat despite having no idea what’s really going on at any given time.
we watch this character grow from a young, genuine child to someone who has been hardened by the adults around him who have conspired for and against him. we watch him fall in love and go through heartbreak, we watch and feel the betrayal he feels when adults in his life prove their untrustworthiness, and even when he’s making morally wrong decisions, it’s hard not to root for him.
this book does a great job poking fun at the British monarchy and the wealthy lords and ladies that uphold the diabolical and dysfunctional political system. there’s a lot of parallels to politicians today that feel more relatable than a book set in the 15th century (where leaders kill children and wage endless wars) should.
definitely add this one to your TBR.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No