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caidyn's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5
Oh, this book. I like it a lot better than the first one. I think the writing is easier to read and it's just easier to understand all in all. This book doesn't cover a huge span of time like the first one does. It's all about the fall of the Boleyns and the rise of Cromwell. So, it's very focused and I enjoyed it. There was so much more heart to it and I can feel how much Mantel put into the book. She says she wants to dig Cromwell out, since he's such an illusive figure, and I do feel that she did a great job at it.
The book does rely on some tired tropes. Like Jane Boleyn's relationship with her husband, George. I loved that Mantel included [b:Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford|1206219|Jane Boleyn The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford|Julia Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320429275l/1206219._SX50_.jpg|2053669] as a source in her acknowledgements because it's a book that takes a very different look at her. Same with her talking about things she drew from and read about Anne Boleyn's last days.
All in all, a second book. I cannot wait to read the final book because I've been waiting for years now.
Oh, this book. I like it a lot better than the first one. I think the writing is easier to read and it's just easier to understand all in all. This book doesn't cover a huge span of time like the first one does. It's all about the fall of the Boleyns and the rise of Cromwell. So, it's very focused and I enjoyed it. There was so much more heart to it and I can feel how much Mantel put into the book. She says she wants to dig Cromwell out, since he's such an illusive figure, and I do feel that she did a great job at it.
The book does rely on some tired tropes. Like Jane Boleyn's relationship with her husband, George. I loved that Mantel included [b:Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford|1206219|Jane Boleyn The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford|Julia Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320429275l/1206219._SX50_.jpg|2053669] as a source in her acknowledgements because it's a book that takes a very different look at her. Same with her talking about things she drew from and read about Anne Boleyn's last days.
All in all, a second book. I cannot wait to read the final book because I've been waiting for years now.
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, and Sexism
Moderate: Blood
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