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vgrande's review against another edition
4.0
As a lover of history, historical fiction is similar to crack. Especially when you know what is going to happen and continue to read even though your heart will probably be broken. Catherine de Valois was pushed from her crown and pushed out of her son's life, yet we can still remember her not only as the mother of a king, but the grandmother of a king a well - an outcome not probable during the War of the Roses. I loved this portrayal of Catherine, of Owen, and of the family that they built and fostered and hid from the world. The entwinement of Catherine's story with that of her nurse was especially pleasurable - and for a lover of happy endings if Catherine's was not and could not be, Mette's happy ending have me solace after the tragic death of the queen.
naomireadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful read and I was very attached to both Mette and Catherine. The perspective of Catherine through Mette's eyes was perfect because it maintained the truth of the caste system in the 15th century. We saw the life of nobility and royalty and we also understood the life and dreams of someone of "low birth." I found Hickson's writing to be consistent and while every once and a while my mind wandered, I overall was enthralled and couldn't put the book down. The ending particularly had me in tears. Beautifully done. A lovely look at the life of this rather unknown character in history, and an impressive start for Joanna Hickson. I look forward to reading more from her.
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
3.0
So this book was good but it wasn't has good as the first book in the series. Sure it kept me reading but it wasn't one that kept me up late.
ailurophile_bibliophile89's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 Stars
So Hickson is one of those authors who's writing is mediocre, who's plot is more fiction than historical, and where their characters lack depth, emotion, and are mostly all around just blah.
And yet, you still love it.
I've reread Hickson's The Agincourt Bride and this book, The Tudor Bride, on more than just three occasions, however I've found that despite the lack of intelligence in the story and in her characters' lives.....it is an easy read that is (regrettably?) enjoyable when you want something fun and lighthearted.
So, given the current times that we are living in, I take no shame in rereading as right now, I think we all need a little something fun and easy.
Still...1.5 Stars - a half star for the fact that I do have a tendency to want to come back.
So Hickson is one of those authors who's writing is mediocre, who's plot is more fiction than historical, and where their characters lack depth, emotion, and are mostly all around just blah.
And yet, you still love it.
I've reread Hickson's The Agincourt Bride and this book, The Tudor Bride, on more than just three occasions, however I've found that despite the lack of intelligence in the story and in her characters' lives.....it is an easy read that is (regrettably?) enjoyable when you want something fun and lighthearted.
So, given the current times that we are living in, I take no shame in rereading as right now, I think we all need a little something fun and easy.
Still...1.5 Stars - a half star for the fact that I do have a tendency to want to come back.
kristinjsellers's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
halkid2's review against another edition
4.0
The Tudor Bride turns out to be a better story than Hickson's book, The Agincourt Bride, because Catherine of Valois's life gets more interesting. The death of England's King Henry V, the hero of Agincourt and the warrior who unites the crowns of England and France, launches a period of intense military and political intrigue. And Catherine, as the mother of Henry VI has the perfect vantage point to witness the unfolding of history. Like the prequel, Catherine's former nurse and close confident, Mette, is narrating.
Catherine's on-and-off-again relationship with her brother Charles who is trying to regain the throne of France with the help of Joan of Arc, Catherine's flagging power to maintain a strong relationship with her son's Henry, her love match with Owen Tudor, and their joint efforts to keep their union secret from the court make for a suspenseful historical novel. Even if you know the story, this is a good way to understand part of the back story that sets up the Tudor dynasty. And even though I personally didn't find the first book as enjoyable as this one, I recommend reading them both, in order - to achieve a fuller understanding of Tudor history.
Catherine's on-and-off-again relationship with her brother Charles who is trying to regain the throne of France with the help of Joan of Arc, Catherine's flagging power to maintain a strong relationship with her son's Henry, her love match with Owen Tudor, and their joint efforts to keep their union secret from the court make for a suspenseful historical novel. Even if you know the story, this is a good way to understand part of the back story that sets up the Tudor dynasty. And even though I personally didn't find the first book as enjoyable as this one, I recommend reading them both, in order - to achieve a fuller understanding of Tudor history.
heathssm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
arfserra's review against another edition
2.0
Too many descriptions. I found myself skipping over some of them to get to dialogue faster.
samantha_randolph's review against another edition
4.0
"Mette, attendant to Queen Catherine, watches as her grown charge navigates the court and attempts to produce an heir to the throne. Once successful, Catherine believes she cannot be touched, but Mette suspects foul play amidst their party. Once King Henry dies, Catherine is nearly forced to leave, and her and Mette must find safety in a land that is not their home while battling sinister forces that would deny them everything." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=53628
goannelies's review against another edition
4.0
In dit tweede deel volgen we Catherine en haar trouwe dienstmeid naar Engeland waar Catherine gekroond zal worden tot koningin van Henry V, de overwinnaar van Agincourt. Maar Henry heeft heel wat broers en vooral met de jongste, Humphry, duke of Gloucester, ontketent Catherine een niet zo liefdesvolle relatie. Al snel bevalt ze van een erfgenaam voor de troon. Maar mooie liedjes duren nooit lang. De koning sterft als zijn zoon nog niet eens een jaar oud is. Zal Catherine zich staande houden in dit vreemde land?
Ik vond het begin van dit boek heel sterk en Mette is nog steeds een zeer aangename vertelster. Halverwege zakt het tempo wat en worden de personages op de hoogte gehouden via via. Ook komt er een focus op Mette's persoonlijke verhaal. Dat was even wennen. Het einde heeft enkele zeer sterke momenten, al is de rekker historisch gezien dan al breder gemaakt laten we zeggen.
Toch heb ik historisch gezien niet super veel issues met het verhaal. De relatie tussen Henry en Catherine wordt niet romantischer voorgedaan dan ze was en ook met Owen is het niet altijd dat sprookje.
Het enige minpuntje vond ik hoe weinig de relatie tussen Catherine en Charles, haar broer die in Frankrijk tegen haar troon vecht, is uitgewerkt. Catherine wordt via via op de hoogte gesteld maar toont weinig echte emotie.
Mooi om te lezen over de begindagen van Henry VI als koning en de start van de Tudordynasty. Toch vond ik the Agincourt bride een tikkeltje beter, al kon ik bij deze beter volgen en is haar schrijfstijl duidelijk verbeterd.
Ik blijf fan van Hickson, gelukkig maar, er staan nog een aantal boeken van haar in mijn kast.
Ik vond het begin van dit boek heel sterk en Mette is nog steeds een zeer aangename vertelster. Halverwege zakt het tempo wat en worden de personages op de hoogte gehouden via via. Ook komt er een focus op Mette's persoonlijke verhaal. Dat was even wennen. Het einde heeft enkele zeer sterke momenten, al is de rekker historisch gezien dan al breder gemaakt laten we zeggen.
Toch heb ik historisch gezien niet super veel issues met het verhaal. De relatie tussen Henry en Catherine wordt niet romantischer voorgedaan dan ze was en ook met Owen is het niet altijd dat sprookje.
Het enige minpuntje vond ik hoe weinig de relatie tussen Catherine en Charles, haar broer die in Frankrijk tegen haar troon vecht, is uitgewerkt. Catherine wordt via via op de hoogte gesteld maar toont weinig echte emotie.
Mooi om te lezen over de begindagen van Henry VI als koning en de start van de Tudordynasty. Toch vond ik the Agincourt bride een tikkeltje beter, al kon ik bij deze beter volgen en is haar schrijfstijl duidelijk verbeterd.
Ik blijf fan van Hickson, gelukkig maar, er staan nog een aantal boeken van haar in mijn kast.