Annette's Book Spot: Tudor

Showing posts with label Tudor. Show all posts

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Book Review: The 48 by Donna Hosie

I've recently been interested in the history of the Tudors and the wives of Henry VIII, so when I saw The 48, I was excited to read more. I was not disappointed.

Time-traveling twins, Charles and Alexander, are sent to England when Henry VIII was married to Anne Boleyn but has designs on Jane Seymour. The twins are part of a secret network, The 48, and have trained for this assignment their entire life. The 48 is run by a group of people who want to change history, in this case, they want to make sure Henry doesn't marry Jane. The goal is to rid the world of religion.

First of all, that's a very different type of time travel than most stories. Usually, it is all about never doing anything that will change the future. And I thought it was strange that they didn't worry about the other changes that such drastic actions might cause. The "butterfly effect" was never mentioned.

This is Charles' and Alexander's first mission and it goes off the rails immediately. In many ways. Something is up with The 48, so they aren't getting the support they need. Someone wants at least one of them dead. One of the narrators is Lady Margaret, one of Queen Anne's ladies, and she wants to marry Alex. Cromwell is up to no good, as you know if you are aware of anything about this time period. For some reason, Alice, one of the time travelers who is still in training, ends up with them, having been pushed through time by one of the other 48.

Once things get going, the tension builds nicely. Everyone is in fear for their lives, and some characters come very close to losing theirs. It does take a bit to get going, and some of the characters make stupid decisions -- but when don't they. I didn't get much history that I wasn't already familiar with, but the atmosphere of the time period was very well done.

Just FYI, the book that got this started was Fatal Throne, which I loved. So read that one first, and then The 48 is a great follow-up.

I would recommend this to time-travel fans first. The historical elements are there, but not as strong as the time travel elements. Fans of Tudor England will be entertained by the potential upheaval this time travel may cause.

Published by Holiday House, September 4, 2018
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
384 pages

Rating: 4/5

Monday, April 30, 2018

Book Review: Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All

Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All book cover and review

I loved this book. When I read the description of Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VII Tell All, I was a bit apprehensive. The book is written by several different authors in short story form, and I'm not usually a fan of short stories. Although there are exceptions--and this book is definitely one of those.

When you look at the list of authors (M. T. Anderson, Candace Fleming, Stephanie Hemphill, Lisa Ann Sandell, Jennifer Donnelly, Linda Sue Park, Deborah Hopkinson), it's no surprise that this book is a success. Anderson takes Henry VIII and each of the other authors takes a queen. They are introduced in chronological order, and between each of the queens, we get the perspective of Henry.

At first, I didn't like Henry's interruptions. I felt like the story was being told twice, but I then realized that Henry's thoughts are important and tie everything together.

Fatal Throne is a fiction book. The stories have been embellished and some holes filled in. But the authors did their research and these tales seem authentic. And they read like fiction -- which is a good thing. Even though we are learning a lot of history here, the stories are fascinating and really kept my interest. Which is why historical fiction is my favorite genre!

Fatal Thrones will go on the top of my list so far for books I've read in 2108. Give it a chance--it is really quite interesting and a fairly quick read.

Published by Schwartz & Wade, May 1, 2018
eARC obtained from NetGalley
416 pages

Rating: 5/5

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Book Review: The Red Queen, by Philippa Gregory

Even though I really enjoyed the story of The Red Queen, I really didn't like our main character, Margaret.

The story covers the life of Margaret Beaufort from 1453 to 1485. She is a Tudor (and she'll never let you forget it.) She spends her entire life trying to get her son to be the King of England -- sparing nothing.

As a child, Margaret believes she has a calling from God to be an Abbess. Her mother laughs because Margaret is royalty, and she will marry whomever her parents see fit. Her first marriage produces an heir, Henry Tudor, but he is never raised by his mother. His father dies, and his mother is betrothed to another man. Henry is left in the care of his uncle.

The entire time, Margaret believes she gets messages from God that tell her to do everything to make Henry the king. Even when the Yorks take over England, Margaret still vows that some day Henry will be king. She pretends to follow the Yorks, she plots and plans and cajoles people to do her bidding...even to the point of determining that some people must be killed. ALL in the name of GOD!

The societal norms at this time are just so hard to relate to. The royal lineage meant everything. The most important thing was to be in the good graces of the current rulers (which seem to change on a regular basis, and mostly in very violent confrontations.)

Margaret is extremely whiny and conceited. She has a self-important attitude that is abrasive. She spends hours each day on her knees in prayer, and therefore believes that God's will is that she do anything to make Henry the king. Funny how that works.

So, I didn't like Margaret, but I was mesmerized by the setting and the court intrigue. Also, very thankful I don't live during that time. What a mess.

I so appreciate the research that Gregory does for her books. And the fact that what she writes, even though historical, is still very entertaining. I did get confused about all the royal lineage and all the people that are mentioned. Margaret keeps track of how many steps Henry is from the throne -- and it changes so often. There's a family tree at the beginning of the book that is very helpful.

If you like reading historical fiction from this time period. The Red Queen is not to be missed. And really anything by Gregory is a must read for historical fiction fans.

Published by Simon & Schuster, 2010
ARC won (a long time ago) from Carrie @ In the Hammock Book Reviews
387 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

Monday, October 14, 2013

Book Review: Witchstruck, by Victoria Lamb

I love stories about the Tudors. And when you add a little witchcraft, that can only make things better. Witchstruck adhered to the basic story of Elizabeth, the exiled princess, and her sister, Queen Mary, but added a supernatural element by making Elizabeth's friend and confidant a witch.

Meg is our first person narrator, and she's been asked to help assist Elizabeth during her imprisonment (by Queen Mary) in Woodstock Castle. Elizabeth has been accused of treason. She knows of Meg's special powers, and also uses Elizabeth's Aunt Jane to assist her to see the future and influence it if possible. Jane has been like a mother to Meg, and has also helped train her to use her powers.

A Spanish priest and his assistant, Alejandro, arrive at Woodstock to see that Elizabeth has changed her Protestant ways and is being a good Catholic. Queen Mary is going to marry a Spanish prince, thus making England a Catholic nation. Alejandro takes a special interest in Meg, and a very subtle, slow burning romance seems to be kindling.

Meg gets herself in trouble and is accused of being a witch because she refuses to marry Marcus Dent, who is a witch finder. Dent vows to have Meg tried and executed for being a witch.

There's a lot going on. I found Witchstruck to be constantly entertaining. There was always something new happening, and even though we know some of the historical story, it was just so much fun seeing things unfold paired with the witchcraft and the romance. There is danger too, but I never felt much tension. The atmosphere always seemed more light, maybe because I knew the witchcraft could always save the day.

Anyone who likes a good witch story should enjoy Witchstruck. And if you like your Tudors to include some magic, then Witchstruck is perfect. I'll be happy to point some of my teens to this story and the series. The second title, Witchfall will be available in March and it's going on my list for sure.

Published by Harlequin Teen, September 24, 2013
eARC obtained from Netgalley
320 pages

Rating: 4/5

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Book Review: The Chalice, by Nancy Bilyeau @Tudorscribe

I enjoyed The Chalice as much as The Crown, but it is such a detailed story that I'm going to do something I never do. I'm going to include the summary from Amazon.

In the midst of England’s Reformation, a young novice will risk everything to defy the most powerful men of her era.

In 1538, England’s bloody power struggle between crown and cross threatens to tear the country apart. Novice Joanna Stafford has tasted the wrath of the royal court, discovered what lies within the king’s torture rooms, and escaped death at the hands of those desperate to possess the power of an ancient relic.

Even with all she has experienced, the quiet life is not for Joanna. Despite the possibilities of arrest and imprisonment, she becomes caught up in a shadowy international plot targeting Henry VIII himself. As the power plays turn vicious, Joanna realizes her role is more critical than she’d ever imagined. She must choose between those she loves most and assuming her part in a prophecy foretold by three seers. Repelled by violence, Joanna seizes a future with a man who loves her. But no matter how hard she tries, she cannot escape the spreading darkness of her destiny.

To learn the final, sinister piece of the prophecy, she flees across Europe with a corrupt spy sent by Spain. As she completes the puzzle in the dungeon of a twelfth-century Belgian fortress, Joanna realizes the life of Henry VIII as well as the future of Christendom are in her hands—hands that must someday hold the chalice that lies at the center of these deadly prophecies. . . .

Just like The Crown, The Chalice is well researched and full of wonderful historical details. Maybe too many details for my brain to handle. At least, too many characters. The lineage of Henry VIII and Joanna's family is very complicated and we learn about a lot of characters -- good and bad. I found them all hard to keep track of. There are even two Catherines. However, I found that this didn't deter my enjoyment of Joanna's story at all.

This IS Joanna's story -- and she is a wonderful character. So principled, loyal, and not nearly as naive as she was in The Crown. We get to experience a bit of romance -- although the turns that her love life takes ere not my favorite part. I enjoyed the characters she met, and how when you really come down to it, no matter how it appears, they are all out for themselves. What a crazy time in history. The fear that everyone was feeling is palpable. I would much rather have been a poor servant than part of the aristocracy. Because chances are, your head will be detached from your body -- or you may just spend years in the Tower of London!

If you are interested in this period of time, I would definitely put The Chalice on your list. It isn't necessary to read The Crown first, but I actually enjoyed that one a bit more, so it is definitely recommended as well.

Published by Touchstone, March 5, 2013
eBook, purchased
496 pages

Rating: 4/5

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Book Review: The Crown, by Nancy Bilyeau

The Crown is a historical fiction that fulfilled my need for a story about England in the 1500s. The atmosphere and politics of that time fascinate me.

Joanna, a Dominican novice in 1537, escapes from Dartford Priory when she discovers her cousin and dear friend is going to be burned at the stake in London for being a traitor to King Henry VIII. Joanna is surprised to find her father there, and both she and her father end up in the Tower of London as prisoners for interfering in the execution.

Joanna is eventually release back to her convent after promising Bishop Gardiner that she will secretly search for a mysterious crown with great powers that is supposedly hidden at Dartford. Gardiner is holding Joanna's father at the Tower until she finds the crown. Joanna returns to Dartfort with two displaced monks, Brother Edmond and Brother Richard. Joanna knows the crown was worn by King Athelstan in 937 but not much else.

The Crown becomes a mystery after a murder is committed at the Priory, and an adventure as Joanna, with the help of Brother Edmund, travels the country in search of clues about Athelstan and his crown. The plot weaves expertly from one situation to the next, never confusing, but with subtle complexities and several surprising twists. My only complaint is that too much time is spent on Joanna's internment at The Tower. Nothing that happens during this part has much significance for the rest of the plot, so some of that could have been edited.

All is not what it seems at Dartford. You would think nuns would be boring, but not these nuns! The Crown is further complicated by the fact that Cromwell's men are threatening to shutter the priory, as they have done throughout the country. Time is running out, and it seems there is no one Joanna can trust.

I liked Joanna and Brother Edmund. Joanna is clever and brave, but confused and understandably frustrated at times. She's so naive when it comes to the real world because she has been so sheltered. I haven't mentioned Geoffrey Scovill, but he's the "perfect" male character that you wish Joanna would be interested in. There's not much romance, but you definitely WISH there were.

I was excited to find out that The Crown is the first in a series about Joanna Stafford. The next book, The Chalice, is releasing in March of 2013, and it will be at the top of my list!

Fans of historical fiction, and in particular Tudor England, will enjoy The Crown. I would recommend this to teens as well as adults.

Published by Touchstone, September 4. 2012
Copy won from The Broke and the Bookish!
448 pages

Rating: 4.5/5