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Deborah (162 KP) rated Winter King: The Dawn of Tudor England in Books
Dec 21, 2018
There's an old Chinese curse that runs "may you live in interesting times". Penn throws some new light on an era that certainly can be described as 'interesting' and somewhere I'm sure I wouldn't want to be living!
The Winter King of the title is Henry Tudor. Although more a history of the reign than biography (his early life is described only in brief), Henry doesn't come across as particularly likeably - not someone you'd like to sit down to dinner with! His whole style of kingship seems to be based around control of everyone around him and control was often achieved through financial means rather than physical threat. The story unfolds as almost horrific where we see innocent people 'informed' against, imprisoned illegally, tried with 'packed' juries and presented with crippling fines! The wonder really is that such a king was not overthrown! We see here how the notorious Empson & Dudley really worked, and although in a way they were scapegoats for many in the old Henrician regieme when Henry VIII came to the throne, you can see how imprisoning and then executing this unpleasant pair would have been a great crowd-pleasing move!
This book also shines some light on other charaters; it goes someway to explaining the later behaviour of Henry VIII for starters! The insight into the relationship of Philip of Burgundy and Juana of Castile was brief, but enlightning.
Many Tudor writers go straight for the two obvious targets; the larger than life Henry VIII and his daughter, Elizabeth I, so here it made an interesting change to see the earlier Tudor world and how Henry VIII grew up in this; even if it was a place full of paranoid and insecurity!
The Winter King of the title is Henry Tudor. Although more a history of the reign than biography (his early life is described only in brief), Henry doesn't come across as particularly likeably - not someone you'd like to sit down to dinner with! His whole style of kingship seems to be based around control of everyone around him and control was often achieved through financial means rather than physical threat. The story unfolds as almost horrific where we see innocent people 'informed' against, imprisoned illegally, tried with 'packed' juries and presented with crippling fines! The wonder really is that such a king was not overthrown! We see here how the notorious Empson & Dudley really worked, and although in a way they were scapegoats for many in the old Henrician regieme when Henry VIII came to the throne, you can see how imprisoning and then executing this unpleasant pair would have been a great crowd-pleasing move!
This book also shines some light on other charaters; it goes someway to explaining the later behaviour of Henry VIII for starters! The insight into the relationship of Philip of Burgundy and Juana of Castile was brief, but enlightning.
Many Tudor writers go straight for the two obvious targets; the larger than life Henry VIII and his daughter, Elizabeth I, so here it made an interesting change to see the earlier Tudor world and how Henry VIII grew up in this; even if it was a place full of paranoid and insecurity!
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Building Love in Books
May 29, 2018
This is a sweet story that also deals with some difficult issues. The main characters were developed and their stories plausible. The fact that both had to deal with bullying from the same family might seem unbelievable to some readers but if you grew up as the poor kid in a small town it is very realistic. I was a bit surprised by the ages of the main characters because just reading the description made it seem they were adults. That said I will read more by Tudor and this is a quick, enjoyable read.
Deborah (162 KP) rated Forensic Shakespeare in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Forensic doesn't mean this is the Shakespeare equivalent of Silent Witness - this is a book looking at a group of Shakespeare's plays (and one poem), of which several are often considered 'problem' plays and the use of rhetoric within them. Skinner argues that this is deliberate and relates to a re-emerging interest in the Roman Rhetoricians in the Tudor period. The book is based on a series of lectures given by Skinner, so although as a casual reader I found it interesting, it was also hard work at times, particularly the opening chapters.
Ross (3282 KP) rated The Boys Volume 11: Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men in Books
Oct 31, 2019 (Updated Oct 31, 2019)
The is the end (or is it?!)
Here it is, what the series has been building to. This volume sees Butcher and Homelander move towards conflict, with Vought and The Boys hoping it is avoided/delayed.
Some epic twists in this story, as Homelander's plans to press superheroes' place in society start to unfold.
If you aren't humming the tenpole tudor song every time you pick this book up, there is something very wrong with you.
This should really have ended the story nicely with minimal doubt. However, there was another volume!
Some epic twists in this story, as Homelander's plans to press superheroes' place in society start to unfold.
If you aren't humming the tenpole tudor song every time you pick this book up, there is something very wrong with you.
This should really have ended the story nicely with minimal doubt. However, there was another volume!
ClareR (5551 KP) rated Tudor Dawn: Henry Tudor is ready to take the crown (The Tudor Series Book 1) in Books
Jul 2, 2019
A really interesting history!
I really liked this - I’ve not read much about Henry Tudor, and everyone is always much more interested in Henry VIII and his promiscuous love life! Henry Tudor isn’t like his son at all. He may well have enjoyed the company of women, but David Field doesn’t play on that fact. I learnt so much about the history of Henry’s upbringing and subsequent escape into exile - and it is a vey male dominated book. We don’t see much of what his mother would have been doing, but we do learn about her hard work on his behalf.
I hadn’t realised that he’d been such a sickly child and that some of these problems followed him in to adulthood, or that he actually seemed to love his queen (although that may well be fictionalised - but I’d like to know!). This first book in the series takes up to Henry VII’s death. I think I will be reading the next in the series.
What I really liked about this book was that it’s more history than fiction. It’s not dry, academic type history though, and that’s what really drew me in.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy of this book to read and honestly review. I really enjoyed it.
I hadn’t realised that he’d been such a sickly child and that some of these problems followed him in to adulthood, or that he actually seemed to love his queen (although that may well be fictionalised - but I’d like to know!). This first book in the series takes up to Henry VII’s death. I think I will be reading the next in the series.
What I really liked about this book was that it’s more history than fiction. It’s not dry, academic type history though, and that’s what really drew me in.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy of this book to read and honestly review. I really enjoyed it.
ClareR (5551 KP) rated Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen in Books
May 3, 2018
Tudor England at it's best!
Everyone knows the stories of Henry VIII and his six wives, don't they? Jane Seymour always seems to be the quietest, almost childlike, always doing as she's told. This novel paints a very different picture of her. She is a young woman of her time: obedient to her parents and the males in her family, religious, and ready to do her part as a woman (and that means bearing children!).
This novel looks at how she probably wasn't as innocent as we have always been led to believe. In all honesty, she lived at court - a place where family loyalties and wealth were above all else in importance: she couldn't afford to be an innocent.
I like the Jane that Weir portrays. She's resilient and cares deeply about her family and HER Queen (Katherine of Aragon). I really liked this book and all of the courtly intrigues: Tudor England has always fascinated me. It was such a sad end for Jane, and the authors extended notes at the end really explained well what she and some experts thought had really happened to her and why she died (heres a clue: it wasn't childbirth). I will be going back to the first two books in this series to read about Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn in preparation for Katherine Howard (wife #4 - and that should be a good one!!).
This novel looks at how she probably wasn't as innocent as we have always been led to believe. In all honesty, she lived at court - a place where family loyalties and wealth were above all else in importance: she couldn't afford to be an innocent.
I like the Jane that Weir portrays. She's resilient and cares deeply about her family and HER Queen (Katherine of Aragon). I really liked this book and all of the courtly intrigues: Tudor England has always fascinated me. It was such a sad end for Jane, and the authors extended notes at the end really explained well what she and some experts thought had really happened to her and why she died (heres a clue: it wasn't childbirth). I will be going back to the first two books in this series to read about Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn in preparation for Katherine Howard (wife #4 - and that should be a good one!!).
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Anne Boleyn: A Kings Obsession (Six Tudor Queens #2) in Books
Oct 10, 2021
165 of 250
Book
Anne Boleyn:A Kings Obsession (Six Tudor Queens book 2)
By Alison Weir
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession by bestselling historian Alison Weir, author of Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen, is the second captivating novel in the Six Tudor Queens series. An unforgettable portrait of the ambitious woman whose fate we know all too well, but whose true motivations may surprise you. Essential reading for fans of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick.
'Offers a spellbinding solution to the mystery of Anne's true nature . . . Enthralling' Sarah Gristwood
The young woman who changed the course of history.
Fresh from the palaces of Burgundy and France, Anne draws attention at the English court, embracing the play of courtly love.
But when the King commands, nothing is ever a game.
Anne has a spirit worthy of a crown - and the crown is what she seeks. At any price.
ANNE BOLEYN. The second of Henry's Queens. Her story.
History tells us why she died. This powerful novel shows her as she lived.
I absolutely love how this author writes! I was hooked from the start with this book. Anne Boleyn is one of those women who started with such good intentions but then became all dark and twisted! I have zero sympathy for how her life played out but found her story totally captivating. This is definitely a series worth reading!
Book
Anne Boleyn:A Kings Obsession (Six Tudor Queens book 2)
By Alison Weir
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession by bestselling historian Alison Weir, author of Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen, is the second captivating novel in the Six Tudor Queens series. An unforgettable portrait of the ambitious woman whose fate we know all too well, but whose true motivations may surprise you. Essential reading for fans of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick.
'Offers a spellbinding solution to the mystery of Anne's true nature . . . Enthralling' Sarah Gristwood
The young woman who changed the course of history.
Fresh from the palaces of Burgundy and France, Anne draws attention at the English court, embracing the play of courtly love.
But when the King commands, nothing is ever a game.
Anne has a spirit worthy of a crown - and the crown is what she seeks. At any price.
ANNE BOLEYN. The second of Henry's Queens. Her story.
History tells us why she died. This powerful novel shows her as she lived.
I absolutely love how this author writes! I was hooked from the start with this book. Anne Boleyn is one of those women who started with such good intentions but then became all dark and twisted! I have zero sympathy for how her life played out but found her story totally captivating. This is definitely a series worth reading!
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated Six Tudor Queens: Katharine Parr, The Sixth Wife in Books
Mar 23, 2021
I have been reading Alison Weir books since I was a teenager so imagine how much I fangirled when I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of her final book in the Tudor Queens series!
To Netgalley and Headline, thank you, thank you, thank you!
It is my opinion that Katharine Parr is often the most overlooked of Henry VIII's wives: indeed most novels focus only on her life after becoming Queen. That is why this novel from Alison Weir was simply brilliant.
Weir introduces us to Katharine Parr as a girl, constantly surrounded by family and, after losing her father at a young age, being brought up by her uncle, aunt and her mother who was an attendant to Queen Katharine of Aragon.
The reader instantly falls in love with Katharine, an intelligent, caring child who is acutely aware of her eventual duty to her family but desperately wishes to remain in her carefree days with her siblings.
As we know, Tudor girls married young and Weir explores each of Katharine's four marriages in great detail: combining historical fact and storytelling in the way that only she can.
It struck me that, in three of Katharine's four marriages, she was used as a pawn, marrying for rank, power and connections as was the norm at the time.
However, in every one of these marriages Katharine was able to find love; even when marrying an old overweight Henry, already famous for disposing of numerous wives.
The writing during each of these marriages is rarely emotional: Katharine is a very rational and practical character, only showing real passion for religion. She is even super calm when she believes she is being investigated as a heretic!
It isn't until Katharine's fourth and final marriage that she marries for herself and for love. The passionate relationship between Katharine and Tom Seymour seeps into the writing at this point: introducing jealousy and anger where there has previously been merely a stoic resolve.
The fact that this novel spans the lifespan of Henry's marriages is fitting and really allows Weir to paint a picture of Tudor society throughout the religious reforms and upheavals associated with its monarch.
No one who has read Alison Weir's books before will be surprised that this is yet another success. Together with Philippa Gregory, Weir is a Queen of historical fiction and this novel is only the latest jewel in her crown.
To Netgalley and Headline, thank you, thank you, thank you!
It is my opinion that Katharine Parr is often the most overlooked of Henry VIII's wives: indeed most novels focus only on her life after becoming Queen. That is why this novel from Alison Weir was simply brilliant.
Weir introduces us to Katharine Parr as a girl, constantly surrounded by family and, after losing her father at a young age, being brought up by her uncle, aunt and her mother who was an attendant to Queen Katharine of Aragon.
The reader instantly falls in love with Katharine, an intelligent, caring child who is acutely aware of her eventual duty to her family but desperately wishes to remain in her carefree days with her siblings.
As we know, Tudor girls married young and Weir explores each of Katharine's four marriages in great detail: combining historical fact and storytelling in the way that only she can.
It struck me that, in three of Katharine's four marriages, she was used as a pawn, marrying for rank, power and connections as was the norm at the time.
However, in every one of these marriages Katharine was able to find love; even when marrying an old overweight Henry, already famous for disposing of numerous wives.
The writing during each of these marriages is rarely emotional: Katharine is a very rational and practical character, only showing real passion for religion. She is even super calm when she believes she is being investigated as a heretic!
It isn't until Katharine's fourth and final marriage that she marries for herself and for love. The passionate relationship between Katharine and Tom Seymour seeps into the writing at this point: introducing jealousy and anger where there has previously been merely a stoic resolve.
The fact that this novel spans the lifespan of Henry's marriages is fitting and really allows Weir to paint a picture of Tudor society throughout the religious reforms and upheavals associated with its monarch.
No one who has read Alison Weir's books before will be surprised that this is yet another success. Together with Philippa Gregory, Weir is a Queen of historical fiction and this novel is only the latest jewel in her crown.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Shadow of Night in Books
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)
Middle book syndrome
Audibook review - 3.5 stars
This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Shadow of Night in Books
Dec 24, 2018
Great story overall but pacing issues
This was a great story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I loved the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I loved the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.