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Readers` Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
karen hasterok
This book was amazing. I am a substitute teacher, and I read this book cover to cover in one school day while the kiddos were working on projects. I majored in History Education, and it was a joy to read this book. It took facts and fiction to twist the story of Jane Grey into a crazy and funny tale. I would recommend this to anyone!
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
joel hamill
I really, really, wanted to love My Lady Jane but I just didn't. I wanted to love this because my best friend Kate (@nautigirlreads) gave this to me, and gushed about this book. Not only has she gushed about this, but it appears that almost everyone on social media has nothing but amazing things to say about My Lady Jane.
I thing the best way to describe the way I felt about this book is in short, through a bulleted list...
The Good:
The humour in the first parts of this novel, especially when we find out that some of the humans can (gasp!) turn into animals! This isn't your typical historical fiction book, and that made the premise of reading it much more enjoyable, and to be frank - interesting.
Lady Jane was a delightful character, and I adored her throughout the book because of her attitude. She was both spunky, and kind. Smart, and independent. She was also even more enjoyable when we get to see her towards the end - growing as a character.
For three different authors to have written My Lady Jane, it was absolutely
seamless. I couldn't particularly tell that three ladies had written this, it just felt like a singular author.
The Bad:
The humour... I know, ironic isn't it? Sometimes the humour that was pushed in the book was a tad bit too much. It occasionally felt forced, and a trifle to dull.
The length of the novel. I'm not one to complain about how many pages are in a novel, and yet sometimes I find myself picky. This was 512 pages, in all honesty a small novel in my mind, yet I felt that the beginning could've been more condensed, therefore eliminating unneeded dialogue and descriptions.
Overall, I'd have to say this book deserves around 2.75/5 Stars. It was a book that was worthy of finishing, it at times gave me moments of laughter, and moments of wanted to read continuously. Yet at other periods it left me wanting to speed through, skip sections, and feel embarrassed for the forced joking.
I thing the best way to describe the way I felt about this book is in short, through a bulleted list...
The Good:
The humour in the first parts of this novel, especially when we find out that some of the humans can (gasp!) turn into animals! This isn't your typical historical fiction book, and that made the premise of reading it much more enjoyable, and to be frank - interesting.
Lady Jane was a delightful character, and I adored her throughout the book because of her attitude. She was both spunky, and kind. Smart, and independent. She was also even more enjoyable when we get to see her towards the end - growing as a character.
For three different authors to have written My Lady Jane, it was absolutely
seamless. I couldn't particularly tell that three ladies had written this, it just felt like a singular author.
The Bad:
The humour... I know, ironic isn't it? Sometimes the humour that was pushed in the book was a tad bit too much. It occasionally felt forced, and a trifle to dull.
The length of the novel. I'm not one to complain about how many pages are in a novel, and yet sometimes I find myself picky. This was 512 pages, in all honesty a small novel in my mind, yet I felt that the beginning could've been more condensed, therefore eliminating unneeded dialogue and descriptions.
Overall, I'd have to say this book deserves around 2.75/5 Stars. It was a book that was worthy of finishing, it at times gave me moments of laughter, and moments of wanted to read continuously. Yet at other periods it left me wanting to speed through, skip sections, and feel embarrassed for the forced joking.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
rauleck
I really, really, wanted to love My Lady Jane but I just didn't. I wanted to love this because my best friend Kate (@nautigirlreads) gave this to me, and gushed about this book. Not only has she gushed about this, but it appears that almost everyone on social media has nothing but amazing things to say about My Lady Jane.
I thing the best way to describe the way I felt about this book is in short, through a bulleted list...
The Good:
The humour in the first parts of this novel, especially when we find out that some of the humans can (gasp!) turn into animals! This isn't your typical historical fiction book, and that made the premise of reading it much more enjoyable, and to be frank - interesting.
Lady Jane was a delightful character, and I adored her throughout the book because of her attitude. She was both spunky, and kind. Smart, and independent. She was also even more enjoyable when we get to see her towards the end - growing as a character.
For three different authors to have written My Lady Jane, it was absolutely
seamless. I couldn't particularly tell that three ladies had written this, it just felt like a singular author.
The Bad:
The humour... I know, ironic isn't it? Sometimes the humour that was pushed in the book was a tad bit too much. It occasionally felt forced, and a trifle to dull.
The length of the novel. I'm not one to complain about how many pages are in a novel, and yet sometimes I find myself picky. This was 512 pages, in all honesty a small novel in my mind, yet I felt that the beginning could've been more condensed, therefore eliminating unneeded dialogue and descriptions.
Overall, I'd have to say this book deserves around 2.75/5 Stars. It was a book that was worthy of finishing, it at times gave me moments of laughter, and moments of wanted to read continuously. Yet at other periods it left me wanting to speed through, skip sections, and feel embarrassed for the forced joking.
I thing the best way to describe the way I felt about this book is in short, through a bulleted list...
The Good:
The humour in the first parts of this novel, especially when we find out that some of the humans can (gasp!) turn into animals! This isn't your typical historical fiction book, and that made the premise of reading it much more enjoyable, and to be frank - interesting.
Lady Jane was a delightful character, and I adored her throughout the book because of her attitude. She was both spunky, and kind. Smart, and independent. She was also even more enjoyable when we get to see her towards the end - growing as a character.
For three different authors to have written My Lady Jane, it was absolutely
seamless. I couldn't particularly tell that three ladies had written this, it just felt like a singular author.
The Bad:
The humour... I know, ironic isn't it? Sometimes the humour that was pushed in the book was a tad bit too much. It occasionally felt forced, and a trifle to dull.
The length of the novel. I'm not one to complain about how many pages are in a novel, and yet sometimes I find myself picky. This was 512 pages, in all honesty a small novel in my mind, yet I felt that the beginning could've been more condensed, therefore eliminating unneeded dialogue and descriptions.
Overall, I'd have to say this book deserves around 2.75/5 Stars. It was a book that was worthy of finishing, it at times gave me moments of laughter, and moments of wanted to read continuously. Yet at other periods it left me wanting to speed through, skip sections, and feel embarrassed for the forced joking.
Back Blast (A Gray Man Novel Book 5) :: Back Blast (Gray Man) :: Dead Eye (Gray Man) :: On Target (A Gray Man Novel Book 2) :: How to Rule the World as a SmartMouth Goddess - Kiss My Tiara
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
maureen miller
Splendid! Such an enjoyable little romp in a super distorted historical farce!
This book is a humorous look at history that didn't happen but it would have been awfully nice for the books namesake if it did. Firstly, you have to get past the sad, sad history of the really real Lady Jane Grey but if you can get that out of your mind and go with the alternate history, it is a funny silly story that is just one that you need to let yourself go and enjoy the ride (I read the book while listening to the audiobook. Yes, I have the book open and read each word as I listen, I'm weird like that, but the audiobook is really, really good so if you like them I highly recommend it). There are so many strange characters you meet along the way as well as historical figures and they are so well written! You also get a grand tour of old England during the book. It's also easy to forget that three writers were behind the scenes of this book due to the way the story just flows from page to page. It's just a great story.
There are so many great reviews already out there about this book that are far better than anything I could come up with and I don't want to give anything away. I think it's a book that can be enjoyed by younger readers all the up to the very max age one is willing to exist to. So, if it seems like one that you might have a slight interest in, you'll probably find you like it! I sure did.
This book is a humorous look at history that didn't happen but it would have been awfully nice for the books namesake if it did. Firstly, you have to get past the sad, sad history of the really real Lady Jane Grey but if you can get that out of your mind and go with the alternate history, it is a funny silly story that is just one that you need to let yourself go and enjoy the ride (I read the book while listening to the audiobook. Yes, I have the book open and read each word as I listen, I'm weird like that, but the audiobook is really, really good so if you like them I highly recommend it). There are so many strange characters you meet along the way as well as historical figures and they are so well written! You also get a grand tour of old England during the book. It's also easy to forget that three writers were behind the scenes of this book due to the way the story just flows from page to page. It's just a great story.
There are so many great reviews already out there about this book that are far better than anything I could come up with and I don't want to give anything away. I think it's a book that can be enjoyed by younger readers all the up to the very max age one is willing to exist to. So, if it seems like one that you might have a slight interest in, you'll probably find you like it! I sure did.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
rishin
Quick Thoughts: Amusing, fun and clever. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a little British humor and can enjoy some intentional historical inaccuracies. Please go check out this awesome story.
Full Review:
This book was the whole reason I ordered Owl Create for the first time. I was convinced the book would be My Lady Jane and I was anxious to read it. Something about this book had piqued my interest from the moment I heard about it. Luckily I was right and this book arrived on my doorstep along with some other cool goodies!
The story is fun and engaging. While it doesn't hurt to have a good understanding of English history, the authors throw history out the window so it doesn't actually matter in the end. This hilarious retelling gave nods to a lot of great literature along the way and completely disregarded history. I should hate that. I have a BA in History after all, but I didn't. Somehow the authors were historically accurate while they disregarded the history books.
Throughout the book the humor reminded me a lot of The Princess Bride which made me love it even more. While not everything can be believed, the hilarity and absurdity of some of the plot lines made up for it. Overall it is a book that doesn't take itself too seriously even though we are talking about beheadings and political coups. I was caught up in the story and I couldn't put it down.
While this story felt complete, I am actually disappointed there won't be more adventures. I would love to continue following these characters to see what they could get up to in the future. (And what kind of history the authors could mess up next.) I absolutely adored this book.
Full Review:
This book was the whole reason I ordered Owl Create for the first time. I was convinced the book would be My Lady Jane and I was anxious to read it. Something about this book had piqued my interest from the moment I heard about it. Luckily I was right and this book arrived on my doorstep along with some other cool goodies!
The story is fun and engaging. While it doesn't hurt to have a good understanding of English history, the authors throw history out the window so it doesn't actually matter in the end. This hilarious retelling gave nods to a lot of great literature along the way and completely disregarded history. I should hate that. I have a BA in History after all, but I didn't. Somehow the authors were historically accurate while they disregarded the history books.
Throughout the book the humor reminded me a lot of The Princess Bride which made me love it even more. While not everything can be believed, the hilarity and absurdity of some of the plot lines made up for it. Overall it is a book that doesn't take itself too seriously even though we are talking about beheadings and political coups. I was caught up in the story and I couldn't put it down.
While this story felt complete, I am actually disappointed there won't be more adventures. I would love to continue following these characters to see what they could get up to in the future. (And what kind of history the authors could mess up next.) I absolutely adored this book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
monica porta
Ahoy there me mateys! This young adult novel caught me eye because many many crew members wouldn’t stop talking about how funny it was. I was informed it was a young adult historical fiction that veers off from the historical and into the hysterical.
In these rough seas of the past couple months, I felt I could use some laughter so I picked up a copy. And I did mostly enjoy it. Jane of course is the highlight with her book obsession, sassy wits, and intelligence. It was worth reading this book just so I could get to know this version of Lady Jane Grey. Also I loved King Edward VI and Gifford. The relationships of these three characters were sweet and charming. However even the secondary characters were fun and integral to the plot which is always nice to see.
The first part of the novel mostly takes the correct history and then twists it. Adds magic. Woohoo! This part was my favorite. In fact I loved the whole section up until Jane’s marriage. Then the book lagged for me until it was time for the group to storm and retake the castle. It’s not to say that I hated the middle of the book but it was slow and there was a lot of waiting around and wandering in the woods (a bit of a pet peeve).
I don’t think I loved the book enough to read any more of this series but it certainly was a quick, light, and entertaining read. I am impressed at how smooth the storytelling and character voices were even though three authors worked on this book.
In these rough seas of the past couple months, I felt I could use some laughter so I picked up a copy. And I did mostly enjoy it. Jane of course is the highlight with her book obsession, sassy wits, and intelligence. It was worth reading this book just so I could get to know this version of Lady Jane Grey. Also I loved King Edward VI and Gifford. The relationships of these three characters were sweet and charming. However even the secondary characters were fun and integral to the plot which is always nice to see.
The first part of the novel mostly takes the correct history and then twists it. Adds magic. Woohoo! This part was my favorite. In fact I loved the whole section up until Jane’s marriage. Then the book lagged for me until it was time for the group to storm and retake the castle. It’s not to say that I hated the middle of the book but it was slow and there was a lot of waiting around and wandering in the woods (a bit of a pet peeve).
I don’t think I loved the book enough to read any more of this series but it certainly was a quick, light, and entertaining read. I am impressed at how smooth the storytelling and character voices were even though three authors worked on this book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
bruce martin
4.5 stars!!!
This book was:
TOTALLY AWESOME
I had my reservations going into this book. An inaccurate account of Lady Jane Grey mixed in with fantasy elements? I was not sold. In fact I almost passed it over. But when I opened it and my eyes landed on the dedication, I knew I had to read it.
“Dedication:
For everyone who knows there was enough room for Leonardo DiCaprio on that door.
And for England. We’re really sorry for what we’re about to do to your history.”
SOLD!
So, the plot. Jane is the cousin of King Edward and would like to spend all of her time with her nose in a book. Edward is dying of "The Affliction" and needs to pick a successor since he was too young and sick to leave an heir. When one of his advisors suggests Edward marry Jane off and name her child as an heir, Edward agrees. And so Jane is married to Gifford, who spends his nights as a man and days as a horse.
A horse you say? Oh, did I neglect to tell you that there are shapeshifters and in this book many people called Edians can transform into animals (not always at will). Soon it is discovered there is a plot to kill Edward in a strong power move, and it only gets more interesting from there...
“No horse jokes," he said.
"My lord, I apologize for the horse joke. If you put down the book---unharmed!---I will give you a carrot."
He brandished the book at her. "Was that a horse joke?"
"Neigh."
"Was that a horse joke?”
So I was a history major in college and reading books with historical inaccuracies used to drive me CRAZY. But lately I've been loosening my grip and enjoying things not exactly accurate **cough cough REIGN cough cough** so with this book I straightened my back and LET IT GO.
Anyways, this book was so friggin funny. When compared to Monty Python I was worried, because that isn't my humor. But to me this was more along the lines of Princess Bride humor, or more subtle British humor. There were many times when reading this book I chuckled out loud. And that doesn't happen very often as I have RBF. (Resting book face).
I can only imagine the amount of fun the authors had writing this, I had so much fun reading it. Honestly, there isn't another book out there I would be able to compare it to. History, humor, shifters and murder? Not a combo I would have guessed would work. But it did!
It's one flaw? Way too long. Almost 500 pages dude.
If you need to read something a little bit different, something that will put you in a good mood, this is your book.
“You're wrong," Lord Dudley said. "You've always been a fool."
"The fool thinks he is wise," G retorted. "But the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
This book was:
TOTALLY AWESOME
I had my reservations going into this book. An inaccurate account of Lady Jane Grey mixed in with fantasy elements? I was not sold. In fact I almost passed it over. But when I opened it and my eyes landed on the dedication, I knew I had to read it.
“Dedication:
For everyone who knows there was enough room for Leonardo DiCaprio on that door.
And for England. We’re really sorry for what we’re about to do to your history.”
SOLD!
So, the plot. Jane is the cousin of King Edward and would like to spend all of her time with her nose in a book. Edward is dying of "The Affliction" and needs to pick a successor since he was too young and sick to leave an heir. When one of his advisors suggests Edward marry Jane off and name her child as an heir, Edward agrees. And so Jane is married to Gifford, who spends his nights as a man and days as a horse.
A horse you say? Oh, did I neglect to tell you that there are shapeshifters and in this book many people called Edians can transform into animals (not always at will). Soon it is discovered there is a plot to kill Edward in a strong power move, and it only gets more interesting from there...
“No horse jokes," he said.
"My lord, I apologize for the horse joke. If you put down the book---unharmed!---I will give you a carrot."
He brandished the book at her. "Was that a horse joke?"
"Neigh."
"Was that a horse joke?”
So I was a history major in college and reading books with historical inaccuracies used to drive me CRAZY. But lately I've been loosening my grip and enjoying things not exactly accurate **cough cough REIGN cough cough** so with this book I straightened my back and LET IT GO.
Anyways, this book was so friggin funny. When compared to Monty Python I was worried, because that isn't my humor. But to me this was more along the lines of Princess Bride humor, or more subtle British humor. There were many times when reading this book I chuckled out loud. And that doesn't happen very often as I have RBF. (Resting book face).
I can only imagine the amount of fun the authors had writing this, I had so much fun reading it. Honestly, there isn't another book out there I would be able to compare it to. History, humor, shifters and murder? Not a combo I would have guessed would work. But it did!
It's one flaw? Way too long. Almost 500 pages dude.
If you need to read something a little bit different, something that will put you in a good mood, this is your book.
“You're wrong," Lord Dudley said. "You've always been a fool."
"The fool thinks he is wise," G retorted. "But the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
dorothyanne
“The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of man things. Of shoes and ships and ceiling wax and My Lady Jane.”
That’s a direct quote from the uncut version of Alice in Wonderland, by the way. I’m diving right into this review. Most likely will contain spoilers.
I have absolutely nothing NOTHING bad to say about this book. It was clever, quirky, hysterical to the point where I was about to explode from laughter while in public, and so well written. I had a lot of difficulty figuring out who wrote which parts because it was seamless.
My Lady Jane has been sitting on my the store wishlist to remind me to read it since it came out back in 2017. I had seen that it was coming out, thought it sounded cool (I swear the description they had before was not that bland one above), but never got around to it. Flashforward almost two years, and my friend found it at a thrift store, bought a copy for herself, devoured it, then threw it at me (Thanks, Ngeline).
We got to meet Jodi Meadows at TomeCon in March, and I told her I hadn’t yet read My Lady Jane but it had gotten rave reviews from my dragon-friend. I finally read it, and WHY THE HECK DID I WAIT SO LONG.
The characters in this were so well-developed. Edward is a princeling-turned-king who is sickly and doesn’t know how to function in the real world because no one has ever let him do anything for himself. G is the Eðian (eth-y-un) husband who turns into a horse all day long (and no one told Jane this before she married him). and Jane is the ever-present, voracious bookwyrm who sympathizes with Eðians and wants to be one.
Oh, yeah, that whole Protestant vs Catholic thing from this time period doesn’t exist. It’s shifters vs non shifters.
Jane is married to G, and neither like one another at all. G tells poetry at night, and he was too shy to admit it, so he let his parents think that every night, when he turns human, he wanders off to the nearest whorehouse and has fun. Nope, he just goes to the poetry club. Jane dislikes him because of that and that he’s now her husband.
Watching their relationship grow was great because it was super subtle. They started off hating one another, then joking, then actually caring (a lot) about one another. It was super sweet, not at all sappy, and made me like them even more.
Edward was sexist, but as the narrators said, we can’t blame him too much because he was raised in a time where that was believed. Edward’s whole world is turned upside down, and he starts to understand that maybe women aren’t the issue, and maybe they’re just as good at doing things as a man. Hmmmm.
The entire cast of characters, villains and heroes and bafoons, made this entire story seem like a Monty Python tale (and it didn’t hurt that there were MP references). It was such a satirical analysis of politics and sexism/feminism, as well as the roles in marriage and love. Plus you have the fact that a bunch of people turn into animals. It was great, and everyone needs to read it.
That’s a direct quote from the uncut version of Alice in Wonderland, by the way. I’m diving right into this review. Most likely will contain spoilers.
I have absolutely nothing NOTHING bad to say about this book. It was clever, quirky, hysterical to the point where I was about to explode from laughter while in public, and so well written. I had a lot of difficulty figuring out who wrote which parts because it was seamless.
My Lady Jane has been sitting on my the store wishlist to remind me to read it since it came out back in 2017. I had seen that it was coming out, thought it sounded cool (I swear the description they had before was not that bland one above), but never got around to it. Flashforward almost two years, and my friend found it at a thrift store, bought a copy for herself, devoured it, then threw it at me (Thanks, Ngeline).
We got to meet Jodi Meadows at TomeCon in March, and I told her I hadn’t yet read My Lady Jane but it had gotten rave reviews from my dragon-friend. I finally read it, and WHY THE HECK DID I WAIT SO LONG.
The characters in this were so well-developed. Edward is a princeling-turned-king who is sickly and doesn’t know how to function in the real world because no one has ever let him do anything for himself. G is the Eðian (eth-y-un) husband who turns into a horse all day long (and no one told Jane this before she married him). and Jane is the ever-present, voracious bookwyrm who sympathizes with Eðians and wants to be one.
Oh, yeah, that whole Protestant vs Catholic thing from this time period doesn’t exist. It’s shifters vs non shifters.
Jane is married to G, and neither like one another at all. G tells poetry at night, and he was too shy to admit it, so he let his parents think that every night, when he turns human, he wanders off to the nearest whorehouse and has fun. Nope, he just goes to the poetry club. Jane dislikes him because of that and that he’s now her husband.
Watching their relationship grow was great because it was super subtle. They started off hating one another, then joking, then actually caring (a lot) about one another. It was super sweet, not at all sappy, and made me like them even more.
Edward was sexist, but as the narrators said, we can’t blame him too much because he was raised in a time where that was believed. Edward’s whole world is turned upside down, and he starts to understand that maybe women aren’t the issue, and maybe they’re just as good at doing things as a man. Hmmmm.
The entire cast of characters, villains and heroes and bafoons, made this entire story seem like a Monty Python tale (and it didn’t hurt that there were MP references). It was such a satirical analysis of politics and sexism/feminism, as well as the roles in marriage and love. Plus you have the fact that a bunch of people turn into animals. It was great, and everyone needs to read it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
anoop singh
“For everyone who knows there was enough room for Leonardo DiCaprio on that door. And for England. We’re really sorry for what we’re about to do to your history.”
Yes…this is how My Lady Jane starts off, right from the dedication page you already know you are in for a treat. During every single moment of reading this book, I was completely and utterly in love with it. It made me snicker, giggle, laugh uncontrollably, shout, hiss, and huzzah…sometimes in public. Writing this review has been excruciatingly hard because I can’t simply just GUSH all my feelings about this witty and funny book all over the screen without giving away far more than I should. Also, mere words truly can not express how lovely and refreshing it was to read a book that I absolutely 110% loved everything about from start to finish. Thank you, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows for crafting such a perfect book.
This is the story of Lady Jane Grey, but with a few tweaks, and some magic…because of course magic makes everything better, and potentially can alter a hum-ho tale that ends in beheadings into an epic adventure filled with hilarity, love, and absurdities (fans of the Princess Bride will most definitely approve of this book). In other words, perfection. The humor in this book is absolutely spot on as are the many puns, the quotes in this book are brilliant works of art. Yes, three authors wrote this deliciously cheeky book, but their voices are so well integrated and on point that it is a completely smooth transition from one chapter to the next which are written in the point of view of the three main characters Jane, Edward, and Gifford.
I loved how little side comments were added between the storyline to give you a little glimpse of what he authors were thinking, or intending….
“You may think you know the story. It goes like this: once upon a time, there was a sixteen-year-old girl named Jane Grey, who was forced to marry a complete stranger (Lord Guildford or Gilford or Gifford-something-or-other), and shortly thereafter found herself ruler of a country. She was queen for nine days. Then she quite literally lost her head.
Yes, it’s a tragedy, if you consider the disengagement of one’s head from one’s body tragic. (We are merely narrators, and would hate to make assumptions as to what the reader would find tragic.)
We have a different tale to tell.”
“(Okay, so we told you that anybody could die at any time, and you seem like you’re getting worried, but Pet’s fine. <…> Trust us: we’re not the type of narrators who would kill a dog.)”
I loved Lady Jane. She was intelligent, sassy and a bookworm. She reminded me a bit of Hermione Granger because she comes off as a “know-it-all” and is always has her nose stuck in a book with titles like “An Analysis of Edians’ Paintings and Their Impact on Society: Volume Three.” She is strong and determined and independent. She’s also quite good with horse jokes, and knows how to handle a pan (this will make sense if you read the book…which you should). Gifford was just as lovable as Jane. I love that he has a secret other life and how sweet he is on Jane. I also love that it wasn’t all INSTA LOVE and that this relationship took time to build and was based on more than just looks. It was such a pleasure to watch these two characters fall in love against all the odds, especially since their story started as an arranged marriage.
In their bedchamber, Jane set a pillow and blanket on the floor next to the bed.
“Jane, I cannot allow you to sleep on the floor,” G said gallantly.
She smiled. “The pillow and blanket are for you, my lord.”
This brings me to another point that I think deserves being said, though this book is empowering for women (Jane and many of the other female characters) it never talks ill or marriage or implies a negative connotation to marriage. My Lady Jane is a book for female empowerment and the empowerment of falling in love and finding someone to spend your life with. I sometimes find that many books, the media, and people can’t seem to find a good balance with empowering a female, but also being okay when she decides to fall in love with someone or have a family. I am glad that the authors of My Lady Jane not only empower the women in their book, but they also empower marriage and love too (Sorry…I don’t mean to sound preachy on this topic, but this is something that really bothers me. Just because I as a female I have chosen to get married and to one day have a family does not mean that I have given up my independence, my intelligence, or my feisty-ness….I can “have my cake and eat it too” and My Lady Jane resonates that belief to me).
For the third POV was Edward, who starts off as a sickly teenage king, but is actually about to embark on quite the adventure of his own. I liked that he had this sort of morbid humor, making fun of his own probable impending death due to having “The affliction”. I think he showed the largest growth of character and I really enjoyed seeing him out of his element. It was awesome to see him become his own person and to see his eyes open to the fact that women weren’t there just to mend his clothes and make his supper. His respect for women grew, and as it grew, so did he. Even the minor characters like Pet, Elizabeth (yes…that Elizabeth) and Gracie were all superbly done, and they all kicked butt. You wanted to see and hear more about them, and you cared if they were in danger.
Now, I know I mentioned magic before, and yes there is plenty of magic. In this tweaked and alternative retelling of history, there are humans that can turn into animals. These people are called Edians, and they are found all over this story, even those you least suspect. I would keep an eye out for a horse, a ferret, a kestrel, a skunk, a fox and a dog to name a few (but I won’t tell you who is who) though I guess I can disclose to you that Gifford or G is one of these Edians, and he is a magnificent stallion and you will find out more about him right from the start in chapter 1. The nonmagical people are called Verities and they aren’t very fond of Edians this alternate history’s version of Catholics vs. Protestants which is one of the subplots in the book. There is also betrayal, poisonings, incarcerations, romance, war, and consummation.
Overall, My Lady Jane a fantastical book that I loved and enjoyed from cover to cover, in all its formats (the audible version is done with a really great reader). It is on my top 5 favorite books of 2016. It is charming, hilarious and will make you laugh at the most inappropriate times (usually around 6:30am while on the treadmill in a gym full of people, or in a coffee shop filled with people…oh the strange looks I received). It was so entertaining and not to be taken seriously. It was fun and such an easy read to get through even over 500 pages. There are nods to Monty Python, The Princess Bride, Shakespeare and even Disney. There is politics but it’s kept to a minimal, and there is definitely a lot of horsing around.
Go READ it! You won’t be disappointed.
P.S. Clearly my Edian animal form would be a bunny.
Yes…this is how My Lady Jane starts off, right from the dedication page you already know you are in for a treat. During every single moment of reading this book, I was completely and utterly in love with it. It made me snicker, giggle, laugh uncontrollably, shout, hiss, and huzzah…sometimes in public. Writing this review has been excruciatingly hard because I can’t simply just GUSH all my feelings about this witty and funny book all over the screen without giving away far more than I should. Also, mere words truly can not express how lovely and refreshing it was to read a book that I absolutely 110% loved everything about from start to finish. Thank you, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows for crafting such a perfect book.
This is the story of Lady Jane Grey, but with a few tweaks, and some magic…because of course magic makes everything better, and potentially can alter a hum-ho tale that ends in beheadings into an epic adventure filled with hilarity, love, and absurdities (fans of the Princess Bride will most definitely approve of this book). In other words, perfection. The humor in this book is absolutely spot on as are the many puns, the quotes in this book are brilliant works of art. Yes, three authors wrote this deliciously cheeky book, but their voices are so well integrated and on point that it is a completely smooth transition from one chapter to the next which are written in the point of view of the three main characters Jane, Edward, and Gifford.
I loved how little side comments were added between the storyline to give you a little glimpse of what he authors were thinking, or intending….
“You may think you know the story. It goes like this: once upon a time, there was a sixteen-year-old girl named Jane Grey, who was forced to marry a complete stranger (Lord Guildford or Gilford or Gifford-something-or-other), and shortly thereafter found herself ruler of a country. She was queen for nine days. Then she quite literally lost her head.
Yes, it’s a tragedy, if you consider the disengagement of one’s head from one’s body tragic. (We are merely narrators, and would hate to make assumptions as to what the reader would find tragic.)
We have a different tale to tell.”
“(Okay, so we told you that anybody could die at any time, and you seem like you’re getting worried, but Pet’s fine. <…> Trust us: we’re not the type of narrators who would kill a dog.)”
I loved Lady Jane. She was intelligent, sassy and a bookworm. She reminded me a bit of Hermione Granger because she comes off as a “know-it-all” and is always has her nose stuck in a book with titles like “An Analysis of Edians’ Paintings and Their Impact on Society: Volume Three.” She is strong and determined and independent. She’s also quite good with horse jokes, and knows how to handle a pan (this will make sense if you read the book…which you should). Gifford was just as lovable as Jane. I love that he has a secret other life and how sweet he is on Jane. I also love that it wasn’t all INSTA LOVE and that this relationship took time to build and was based on more than just looks. It was such a pleasure to watch these two characters fall in love against all the odds, especially since their story started as an arranged marriage.
In their bedchamber, Jane set a pillow and blanket on the floor next to the bed.
“Jane, I cannot allow you to sleep on the floor,” G said gallantly.
She smiled. “The pillow and blanket are for you, my lord.”
This brings me to another point that I think deserves being said, though this book is empowering for women (Jane and many of the other female characters) it never talks ill or marriage or implies a negative connotation to marriage. My Lady Jane is a book for female empowerment and the empowerment of falling in love and finding someone to spend your life with. I sometimes find that many books, the media, and people can’t seem to find a good balance with empowering a female, but also being okay when she decides to fall in love with someone or have a family. I am glad that the authors of My Lady Jane not only empower the women in their book, but they also empower marriage and love too (Sorry…I don’t mean to sound preachy on this topic, but this is something that really bothers me. Just because I as a female I have chosen to get married and to one day have a family does not mean that I have given up my independence, my intelligence, or my feisty-ness….I can “have my cake and eat it too” and My Lady Jane resonates that belief to me).
For the third POV was Edward, who starts off as a sickly teenage king, but is actually about to embark on quite the adventure of his own. I liked that he had this sort of morbid humor, making fun of his own probable impending death due to having “The affliction”. I think he showed the largest growth of character and I really enjoyed seeing him out of his element. It was awesome to see him become his own person and to see his eyes open to the fact that women weren’t there just to mend his clothes and make his supper. His respect for women grew, and as it grew, so did he. Even the minor characters like Pet, Elizabeth (yes…that Elizabeth) and Gracie were all superbly done, and they all kicked butt. You wanted to see and hear more about them, and you cared if they were in danger.
Now, I know I mentioned magic before, and yes there is plenty of magic. In this tweaked and alternative retelling of history, there are humans that can turn into animals. These people are called Edians, and they are found all over this story, even those you least suspect. I would keep an eye out for a horse, a ferret, a kestrel, a skunk, a fox and a dog to name a few (but I won’t tell you who is who) though I guess I can disclose to you that Gifford or G is one of these Edians, and he is a magnificent stallion and you will find out more about him right from the start in chapter 1. The nonmagical people are called Verities and they aren’t very fond of Edians this alternate history’s version of Catholics vs. Protestants which is one of the subplots in the book. There is also betrayal, poisonings, incarcerations, romance, war, and consummation.
Overall, My Lady Jane a fantastical book that I loved and enjoyed from cover to cover, in all its formats (the audible version is done with a really great reader). It is on my top 5 favorite books of 2016. It is charming, hilarious and will make you laugh at the most inappropriate times (usually around 6:30am while on the treadmill in a gym full of people, or in a coffee shop filled with people…oh the strange looks I received). It was so entertaining and not to be taken seriously. It was fun and such an easy read to get through even over 500 pages. There are nods to Monty Python, The Princess Bride, Shakespeare and even Disney. There is politics but it’s kept to a minimal, and there is definitely a lot of horsing around.
Go READ it! You won’t be disappointed.
P.S. Clearly my Edian animal form would be a bunny.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
haritha
Note: Expect fangirling, rambling, and overuse of the word love.
I never expect to love this! I switched between listening to an audiobook on my work commute and then reading the physical book whenever I could. I normally put quotes in reviews and I have never had such a hard time picking quotes! This book is so quotable that I just want to put the whole damn book in my review!
The narration on the audiobook was like a dream and kept me so interested I felt like I was driving on autopilot! I can’t say thank you enough to my friend Wren at WrenReads for telling me the audiobook was amazing.
I loved every single character so much! of course, my favorite was Jane, our little bookworm Jane. I just ended up loving her so much. Between her love for books and that take no crap attitude of hers, I was a goner.
I don’t want to ramble about this book too much because I don’t want to give anything away.
Now the reason I had to give it 4 stars was because there some slow spots throughout the book for me. Nothing to make me put the book down entirely.
Overall I can go on and on about this, it was a super enjoyable historical fiction with a twist and everyone should read it!
I never expect to love this! I switched between listening to an audiobook on my work commute and then reading the physical book whenever I could. I normally put quotes in reviews and I have never had such a hard time picking quotes! This book is so quotable that I just want to put the whole damn book in my review!
The narration on the audiobook was like a dream and kept me so interested I felt like I was driving on autopilot! I can’t say thank you enough to my friend Wren at WrenReads for telling me the audiobook was amazing.
I loved every single character so much! of course, my favorite was Jane, our little bookworm Jane. I just ended up loving her so much. Between her love for books and that take no crap attitude of hers, I was a goner.
I don’t want to ramble about this book too much because I don’t want to give anything away.
Now the reason I had to give it 4 stars was because there some slow spots throughout the book for me. Nothing to make me put the book down entirely.
Overall I can go on and on about this, it was a super enjoyable historical fiction with a twist and everyone should read it!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sheila ellis
Title: My Lady Jane
Author(s): Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction
Series: N/A, standalone
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.
I won't mince words: This book is one of my favorites of the summer, the year, and probably ever. The concept is certainly unusual: a fantasy retelling of British history, chock-full of humor, wit, and pop culture references. Think The Tudors mashed up with Monty Python, and you'll have something close to My Lady Jane. I loved it, and I'm hoping that these three authors will collaborate again. (Please? It was absolute perfection!) The authors use the first half of the novel to lay the groundwork for the history that inspires it, and they use the second half to drive the novel home. It was so fantastic--I was literally laughing out loud the entire time I was reading. (If all 'history' was taught like this, I promise even the haters would happily be on board.)
There are three main characters in this book: Edward, as in Edward, the King of England, Lady Jane Gray, a young woman who loves books more than she loves people, (yay for a bookish main character! Always a good way to win over this reader) and Gifford, also known as 'G', Jane's reluctant spouse. All three characters intersect, all different and equally witty and hilarious. This England, too, is not what you think: this England has magic, in the form of Edians (pronounced Eth-y-uns): people who can change into animals at will. Forced into a dangerous web of political intrigue, the three royals must unite and save their country, despite all of the forces around them conspiring to have the crown for themselves.
As I said before, this book was just lovely, a breath of fresh air. I loved the way the authors spun history to such humorous and witty effect. It was pretty much perfect in every way--the pacing was breakneck, the prose flowing and full of sparkling humor, wit, and a treasure trove of pop culture references. It was so refreshing and fun and delightful, and it was a good thing to read after This Savage Song. It's something like a literary palate cleanser: it was fun and light and full of heart. The bottom line: A more than worthy addition to an already large bounty of young adult literature this year, My Lady Jane was a wonderful, humorous spin on English history--a gem of 2016! Next on deck: Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman!
Author(s): Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction
Series: N/A, standalone
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.
I won't mince words: This book is one of my favorites of the summer, the year, and probably ever. The concept is certainly unusual: a fantasy retelling of British history, chock-full of humor, wit, and pop culture references. Think The Tudors mashed up with Monty Python, and you'll have something close to My Lady Jane. I loved it, and I'm hoping that these three authors will collaborate again. (Please? It was absolute perfection!) The authors use the first half of the novel to lay the groundwork for the history that inspires it, and they use the second half to drive the novel home. It was so fantastic--I was literally laughing out loud the entire time I was reading. (If all 'history' was taught like this, I promise even the haters would happily be on board.)
There are three main characters in this book: Edward, as in Edward, the King of England, Lady Jane Gray, a young woman who loves books more than she loves people, (yay for a bookish main character! Always a good way to win over this reader) and Gifford, also known as 'G', Jane's reluctant spouse. All three characters intersect, all different and equally witty and hilarious. This England, too, is not what you think: this England has magic, in the form of Edians (pronounced Eth-y-uns): people who can change into animals at will. Forced into a dangerous web of political intrigue, the three royals must unite and save their country, despite all of the forces around them conspiring to have the crown for themselves.
As I said before, this book was just lovely, a breath of fresh air. I loved the way the authors spun history to such humorous and witty effect. It was pretty much perfect in every way--the pacing was breakneck, the prose flowing and full of sparkling humor, wit, and a treasure trove of pop culture references. It was so refreshing and fun and delightful, and it was a good thing to read after This Savage Song. It's something like a literary palate cleanser: it was fun and light and full of heart. The bottom line: A more than worthy addition to an already large bounty of young adult literature this year, My Lady Jane was a wonderful, humorous spin on English history--a gem of 2016! Next on deck: Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sian champion
This review can be found on my blog, Reader Rayna, as well as Goodreads.
I had been in a reading slump before I picked up this book and I am so glad I chose to read this when I did because OH MAN, there is so much humor in this book!
This is an historical fiction retelling novel about a young woman by the name of Jane Grey who, upon her cousin’s surmised “death,” she becomes queen for about nine days before the proverbial poop hits the fan.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part being all of the events before and leading up to when Jane becomes Queen and when she is almost killed because of it; and the second part being where the narrators (who break into the story every once in a while) change history.
Of course there are actual differences in real history and their history for this retelling, such as the magic in this world being ones in which humans, depending on their lineage, can turn into animals – these kinds of people were called Eðian (pronounced eth-ee-uhn). And, like any ruling country of the time in the 1500’s, not a lot of people liked those who could change – and these people were called Verities. And then you get the common folk who don’t bend one way or the other.
The plot of the book was engaging and had me wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next, who can be trusted, what kinds of twists and turns were going to happen, and oh. The humor. Yeah, there was that, too. It followed three main characters: Edward, Jane, and Gifford (call him G!) and each chapter was in the point of view of one respectively. I thought this was a great move because it allowed us to have different perspectives and takes as to what was going on in their surroundings and how each person would react in those situations. It started off with a few common problems that needed to be fixed, to betrayal being had, to a forced wedding, more betrayal, and so on.
Edward – or rather, King Edward VI – is a sixteen year old boy-king who doesn’t really rule the country; he lets his advisors do it for him, signing what needs to be signed when he’s told about the changes and such. He hasn’t really come into his own at the beginning and I thought that was interesting and a bit of a refresher because I’m so used to reading about princes and kings that are stuffy and cautious and all of that. Edward was kind of a hot mess, and I appreciated that. He has the worst sense of timing and direction, easily offends the ladies (without meaning to), and he is kind of a whiner. But as the book progresses into the second half, he starts to become much more open minded and accepting of a lot of things and he becomes stronger as a result of the people and circumstances around him. I was actually quite impressed with him at the end.
Jane is a stubborn girl who loves – LOVES – to read books, and carry books with her, and put puts ahead of people. She hates the idea of marriage, but she hates being told what to do more because she believes she has her own mind to make her own decisions, thank you very much. I found that she was kind of lost and troubled in the beginning due to the circumstances surrounding her, but as the story progressed she proved that she is not only brave, but also a risk taker and willing to help those she cares about. She’s very much a modest young lady of sixteen, but I found that she really grew on me and that she was definitely a strong young woman.
Gifford – or G, as he prefers to be called – just wants to be free to run and live without having to worry about the pressures his father may put on him, or his father looking down on him. We learn very early on that G is an Eðian, and that he views himself to be cursed as he changes into a horse when the sun rises, then back into a man when the sun sets. He has some secrets, and he lets people think what they want to about him, but I found that he was one of my favorite characters. He was so willing and ready to protect Jane a lot throughout this book and he also was a great asset to the whole plot. I found him to be stubborn as well, but also so full of emotion.
There were also secondary characters in this story that played a big role, such as Gracie – a Scottish lass with a fiery tongue and wore trousers (gasp!), Pet (Edward’s pet dog), Gran (Edward & Jane’s grandmother), among others. I loved each of these characters because they brought so much life into the story, and obviously helped to further along the plot.
And the romance was also adorable and sweet as we watched the love between characters blossom, and one character being a silly git, and oh man. All the warm, fuzzy feels at the end.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this book. The humor was fantastic and referenced a lot of phrases and sayings that we say today or that would have been said during a later time period, the romance was adorable, the characters each grew in positive ways, and the plot was interesting and made me want to know what was going to happen next.
I rated this book 5/5 stars and highly recommend it!
I had been in a reading slump before I picked up this book and I am so glad I chose to read this when I did because OH MAN, there is so much humor in this book!
This is an historical fiction retelling novel about a young woman by the name of Jane Grey who, upon her cousin’s surmised “death,” she becomes queen for about nine days before the proverbial poop hits the fan.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part being all of the events before and leading up to when Jane becomes Queen and when she is almost killed because of it; and the second part being where the narrators (who break into the story every once in a while) change history.
Of course there are actual differences in real history and their history for this retelling, such as the magic in this world being ones in which humans, depending on their lineage, can turn into animals – these kinds of people were called Eðian (pronounced eth-ee-uhn). And, like any ruling country of the time in the 1500’s, not a lot of people liked those who could change – and these people were called Verities. And then you get the common folk who don’t bend one way or the other.
The plot of the book was engaging and had me wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next, who can be trusted, what kinds of twists and turns were going to happen, and oh. The humor. Yeah, there was that, too. It followed three main characters: Edward, Jane, and Gifford (call him G!) and each chapter was in the point of view of one respectively. I thought this was a great move because it allowed us to have different perspectives and takes as to what was going on in their surroundings and how each person would react in those situations. It started off with a few common problems that needed to be fixed, to betrayal being had, to a forced wedding, more betrayal, and so on.
Edward – or rather, King Edward VI – is a sixteen year old boy-king who doesn’t really rule the country; he lets his advisors do it for him, signing what needs to be signed when he’s told about the changes and such. He hasn’t really come into his own at the beginning and I thought that was interesting and a bit of a refresher because I’m so used to reading about princes and kings that are stuffy and cautious and all of that. Edward was kind of a hot mess, and I appreciated that. He has the worst sense of timing and direction, easily offends the ladies (without meaning to), and he is kind of a whiner. But as the book progresses into the second half, he starts to become much more open minded and accepting of a lot of things and he becomes stronger as a result of the people and circumstances around him. I was actually quite impressed with him at the end.
Jane is a stubborn girl who loves – LOVES – to read books, and carry books with her, and put puts ahead of people. She hates the idea of marriage, but she hates being told what to do more because she believes she has her own mind to make her own decisions, thank you very much. I found that she was kind of lost and troubled in the beginning due to the circumstances surrounding her, but as the story progressed she proved that she is not only brave, but also a risk taker and willing to help those she cares about. She’s very much a modest young lady of sixteen, but I found that she really grew on me and that she was definitely a strong young woman.
Gifford – or G, as he prefers to be called – just wants to be free to run and live without having to worry about the pressures his father may put on him, or his father looking down on him. We learn very early on that G is an Eðian, and that he views himself to be cursed as he changes into a horse when the sun rises, then back into a man when the sun sets. He has some secrets, and he lets people think what they want to about him, but I found that he was one of my favorite characters. He was so willing and ready to protect Jane a lot throughout this book and he also was a great asset to the whole plot. I found him to be stubborn as well, but also so full of emotion.
There were also secondary characters in this story that played a big role, such as Gracie – a Scottish lass with a fiery tongue and wore trousers (gasp!), Pet (Edward’s pet dog), Gran (Edward & Jane’s grandmother), among others. I loved each of these characters because they brought so much life into the story, and obviously helped to further along the plot.
And the romance was also adorable and sweet as we watched the love between characters blossom, and one character being a silly git, and oh man. All the warm, fuzzy feels at the end.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this book. The humor was fantastic and referenced a lot of phrases and sayings that we say today or that would have been said during a later time period, the romance was adorable, the characters each grew in positive ways, and the plot was interesting and made me want to know what was going to happen next.
I rated this book 5/5 stars and highly recommend it!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
nandana nallapu
Being a fan of Cynthia Hand’s and Brodi Ashton’s works, I was looking forward to seeing this collaboration between them and Jodi Meadows (I still have to read her solo books), who call themselves the Lady Janies. This book offers something for everyone: it’s an altered historical, fantasy, and romance combined with humorous results. And it is so much fun.
In the Lady Janies’ Tudor England, King Edward has fallen ill and his adviser recommends that his cousin, sixteen-year old Lady Jane Grey, be considered for bearing Edward an heir. This adviser recommends his son, Gifford, to be her husband. Obviously, the idea’s not welcome for either party, and it’s revealed that there’s more to “G” and the marriage than meets the eye.
I have to applaud the authors for the smooth, seamless writing. Usually with collaborations, you can tell which author wrote what scene, but I couldn’t tell with My Lady Jane. From what I understand, one author would write from the point of view of Edward, another Jane, and the other would write G’s, and they’d blend the chapters together. Correct me if I’m wrong, but if that’s true, that’s incredible. I could feel the love of this story with ever word. I was hooked.
The historical details, while skewed in a wink-wink way by the authors, are still given attention. There are the infuriating beliefs that women can’t do much aside from bearing heirs or that their opinions don’t matter, but like I said, this is skewed history, and the authors do skew history in a satisfying way. The fantasy elements are very fascinating and had me smiling from the silliness. If you love animals, especially horses, you will love this book.
I loved all of the characters. Each person was multi-faceted. Edward may be king, but he’s still a boy with hopes. G may be conflicted by his status as a second son and his secret, but he’s passionate and kind. Jane is bookish and knows about the world predominately through what she’s read, but she’s ready for battle and whip smart. Even the secondary characters are well done. I was with them every step of the way. I enjoyed seeing them develop as the story progressed. Fortunately, Jane still loves her books.
The “from hate to love” romance trope is my favorite, and the story uses this one expertly. Jane and G don’t hate each other exactly; they’re more indifferent to one another. As time goes by and they get to know each other, that indifference changes into friendship, that friendship to love. Edward has a slow burn romance that had me wondering when they were going to kiss. Both of these romances were touching and had me smiling while wiping away tears.
Get thee to thy nearest bookstore and read this one!
In the Lady Janies’ Tudor England, King Edward has fallen ill and his adviser recommends that his cousin, sixteen-year old Lady Jane Grey, be considered for bearing Edward an heir. This adviser recommends his son, Gifford, to be her husband. Obviously, the idea’s not welcome for either party, and it’s revealed that there’s more to “G” and the marriage than meets the eye.
I have to applaud the authors for the smooth, seamless writing. Usually with collaborations, you can tell which author wrote what scene, but I couldn’t tell with My Lady Jane. From what I understand, one author would write from the point of view of Edward, another Jane, and the other would write G’s, and they’d blend the chapters together. Correct me if I’m wrong, but if that’s true, that’s incredible. I could feel the love of this story with ever word. I was hooked.
The historical details, while skewed in a wink-wink way by the authors, are still given attention. There are the infuriating beliefs that women can’t do much aside from bearing heirs or that their opinions don’t matter, but like I said, this is skewed history, and the authors do skew history in a satisfying way. The fantasy elements are very fascinating and had me smiling from the silliness. If you love animals, especially horses, you will love this book.
I loved all of the characters. Each person was multi-faceted. Edward may be king, but he’s still a boy with hopes. G may be conflicted by his status as a second son and his secret, but he’s passionate and kind. Jane is bookish and knows about the world predominately through what she’s read, but she’s ready for battle and whip smart. Even the secondary characters are well done. I was with them every step of the way. I enjoyed seeing them develop as the story progressed. Fortunately, Jane still loves her books.
The “from hate to love” romance trope is my favorite, and the story uses this one expertly. Jane and G don’t hate each other exactly; they’re more indifferent to one another. As time goes by and they get to know each other, that indifference changes into friendship, that friendship to love. Edward has a slow burn romance that had me wondering when they were going to kiss. Both of these romances were touching and had me smiling while wiping away tears.
Get thee to thy nearest bookstore and read this one!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jillian
REACTIONS WHILE READING MY LADY JANE:
The dedication in the beginning sets the perfect tone for this book.
Um, these ladies scare me already. No one is safe in their hands! --->
"We are merely narrators, and would hate to make assumptions as to what readers would find tragic."
The humor in this book is 1000% my kind of humor. (page 3)
"Poor King Edward, now under the ground.
Hacked his lungs out. They've yet to be found." (Thought of by Edward himself.)
This is all really just grand. XD (page 19)
I really like Jane. She's got her nose stuck in a book, except for when action is needed, then she charges on ahead.
This is 100% how I feel about books and reading.
"And most of all, she loved the way that books could transport her from her otherwise mundane and stifling life and offer experiences of a hundred other lives. Through books she could see the world."
Jane's history with suitors should (a) scare Lord Gifford, and (b) indicate a highly entertaining story lies ahead. (page 30)
G, this is the start of a beautiful something. (page 40)
Scandalous!! (page 41)
Oh my, G. That was totally unexpected and an entirely perfect turn of events. (page 49)
(In regards to a certain quotation on page 74) *Snickers* This is way funnier than it should be.
The humor in this book is completely what I needed in my life right now.
Why do I get the feeling my heart might get bruised before the end?
Yup, definitely worried about what these authors have planned.
And the plot thickens ---> my favorite kind of plots.
I am going to use this logic the next time someone says I have too many books. (page 131)
"He wanted to tell her she'd have more room if she'd just get rid of her books, but he supposed that in her case, it would be like telling a mother she'd have more room if she threw out her children."
Underneath all the humor is actually some pretty serious topics.
This book reminds me a lot of the movie A Knight's Tale in that it is a historical story that doesn't completely respect the boundaries of time. (page 145)
"The king was in trouble, or, as they would have phrased it at the time, up ye olde creek sans ye paddle."
G, for your comic, yet entirely well meaning "get her a book" thought, I have decided I now love you.
I like that the Edians are influenced by their animal instincts.
This book is all I ever wanted it to be. (page 200)
Who indeed?
"Who on Earth could feel comfortable enough to sleep in a room with no books?"
Thank you dearest Jane for possessing a brain.
The titles of all the books Jane has read ("real" and what G theorizes she has read) are some of my favorite parts of My Lady Jane.
All I can think of now is Gaston AND I'm singing the song. (She was he one, the lucky girl he was going to marry.)
"She was the one, he decided. The lucky girl he was going to kiss."
Oh, how very true this is and yet, is it?
"The despair in books was a distant, safe thing."
Jane is now describing the very first book hangover in recorded history.
AHA!
I KNEW IT! Somehow, I am not at all surprised. XD (And when you get there, I bet you aren't either.)
*sings* Romantic tension...
This might be my favorite line, but I cannot repeat it because, as River Song would say: "Spoilers." (page 329)
You knock on some wood right now characters, we do not talk of "Happy Ever Afters" before the climax of the story.
Gran is scary. Gran is boss. Gran wins all.
"The GWBR" : And now I'm channeling The Princess Bride.
G, I love you.
No more time for writing comments down. Must read faster.
Dear Narrators, don't tell me to worry for my friends. Sincerely, Already Panicked. (page 438)
Oh? That's his notable gift? XD *snickers* (page 455)
Jane has read all these great books. I'm starting to notice a lack of "practical" books in my repertoire.
It is a good line, G. (page 463)
OVERALL
A big thank you to everyone involved in the ARC tour for letting me participate. My Lady Jane was a great read. Despite it's approximately 500 pages, it flew by so fast.
The characters were well written and lovable. The plot was a fantastic reimaging of Lady Jane Gray's life. It's hard to imaging falling in love with a story like this when you know what really happened to the characters involved but the authors did a wonderful job with it all.
If you are looking for a historical YA novel to read, I highly recommend My Lady Jane.
The dedication in the beginning sets the perfect tone for this book.
Um, these ladies scare me already. No one is safe in their hands! --->
"We are merely narrators, and would hate to make assumptions as to what readers would find tragic."
The humor in this book is 1000% my kind of humor. (page 3)
"Poor King Edward, now under the ground.
Hacked his lungs out. They've yet to be found." (Thought of by Edward himself.)
This is all really just grand. XD (page 19)
I really like Jane. She's got her nose stuck in a book, except for when action is needed, then she charges on ahead.
This is 100% how I feel about books and reading.
"And most of all, she loved the way that books could transport her from her otherwise mundane and stifling life and offer experiences of a hundred other lives. Through books she could see the world."
Jane's history with suitors should (a) scare Lord Gifford, and (b) indicate a highly entertaining story lies ahead. (page 30)
G, this is the start of a beautiful something. (page 40)
Scandalous!! (page 41)
Oh my, G. That was totally unexpected and an entirely perfect turn of events. (page 49)
(In regards to a certain quotation on page 74) *Snickers* This is way funnier than it should be.
The humor in this book is completely what I needed in my life right now.
Why do I get the feeling my heart might get bruised before the end?
Yup, definitely worried about what these authors have planned.
And the plot thickens ---> my favorite kind of plots.
I am going to use this logic the next time someone says I have too many books. (page 131)
"He wanted to tell her she'd have more room if she'd just get rid of her books, but he supposed that in her case, it would be like telling a mother she'd have more room if she threw out her children."
Underneath all the humor is actually some pretty serious topics.
This book reminds me a lot of the movie A Knight's Tale in that it is a historical story that doesn't completely respect the boundaries of time. (page 145)
"The king was in trouble, or, as they would have phrased it at the time, up ye olde creek sans ye paddle."
G, for your comic, yet entirely well meaning "get her a book" thought, I have decided I now love you.
I like that the Edians are influenced by their animal instincts.
This book is all I ever wanted it to be. (page 200)
Who indeed?
"Who on Earth could feel comfortable enough to sleep in a room with no books?"
Thank you dearest Jane for possessing a brain.
The titles of all the books Jane has read ("real" and what G theorizes she has read) are some of my favorite parts of My Lady Jane.
All I can think of now is Gaston AND I'm singing the song. (She was he one, the lucky girl he was going to marry.)
"She was the one, he decided. The lucky girl he was going to kiss."
Oh, how very true this is and yet, is it?
"The despair in books was a distant, safe thing."
Jane is now describing the very first book hangover in recorded history.
AHA!
I KNEW IT! Somehow, I am not at all surprised. XD (And when you get there, I bet you aren't either.)
*sings* Romantic tension...
This might be my favorite line, but I cannot repeat it because, as River Song would say: "Spoilers." (page 329)
You knock on some wood right now characters, we do not talk of "Happy Ever Afters" before the climax of the story.
Gran is scary. Gran is boss. Gran wins all.
"The GWBR" : And now I'm channeling The Princess Bride.
G, I love you.
No more time for writing comments down. Must read faster.
Dear Narrators, don't tell me to worry for my friends. Sincerely, Already Panicked. (page 438)
Oh? That's his notable gift? XD *snickers* (page 455)
Jane has read all these great books. I'm starting to notice a lack of "practical" books in my repertoire.
It is a good line, G. (page 463)
OVERALL
A big thank you to everyone involved in the ARC tour for letting me participate. My Lady Jane was a great read. Despite it's approximately 500 pages, it flew by so fast.
The characters were well written and lovable. The plot was a fantastic reimaging of Lady Jane Gray's life. It's hard to imaging falling in love with a story like this when you know what really happened to the characters involved but the authors did a wonderful job with it all.
If you are looking for a historical YA novel to read, I highly recommend My Lady Jane.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
cori atkins
*in best infomercial voice-over*
Do you like clever, hilarious stories filled with charming characters and shippy ship goodness? Then My Lady Jane is the book for you.
I’m not even exaggerating. This book is WONDERFUL. I blasted through it in one sitting, laughing hysterically ACTUALLY OUT LOUD WHERE PEOPLE COULD HEAR ME, and couldn’t have stopped smiling even if I’d tried (and I tried).
So obviously, this isn’t a purely historical story. Instead it’s an almost irreverent reimagining of the time period following Henry VIII’s death BUT WITH COOL SHAPE-SHIFTING MAGIC. Edward reigns, power-hungry machinators machinate and poor Lady Jane Grey is caught in the crossfires because she’s Edwards best friend and who he names his heir. Quite frankly I prefer the Lady Janies version to actual history because the characters they’ve created in Edward, Jane, and Gifford stole my heart far more than the tragic figures I learned about in high school.
The character development is excellent. Normally, I’m not a fan of the multi-POV. I get frustrated when things jump around and usually the POVs all sound the same to me, but it worked very well in MLJ. Each author wrote a POV character in Jane, Gifford and Edward so they all have very distinct voices and you get to see each of them really grow over the course of the story. Edward is hands down my favorite. He’s not the cleverest and he is surprisingly naive but he grows up a lot over the course of the book and his relationship/banter with Gracie was one of my favorite parts of the book. Much ship, very yes. I just really have a soft spot for the kid.
I also loved Jane a lot, of course. She’s witty and snarky and just completely done with all of the s*** happening around/to her that she has no control or influence over. All she really wants is some control over her life and that really struck a chord with me. She’s a total badass and was easy to root for because she is clearly superior to all of the males and they could never survive without her. Plus she’s a hardcore reader/book lover, so clearly a girl after my own heart.
Gifford (call me G) was probably my least favorite character. He could be charming and I liked him more as the book progressed but he never quite meshed for me. Mostly I liked him best when he was bantering with Jane. SO MUCH HATE TO LOVE SHIPPY GOODNESS *swoons*
The plot is also excellent. Underneath all the witty banter, humor and pop-culture references are some serious conflicts for the characters – both external and internal. A LOT of stuff happens but it never feels like TOO much and I didn’t feel like any threads were left hanging at the end. And the pacing was also really excellent. The book is fairly long, but it never dragged for me at all. I also particularly loved the Edian vs. Verities conflict. It was an interesting twist to the actual Catholic vs. Protestant religious wars that were going on at the time, and honestly a preferable one because I get bored with religious conflict fairly quickly.
Seriously, even if historical fiction isn’t normally your jam, I would recommend this book because it is unlike any historical YA out there. And if you are a historical fiction lover, don’t be thrown off by the lack of historical accuracy. It has something for everyone. THERE IS A MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS CAMEO, WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
Do you like clever, hilarious stories filled with charming characters and shippy ship goodness? Then My Lady Jane is the book for you.
I’m not even exaggerating. This book is WONDERFUL. I blasted through it in one sitting, laughing hysterically ACTUALLY OUT LOUD WHERE PEOPLE COULD HEAR ME, and couldn’t have stopped smiling even if I’d tried (and I tried).
So obviously, this isn’t a purely historical story. Instead it’s an almost irreverent reimagining of the time period following Henry VIII’s death BUT WITH COOL SHAPE-SHIFTING MAGIC. Edward reigns, power-hungry machinators machinate and poor Lady Jane Grey is caught in the crossfires because she’s Edwards best friend and who he names his heir. Quite frankly I prefer the Lady Janies version to actual history because the characters they’ve created in Edward, Jane, and Gifford stole my heart far more than the tragic figures I learned about in high school.
The character development is excellent. Normally, I’m not a fan of the multi-POV. I get frustrated when things jump around and usually the POVs all sound the same to me, but it worked very well in MLJ. Each author wrote a POV character in Jane, Gifford and Edward so they all have very distinct voices and you get to see each of them really grow over the course of the story. Edward is hands down my favorite. He’s not the cleverest and he is surprisingly naive but he grows up a lot over the course of the book and his relationship/banter with Gracie was one of my favorite parts of the book. Much ship, very yes. I just really have a soft spot for the kid.
I also loved Jane a lot, of course. She’s witty and snarky and just completely done with all of the s*** happening around/to her that she has no control or influence over. All she really wants is some control over her life and that really struck a chord with me. She’s a total badass and was easy to root for because she is clearly superior to all of the males and they could never survive without her. Plus she’s a hardcore reader/book lover, so clearly a girl after my own heart.
Gifford (call me G) was probably my least favorite character. He could be charming and I liked him more as the book progressed but he never quite meshed for me. Mostly I liked him best when he was bantering with Jane. SO MUCH HATE TO LOVE SHIPPY GOODNESS *swoons*
The plot is also excellent. Underneath all the witty banter, humor and pop-culture references are some serious conflicts for the characters – both external and internal. A LOT of stuff happens but it never feels like TOO much and I didn’t feel like any threads were left hanging at the end. And the pacing was also really excellent. The book is fairly long, but it never dragged for me at all. I also particularly loved the Edian vs. Verities conflict. It was an interesting twist to the actual Catholic vs. Protestant religious wars that were going on at the time, and honestly a preferable one because I get bored with religious conflict fairly quickly.
Seriously, even if historical fiction isn’t normally your jam, I would recommend this book because it is unlike any historical YA out there. And if you are a historical fiction lover, don’t be thrown off by the lack of historical accuracy. It has something for everyone. THERE IS A MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS CAMEO, WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
nori
This is an alternative history version of the story of Lady Jane Grey. In real history, young King Edward VI dies, Jane becomes Queen for nine days, after which she is beheaded once Queen Mary takes over the throne. In My Lady Jane, things happen quite differently.
Shape-shifting is a common thing in this version of Tudor England, with King Henry VIII having been a lion in nature as well as spirit. The young King Edward VI and his cousin (and dear friend) Jane Grey have never shown signs of shape-shifting, much to their disappointment. This shape-shifting is persecuted off and on, depending on the King, and Edward's sister Mary is intent that the persecution should begin again.
Bookworm Jane is married off to the youngest son (who becomes a horse during daylight hours) of the sickly King's adviser, and Edward is persuaded to make her his heir. Treason and treachery abound, with Jane being used as a pawn. This is a fairy tale, though, and so the reader can expect a happy ending for this Jane Grey.
This was a delightful, light, humorous, and enjoyable fantasy. The characters were mostly well-developed and quite likable. The plot was, naturally, fantastical, but also oddly believable. The ambiance of the 16th century was mostly true to history, with the big exception being the addition of tea to a country that would need to wait another 100 years before experiencing it. (Granted, this is a fantasy, and the authors can do what they want.)
The chapters rotated between the point of view of the three main characters, with each author responsible for one character. This was effective, though there wasn't a definite distinctness of character voice. Regardless, My Lady Jane was a fun read which kept me interested until the end and deserves a solid four stars.
Shape-shifting is a common thing in this version of Tudor England, with King Henry VIII having been a lion in nature as well as spirit. The young King Edward VI and his cousin (and dear friend) Jane Grey have never shown signs of shape-shifting, much to their disappointment. This shape-shifting is persecuted off and on, depending on the King, and Edward's sister Mary is intent that the persecution should begin again.
Bookworm Jane is married off to the youngest son (who becomes a horse during daylight hours) of the sickly King's adviser, and Edward is persuaded to make her his heir. Treason and treachery abound, with Jane being used as a pawn. This is a fairy tale, though, and so the reader can expect a happy ending for this Jane Grey.
This was a delightful, light, humorous, and enjoyable fantasy. The characters were mostly well-developed and quite likable. The plot was, naturally, fantastical, but also oddly believable. The ambiance of the 16th century was mostly true to history, with the big exception being the addition of tea to a country that would need to wait another 100 years before experiencing it. (Granted, this is a fantasy, and the authors can do what they want.)
The chapters rotated between the point of view of the three main characters, with each author responsible for one character. This was effective, though there wasn't a definite distinctness of character voice. Regardless, My Lady Jane was a fun read which kept me interested until the end and deserves a solid four stars.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
mengkai
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
‘My Lady Jane’ was lyrical, humorous, melodic. Though not so much in the writing style. Don’t expect copious these and thous as expected in the historical setting of the novel. The narrative is decidedly modern and relatable. I was amused the entirety of the novel. It has sassy female characters helping to deconstruct the battle of the sexes and equality for women oodles before it’s time. Not to mention the magical element of characters suddenly transforming into one animal or another. It was all pulled off with charm and grace that befalls royalty – with all the political intrigue and macabre plots of assassination that comes in tow.
It strongly reminded me of ‘The Princess Bride’ and ‘Ella The Enchanted.’ Both with tones of whimsy, fun characters, and an interesting plot.
Jane is the epitome of every head-strong bookish heroine I’ve ever come across. She is stubborn and sticks fast to her beliefs – even in the face of certain death (which she may or may not see coming.) I love how she believes that books hold the answers to everything… a girl after my own heart. Even with the Victorian/Edwardian social pressures of being married off and being owned by a husband, Jane’s attitudes are years ahead of her time, making her obstinately endearing. The predicaments she finds herself in, dangerous or not, due to her pig-headedness and romanticism of life is something I myself do on a daily basis. So to say I related to Jane on a molecular level is not farfetched. And yes, I am a ginger too :)
Edward, the king, is a man on the verge of an awakening – to that of the feminine whiles. Those of his cousin Jane, and the various women he meets on his journey. I remember at University, discussions on how history has been written primarily by white men in power and their perspective. Women and people of colour are often forgotten or villainised. If history were to be rewritten by women, I feel it should capture the spirit much like that of ‘My Lady Jane’ All those untold stories of female heroism and plotting and planning behind the scenes. Edward gets to experience the prejudices of class, gender, race (Edians) and have it shape him into a different person… I totally loved this.
G was adorable. Who doesn’t love horses. And cute guys? G (Gifford) was both rolled into one. While I found his ‘curse’ on the surface preposterous, it was in fact the source of great comedy. I think it also kept G in a state of innocence and adolescence longer to enable him to grow and develop as a character with Jane, rather than in the male aristocracy. He was in effect, mostly untouched by the prejudices of that era, and we see him go through an awakening similar to that of Edward.
‘My Lady Jane’ looks like a chunky book. And I have to admit, being classified with the historical fiction tag turned me off somewhat, that I had neglected to start reading for some time after its purchase. It was the continual positive reviews I saw popping up on my feed that finally did me in to give it a read… My idea of historical fiction is the likes of Chaucer and Jane Austin, where the language and social custom ooze from the page, where the tome is rich with subtext and symbolism – ultimately making it a little dense and difficult to read. You need to pay attention with these sorts of books. ‘My Lady Jane’ is nothing like that. It’s light, funny and has hints of fantasy.
Given this light tone of the narrative, I felt the novel for the most part was predictable – who would create a dark conclusion to such an upbeat novel – that is just nasty! This was like an entertaining rom-com, and I did not mind that things turned out the way I hoped they would – it gave me great satisfaction.
I almost cheered aloud when I read those famous words “Off with her head!”
‘My Lady Jane’ exceeded my expectations, granted they weren’t high, because I was anticipating an entirely different style of read, and while not exceptional, it definitely had me laughing and smiling. I engaged with the characters and was eager to see what was going to happen in the next chapter. A light Sunday read.
I may have rated it higher if the angst was dialled up slightly, and if I got that nervous energy in anticipation leading up to the climactic event of the novel. But the build was more subtle and the light comedic tone continued throughout – so not a big loss, but it softened the punch for me.
Some of the jokes felt like Dad jokes – but I always laugh at Dad jokes, so they appealed to my nature.
Looking forward to the next instalment of The Lady Janies ‘My Plain Jane’ due for release sometime in 2018 dealing with Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte. Bring it on!
‘My Lady Jane’ was lyrical, humorous, melodic. Though not so much in the writing style. Don’t expect copious these and thous as expected in the historical setting of the novel. The narrative is decidedly modern and relatable. I was amused the entirety of the novel. It has sassy female characters helping to deconstruct the battle of the sexes and equality for women oodles before it’s time. Not to mention the magical element of characters suddenly transforming into one animal or another. It was all pulled off with charm and grace that befalls royalty – with all the political intrigue and macabre plots of assassination that comes in tow.
It strongly reminded me of ‘The Princess Bride’ and ‘Ella The Enchanted.’ Both with tones of whimsy, fun characters, and an interesting plot.
Jane is the epitome of every head-strong bookish heroine I’ve ever come across. She is stubborn and sticks fast to her beliefs – even in the face of certain death (which she may or may not see coming.) I love how she believes that books hold the answers to everything… a girl after my own heart. Even with the Victorian/Edwardian social pressures of being married off and being owned by a husband, Jane’s attitudes are years ahead of her time, making her obstinately endearing. The predicaments she finds herself in, dangerous or not, due to her pig-headedness and romanticism of life is something I myself do on a daily basis. So to say I related to Jane on a molecular level is not farfetched. And yes, I am a ginger too :)
Edward, the king, is a man on the verge of an awakening – to that of the feminine whiles. Those of his cousin Jane, and the various women he meets on his journey. I remember at University, discussions on how history has been written primarily by white men in power and their perspective. Women and people of colour are often forgotten or villainised. If history were to be rewritten by women, I feel it should capture the spirit much like that of ‘My Lady Jane’ All those untold stories of female heroism and plotting and planning behind the scenes. Edward gets to experience the prejudices of class, gender, race (Edians) and have it shape him into a different person… I totally loved this.
G was adorable. Who doesn’t love horses. And cute guys? G (Gifford) was both rolled into one. While I found his ‘curse’ on the surface preposterous, it was in fact the source of great comedy. I think it also kept G in a state of innocence and adolescence longer to enable him to grow and develop as a character with Jane, rather than in the male aristocracy. He was in effect, mostly untouched by the prejudices of that era, and we see him go through an awakening similar to that of Edward.
‘My Lady Jane’ looks like a chunky book. And I have to admit, being classified with the historical fiction tag turned me off somewhat, that I had neglected to start reading for some time after its purchase. It was the continual positive reviews I saw popping up on my feed that finally did me in to give it a read… My idea of historical fiction is the likes of Chaucer and Jane Austin, where the language and social custom ooze from the page, where the tome is rich with subtext and symbolism – ultimately making it a little dense and difficult to read. You need to pay attention with these sorts of books. ‘My Lady Jane’ is nothing like that. It’s light, funny and has hints of fantasy.
Given this light tone of the narrative, I felt the novel for the most part was predictable – who would create a dark conclusion to such an upbeat novel – that is just nasty! This was like an entertaining rom-com, and I did not mind that things turned out the way I hoped they would – it gave me great satisfaction.
I almost cheered aloud when I read those famous words “Off with her head!”
‘My Lady Jane’ exceeded my expectations, granted they weren’t high, because I was anticipating an entirely different style of read, and while not exceptional, it definitely had me laughing and smiling. I engaged with the characters and was eager to see what was going to happen in the next chapter. A light Sunday read.
I may have rated it higher if the angst was dialled up slightly, and if I got that nervous energy in anticipation leading up to the climactic event of the novel. But the build was more subtle and the light comedic tone continued throughout – so not a big loss, but it softened the punch for me.
Some of the jokes felt like Dad jokes – but I always laugh at Dad jokes, so they appealed to my nature.
Looking forward to the next instalment of The Lady Janies ‘My Plain Jane’ due for release sometime in 2018 dealing with Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte. Bring it on!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
caroline ferguson
What an extremely fun novel! I honestly wasn't sure how I would feel about this, being a lover of the Tudor Dynasty. I was worried it might be too silly and was concerned how the addition of magic would go over. I have to say, the novel was nearly flawless. The different POV worked perfectly, the characters were lovable and interesting and the romance was really quite sweet. It is obvious going into this novel that the plot is going to go far from an accurate portrayal of history, but somehow the authors managed to keep just enough truth that had me agreeing and reading happily. As I already mentioned, My Lady Jane was fun. It was filled with so many great references from beloved things and people such as The Princess Bride, William Shakespeare, Disney films and Monty Python. I honestly found myself smiling throughout and laughing out loud with glee while reading. I would love to see a collected list of these nods so that I can see what I missed while reading. In a nutshell, My Lady Jane is a fantastical, hilarious, fun and sweet novel and I can't recommend it enough. Quite possibly my favorite read of 2016.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
bassem el shamy
This alternate universe history of the Tudor regime is a comical masterpiece by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton. I have read their books before, and I find that this collaboration was awesome in the fact that it combines their writing prowess into a book that is filled with horse puns, random author narration and a general levity to the grim original. The story begins with King Edward dying, of ‘The Affliction’, which I assume meant tuberculosis in those days. The authors have actually changed the whole Christian-Protestant thing into a war between Shape-shifters and humans, the former being persecuted by the latter. To ensure that the shifters are not victimized by Mary’s burning rage for them, Edward hands over the crown to Jane, after marrying her off to the second son of his most trusted advisor. There is naturally some conspiracy afoot, and after Jane gets crowned, a host of suspicious events occur. Needless to say, as this is an alternate universe, liberties are taken with history – in a way that you will love it.
Told from three perspectives – Jane, Edward and Gifford (Jane’s husband), as well as spontaneous input from the authors themselves, the storytelling is very vivid and lively. I could very easily picture this being a movie, and the characters are all so loveable. There is Jane, the eternal bookworm, who resents being married off to a seemingly promiscuous man, who turns into a horse (hence the horse puns) during the daytime. Gifford, for his part, adores her but is also unsure about how to tell her the truth about himself (he was not promiscuous) and how to manage his curse. Edward just wants to kiss a girl (preferably with tongue) and the crown kind of chafes his head. The three of them make an amusing trio and the addition of Gracie, the Scottish girl only made it more awesome. The mythology of the world was well-established, for a stand-alone. Overall, this is a book you should not miss!
Told from three perspectives – Jane, Edward and Gifford (Jane’s husband), as well as spontaneous input from the authors themselves, the storytelling is very vivid and lively. I could very easily picture this being a movie, and the characters are all so loveable. There is Jane, the eternal bookworm, who resents being married off to a seemingly promiscuous man, who turns into a horse (hence the horse puns) during the daytime. Gifford, for his part, adores her but is also unsure about how to tell her the truth about himself (he was not promiscuous) and how to manage his curse. Edward just wants to kiss a girl (preferably with tongue) and the crown kind of chafes his head. The three of them make an amusing trio and the addition of Gracie, the Scottish girl only made it more awesome. The mythology of the world was well-established, for a stand-alone. Overall, this is a book you should not miss!
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
devang doshi
First things first, this book is a trip! Seriously, I had such a blast reading My Lady Jane! I went into the book not knowing exactly what to expect. I knew it was a humorous retelling of the infamous tale of the real-life Lady Jane Grey and her rapid rise and fall from glory. I even had a some knowledge of the events surrounding her nine-day reign as the Queen of England…and I knew things did NOT end well. So, as I started this book, I wondered exactly how the authors would turn such a depressing and violent story into something, well…funny.
Guess what? They totally did it! My Lady Jane takes the story from all the history books, turns it on its head and gives it s humorous and magical spin. The best part? The story ends up being entertaining, heart-warming, inspiring and exciting. I didn’t want this book to end, and as I came to the final pages I found myself thinking “Surely The Lady Janies can dream up some sort of fun sequel so I don’t have to say goodbye to these characters I’ve come to love so much!”
While they used history to build the framework of the book, the authors let their imaginations run wild from there and demonstrated just how creative and funny they are. There wasn’t one moment where I wasn’t entertained or invested completely in the fates of each character. There was just enough reality to make it familiar, but with the added element of magic and tweaking of the story made it feel fresh and new.
There are three POVs in My Lady Jane, and each author was responsible for telling the story from Jane’s, Edward’s and Gifford’s perspective. I really enjoyed the fact that the authors chose to write this way, because each character had a distinct and recognizable voice filled with a ton of personality. I’m preeeetty sure I know who wrote Lady Jane’s POV, but I’ll leave it up to you to decide for yourself.
Guess what? They totally did it! My Lady Jane takes the story from all the history books, turns it on its head and gives it s humorous and magical spin. The best part? The story ends up being entertaining, heart-warming, inspiring and exciting. I didn’t want this book to end, and as I came to the final pages I found myself thinking “Surely The Lady Janies can dream up some sort of fun sequel so I don’t have to say goodbye to these characters I’ve come to love so much!”
While they used history to build the framework of the book, the authors let their imaginations run wild from there and demonstrated just how creative and funny they are. There wasn’t one moment where I wasn’t entertained or invested completely in the fates of each character. There was just enough reality to make it familiar, but with the added element of magic and tweaking of the story made it feel fresh and new.
There are three POVs in My Lady Jane, and each author was responsible for telling the story from Jane’s, Edward’s and Gifford’s perspective. I really enjoyed the fact that the authors chose to write this way, because each character had a distinct and recognizable voice filled with a ton of personality. I’m preeeetty sure I know who wrote Lady Jane’s POV, but I’ll leave it up to you to decide for yourself.
Please RateMy Lady Jane