Review:I've read some of Philippa Gregory's other works and enjoyed them. That being said, this is not one of my favorites of hers.

Catalina, the Infanta of Spain, was born to be Princess of Wales and Queen of England. She believes it is her duty and right by birth. When she finally reaches of age, she makes the journey to England where she is married to Arthur, future King of England. After Arthur's untimely death however, she has to find a way to reclaim her place and try to betroth hersel... Read more

Review:I've read quite a few of Gregory's other books and enjoyed them. This one wasn't as good as the others. Although I appreciate the fact that focusing on the years that Mary Stuart was a prisoner in England is a different focus for telling her story, the down side is that all of the most exciting parts of her story have already happened and are being retold or remembered. Since Mary is a prisoner there is really nothing for her to do, except plot and flirt.
The Earl of Shrewsbury is depicted as... Read more

Review:Let's be clear, I am a bit saddened that this is her last book (and she's definitely not going out with a bang here). She really inspired me to do the research into the true history of the Tudors & Plantagenet families, so I know more of what really went on, and I read her work for the drama, not the historical accuracy. I do feel she could go on with these characters and we'd all still buy!

That aside, I trudged through this book. Jane Seymour was pious and boring, she seemed a mixtu... Read more

Review:...that Ms. Gregory felt she had to resort to the crude and vulgar story lines in this series. Yes, I read all three. They came in a set and I was hoping the other two books would explain whys and wherefores of the first book, perhaps to redeem the characters and justify their actions. They didn't. The plot and characters just got worse and worse. And like a car wreck, I couldn't help but look.

As many have said, there are no redeeming qualities in any of the main characters. I hoped f... Read more

Review:Brings to life a very tumultuous period and the lives of key women who endured it. Jacquetta was a strong woman, astute and formidable. Well ahead of her time. This book brings her perspective and experiences to life and draws the reader in. Read more

Review:I just downloaded and started this book today, so this review only covers the first few chapters. I am trying to get into the book, but the glaring mistakes in editing are really taking me out of the story. The very first sentence is a prime example:"The hammering on the door shot him into wakefulness like a handgun going off in his face." Really? A handgun? In a book set in 1453???? How does the protagonist know what a handgun is? Hello there, first of many anachronisms.
Later the author des... Read more

Review:This is the first time I write a review. Ever. I loved this book so much, I had to write one. I have read everything Margaret has ever written; and in my opinion, this is her best work so far! With this book, she took me on an emotional journey that had me laughing, crying (yes, crying! I haven't cried while reading a novel since I was a teenager!), and wishing for the painful demise of a few nasty villains. When she began writing it, I was skeptical that I would love another series as muc... Read more

Review:This book is in the author's Tudor series; however, it steps further into the mystical that I was expecting. It is well written, but if you are looking for another Tudor book like The Other Boleyn Girl you might be disappointed. Read more

Review:I have to say, I found the main romance of this novel more than a bit unbelievable, but once I suspended my disbelief and gave the story a chance, it became very moving. I think one of the best things about the story is how every main character, no matter how misguided or negative their actions, is not a bad person. They all make mistakes, but they all have an element of decency, and each of them is trying to do what he or she feels is the right thing to do. The book is another affirmation of... Read more

Review:You've been warned, but I'll say it again...

***SPOILERS***...and great big ones.

Got that? *There.* *Are.* Spoilers.*
Spoilers Spoilers Spoilers.

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All right, then. Where do I even begin?

I love Philippa Gregory. I do. Normally.

This series? Oh, Philippa. I was able to forgive her for Wildacre, as it was, after all, her first published novel. So all the melodrama, the strange changes in tenses, the weak switching ... Read more