Review:The book was not an easy read as you lived the struggle. I felt as if the author could have shortened it a tad without taking away from the content. It was a solid story. Personally, it was a draining book to read. The ending was a bit of a surprise. Overall I thought the author did an excellent job. Read more

Review:I would have rated this higher, but I found the first torture scene very disturbing. Some friends convinced me to continue with the book; and I am very glad I did, but I was always waiting for that next torture scene with immense trepidation. I liked the role of women in WW2. Read more

Review:I have always enjoyed Philippa Gregory's writing. After reading The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool, I wondered how I could go wrong with her other efforts. I went very wrong.
The premise of Wideacre is innocent enough. A young girl, Beatrice Lacey, is in love with her family land and wishes to inherit it. INstead, she is stuck in a time when men were the rulers and women barely got to go to the bathroom by themselves. Her brother, a whiny boy, isn't in love with the land and lack... Read more

Review:I was sorely disappointed in this book, having heard from several people how good it was. Unlike most of the nonfiction work I have read, Queen Elizabeth is made out in this story to be an indecisive romantic simpleton who had to be lead to every important decision she made by the men surrounding her. Instead of masterfully playing the field to keep alliances as most historians feel she did, she is portrayed as whining and indecisive about her lovelife as well, controlled totally by Robert Dud... Read more

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:I enjoyed this portrayal of Katherine Howard and Anne of Cleves in this book. It certainly is a different concept to previous Philippa Gregory novels. I also appreciated the narrative of Jane Boleyn, right up to her beheading! 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