jessln23's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
frogautumn's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sparker94's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aminasbookshelf's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Henry was never meant to succeed to the throne but after the death of his elder brother he becomes the heir. The Tudor dynasty was new and insecure so Henry feels that he has to ensure succession by fathering sons. That proves to be difficult and his passions mean that he acts in haste yet regrets later. Surrounding him also is the question of religious reform. When all his advisers are jockeying for power and favour, can Henry be the glorious monarch he envisions himself as?
First and foremost Weir is a historian and that is what rings out from this book. She has pieced together the historical fact, written known sayings as dialogue and carried the timeline faithfully. In that respect the book is a joy. However it is ambitious to try to convey the character of one of the most mercurial kings ever. In her female led historical fiction Weir pitches it just right, here I found some of the writing a little clunky. However I am more than prepared to forgive that as this is an ambitious and entertaining novel.
First and foremost Weir is a historian and that is what rings out from this book. She has pieced together the historical fact, written known sayings as dialogue and carried the timeline faithfully. In that respect the book is a joy. However it is ambitious to try to convey the character of one of the most mercurial kings ever. In her female led historical fiction Weir pitches it just right, here I found some of the writing a little clunky. However I am more than prepared to forgive that as this is an ambitious and entertaining novel.
abbyinbookland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zoeeann's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
helenephoebe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
emma_therabbithole's review against another edition
5.0
There was a time of my life where I exclusively read historical fiction based on Tudor. It’s an era which has always fascinated me, and so I was very excited to read Henry VIII: The Heart and the Crown.
All told from Henry’s pov it follows him from his youth shortly after his brother, Prince Arthur’s, death. The reader gets a front row seat to all his loves and dalliances, as well as the monstrous acts of beheading two of his wives.
I went into this with very little sympathy for him, but what Weir has done here is brilliant. She shows us Henry, the man. The good, the bad and all the shades between. A man with great, almost unimaginable power, but because of it, is vulnerable to manipulation and increasing paranoia.
His actions changed the path of this country for all time, and while this book does not condone or excuse his actions, it does give an insight into the background and why he behaved the way he did.
It’s been my bedtime book over the last few weeks, and I’ve loved every moment of it.
All told from Henry’s pov it follows him from his youth shortly after his brother, Prince Arthur’s, death. The reader gets a front row seat to all his loves and dalliances, as well as the monstrous acts of beheading two of his wives.
I went into this with very little sympathy for him, but what Weir has done here is brilliant. She shows us Henry, the man. The good, the bad and all the shades between. A man with great, almost unimaginable power, but because of it, is vulnerable to manipulation and increasing paranoia.
His actions changed the path of this country for all time, and while this book does not condone or excuse his actions, it does give an insight into the background and why he behaved the way he did.
It’s been my bedtime book over the last few weeks, and I’ve loved every moment of it.