drewanabri's review against another edition
3.0
I'm having trouble finding any sort of reasonable thing in this book to complain about. The historical aspects were well researched, the writing style was decent, the characters seemed real and fully fleshed out, the whole idea of a novel linking Katherine Plantagenet and Katherine Grey with the princes in the Tower was unique and interesting. Nonetheless, I was bored out of my mind through the whole book. But it wasn't so boring I could justify not finishing it. Overall, I was happy when I finally finished it and could move on to reading other things.
robyndansereau's review against another edition
4.0
It took longer than expected to get this review done, but I had lots of good things to say about it! Full review is here: https://robyntocker.weebly.com/a-dangerous-inheritance.html
ashleykhoffman's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't hate this book and I enjoyed getting to know two lesser written about historical ladies, but this book left a lot to be desired for me. I know the plot was basically already written (as it was mostly historically accurate with some author-taken liberties) but I think the connection between the two characters felt very forced and inorganic. The story's climax was unsurprising and fell flat. I kept thinking the mystery that was being spun would unravel in a big and spectacular way... and then it didn't. I felt very unsatisfied at the end, and after spending so many hours with a text, that's not an ideal feeling.
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - I loved Kate Plantagenet and her conviction that her father couldn't be guilty of murder. I also loved Katherine Grey and Ned as a couple and how they fought to preserve their love. I enjoyed this more towards the end. The first third seemed to be just setting the scene and the background, particularly on Katherine Grey. I was particularly intrigued by the side plot about the fate of the Princes in the Tower, and how Weir thinks it played out (without giving too much away!).
Genre? - Historical / Drama / Mystery / Romance
Characters? - Katherine Grey / Kate Plantagenet / Elizabeth I / William Cecil / Edward Seymour / Jane Grey / Katherine Haute / Richard III / Anne Neville / John Plantagenet / Edward of Middleham / Henry VII
Setting? - London & Middleham (England) / Raglan (Wales)
Series? - N/A
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 17/20
Genre? - Historical / Drama / Mystery / Romance
Characters? - Katherine Grey / Kate Plantagenet / Elizabeth I / William Cecil / Edward Seymour / Jane Grey / Katherine Haute / Richard III / Anne Neville / John Plantagenet / Edward of Middleham / Henry VII
Setting? - London & Middleham (England) / Raglan (Wales)
Series? - N/A
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 17/20
mrs_george's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting read on two Katherine's that I knew very little about. I found myself drawn more towards Katherine Grey at first, as I was more familiar with her family and that timeline but I became quite captivated by Katherine Plantagenet.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
4.0
Alison Weir seamlessly merges two tales of English royal turmoil and runs them side by side, even though they happened many years apart, in a way that shows you just how history seems to repeat itself. These were also some of the darker times in English history, as the youngest and most vulnerable – notably the boy princes Edward and Richard that were locked away never to be seen again.
As for historical accuracy – I can honestly say I don’t know much about the real-life story of these individuals other than the couple paragraphs I read in history class.
The writing and characters really come to life, and I felt so mad about how the adults treated the younger generation – using them as pawns and political game pieces. It was common then, I know, but Alison Weir really showed me how it might have felt to be used that way. To fall in love and dream of being happy only to know that your life really isn’t your own.
The conflict surrounding the royalty of England is what draws me to the era. And there was definitely conflict here. But there were also softer moments where I really had a chance to enjoy life with the characters before things went crazy again.
I highly recommend Alison Weir’s books – they are always a pleasure to read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
As for historical accuracy – I can honestly say I don’t know much about the real-life story of these individuals other than the couple paragraphs I read in history class.
The writing and characters really come to life, and I felt so mad about how the adults treated the younger generation – using them as pawns and political game pieces. It was common then, I know, but Alison Weir really showed me how it might have felt to be used that way. To fall in love and dream of being happy only to know that your life really isn’t your own.
The conflict surrounding the royalty of England is what draws me to the era. And there was definitely conflict here. But there were also softer moments where I really had a chance to enjoy life with the characters before things went crazy again.
I highly recommend Alison Weir’s books – they are always a pleasure to read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
maddyb001's review against another edition
2.0
This book needed to focus. Both of the storylines were weakened by the random alternation because they didn't really connect well.
magdon's review against another edition
2.0
Seemed like a lot of build up and possibility for a very standard payoff. Although I did find the idea of Richard III's daughter interesting since I didn't know of her.
nogenreleftbehind's review against another edition
4.0
Alison Weir seamlessly merges two tales of English royal turmoil and runs them side by side, even though they happened many years apart, in a way that shows you just how history seems to repeat itself. These were also some of the darker times in English history, as the youngest and most vulnerable – notably the boy princes Edward and Richard that were locked away never to be seen again.
As for historical accuracy – I can honestly say I don’t know much about the real-life story of these individuals other than the couple paragraphs I read in history class.
The writing and characters really come to life, and I felt so mad about how the adults treated the younger generation – using them as pawns and political game pieces. It was common then, I know, but Alison Weir really showed me how it might have felt to be used that way. To fall in love and dream of being happy only to know that your life really isn’t your own.
The conflict surrounding the royalty of England is what draws me to the era. And there was definitely conflict here. But there were also softer moments where I really had a chance to enjoy life with the characters before things went crazy again.
I highly recommend Alison Weir’s books – they are always a pleasure to read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
As for historical accuracy – I can honestly say I don’t know much about the real-life story of these individuals other than the couple paragraphs I read in history class.
The writing and characters really come to life, and I felt so mad about how the adults treated the younger generation – using them as pawns and political game pieces. It was common then, I know, but Alison Weir really showed me how it might have felt to be used that way. To fall in love and dream of being happy only to know that your life really isn’t your own.
The conflict surrounding the royalty of England is what draws me to the era. And there was definitely conflict here. But there were also softer moments where I really had a chance to enjoy life with the characters before things went crazy again.
I highly recommend Alison Weir’s books – they are always a pleasure to read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
katemarlowe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Being related to the crown sounds like a dream. The parties, the fancy clothing…the intrigue, and bonus, you don’t have the pressure of ruling the country. But sadly, this could be the most dangerous position to be in. Alison Weir gives us a fantastic retelling in A Dangerous Inheritance where we see 4 children in our history who were too close to the crown to be comfortable. Their status was a threat to the reigning monarchs and as a result they were imprisoned in the Tower, never to be heard from again. Sharing the same room throughout a century, we get a highlight of the birth of the Tudor Dynasty and the lives of the children who suffered so others could keep their power. Weir delivers a well-studied piece of history, filling in the gaps with her education and background in European History. I loved seeing the viewpoints of these historical figures, who were in their teen years attempting to fight for their lives.