ruth's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
wagmore's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
The story itself moves along pretty well. There are some pretty interesting and well-drawn characters.
My quibble is the "historical" part of this historical novel. Yes, there's history. Sometimes too much: names, places and facts seem to be pasted on to make sure that it's historical. The flip side is: The story took place in the middle of the 16th century, but I never saw the dirt under the fingernails, the greasy hair, the missing teeth or smelled the sewage running down the middle street in the village.
To say it another way, the author told me history instead of showing me history.
To sum up--a good read, but coulda been better.
The story itself moves along pretty well. There are some pretty interesting and well-drawn characters.
My quibble is the "historical" part of this historical novel. Yes, there's history. Sometimes too much: names, places and facts seem to be pasted on to make sure that it's historical. The flip side is: The story took place in the middle of the 16th century, but I never saw the dirt under the fingernails, the greasy hair, the missing teeth or smelled the sewage running down the middle street in the village.
To say it another way, the author told me history instead of showing me history.
To sum up--a good read, but coulda been better.
napqueeniereads's review against another edition
5.0
I'm an atheist so reading books that deal in religion isn't high on my list, but I love to read about the history of Christianity so this book was a good read for me. I learned a lot of new things in The Crown and a lot about historical figures I hadn't heard of before.
I loved the mystery behind the Athelstan crown. It had such a rich and deathly history surrounding it, and being hidden made it even more intriguing.
Sister Joanna was a fabulous character. She was such a brave young girl in a hard world. She kept her head high in the face of the men that would speak down to her and threaten her. Not only that but she was clever and wily, and it served her well. I loved that she always stuck up for her beliefs and for her family no matter what.
I don't remember every being bored reading this. There was something continually happening to keep me from wanting to put it down. The history didn't end up overshadowing the present problems. It helped to illuminate and lead the characters in making certain choices.
I also found life in a priory in those days to be very interesting as well. It was fascinating to learn what a novice did with her days and what rules they had to follow.
This was really a great historical fiction novel and I enjoyed every bit of it and I can't wait to read The Chalice next.
I loved the mystery behind the Athelstan crown. It had such a rich and deathly history surrounding it, and being hidden made it even more intriguing.
Sister Joanna was a fabulous character. She was such a brave young girl in a hard world. She kept her head high in the face of the men that would speak down to her and threaten her. Not only that but she was clever and wily, and it served her well. I loved that she always stuck up for her beliefs and for her family no matter what.
I don't remember every being bored reading this. There was something continually happening to keep me from wanting to put it down. The history didn't end up overshadowing the present problems. It helped to illuminate and lead the characters in making certain choices.
I also found life in a priory in those days to be very interesting as well. It was fascinating to learn what a novice did with her days and what rules they had to follow.
This was really a great historical fiction novel and I enjoyed every bit of it and I can't wait to read The Chalice next.
jeremy_bearimy's review
3.0
Rounding down from 3.5. I'm a sucker for historical fiction and enjoyed the bit of Da Vinci Code style mystery thrown in. In this case, I found that I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened, not because I enjoyed the actual reading. Too many cliches and twists that made no sense other than to extend the plot line. (For example, the note that she received in her bed could have just said "hey, investigate X person" versus "go track down a tapestry that is far away and oh by the way there are actually two tapestries that this could refer to so good luck with that".)
This may make me a mean girl but I also didn't like Joanna. She seemed too good to be true. Her only fault appears to be that she's stubborn, which we're reminded of at least once a chapter, but even that is spun as a strength. She is clearly a woman of devout faith but the brash actions she takes throughout the story don't suggest a good fit with the life of a nun. I want to know how the love triangle resolves, but on the other hand it's confusing that a woman who swears she wants to be a nun would be in a love triangle. And then people are telling her she would make an excellent prioress? Really?
I tried tracking down a plot summary of the sequel to this book so I could know what happens without actually reading the darn thing but no luck. Oh well.
This may make me a mean girl but I also didn't like Joanna. She seemed too good to be true. Her only fault appears to be that she's stubborn, which we're reminded of at least once a chapter, but even that is spun as a strength. She is clearly a woman of devout faith but the brash actions she takes throughout the story don't suggest a good fit with the life of a nun. I want to know how the love triangle resolves, but on the other hand it's confusing that a woman who swears she wants to be a nun would be in a love triangle. And then people are telling her she would make an excellent prioress? Really?
I tried tracking down a plot summary of the sequel to this book so I could know what happens without actually reading the darn thing but no luck. Oh well.
shanshantastic's review
5.0
Excerpted from my review at http://www.luxuryreading.com (review copy provided by Touchstone):
Nancy Bilyeau's The Crown is an exquisite, compelling tale set in the most famous years of Henry VIII's reign...Bilyeau's prose is beautifully constructed without feeling contrived; it is easy to fall into the story and stay there for hours. As the story relies heavily on centuries of history, her descriptions are woven into each chapter with a precision that can enlighten even those least familiar with the background while never faltering in her quest to entertain.
Her narrative brilliance extends to the characters that bring her story to life. Joanna is a dynamic and refreshing heroine, dedicated to her priory and to her family, brilliant and daring in equal measure. The supporting characters are no less impressive; each has a secret that, when revealed, brings the complex plot closer to its unexpected, moving conclusion.
The Crown would be an exceptional offering from an established author; as a first novel, Bilyeau has surpassed extraordinary. Lovers of history, mystery, intrigue or a strong heroine will get hours of enjoyment from this story time and time again. I can't wait to read whatever Bilyeau writes next!
Nancy Bilyeau's The Crown is an exquisite, compelling tale set in the most famous years of Henry VIII's reign...Bilyeau's prose is beautifully constructed without feeling contrived; it is easy to fall into the story and stay there for hours. As the story relies heavily on centuries of history, her descriptions are woven into each chapter with a precision that can enlighten even those least familiar with the background while never faltering in her quest to entertain.
Her narrative brilliance extends to the characters that bring her story to life. Joanna is a dynamic and refreshing heroine, dedicated to her priory and to her family, brilliant and daring in equal measure. The supporting characters are no less impressive; each has a secret that, when revealed, brings the complex plot closer to its unexpected, moving conclusion.
The Crown would be an exceptional offering from an established author; as a first novel, Bilyeau has surpassed extraordinary. Lovers of history, mystery, intrigue or a strong heroine will get hours of enjoyment from this story time and time again. I can't wait to read whatever Bilyeau writes next!
beckylej's review against another edition
4.0
When Joanna Stafford hears that her cousin is to be burned at the stake for protesting King Henry VIII's position with regards to the Catholic church, she abandons her position with the Dartford Priory to be at her side. Joanna is a devoted novice on her way to becoming a nun but the call of a family member in distress is more than she can bear. The seriousness of Margaret's crime means that no one in the family is likely to be present at her death but she and Joanna shared a special bond. Joanna is mistaken, though. There is someone else in the family there to give support to Margaret: Joanna's own father. The two are soon arrested and imprisoned at the Tower of London for interfering with Margaret's punishment, leaving Joanna in a desperate position. She is offered the chance of release and a return to Dartford only if she will agree to serve as eyes inside the priory for the Bishop of Winchester, a man whose motives and reliability are questionable. The Bishop wants something, something rumored to be hidden within the walls of the Dartford Priory, and if Joanna can find this item she may be able to free her father. If she fails, it could mean the end of the Priory as well as her father's life.
THE CROWN is a truly captivating literary thriller and puzzle set during the English Reformation and based in very real history. Joanna is completely fictional, but Bilyeau moves her around this history with a mastery that's admirable for a debut author.
It is clear in reading THE CROWN that Bilyeau has paid very close attention to historic detail and it's this detail - paired with an undeniably appealing heroine and a great plot - that makes the book a stand out both in terms of historical fiction and in terms of thrillers.
This is the kind of book that sends me immediately searching Wikipedia and other online history links to find out just how much of the story is based in fact and I discovered that in this case it's surprisingly quite a lot! While Joanna is fiction, the Staffords are very real - my grandmother was a big Tudor history buff but I know surprisingly little about this particular family even though my grandfather shared their family name (you'd have to trace back pretty far to find a connection, I'm sure). Athelstan is real though his crown is still rumor :) and many of the characters in the book are actual historical figures in Henry VIII's court. Even Dartford Priory and its history is real, though not necessarily the part about the crown. Bilyeau discusses some of these things in the Q&A in the paperback edition of the book and on her blog.
While THE CROWN is the first in the trilogy, and the introduction to Joanna, I should point out that you do not have to have read the book before diving into the follow up THE CHALICE, but reading the two books back to back has been particularly enjoyable for me and I definitely recommend it.
THE CROWN is a truly captivating literary thriller and puzzle set during the English Reformation and based in very real history. Joanna is completely fictional, but Bilyeau moves her around this history with a mastery that's admirable for a debut author.
It is clear in reading THE CROWN that Bilyeau has paid very close attention to historic detail and it's this detail - paired with an undeniably appealing heroine and a great plot - that makes the book a stand out both in terms of historical fiction and in terms of thrillers.
This is the kind of book that sends me immediately searching Wikipedia and other online history links to find out just how much of the story is based in fact and I discovered that in this case it's surprisingly quite a lot! While Joanna is fiction, the Staffords are very real - my grandmother was a big Tudor history buff but I know surprisingly little about this particular family even though my grandfather shared their family name (you'd have to trace back pretty far to find a connection, I'm sure). Athelstan is real though his crown is still rumor :) and many of the characters in the book are actual historical figures in Henry VIII's court. Even Dartford Priory and its history is real, though not necessarily the part about the crown. Bilyeau discusses some of these things in the Q&A in the paperback edition of the book and on her blog.
While THE CROWN is the first in the trilogy, and the introduction to Joanna, I should point out that you do not have to have read the book before diving into the follow up THE CHALICE, but reading the two books back to back has been particularly enjoyable for me and I definitely recommend it.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
3.0
This is not a perfect book. The ending is a bit too much thrown at the reader too soon, and some of it doesn't really seem to have a point. The reader is told one too many times how perfect Joanna is, though in fairness the perfect is more moral and intelligence than looks (a nice change).
Yet, I found myself enjoying the book. It's a step above [b:The Other Boleyn Girl|37470|The Other Boleyn Girl (The Tudor Court, #3)|Philippa Gregory|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1355932638s/37470.jpg|3248536] (anyone else crack up about PG's quest for historical accuracy in movies?). I found something likable about Joanna, perhaps because she found herself in situations that felt real. The most compelling part of the novel is the sequence in the Tower of London.
bob_muller's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, deeply researched, and deliberately paced, this is a thriller you can appreciate many times over, as you discover hidden depths and secrets beyond the mystical crown and tunnels and secret chambers of Tudor England. A terrific first novel!
melissajayne's review against another edition
4.0
Originally reviewed at Jayne's Books.
I actually quite enjoyed the book and being a fan of English history, especially the history of the period around the time of Henry VIII. Partly it has to do with the fact that the political climate in the country changed so much in such a short time and also because so much has been written about that particular time period. I suppose the TV series The Tudors had something to do with that fascination as well. But what I like about the book is that the action is quick throughout the book and it doesn't lack for any sort of slow down, a thing that sometimes makes me less engaged in a book. Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed about the book is the development of Joanna. While I sometimes got the impression that she was this sort of superwoman type, you also the humanity in her actions.
I actually quite enjoyed the book and being a fan of English history, especially the history of the period around the time of Henry VIII. Partly it has to do with the fact that the political climate in the country changed so much in such a short time and also because so much has been written about that particular time period. I suppose the TV series The Tudors had something to do with that fascination as well. But what I like about the book is that the action is quick throughout the book and it doesn't lack for any sort of slow down, a thing that sometimes makes me less engaged in a book. Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed about the book is the development of Joanna. While I sometimes got the impression that she was this sort of superwoman type, you also the humanity in her actions.
tgcpa's review against another edition
5.0
I read The Crown after having read the second in the series. I wish I had realized this was a series and started at the beginning as book two would have made more sense.
This novel is based in a time of religious upheaval and turmoil in England. I find it fascinating that the main character is female when the time so focused on the men AND that this character is on the periphery of the royal family AND she is a nun. This is a complex story with many characters so it took me a bit to get the names straight. The level of historical detail is also excellent.
I really can't recommend this enough if you enjoy English historical fiction.
This novel is based in a time of religious upheaval and turmoil in England. I find it fascinating that the main character is female when the time so focused on the men AND that this character is on the periphery of the royal family AND she is a nun. This is a complex story with many characters so it took me a bit to get the names straight. The level of historical detail is also excellent.
I really can't recommend this enough if you enjoy English historical fiction.