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onecraftyreader's review against another edition
2.0
Given the subject matter and the author, I expected a lot more from this book. It rotates narration among three characters, all of whom are self-absorbed, self-promoting, and distasteful. Gregory wastes much of the narrative space filling in backstory, which is boring to read. I'm glad I got it from the library instead of buying the book.
angharadbeth's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
aellis0421's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This is a solid novel. Gregory puts a lot of work into making sure her characters are historically accurate, while also adding facets to their character that, of course, are fictional. It's a good story. It took a while for me to really get into the story, but once I did, it went fast.
The best character may be Bess of Hardwick. I just couldn't like Mary, Queen of Scots who comes off as spoiled and selfish and a bit delusional, but Bess was a woman I could really get behind. I wish she would have punched Mary right in the face, sometimes, honestly.
I will definitely keep reading Gregory's books. The time period fascinates me, as do all of the players in the games that happen at court.
This is a solid novel. Gregory puts a lot of work into making sure her characters are historically accurate, while also adding facets to their character that, of course, are fictional. It's a good story. It took a while for me to really get into the story, but once I did, it went fast.
The best character may be Bess of Hardwick. I just couldn't like Mary, Queen of Scots who comes off as spoiled and selfish and a bit delusional, but Bess was a woman I could really get behind. I wish she would have punched Mary right in the face, sometimes, honestly.
I will definitely keep reading Gregory's books. The time period fascinates me, as do all of the players in the games that happen at court.
debaptiseisa's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
robotnik's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
Honestly, all I got from the story being told here was that Bess has a lot of money and property (some of which was taken from the church or some shit) and she's really offended that her husband is spending it on the younger, hotter queen.
rwilhoyte's review against another edition
2.0
I started this book hoping it would be as interesting and full of power struggles as the Other Boelyn Girl. It wasn't. The book really focuses on Mary Queen of Scots and the couple meant to keep her under house arrest while Elizabeth is advised what to do with her. I found all three of these characters really annoying and one dimentional. The each have a separate goal in life and none really seem to like the other. Bess is attached to the money and property she brought into her marriage with George from previous husbands. George is torn between the Queen Elizabeth, whom he is duty-bound to serve and Mary, Queen of Scots, whom he has a schoolboy crush on. Mary is constantly scheming to escape but her escapes are written more like a teenage girl trying to get out of her parent's house for a night of partying than a queen trying to be restored to her throne. The three are constantly moving around to protect Mary from those that would save her, which makes it hard for the reader to figure out where they are geographically unless you pay strict attention the chapter headers. I feel like all the characters did was whine about their circumstances and therefore the come off very juvenile. I didn't like this book, which is shame because I am interested in this period of history and I really like Phillipa Gregory.
booksandbea's review against another edition
4.0
Few eras in history were as rife with the stress that comes with reigning in your own right as a woman. Combined with just a border of separation, the political sphere of men plotting and scheming for the downfall of the rival is a brilliant window into the expectations of women by men. God's own anointed but yet a weak and feeble woman. Wrong. Mary Stuart- Queen of Scots has been tarred with the age old brush, but a mistreated woman does not mean a push over. Elizabeth Tudor is shown through the lens of favourites, paranoia and the weight of succession, the hallmark of her 45 year reign but it is Mary who's tenacity shines through. Martyrdom securing her as a tragic figure all these many years later, its nice to see a version of Mary who cannot escape her present, but takes small controls back in every which way she can. That is the true mark of 'I shall not be curtailed'.
lavins's review against another edition
5.0
I've enjoyed the way the book was written, the historical facts, the portrait painted of the events in the 1750 years.