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erinarkin20's review against another edition
5.0
This book is exactly why I love historical fiction.
To say that I have been waiting impatiently for this book to get into my grubby little hands would probably be an understatement. I have always loved historical fiction and when I stumbled upon Katherine Longshore’s Gilt I was instantly a fan of hers. She mixes in a great deal of history but as a reader, I am never overwhelmed and of course, there is the swoony stuff which I love.
Brazen is about Mary Howard’s life beginning on the day of her marriage and I have to admit, I loved this book from the very first page. Mary is thrown into a marriage at the age of fourteen to Henry Fitzroy, the bastard son of Henry VIII. Once the marriage takes place, they are not allowed to be together though and in all honesty, that is the only thing either of them want once they get to know each other.
I loved Mary. She was an interesting mix of personalities and I have to believe that is because of who she is and how she grew up. I loved when she would dare to challenge the norms of society and do what she wanted. This was usually when it was something related to Fitz. Obviously, as a woman in the sixteenth century, she didn’t really have many choices but as a member of the Tudor court, she was able to bend some of the rules, with the help of her brother and her friend.
Fitz was an interesting character. He was a good friend of Mary’s brother and he knew Mary distantly when they were married. As they get to know each other better, it is clear that Fitz walks a fine line. Yes, he is the son of the King but he is also illegitimate so while Henry keeps him close, he also doesn’t see him as a “true” son. Fitz fights constantly for Henry’s respect and ultimately doesn’t really get it….which made me so sad for him. On the other hand, Fitz is swoony…no question. All he wants is to be with his wife and love her but because of decisions that Henry has made, he can’t even do that.
I loved Fitz and Mary together. Both of these characters are being used by their families but despite that, they end up loving each other and even though they can’t technically be together, they find ways to get to know each other and ultimately fall in love. I’m not going to lie here…things don’t necessarily go as they would hope but I was glad to see that these characters had a bit of happiness together. I honestly wish they had had more time together but I suppose that wouldn’t be accurate.
One of the other things I enjoyed about this story was the way Longshore tied the story of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII back into this book. It was done well and I was able to see how their relationship deteriorated while still focusing on the story of Mary and Fitz. It was definitely frustrating to see Henry blame everyone else for his issues in having an heir. The things he got away with just make me cringe.
I am in no way doing this story any justice – I know this and it is mostly because there was so much to this book that I don’t even know where to start. Unfortunately this happens to me with books I love. All you really need to know about this book is that I loved it and couldn’t put it down…literally. I think the only reason I did put it down was because I had to get off the plane. Regardless, this book was exactly what I wanted to read. It has love, betrayal, friendships, and some fantastic characters. If you love historical fiction, definitely check this one out when you can.
Thank you to Viking/Penguin Group for the review copy.
To say that I have been waiting impatiently for this book to get into my grubby little hands would probably be an understatement. I have always loved historical fiction and when I stumbled upon Katherine Longshore’s Gilt I was instantly a fan of hers. She mixes in a great deal of history but as a reader, I am never overwhelmed and of course, there is the swoony stuff which I love.
Brazen is about Mary Howard’s life beginning on the day of her marriage and I have to admit, I loved this book from the very first page. Mary is thrown into a marriage at the age of fourteen to Henry Fitzroy, the bastard son of Henry VIII. Once the marriage takes place, they are not allowed to be together though and in all honesty, that is the only thing either of them want once they get to know each other.
I loved Mary. She was an interesting mix of personalities and I have to believe that is because of who she is and how she grew up. I loved when she would dare to challenge the norms of society and do what she wanted. This was usually when it was something related to Fitz. Obviously, as a woman in the sixteenth century, she didn’t really have many choices but as a member of the Tudor court, she was able to bend some of the rules, with the help of her brother and her friend.
Fitz was an interesting character. He was a good friend of Mary’s brother and he knew Mary distantly when they were married. As they get to know each other better, it is clear that Fitz walks a fine line. Yes, he is the son of the King but he is also illegitimate so while Henry keeps him close, he also doesn’t see him as a “true” son. Fitz fights constantly for Henry’s respect and ultimately doesn’t really get it….which made me so sad for him. On the other hand, Fitz is swoony…no question. All he wants is to be with his wife and love her but because of decisions that Henry has made, he can’t even do that.
I loved Fitz and Mary together. Both of these characters are being used by their families but despite that, they end up loving each other and even though they can’t technically be together, they find ways to get to know each other and ultimately fall in love. I’m not going to lie here…things don’t necessarily go as they would hope but I was glad to see that these characters had a bit of happiness together. I honestly wish they had had more time together but I suppose that wouldn’t be accurate.
One of the other things I enjoyed about this story was the way Longshore tied the story of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII back into this book. It was done well and I was able to see how their relationship deteriorated while still focusing on the story of Mary and Fitz. It was definitely frustrating to see Henry blame everyone else for his issues in having an heir. The things he got away with just make me cringe.
I am in no way doing this story any justice – I know this and it is mostly because there was so much to this book that I don’t even know where to start. Unfortunately this happens to me with books I love. All you really need to know about this book is that I loved it and couldn’t put it down…literally. I think the only reason I did put it down was because I had to get off the plane. Regardless, this book was exactly what I wanted to read. It has love, betrayal, friendships, and some fantastic characters. If you love historical fiction, definitely check this one out when you can.
Thank you to Viking/Penguin Group for the review copy.
iamqueenfal's review against another edition
5.0
Katherine Longshore succeeded in what she set out to do – write characters that will live on with me. I've loved her books following women in KHVIII's court and Brazen was the perfect end to the trilogy.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
This is your stereotypical retelling of the reign of Henry the VIIIth. Mary is married to Fitz, IIIth's bastard son, both are around the age of 13. The two do not interact as a typical married couple would, basically because the King has forbidden it (based on some ridiculous preconception or something). This novel lays out various intrigues and interactions between popular historical figures like Anne Boleyn and Henry the VIIIth.
I finished the novel. I felt like it took me forever to read it, but it wasn't that it felt like it overwhelmingly dragged. Ehn! I have read better about this subject, but I have read worse.
I finished the novel. I felt like it took me forever to read it, but it wasn't that it felt like it overwhelmingly dragged. Ehn! I have read better about this subject, but I have read worse.
blueseyberries's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
booksandbabies's review against another edition
1.0
So this turned into a dnf for me. Nothing happens: I literally spent nearly 250 pages reading about a 15y old girl being in love and feeling like they can't be together because of societal rules. But here is the kicker: he is not so unoptainable, he is her (soon to be legal) husband. The only reason they can't be together is because she is underaged. Really hard to feel sorry for her!
baileynicolee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A sweet period piece about coming of age. Made me laugh out loud and openly cry. Easy read and takes its time.
sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition
4.0
When Mary Howard is married to Henry FitzRoy, Henry VIII's illegitimate son, their marriage is intended to be nothing more than a political triumph for her powerful father. But as Mary is plunged into the high-stakes world of the Tudor court, where Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII's marriage is falling apart, she comes to realize that the only man she wants is the one she's forbidden from having: Fitz himself. This is a heartbreaking, wonderfully written historical fiction novel that brings the Tudor court to life in vivid, sometimes horrifying, detail and keeps the reader on the edge of their seats even when they know what's going to happen.
The two halves of this novel are very different but equally good. The first half focuses on Mary's developing relationship with Fitz and with her friends Margaret and Madge. The characters are all finely developed and the relationships satisfyingly complex--nothing is predictable about the characters, especially as they truly grow and change over the course of the novel. The second half is filled with dramatic twists, as Anne Boleyn fights through her final days, and even more unputdownable than the rest. (I highly recommend reading Tarnish before Brazen, to get more insight into Longshore's vision of Anne.) Both combine to make a superior historical fiction novel that provides a new spin on a well-known story and creates the world of the Tudor court with graceful description and detail that never feels like filler. Best of all, Brazen raises interesting questions of power, love, and gender relations that lingered with me along after I finished it. Recommended for both fans of Tudor fiction and those looking to get into the genre.
The two halves of this novel are very different but equally good. The first half focuses on Mary's developing relationship with Fitz and with her friends Margaret and Madge. The characters are all finely developed and the relationships satisfyingly complex--nothing is predictable about the characters, especially as they truly grow and change over the course of the novel. The second half is filled with dramatic twists, as Anne Boleyn fights through her final days, and even more unputdownable than the rest. (I highly recommend reading Tarnish before Brazen, to get more insight into Longshore's vision of Anne.) Both combine to make a superior historical fiction novel that provides a new spin on a well-known story and creates the world of the Tudor court with graceful description and detail that never feels like filler. Best of all, Brazen raises interesting questions of power, love, and gender relations that lingered with me along after I finished it. Recommended for both fans of Tudor fiction and those looking to get into the genre.
teganbeese's review against another edition
5.0
Review also published at t and a book
Title: Brazen
Author: Katherine Longshore
Type: Young Adult
Genre: Historical
Tea: Silver Needle, maybe not as popular as or well known, but equally as good.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
"Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor court’s inner circle. Mary and “Fitz” join a tight clique of rebels who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be pushed…but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true love worth dying for?" (Goodreads.com)
Brazen is my second novel my Katherine Longshore and it does not disappoint! It is about the lesser known Mary Howard, betrothed to Henry FitzRoy, son of Henry VIII. I did not know much about Mary Howard before this novel, but it made me want to research her!
Katherine Longshore's novels, which historical and informative, also read like popular fiction. One of the best ways to describe it would be a cross between Gossip Girl and Philippa Gregory's Tudors series. The story line is intriguing and makes the 500 pages fly by. I liked Katherine Longshore's portrayal of Mary. She gave her a voice and brought life to a very interesting part of that time period. Mary was one of the only women that sought to have her own life, her own place to live, not surviving off a man. She's an inspiring woman that more people should know about.
Katherine Longshore admits that she takes liberties with Mary and Fitz's relationship, but in this context, that is totally fine. Also, there isn't any written information saying that she is wrong about their relationship either. This book actually made me cry, which I was not expecting. Mary is a likable main character and you want to see her succeed. I enjoyed this novel more than the first one I read by her, Gilt, for that very reason. The one of the main characters in that one, Catherine Howard (yes, they're related), was not a nice girl. I couldn't feel any sympathy for her and just kinda wanted to get it over with. I did enjoy the historical information though, and the other main character, Kitty, was someone I wanted to know more about.
If you like the Tudors, or don't know much about them and want to, check this out! It keeps your attention and teaches you about the characters and time period without sounding like a book report.
Katherine Longshore's novels don't have to be read in any specific order (they are companion novels), but if you want to read them in order of when each queen was in power start with Tarnish (I'll be reviewing that as well), then Brazen, and then Gilt.
Can't wait to see what, or rather who, she writes about next!
Title: Brazen
Author: Katherine Longshore
Type: Young Adult
Genre: Historical
Tea: Silver Needle, maybe not as popular as or well known, but equally as good.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
"Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor court’s inner circle. Mary and “Fitz” join a tight clique of rebels who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be pushed…but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true love worth dying for?" (Goodreads.com)
Brazen is my second novel my Katherine Longshore and it does not disappoint! It is about the lesser known Mary Howard, betrothed to Henry FitzRoy, son of Henry VIII. I did not know much about Mary Howard before this novel, but it made me want to research her!
Katherine Longshore's novels, which historical and informative, also read like popular fiction. One of the best ways to describe it would be a cross between Gossip Girl and Philippa Gregory's Tudors series. The story line is intriguing and makes the 500 pages fly by. I liked Katherine Longshore's portrayal of Mary. She gave her a voice and brought life to a very interesting part of that time period. Mary was one of the only women that sought to have her own life, her own place to live, not surviving off a man. She's an inspiring woman that more people should know about.
Katherine Longshore admits that she takes liberties with Mary and Fitz's relationship, but in this context, that is totally fine. Also, there isn't any written information saying that she is wrong about their relationship either. This book actually made me cry, which I was not expecting. Mary is a likable main character and you want to see her succeed. I enjoyed this novel more than the first one I read by her, Gilt, for that very reason. The one of the main characters in that one, Catherine Howard (yes, they're related), was not a nice girl. I couldn't feel any sympathy for her and just kinda wanted to get it over with. I did enjoy the historical information though, and the other main character, Kitty, was someone I wanted to know more about.
If you like the Tudors, or don't know much about them and want to, check this out! It keeps your attention and teaches you about the characters and time period without sounding like a book report.
Katherine Longshore's novels don't have to be read in any specific order (they are companion novels), but if you want to read them in order of when each queen was in power start with Tarnish (I'll be reviewing that as well), then Brazen, and then Gilt.
Can't wait to see what, or rather who, she writes about next!
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
5.0
Are you into stories of love, gossip and intrigue set against a real life historical backdrop? Before Reign made history sexy and cool for youths, there was Katherine Longshore and her books set during the reign of the Tudors. First Gilt, then Tarnish and now BRAZEN. Now, looking at just the title: Brazen, you might think that this is one of those seedy books that’s nothing but sex and flirtation and YOU WOULD BE WRONG.
Read the resst of my review here
Review goes live in July
Read the resst of my review here
Review goes live in July