Reviews

Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen, by Alison Weir

shivvyslibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

retroreader17's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jobinsonlis's review against another edition

4.0

All of the Tudor queens are fascinating but there’s something particularly sad about Jane Seymour. She gave Henry the thing he wanted the most—a son—but died almost immediately after. So she got the praise that all of the other wives never got but didn’t get to enjoy it. Although considering Edward ended up well in the shadows of his older sisters, maybe Jane avoided having to see her labor come to nothing when Anne Boleyn’s daughter proceeded to become the most famous English monarch of all time. I did really love getting to see more of Mary and Elizabeth here, separate from their mothers’ thoughts about them.

helenephoebe's review against another edition

5.0

Review - I think this one is my favourite of the three released so far because it's a story that I don't know as well so there were more twists and turns in it for me. I particularly enjoyed the beginning and the relationships within the Seymour family. I also really enjoyed the interplay between Jane and Anne Boleyn which was mainly done in looks rather than words. It is well written and engaging to read and once you get into it you can't put it down. The author section at the end is also good in saying where the story deviates from the historical record, an important disclaimer so that people don't begin to believe that fiction is true.

Genre? - Historical / Drama

Characters? - Jane Seymour / Henry VIII / Katherine of Aragon / Anne Boleyn / Jane Lady Rochford / Nan Stanhope / Edward Seymour / Thomas Seymour / Thomas Cromwell / Harry Seymour / John Seymour / Catherine Filliol

Setting? - Wolf Hall & London (England)

Series? - Six Wives #3

Recommend? - Yes

Rating - 19/20

For discussion questions see my blog https://bookbloggerish.wordpress.com/2019/04/27/discussion-questions-jane-seymour-the-haunted-queen-by-alison-weir/

jaimiable's review against another edition

3.0

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erinleighty16's review against another edition

informative sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

luckyladybug3's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

diana_eveline's review against another edition

4.0

"Gasping for breath, she tried to raise her hand in blessing, but she had not the strength, so she blessed him in her heart, her darling son, her little future king. She had given him life, and he gave her hope of redemption, and for the future. And as her life ebbed away, it was his heart-shaped face, innocent and beautiful like no other, that she took with her into the light."

Rather unexpectedly, this is my favourite novel of the series so far. It was beautifully written. Jane has a certain air of innocence around her. I would not call her naive, for she is too intelligent for that, but she is so different from her predecessor. The final sentences (that I quoted above) really moved me.

I do have to be honest and say that the element of the ghost-appearances was a bit too much for me. I understand that she was haunted and understandably so. There is no record at all suggesting that it was so literal. One fleeting image of Anne would have suited but it was too reoccurring for me. I also feel that Weir was a little less creative with her descriptions of Jane's emotions. She kept saying Jane didn't approve of Anne being queen, "but she could not but feel for her." Those exact words were repeated quite a few times. They do translate the difficult emotions she must have felt. I just think she could have changed them a few times to create more dimension in those feelings, bring them to life.

I have always seen Jane Seymour as a bit of a "plain Jane" but this book has put her in a new light. I admire her. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Tudors. There are so many books about Anne Boleyn, but this queen deserves some of your time.

bratus913's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

khaleesimod93's review against another edition

emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The only wives I knew much about were Katherine Of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, so it was nice to dive into this story. I really enjoyed learning about Jane's life and how she lived. It's crazy to think of how she died with all the medical discoveries and help we have now. How horrifying it must have been to watch her die! I do believe, with the little we know about Jane, that Henry did love her in his own twisted way. I hate that she died. But also thankful that she died in favor and loved, unlike Katherine and Anne