laileanah's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Appropriate for all ages.
Not historically accurate but an easy read.
Not historically accurate but an easy read.
naomi41's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really good book- it is the fictionalized diary of Elizabeth I while she was in her early teen years. I thought it was a quick read because I had no other book to read. This book is just about what Elizabeth would have been doing as a Princess in the Royal Court of her father King Henry VIII and his 6th wife Queen Catherine Parr. She lived with her dear brother Prince Edward (at the end of the book, he becomes King Edward IV when their father passes), and her loathesome sister Princess Mary (aka Queen Mary I or Bloody Mary). She pours her heart out about being an "invisible" daughter and her troubles of entering and exiting exile every other year. Even though the story is mainly fictional, you still learned historical events such as the accomplishments of her father King Henry VIII, his six wives starting with Catherine of Aragon until his death with wife Catherine Parr. You learn about Renaissance England a little bit and how it was a Protestant community that Mary I later tried to turn Catholic (in honour of her Spanish Blood). Elizabeth I was probably one of the greatest monarchs of English history "The Elizabethan Age" named after her 45 year ruling as a single Queen. Her many accomplishments showed a strong willed woman, and we got to see her in a different light and how she may have been as a child.
bookshelfmystic's review against another edition
4.0
When I was in middle school, I was assigned a biographical report on any historical person. I chose Elizabeth I, and there were several years where she was high on my list of most interesting people. I wish I'd read this book then, because I would have absolutely loved it. Even now, I enjoyed it quite a bit. This fictional diary was a fun read and left me considering court politics and 16th-century living at random moments at work.
I wish this diary would have spanned more years. I'd have loved to read about Elizabeth's experiences during Mary's rule. As is, this whole diary feels a lot like a prequel. One can read real biographies of Elizabeth, I suppose, to hear the rest of the story.
I wish this diary would have spanned more years. I'd have loved to read about Elizabeth's experiences during Mary's rule. As is, this whole diary feels a lot like a prequel. One can read real biographies of Elizabeth, I suppose, to hear the rest of the story.
bergha1998's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Of this series, I have always considered this one a favorite. Who doesn't love a look into the scandalous lives of the Tudors?
princess71608's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
buer's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely adored this series when I was a kid, but I completely forgot about it until I found two of them in a thrift store a couple weeks ago. My niece is just about the age I was when I read them, so I picked them up for her, but thought it would be fun to revisit them myself first.
This book is a little bit slower than I remember it being, but overall a really pleasant read. Lasky (the author, although you wouldn't know that looking in any of the conventional places) does a great job of developing Elizabeth as a character. Her future personality shines through the childishness of her desires, even as the reader recognizes exactly how adult Elizabeth is acting. I think it is a beautiful little book and a great starting point to get my niece (maybe) interested in history.
This book is a little bit slower than I remember it being, but overall a really pleasant read. Lasky (the author, although you wouldn't know that looking in any of the conventional places) does a great job of developing Elizabeth as a character. Her future personality shines through the childishness of her desires, even as the reader recognizes exactly how adult Elizabeth is acting. I think it is a beautiful little book and a great starting point to get my niece (maybe) interested in history.
pgmoon's review against another edition
3.0
A quick and nostalgic read to start the year. I used to love reading these books as a kid, although this one escaped me, despite my fascination with Tudor history.
Although not completely historically accurate, still a very fun time!
Although not completely historically accurate, still a very fun time!