Reviews

Arthur: Prince of the Roses by Alison Weir

debralewi's review

informative reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

reka111's review

emotional relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

It went to one, I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either.

helenephoebe's review

4.0

Review - It was interesting to try and understand what Prince Arthur might have thought of his future bride, and of the reported illness he was suffering from and, especially, his relationship with his younger brother (later Henry VIII). This novella promotes Arthur's sense of self-importance as the link between Lancaster and York, and the mention of the Princes in the Tower is also interesting, and I wonder whether Arthur in real life would have asked about them as he does here, and what Henry VII's reply would have been. Arthur's comments about his brother Harry are also interesting and highlights what several authors have said was the rivalry between the two and Arthur's sense of being on the outside.

Genre? - Novella / Historical

Characters? - Prince Arthur / Henry VII / Elizabeth of York / Lady Darcy / Katherine of Aragon

Setting? - London (England) & Ludlow (Wales)

Series? - Six Tudor Queens #0.5

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 16/20

marinuchi_goo13's review

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

danzmount's review

5.0

What a great introduction to the new series!

Great introduction to the new series, enjoyed reading it and though the inclusion of a chapter from the first book was a nice touch. Would definitely recommend if interested in the new wives series by Alison Weir.

abbyinbookland's review

informative reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

herbalmoon's review

3.0

This is my second-through and while good (as Alison's later books tend to be), it's pretty tepid.

Only one little nitpick: Alison says near the end that Fr. Andre is blind, but she also has him approving a letter Arthur wrote to Catalina. Oops!

wordshaker12's review

3.0

A short but good (and free!) introduction to the series from Arthur's perspective, plus an interesting author's note on research. I loved the Katherine of Aragon novel (it's much better than this novella by the way) and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.

This is my 1000th read* book apparently!!

* Here on Goodreads anyway

janscrazylife's review

informative lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

tomjsturner's review

informative lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

<strong>An interesting tantalising taste</strong>

This is the prequel short story to Wrir's series based around the lives of Henry VIII's six wives. It summarises the life of Prince Arthur, older brother of Henry and original husband to Katherine of Aragon, and finishes just as these two meet (what follows obviously taking place in the first Novel in the series.) Arthur is a number of those "What if" characters from history, and, though there's unlikely to be much more to be told, I felt disappointed that this part was so short, I'd liked to have learned more about the would be king. But that's not what this tale is here for.