jenstory's review against another edition
4.0
Mysterious and interesting insights. Great views from the eyes of Elizabeth herself.
All the rumours spread in Court and life for Elizabeth I becomes suspenseful...
All the rumours spread in Court and life for Elizabeth I becomes suspenseful...
reeniecrystal's review
5.0
This is the book that got me into learning all about the Tudor dynasty and the Renaissance in general. Would recommend for young girls who wouldn't otherwise want anything to do with history.
ecandrews0's review against another edition
3.0
"Beware, Princess Elizabeth"
I must say, I really don't know what made me want to read this book. Its prequel in the series, "Mary, Bloody Mary", was definitely not a book I enjoyed. But I will admit, this one was much better than the one before it.
One thing this book did far better than the first one was actually spread the plot line out. Instead of cramming whole years into a couple of sentences, the whole six, seven years (I'm not exactly sure how long it was), was spread out over the course of the whole book.
Unfortunately, I still felt no emotional connection with Elizabeth. She wasn't a character I could relate to, although her determination and courage was admirable. There just wasn't enough depth to her. I never really felt like I got to know any of the characters. The only character that I felt really had some dimension was Robin Dudley, and he wasn't even a very important character. That was probably the main thing I didn't like about this book.
On another note though, this book was much more interesting than it's predecessor. There was much more drama and suspense, and the cutthroat political world of that time period was displayed very well, I thought.
Although the book as a whole was a little difficult to get into, and although the characters were incredibly two-dimensional, it was still an informative read about the royal life in England at that time.
I must say, I really don't know what made me want to read this book. Its prequel in the series, "Mary, Bloody Mary", was definitely not a book I enjoyed. But I will admit, this one was much better than the one before it.
One thing this book did far better than the first one was actually spread the plot line out. Instead of cramming whole years into a couple of sentences, the whole six, seven years (I'm not exactly sure how long it was), was spread out over the course of the whole book.
Unfortunately, I still felt no emotional connection with Elizabeth. She wasn't a character I could relate to, although her determination and courage was admirable. There just wasn't enough depth to her. I never really felt like I got to know any of the characters. The only character that I felt really had some dimension was Robin Dudley, and he wasn't even a very important character. That was probably the main thing I didn't like about this book.
On another note though, this book was much more interesting than it's predecessor. There was much more drama and suspense, and the cutthroat political world of that time period was displayed very well, I thought.
Although the book as a whole was a little difficult to get into, and although the characters were incredibly two-dimensional, it was still an informative read about the royal life in England at that time.
fortunesdear's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book when I was younger. Every time I finished reading it then I would start it all over again.
laileanah's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
This was interesting fun and not historically accurate.
disabledbookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
informative
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.5
aglitterofseas's review
emotional
informative
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
3.25
ms_aprilvincent's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a big fan of Elizabeth I; she is a woman to look up to: intelligent, diplomatic, and independent, she led her nation at a time when women were thought to have few (if any) redeeming qualities, and she excelled at it to boot. Best of all, she did it without subjugating herself to a man. She is a feminist icon, and I love her.
Told from Elizabeth's point of view, the book deals with the period between Henry VIII's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne. By necessity, most of the dialogue, as well as Elizabeth's thoughts, are purely speculation, but they do correspond to documented events; Meyer didn't deviate from history or invent plot points, and she didn't need to: the actual history is enough.
Unfortunately, because it IS fairly straightforward and does not introduce a lot of melodramatic posturing, the book will probably appeal only to anglophiles, royals watchers, and history buffs (read: NERDS) like me. But that's the intended audience, anyway, so ... mission accomplished.
Told from Elizabeth's point of view, the book deals with the period between Henry VIII's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne. By necessity, most of the dialogue, as well as Elizabeth's thoughts, are purely speculation, but they do correspond to documented events; Meyer didn't deviate from history or invent plot points, and she didn't need to: the actual history is enough.
Unfortunately, because it IS fairly straightforward and does not introduce a lot of melodramatic posturing, the book will probably appeal only to anglophiles, royals watchers, and history buffs (read: NERDS) like me. But that's the intended audience, anyway, so ... mission accomplished.
sarahschem's review
3.0
Beware, Princess Elizabeth was written by Carolyn Meyer. The genre is Historical Fiction. The main characters in this book are Princess Elizabeth Tutor, her sister Queen Mary, and her servant Kat Ashley. The setting is in different palaces in England.I recommend this book to girls ages 12 and up because of the time the book took place, it might be hard for girls younger to understand it. I liked this book because I had never read any other books on the England royal family.
Princess Elizabeth Tutor was 13 when her father died. Her brother, Edward becomes King at age nine. King Edward requires his sister to kneel five times before him, and is trying incredibly hard to live up to his father 19s standards even being so young. Elizabeth tells her servant Kat everything, and she desperately wants to be the Queen. King Edward becomes terribly ill when he turns 14 and dies. Elizabeth thinks it will be her time to be Queen, when her brother 19s uncle removed Mary from the line to the throne because of Mary refusing to give up being Catholic. Elizabeth too was going to be removed from the line of throne, leaving a cousin, Jane to be the Queen. Jane is only queen for nine days, when Mary takes the throne. Queen Mary treats Elizabeth horribly by locking her in towers, trying to kill her, and sending servants to spy on her. Will Princess Elizabeth Tutor ever be queen or will she be killed by Mary before it is her turn?
Princess Elizabeth Tutor was 13 when her father died. Her brother, Edward becomes King at age nine. King Edward requires his sister to kneel five times before him, and is trying incredibly hard to live up to his father 19s standards even being so young. Elizabeth tells her servant Kat everything, and she desperately wants to be the Queen. King Edward becomes terribly ill when he turns 14 and dies. Elizabeth thinks it will be her time to be Queen, when her brother 19s uncle removed Mary from the line to the throne because of Mary refusing to give up being Catholic. Elizabeth too was going to be removed from the line of throne, leaving a cousin, Jane to be the Queen. Jane is only queen for nine days, when Mary takes the throne. Queen Mary treats Elizabeth horribly by locking her in towers, trying to kill her, and sending servants to spy on her. Will Princess Elizabeth Tutor ever be queen or will she be killed by Mary before it is her turn?
ecsun345's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmm...It was okay. Not my favorite, bu, Carolyn Meyer is a good author.