Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3.8 – for some descriptive sexual content and adult themes (i.e. adultery)
I really loved this book. I just wish the cleanliness factor was a little better. I really enjoy reading historical fiction- you can learn so much about the time period. This book takes place in the 1500’s during the reign of Henry VIII, which was quite an exciting time in Europe. Most people know the story of Ann Boleyn, who was a mistress of Henry VIII and later ended up becoming Queen of England. This book has that story in it, but it is all told from the point of view of Mary, Anne’s younger sister. Before Anne, Mary had caught his eye of King Henry VIII and became his mistress. Mary, unlike Anne, became his mistress because she was in love with him, not just for the gain of power and money. The king’s interest begins to wane and Mary is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then, Anne takes over and you read all about her rise to power and her eventual downfall. Mary realizes what a pawn she is in her family’s ambitions and knows that she must defy her family and her king and take her fate into her own hands by marrying for love rather than money and leaving her glamorous life at court and her family behind.
By now, everyone probably knows that I’m a total sap and always love a good love story- well this book is filled with them. Mary, the main character has three different love stories herself. But this book is more than just mistresses and love stories; it deals a lot with the sisterly relationship between Anne and Mary. They are best friends and love each other, yet they are bitter rivals at the same time. This is a compelling novel and the author really makes the characters come alive, especially Mary. It made me understand how difficult it must have been to be a woman in the 1500’s. It is a pretty long book (661 pages) but is a definite page turner.
Cleanliness Rating- 3.8 – for some descriptive sexual content and adult themes (i.e. adultery)
I really loved this book. I just wish the cleanliness factor was a little better. I really enjoy reading historical fiction- you can learn so much about the time period. This book takes place in the 1500’s during the reign of Henry VIII, which was quite an exciting time in Europe. Most people know the story of Ann Boleyn, who was a mistress of Henry VIII and later ended up becoming Queen of England. This book has that story in it, but it is all told from the point of view of Mary, Anne’s younger sister. Before Anne, Mary had caught his eye of King Henry VIII and became his mistress. Mary, unlike Anne, became his mistress because she was in love with him, not just for the gain of power and money. The king’s interest begins to wane and Mary is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then, Anne takes over and you read all about her rise to power and her eventual downfall. Mary realizes what a pawn she is in her family’s ambitions and knows that she must defy her family and her king and take her fate into her own hands by marrying for love rather than money and leaving her glamorous life at court and her family behind.
By now, everyone probably knows that I’m a total sap and always love a good love story- well this book is filled with them. Mary, the main character has three different love stories herself. But this book is more than just mistresses and love stories; it deals a lot with the sisterly relationship between Anne and Mary. They are best friends and love each other, yet they are bitter rivals at the same time. This is a compelling novel and the author really makes the characters come alive, especially Mary. It made me understand how difficult it must have been to be a woman in the 1500’s. It is a pretty long book (661 pages) but is a definite page turner.
2 comments:
Hello! I am Jennie's friend from high school. Summer, we met once or twice, for sure one time when Jennie & I came to stay in Houston for a day as we were passing through. My question is this, is this the first of the series or is the first book "The Boelyn Inheritance". I almost picked it up today at the store, but didn't know which one to read first. Does anyone know?
did you watch the movie i think that the movie didn't do this book credit. It was way to focused on anne
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