I remember when this book and Gregory’s historical fiction series was very popular in the Aughts. I managed to find this one and three others from the series in a used book sale. In an effort to minimize space, I am trying to go through all the books that I own but have not read. Afterwards, I will donate them unless the book is one that I absolutely love and would read again. That’s been my usual process for books that I have come to own.
As it is winter and a post-work day read, I wanted something a bit more on the cozy and low thinking side. This fit the bill because it has a great pacing and reads very well. I liked the first person narration and I find the character of Mary Boleyn relateable even though she was not as clever as anyone else in the book. I liked her straight forwardness. In general, I liked Gregory’s characters. The dialogue was not always the most illuminating but it worked.
I didn’t really care about the romances in the book. I know enough English history to understand that Gregory played fast and loose with some aspects. I know Gregory does a lot of research for her books but she also picks and chooses theories. I am fine with it since this is a novel. I prefer to read accurate history from a history book. I appreciate the focus on women and female characters. To me, this book is chick lit and speculative history.
I have already started the sequel which is not as engaging. I think this book worked well because Gregory put a lot on the narration of Mary Boleyn and creating the dynamic she had with her siblings and they with each other. Without that, this book would have been much more boring.
Read February 26-28, 2018.