Book Review of The Murder of Edward VI
**Rating: 3.5/5**
Refreshing historical fiction.
One of my favorite monarchs in history is Elizabeth I of England, and I have always had a sound fascination with the House of Tudor. To the point where, even as a young student, I was pouring over histories and historical fiction novels about what is - arguably - one of the bloodiest families in English history. Now, as an adult, I am extremely pleased to have added The Murder of Edward VI to my HF collection.
Snow's masterful retelling of the history of Henry VII, Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Edward IV was a fast-paced journey that kept me up late two nights in a row. His fictional Barton the perfect mix of senility and poise, pulling me in as a reader and making it possible for me to imagine myself sitting in his cell in the Tower and listening first-hand to his account of the events leading to Elizabeth taking the throne. From Henry's fall into delerium to the events that put Lady Jane Grey on the throne, Barton's compelling (and fictional) account of the uncertainty on the English throne was hard to walk away from.
However, I did find the ending really...disappointing. Snow builds such an exceptional tale that I found the ending a little lack luster. Barton deserved better, and I wish that, as a reader, I got to see more of Elizabeth. Scenes with Mary as a child also felt stilted but the other characters in the book are strong enough to support her rather awkward interactions.
My favorite character out of the whole story would have to be Marta - someone whom I also wish we'd seen more of.
I receive a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publishers, GenZ Publishing, All opinions and views in this review are my own.
Refreshing historical fiction.
One of my favorite monarchs in history is Elizabeth I of England, and I have always had a sound fascination with the House of Tudor. To the point where, even as a young student, I was pouring over histories and historical fiction novels about what is - arguably - one of the bloodiest families in English history. Now, as an adult, I am extremely pleased to have added The Murder of Edward VI to my HF collection.
Snow's masterful retelling of the history of Henry VII, Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Edward IV was a fast-paced journey that kept me up late two nights in a row. His fictional Barton the perfect mix of senility and poise, pulling me in as a reader and making it possible for me to imagine myself sitting in his cell in the Tower and listening first-hand to his account of the events leading to Elizabeth taking the throne. From Henry's fall into delerium to the events that put Lady Jane Grey on the throne, Barton's compelling (and fictional) account of the uncertainty on the English throne was hard to walk away from.
However, I did find the ending really...disappointing. Snow builds such an exceptional tale that I found the ending a little lack luster. Barton deserved better, and I wish that, as a reader, I got to see more of Elizabeth. Scenes with Mary as a child also felt stilted but the other characters in the book are strong enough to support her rather awkward interactions.
My favorite character out of the whole story would have to be Marta - someone whom I also wish we'd seen more of.
I receive a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publishers, GenZ Publishing, All opinions and views in this review are my own.
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