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Tudor Heirs #3
The Puppet King
“I had been born Henry VIII’s most precious jewel, the country’s future, and the Tudor dynasty’s salvation. My birth had marked my father’s most joyous success after decades of failures.
But now, there was only dying left for me to do.
As to what would have happened had I endured, it no longer mattered.
And as to whether I would have done my duty…well, I guess we will never know.
Because I never got to live.”
As son to Henry VIII by his third wife, Jane Seymour, young Edward is rushed into adulthood and kingship when his father suddenly dies.
At the age of just nine-years-old however, king Edward VI cannot rule on his own, and many who had sworn fealty to him begin to work in secret to attain their own political goals.
But, unbeknownst to the rest of the world, Edward has his own secret – one he must never allow to come to light.
But now, there was only dying left for me to do.
As to what would have happened had I endured, it no longer mattered.
And as to whether I would have done my duty…well, I guess we will never know.
Because I never got to live.”
As son to Henry VIII by his third wife, Jane Seymour, young Edward is rushed into adulthood and kingship when his father suddenly dies.
At the age of just nine-years-old however, king Edward VI cannot rule on his own, and many who had sworn fealty to him begin to work in secret to attain their own political goals.
But, unbeknownst to the rest of the world, Edward has his own secret – one he must never allow to come to light.
- GenresHistoryTudor Period
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2024
134 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Leah Toole
9 books159 followersLeah Toole is a captivating historical storyteller, bringing the past to life with her vivid narratives and meticulous research. With an educational background in History, English Literature, and English Language, Toole's passion and dedication is clear, and since publishing her debut novel "The Saddest Princess" she has gone on to write several more books on the Tudor era, which have received praise from all over the world. Outside of work, Leah Toole, as a wife and mother of two, enjoys spending time with her family, as well as reading, and maintaining her thriving TikTok platform, where she shares educational and entertaining Tudor history content.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 22, 2024
Another amazing book in the Tudor heir’s series! What a great book on the lesser known son of Henry the 8th and his short lived reign. Could not recommend these books more!
February 9, 2024
Yet again a wonderfull read … just like the 2 before … I did not know much about Edward VI , he was his father’s favourite the one he waited for, for so long…
Not that Edward received more love or attention from his father… his future was set terrible high expectations that he had troubles with , could he have ever live up to them
After reading this I feel for Edward like I never did before
Thanks Leah for this wonderfull book 📕❤️
Not that Edward received more love or attention from his father… his future was set terrible high expectations that he had troubles with , could he have ever live up to them
After reading this I feel for Edward like I never did before
Thanks Leah for this wonderfull book 📕❤️
March 23, 2024
Best of the series! I’ve never really learnt much about Edward, so I found this great!
June 16, 2025
All of Henry Vlll children has such tragic lives and learning about how many adults trying to sink their teeth into Edward when he was just a child was so sad to read. He never got to live his life and was constantly being manipulated by everyone in his life, including his father to become a ruler that everyone else wants.
May 11, 2025
Leah’s Tudor series is captivating to read! I have read out of series order (but perhaps chronologically) starting with The Forgotten Prince, then The Hopeful Duke & now The Puppet King. This is historical fiction, however it was interesting to read the interpretation of Henry VIII treatment of his wives and children, and how that affects the course of all their lives. Edward is his jewel, and yet they spend little time together, Henry being more concerned with politics and making spare heirs/seeing off his wives. His short reign, secret love and the pressure of duty, along with his manipulation by the older men on his council is well depicted, and I would be interested to learn more about Lady Jane Grey from the epilogue…
January 28, 2024
Amazing!!!
Here it is, yet another amazing book by author Leah Toole! I love this series so much, that I dare say it is my favorite! (: I really enjoyed this book, and how all the characters seem to come alive as you are reading. King Edward VI truly was a puppet for all the power hungry men that surrounded him, grasping for even an inch of power and status that it’s not hard to believe truly how alone and isolated he must have felt. As the son and heir that King Henry VIII waited for, for so long, you would imagine that he would have had it easy, (especially compared to his sisters) although after reading this book, my heart aches for him in a way. Henry VIII was awful to all of his children, but he expected so much from Edward, and he had what probably felt like the world on his young shoulders. If you enjoy historical fiction, or anything related to the Tudors, give this series a read. You will not be disappointed!!! Bravo!!
Here it is, yet another amazing book by author Leah Toole! I love this series so much, that I dare say it is my favorite! (: I really enjoyed this book, and how all the characters seem to come alive as you are reading. King Edward VI truly was a puppet for all the power hungry men that surrounded him, grasping for even an inch of power and status that it’s not hard to believe truly how alone and isolated he must have felt. As the son and heir that King Henry VIII waited for, for so long, you would imagine that he would have had it easy, (especially compared to his sisters) although after reading this book, my heart aches for him in a way. Henry VIII was awful to all of his children, but he expected so much from Edward, and he had what probably felt like the world on his young shoulders. If you enjoy historical fiction, or anything related to the Tudors, give this series a read. You will not be disappointed!!! Bravo!!
January 22, 2025
Very Interesting Perspective
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Tudor Heir series. I think this book has the most interesting perspective of the life of Edward VI.
I never knew much about Edward VI reign but even though this book is fiction I feel like I have learnt quite a bit about the key points in history.
If you are into the Tudor Era I highly recommend this series.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Tudor Heir series. I think this book has the most interesting perspective of the life of Edward VI.
I never knew much about Edward VI reign but even though this book is fiction I feel like I have learnt quite a bit about the key points in history.
If you are into the Tudor Era I highly recommend this series.
February 23, 2024
As always Leah Tooles books are amazing 👏🏻 😍 ❤️
May 22, 2025
Another five-star book by Leah Toole! The story of the Young King Edward VI is another page turner. She doesn’t disappoint!
April 7, 2024
Couldn’t put this one down! Oh and that surprise towards the end though! Absolutely loved this book! Another great book from Leah! 👑
June 5, 2024
definitely fiction
This version of a tragic figure is not based on any recorded facts It’s a possible explanation but there could be myriad other explanations
This version of a tragic figure is not based on any recorded facts It’s a possible explanation but there could be myriad other explanations
June 11, 2025
i found this book on tiktok! so far, the language and writing are very easy to understand <3
February 8, 2024
Amazing read!!!
Another amazing read from Leah. I loved the first two books as well. Loved being able to see through Edward’s eyes what his reign may have been like.
Another amazing read from Leah. I loved the first two books as well. Loved being able to see through Edward’s eyes what his reign may have been like.
October 30, 2024
Tudor heirs series
3.75 stars. This was an absolute joy to read, the events and motivations are well researched and, although there are artistic licences taken in this novel, it works well for readability. It's the beauty of historical fiction. I loved the representation of a king usually glossed over and will be reading the other books for sure.
3.75 stars. This was an absolute joy to read, the events and motivations are well researched and, although there are artistic licences taken in this novel, it works well for readability. It's the beauty of historical fiction. I loved the representation of a king usually glossed over and will be reading the other books for sure.
January 19, 2025
This book is so much more than just the short life and even shorter reign of Edward VI. The story begins with Henry VIII proposing to Jane Seymour following the execution of Anne Boleyn. There are plenty of juicy details about Henry and his succession of wives. The author perfectly illustrates Henry VIII's malignant narcissism that worsened with age and doomed every relationship. She offers new insights into the personality of Edward VI and the men who used religion to control him and England. You don't need to be a die-hard Tudor fan to enjoy this book...I devoured it in an afternoon and loved it!
January 27, 2024
Congratulations Leah absolutely loved this book #KindleUnlimited
March 2, 2025
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!!!!! I AM OBSESSED WITH IT!!! This is a must-read for any Tudor fans!!!!
July 27, 2025
These fictional Tudor histories are so well done…enough fiction to make u wonder and imagine and enjoy the story but enough fact to make it believable and learn something. I always enjoy her writing!
November 10, 2024
Great short little look into the often unexplored life of Edward. I do wish it was longer
July 13, 2025
I am so glad a book has finally been written on Edward VI, this book shows how Edward didn’t actually have the perfect life that most people would think he did as Henry VIII’s ‘most loved child’; he was a young boy put under a great amount of pressure and who was manipulated and controlled by his own family.
I really enjoyed this book and would give it a 4.5, I feel like there should’ve been a bit of a SA warning at the start of that paragraph (can’t remember which one) but other than it was amazing and I loved it!!
I really enjoyed this book and would give it a 4.5, I feel like there should’ve been a bit of a SA warning at the start of that paragraph (can’t remember which one) but other than it was amazing and I loved it!!
February 25, 2024
Weak and unfactual retelling.
This is a fictional retelling of Edward VI's life. Think Philippa Gregory crossed with fan-fiction in terms of accuracy and writing style. For what it was, it was a quick and easy read with minimal factual substance and stereotypical characters.
This is a fictional retelling of Edward VI's life. Think Philippa Gregory crossed with fan-fiction in terms of accuracy and writing style. For what it was, it was a quick and easy read with minimal factual substance and stereotypical characters.
July 2, 2024
Such a brilliant book. It gave me a mass insight to the loneliness Edward bore throughout his short life. The book was full of factual information - whilst also having an interesting non-factual side to it at times too.
July 23, 2024
This review will contain spoilers as well as references to sexual assault, murder and misogyny, all of which this book contains in abundance.
I’d like to begin with a small positive, though there is little good that can be said about this or the author’s other three books concerning the Tudor heirs. That said, the final paragraphs showing Edward’s last thoughts at death were poignantly written and had what I assume are the author’s desired emotional effect.
With the positive out of the way… this book was bad. Extremely so. From a writing perspective, from a storytelling perspective, and from a historical perspective.
Grammar and spelling errors abound. Titles are not properly capitalised; Your Highness or Your Majesty should be written as such, not in lower case, even when in the middle of a sentence, and the word king and queen should also be capitalised when paired with a persons’s name. For example, King Henry and Queen Jane.
Grammar and spelling I might have overlooked, if not for the appalling and frankly insulting manner in which history is portrayed in this novel, and indeed, how these historical figures and their lives, as well as their deaths are portrayed.
For reasons unbeknownst to me, these books all contain random scenes wherein Henry VIII either rapes or sexually assaults his wives. In this book alone he both sexually assaults Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves. These scenes are poorly written, contain no true substance and seem, in my view, only to exist for the purpose of showcasing how cruel Henry is. These rape scenes are jarring and poorly executed, in my opinion.
Just in case you forgot that Henry VIII was obsessed with having a male heir, this author drives the point home repeatedly by having almost every line of dialogue from Henry’s mouth - especially when he speaks to his wives - be related to this. It stops having any real meaning after a while and comes across as a caricature. I almost expect Henry break the fourth wall and inform the reader that yes; he is a raging misogynist and the villain of this piece.
The portrayal of Henry’s wives I cannot comment on, mostly for the fact that none of them are given all that much to do. The book is Edward’s story ( allegedly ) yet chapters seem to hastily rush through a basic retelling of the lives and deaths of these women, all of whom deserve a better portrayal than they are given here.
Historical inaccuracies abound in this book, which are not addressed as being potential inaccuracies. I won’t list all of them, but suffice to say, the most egregious distorting of history sees Henry VIII smother Jane Seymour with a pillow. I had to double take when I read it. There are no words.
This book portrays Edward VI as secretly gay and in love with his friend/whipping boy, Barnaby Fitzpatrick. I will not comment on the sexuality of a historical figure who was a child during the time this book is set, but just to make other potential readers aware that this is the portrayal they’ll be getting should they pick up the book.
I would have preferred a more nuanced look into Edward’s reign as king and perhaps an exploration as to how his sheltered upbringing might have affected him in later years. Nuance, it seems, is sorely lacking in these books, and this one is no exception.
All in all, I would not recommend this book. It is poorly written, historically inaccurate and held no enjoyment for me as a reader.
Would that my rating could be lower than one star.
I’d like to begin with a small positive, though there is little good that can be said about this or the author’s other three books concerning the Tudor heirs. That said, the final paragraphs showing Edward’s last thoughts at death were poignantly written and had what I assume are the author’s desired emotional effect.
With the positive out of the way… this book was bad. Extremely so. From a writing perspective, from a storytelling perspective, and from a historical perspective.
Grammar and spelling errors abound. Titles are not properly capitalised; Your Highness or Your Majesty should be written as such, not in lower case, even when in the middle of a sentence, and the word king and queen should also be capitalised when paired with a persons’s name. For example, King Henry and Queen Jane.
Grammar and spelling I might have overlooked, if not for the appalling and frankly insulting manner in which history is portrayed in this novel, and indeed, how these historical figures and their lives, as well as their deaths are portrayed.
For reasons unbeknownst to me, these books all contain random scenes wherein Henry VIII either rapes or sexually assaults his wives. In this book alone he both sexually assaults Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves. These scenes are poorly written, contain no true substance and seem, in my view, only to exist for the purpose of showcasing how cruel Henry is. These rape scenes are jarring and poorly executed, in my opinion.
Just in case you forgot that Henry VIII was obsessed with having a male heir, this author drives the point home repeatedly by having almost every line of dialogue from Henry’s mouth - especially when he speaks to his wives - be related to this. It stops having any real meaning after a while and comes across as a caricature. I almost expect Henry break the fourth wall and inform the reader that yes; he is a raging misogynist and the villain of this piece.
The portrayal of Henry’s wives I cannot comment on, mostly for the fact that none of them are given all that much to do. The book is Edward’s story ( allegedly ) yet chapters seem to hastily rush through a basic retelling of the lives and deaths of these women, all of whom deserve a better portrayal than they are given here.
Historical inaccuracies abound in this book, which are not addressed as being potential inaccuracies. I won’t list all of them, but suffice to say, the most egregious distorting of history sees Henry VIII smother Jane Seymour with a pillow. I had to double take when I read it. There are no words.
This book portrays Edward VI as secretly gay and in love with his friend/whipping boy, Barnaby Fitzpatrick. I will not comment on the sexuality of a historical figure who was a child during the time this book is set, but just to make other potential readers aware that this is the portrayal they’ll be getting should they pick up the book.
I would have preferred a more nuanced look into Edward’s reign as king and perhaps an exploration as to how his sheltered upbringing might have affected him in later years. Nuance, it seems, is sorely lacking in these books, and this one is no exception.
All in all, I would not recommend this book. It is poorly written, historically inaccurate and held no enjoyment for me as a reader.
Would that my rating could be lower than one star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
I think if you follow the Tudor dynasty at all, this might be a good book to glance through, but understand that because we know so little of Edward 6, there's also a great deal of pinning together context through speculation and actual extant documentation.
The story plod along, neither compelling or particularly interesting. Because it is fiction, the dialogue is pure invention, but it reads lightly and without a great deal of drama.
Was Edward 6 homosexual? Possibly. I don't know if history can or does support such a theory, but in the times when most marriages were tools of power and land-grabbing dynastic constructs, it's hard to tell if he would have been a marital pawn or not. He was only a child, actually-despite being 15, he'd been protected, coddled and spoiled since birth, so I think his experiences were primarily with the male members of his household, rather than being able to form friendships with both males and females, he would not have been freely disposed to his own choices. He would have been told who to favor and who to avoid, since he was always the pawn of power-seeking relatives such as his two uncles, it's hard to say how he may have found himself if he had to make his own matches in casual relationships. It just wasn't how things were done.
The hideous crimes that were carried out in the name of religion do not surprise me, nor should they take anyone by surprise. But the fact that government had the power to declare all persons should worship only one way is of course, one of the reasons the first pilgrims sought religious freedom outside of Europe, England and other nations. Where that dogma takes us today is still mind-boggling, because it is still very much in effect, in many ways. It's frightening.
All in all, the book is amusing, but brief. It feels encapsulated. I think it relies on a reader coming to the text with some basic understanding of the middle aged prior to the renaissance. The social, economic, spiritual, and cultural aspects of everyday life were never going to be in favor of the common man. This book ignores the common plight, and focuses only on the wealthy, power-hungry, land owning families who forged the ground rules for everyone else, while they pleased themselves on the backs of peasant labor. So we get a bare glimpse of a tiny slice of privileged lifestyles, not the reflection of the common people.
I am sorry to say that there are some really glaring editorial mishaps scattered throughout the text. It desperately needs the deft touch of a decent copy editor and a proof readers. The spelling, grammar, inarticulate phrases and total mashups of malapropisms are glaring. If someone is going to write in the genre, they should at least undertake the knowledge of facts, be they medical, financial, sumptuary or military. The dates in some of the French-Anglo "battles" are inaccurate. There are multiple errors in herbal medicine as well as some phrases that defy logic or comprehension. Maybe they are just poor spelling mistakes, or else they are poorly understood or researched terms that render the context incomprehensible. I highlighted them but lost count of them after 25. Proofreading would have helped.
In short, this is an e-book. As such, you get what you pay for. I paid $1.00. Neither a bargain or a cheat.
The story plod along, neither compelling or particularly interesting. Because it is fiction, the dialogue is pure invention, but it reads lightly and without a great deal of drama.
Was Edward 6 homosexual? Possibly. I don't know if history can or does support such a theory, but in the times when most marriages were tools of power and land-grabbing dynastic constructs, it's hard to tell if he would have been a marital pawn or not. He was only a child, actually-despite being 15, he'd been protected, coddled and spoiled since birth, so I think his experiences were primarily with the male members of his household, rather than being able to form friendships with both males and females, he would not have been freely disposed to his own choices. He would have been told who to favor and who to avoid, since he was always the pawn of power-seeking relatives such as his two uncles, it's hard to say how he may have found himself if he had to make his own matches in casual relationships. It just wasn't how things were done.
The hideous crimes that were carried out in the name of religion do not surprise me, nor should they take anyone by surprise. But the fact that government had the power to declare all persons should worship only one way is of course, one of the reasons the first pilgrims sought religious freedom outside of Europe, England and other nations. Where that dogma takes us today is still mind-boggling, because it is still very much in effect, in many ways. It's frightening.
All in all, the book is amusing, but brief. It feels encapsulated. I think it relies on a reader coming to the text with some basic understanding of the middle aged prior to the renaissance. The social, economic, spiritual, and cultural aspects of everyday life were never going to be in favor of the common man. This book ignores the common plight, and focuses only on the wealthy, power-hungry, land owning families who forged the ground rules for everyone else, while they pleased themselves on the backs of peasant labor. So we get a bare glimpse of a tiny slice of privileged lifestyles, not the reflection of the common people.
I am sorry to say that there are some really glaring editorial mishaps scattered throughout the text. It desperately needs the deft touch of a decent copy editor and a proof readers. The spelling, grammar, inarticulate phrases and total mashups of malapropisms are glaring. If someone is going to write in the genre, they should at least undertake the knowledge of facts, be they medical, financial, sumptuary or military. The dates in some of the French-Anglo "battles" are inaccurate. There are multiple errors in herbal medicine as well as some phrases that defy logic or comprehension. Maybe they are just poor spelling mistakes, or else they are poorly understood or researched terms that render the context incomprehensible. I highlighted them but lost count of them after 25. Proofreading would have helped.
In short, this is an e-book. As such, you get what you pay for. I paid $1.00. Neither a bargain or a cheat.
July 18, 2024
Edward VI was his father’s son and I thought he was quite a brat! It wasn’t his fault he came to the throne at such a young age and was easily impressionable by his regents.
He removed his uncles by having them executed for treason, but he was very much manipulated by John Dudley, who was hungry for power.
I believe Edward was truly in love with his best friend Barnaby. But Barnaby didn’t reciprocate these feelings, but kept the young kings secret.
His relationship with his councilmen was rocky. He was easily impressionable because of his young age and that allowed him to be swayed in the direction they wanted.
I do wonder what it might have been like for England is Edward had lived long enough to marry Elizabeth of Valois, who was his betrothed and what that may have been like for the future of the Tudor reign.
He removed his uncles by having them executed for treason, but he was very much manipulated by John Dudley, who was hungry for power.
I believe Edward was truly in love with his best friend Barnaby. But Barnaby didn’t reciprocate these feelings, but kept the young kings secret.
His relationship with his councilmen was rocky. He was easily impressionable because of his young age and that allowed him to be swayed in the direction they wanted.
I do wonder what it might have been like for England is Edward had lived long enough to marry Elizabeth of Valois, who was his betrothed and what that may have been like for the future of the Tudor reign.
October 1, 2025
DNF’d after chapter 3.
This series had already started to annoy me when I read The Haunted Queen with the inclusion of r*pe scenes (there was no warning for this btw). Something about making money from writing r*pe scenes that not only include REAL HISTORICAL PEOPLE but that we also have no evidence for (with the exception of Thomas Seymour abusing Elizabeth, there is evidence for that) rubs me the wrong way.
I started reading this book already having a bad taste in my mouth because of this and I just got so irritated at yet more r*pe scenes that exist for no reason other than shock value, so I just gave up. The fact that the author had Henry murder Jane by smothering her to death was so stupid and was the final straw for me.
I will not be continuing with this series and i wish just stopped reading after book 1, i absolutely do not recommend this book.
This series had already started to annoy me when I read The Haunted Queen with the inclusion of r*pe scenes (there was no warning for this btw). Something about making money from writing r*pe scenes that not only include REAL HISTORICAL PEOPLE but that we also have no evidence for (with the exception of Thomas Seymour abusing Elizabeth, there is evidence for that) rubs me the wrong way.
I started reading this book already having a bad taste in my mouth because of this and I just got so irritated at yet more r*pe scenes that exist for no reason other than shock value, so I just gave up. The fact that the author had Henry murder Jane by smothering her to death was so stupid and was the final straw for me.
I will not be continuing with this series and i wish just stopped reading after book 1, i absolutely do not recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2024
This book did exactly what it needed to for me after reading the first two of the Tudor Heir series!
Once again It was beautifully written, this Author has such a way with words!
A really interesting take on Edward, a character in history that there isn’t that much depth into.
I adored the portrayal of Anne of cleves
Loved the take on Jane Seymour (don’t want to give any spoilers).
Honestly if you have enjoyed book one and two of the Tudor Heir series then this is a MUST read! And if you haven’t read the other two then all three are a MUST read!
The ending is breath taking!
Once again It was beautifully written, this Author has such a way with words!
A really interesting take on Edward, a character in history that there isn’t that much depth into.
I adored the portrayal of Anne of cleves
Loved the take on Jane Seymour (don’t want to give any spoilers).
Honestly if you have enjoyed book one and two of the Tudor Heir series then this is a MUST read! And if you haven’t read the other two then all three are a MUST read!
The ending is breath taking!
January 29, 2024
I didn't know much about Edward vi as I'm sure not many of us do, and this book was very insightful. As always, Toole is able to deliver excellent factual content in an entertaining way with just the right amount of fiction. I xan honestly say I'd recommend this to anyone interested interested tudor history
July 11, 2025
Overall, a good read and one I quite enjoyed.
It is a shame that much of the dialogue and themes are copied over from the other Tudor Heirs series. It means that the book very much echoes the previous one (TH1) that I read.
I don't think I'll read the other ones in the series for a good while because of this!
It is a shame that much of the dialogue and themes are copied over from the other Tudor Heirs series. It means that the book very much echoes the previous one (TH1) that I read.
I don't think I'll read the other ones in the series for a good while because of this!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews