It is 1502 and Arthur Tudor has just married the Spanish infanta Katherine of Aragon, solidifying the alliance between England and Castille, when they are both struck down with the infamous sudor anglicus, better known as the sweating sickness. In the history books as we know it, fifteen-year-old Arthur succumbs to the illness, leaving Katherine – and England – at the mercy of Arthur’s younger brother, the future King Henry VIII.
But what if Arthur Tudor had not died on that fateful day? What if he had survived and lived on to become the next King of England, as he had been born to be? Would England face the same political, domestic, and religious struggles as it did under Henry VIII? Would Henry VIII’s six famous wives face similar fates?
Step into this alternative Tudor historical fiction and explore the life King Arthur of England could have led, with Katherine of Aragon by his side and the unknown future ahead, in ‘The Rose and the Pomegranate’.
Leah 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.
Firstly, I’d like to thank Leah Toole for kindly giving me an ARC for this wonderful book. The release date is 22nd October.
This story is an alternative history - what if Arthur Tudor never succumbed to his illness?
Life for Britain and the Tudor dynasty was certainly much better in this retelling of history. I loved this story. It was the perfect balance of fact and fiction. Although it’s an alternative history, Toole still managed to align it with parallel historical events as to not skew the entirety of European history.
The romance was wonderful and I loved that both Katherine and Mary finally got their happy endings. This story was so beautiful and I’m so glad I got their chance to read it early! Well done, Leah Toole!
The Rose & The Pomegranate by Leah Tootle is about what if Prince Arthur Tudor hadn’t died?
It is 1502 and Arthur Tudor has just married the Spanish infanta Katherine of Aragon, solidifying the alliance between England and Castille, when they are both struck down with the infamous sudor anglicus, better known as the sweating sickness. In the history books as we know it, fifteen-year-old Arthur succumbs to the illness, leaving Katherine – and England – at the mercy of Arthur’s younger brother, the future King Henry VIII.
But what if Arthur Tudor had not died on that fateful day? What if he had survived and lived on to become the next King of England, as he had been born to be? Would England face the same political, domestic, and religious struggles as it did under Henry VIII? Would Henry VIII’s six famous wives face similar fates?
Step into this alternative Tudor historical fiction and explore the life King Arthur of England could have led, with Katherine of Aragon by his side and the unknown future ahead, in ‘The Rose and the Pomegranate.
thank you to Leah for letting me have the opportunity to be part of the ARC team and there will be spoilers ahead. Leah Tootle did it again, she competed an amazing and well written book. Leah has amazing imagery in her writing that you can see in her books including this one and you can feel her heart blood, sweat, and soul poured into this book aka her baby. In the book, there are some events that are parallels to what happened in history like the devastating miscarriages that Katherine of Aragon faced. In both the book and real life, Henry or he’s also known as Harry is still a pain in the butt and super self centered. I have never hated a character (real and fictional) so much that I did with Harry though he didn’t deserve to be murdered. It was amazing to see appearances of the six wives of Henry the eighth throughout the book and I was super happy to see the happy endings for the wives. I just wished that it would have happened in real life. I found myself thirsting for more and wished it was longer to find out how Mary’s reign went, the raising and upbringing of baby Mary, Edward’s upbringing and see more of Alice. As always I give it a five out of five stars ⭐️ . You should definitely read The Rose and The Pomegranate and you will not be disappointed especially if you love Tudor history or anything about the royals 👑. I’m looking forward and so excited to read Leah’s next books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have followed this author for sometime now she’s a great author this book I would describe as a WHAT IF Prince Arthur became king of England instead of his brother King Henry VIII you need to read it to fine out #KindleUnlimited❤️
I was a little bit scare because I never ever read a Tudor-what-if book 📖
But ofcourse it was mind blowing 🤯!!!!
And it gave me much more understanding about Henry VIII why he made such poor decisions when he was king 👑 About war about tactics about a lot of this he was so not prepared to be king I knew this ofcourse but it never sunk in , it did now
And poor Katherine I always felt sorry for her but now even more cause she could have been so happy if Arthur had lived
Thank u so much for writing your books 📚 I truly truly love them
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy of The Rose and the Pomegranate!
I am obsessed with all things Tudors, gimme a book, movie or TV show and I will GOBBLE it up. This book is an alternative historical fiction in which the author explores what life for Katherine of Aragon (and England )would be like if Prince Arthur Tudor hadn't died so young. Katherine would never have married or been divorced by Henry VIII .
The Rose and the Pomegranate is a brilliant blend of historical fact and alternative fiction. Leah Toole has masterfully kept the historical accuracy of what we know about things that happened during Henry's reign and made it so for the reign of "Good King Arthur". All of the people we would expect to be present are there, Wolsey, Cromwell, More, the Boleyns, the Seymours, etc. Many get the lives they should have been able to have without a tyrant as king. Some get the punishment that should have been doled out for their wickedness.
I very much enjoyed this alternate history. It makes me a bit sad to think about what could have been, especially for Katherine who died with a broken heart.
I was entertained throughout and definitely enjoyed the twists and turns the author took to get to where we needed to be.
First of all I would love to thank Leah for gifting me this ARC! The Rose and the Pomegranate is an alternative Tudor History. What if Prince Arthur had never died of the sweating sickness in 1502?
Spoiler Free Review: Arthur Tudor is the greenest flag in Tudor England and he got to live past 1502 and what a change to England it made! I really really enjoyed this book the blossoming relationship between Arthur and Katherine of Aragon, it was beautiful. There are topics in this book which Leah treats with such sensitivity which I always appreciate. This is an alternate reality on Tudor England and I loved every second of it and I was so in awe of the family that they had. The respect to Katherine of Aragon and Arthur Tudor in what they could have had if Arthur had survived was so beautiful!
I also love that this book is like no reimagining or what if I’ve ever read. I just couldn’t put it down. I’m obsessed with Leah’s Tudor Heir’s series. And I’ll just say it now I want more what ifs by Leah and the epilogue made me want more!
Brilliant alternate history thought exercise! The characters were well constructed, excellently placed in this “what if” story. A must read for any historical fiction fan!
Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this! After reading Alison Weir’s Six Wives of Henry VIII earlier this year and my love for SIX, having the knowledge of what truly happened made this all the more enjoyable and a little sad since the true events are so tragic. I love that while this is focused on Katherine of Aragon, the other 5 wives are molded into the retelling, some in large ways and some in small. Ending with a glimpse of Mary, Queen of Scots made me happy since I also love and know much about that time too. Who knows what really could have happened but either way, f you Henry VIII 🤗
The Rose and the Pomegranate is, without a doubt, one of the best books I’ve ever read—if not the best. My “Roman Empire” has always been wondering: What if Arthur Tudor hadn’t died? How different would the world be? This book answered all those questions in the most satisfying way possible.
From the moment I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. Every time I thought about pausing, I’d immediately get pulled back in, unable to stop myself from continuing. The story is so immersive that I could vividly picture each scene playing out in my mind. I truly hope someone picks this up and turns it into a movie or TV series because it absolutely deserves that recognition.
This was also the first book I read on my new Kindle (a Christmas gift!), and it couldn’t have been a better choice. I wasn’t sure if I’d finish it before the New Year, but I did—and barely touched my phone for five days because all I wanted to do in my free time was read.
The book has everything: ups, downs, laughter, and tears. The characters feel so real that I often felt like I was standing in the room with them. The balance of emotions is perfect, and even the romantic scenes are beautifully written. The tender moments of love-making are just chef’s kiss—organic and realistic without ever feeling gratuitous.
By the time I reached the end, I started to panic because I didn’t want it to be over. I desperately wanted it to go on forever. If the author ever chooses to expand on this world or write a sequel, I’ll be first in line to buy it.
This book not only leaves you satisfied but also longing for more. It made me think deeply about how different—and perhaps better—the world could have been if Arthur Tudor had lived and influenced history for good.
Overall, this book is a 100/10. I loved it so much that I’m considering buying a physical copy for my shelves because the cover art is stunning. If you’re even remotely interested in alternate history or Arthurian themes, The Rose and the Pomegranate is an absolute must-read.
Leah you have done it again please never stop writing and I will never stop reading!
I had the complete honour of being given the chance to be a part of Leah's Arc team, and what an honour it has been. I don't want to include any spoilers because everyone that has even the smallest of interests in all things tudors MUST read this book! A story that took me on a wild journey, breathtakingly beautiful, complex, a truly original representation of what life could have been and even if it should have been. Leah you have the voice of an author un parallel to anyone else. Your mind fascinates me, I can not wait to witness the joy others get to experience with each of your words! I can not recommend enough! 5 stars just doesn't feel enough!
Have you ever wondered how history might have unfolded if Arthur Tudor had lived, married Katherine of Aragon, and ascended to the throne? If so, The Rose and The Pomegranate is a must-read. In her fifth novel, Leah Toole masterfully blends historical fact with fiction, crafting a story so immersive that even the most dedicated Tudor enthusiast will appreciate its plausibility. Toole’s reimagining is not only engaging for Tudor history buffs but also accessible and enjoyable to readers unfamiliar with the Tudor dynasty.
Toole's novels stand alongside the works of iconic Tudor historians like Alison Weir and Hilary Mantel, showcasing her talent for bringing history to life with rich detail and compelling narratives.
Dive into this captivating "what if" and discover whether Arthur Tudor rises to the legendary status of his namesake and if he and Katherine can create their own Camelot.
Special thanks to Leah Toole for the Advance Release Copy. I also highly recommend exploring her earlier novels on the children of Henry VIII. You may think you know their stories like the back of your hand, but Toole's fresh perspective will keep you guessing and glued to the novels.
What would life be like if Arthur Tudor hadn’t died? Always been curious about what that would’ve been like. This is the book for you.
Having previously read Leah’s Tudor Heirs series, I knew this would be another hit for me.
Being able to read about Arthur and being able to imagine how court might have been, instead of what was, I found this beautiful and utterly compelling. Not only do you get a story of what would’ve been, Leah has managed to weave historical fact in the story, as well as write a story of female strength as a second story line.
A true love story, a devoted king, a man of importance. Who would have Arthur been?
It’s been a pleasure to receive the arc of this, I loved it
I am in awe of this reimagining of history and the immersive world Toole drops the reader into.
I *adore* the love story between Katherine and Arthur; sweet, softly spicy and delightful. I just couldn’t get enough. That moment where the instantaneous the “click” hit was so perfectly timed and appropriate for Arthur and Katherine’s personalities.
The way Leah Toole is able to still carry the world events, British impact/impacted events and still move this in and out of multiple POV made this so very exciting. The differences between what Arthur’s court was in this book vs Henry’s court in our world illustrated the differences between the brothers and the values they both held and placed on different things.
Toole, of course, let the impact of Arthur’s reign reflect on Fate’s wheel for many of the players you’d recognize from your history studies. It was amazing to see the lives changed and altered by the survival of a teenager.
The book is unlike anything else I have ever seen for the Tudor era. This easily beats some of the “more recognizable” names on the Tudor shelf. (I’m not tossing names ;)
If this is your thousandth Tudor book or your first, choose this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Rose and The Pomegranate has probably been my most anticipated read of this year - and it did not disappoint. I have ALWAYS adored Arthur, and wished he had lived to become King, so this was perfect for me. It’s interesting to see how differently things would have been. I loved to see the love blossom between Arthur and Katherine; it was absolutely beautiful and pure. The hardships they overcame together were written beautifully. Also, seeing how different things would have been for Henry, Anne Boleyn and so on so forth was honestly so intriguing. I prefer this Henry (or rather Harry), than the tyrant we all know. Leah has done an outstanding job with this book. It was written thoughtfully and realistically. I must admit, I did cry when Katherine passed away and for Mary during her first marriage! The writing was just so lovely, yet real. I truly recommend this book from Tudor girly, to another! Ahh, I love Arthur!
I dearly loved this version. Would it have been so nice if it was this way.I can actually say I didn't hate harry he was very good as a man of god. And Ann boyln actually being married to Henry Percy and having children,how wonderful. I could go on but why ruin the story. but I did love this version.
A wonderful WHAT IF take on the lives of the Tudor heir and his spanish princess.
How different the lives of all involved, would have turned out.
As a fan of all romanticised retellings of the story of henry's queens from Philippa Gregory, among others, this has been a refreshing story which makes me want to reread all the books i have at home about the Plantagenet and Tudor reigns.
I couldn't say enough good things about this book! I had been waiting for it and it was absolutely amazing. This alternate history explores a world where Arthur Tudor survives and rules alongside Catherine of Aragon. The author keeps certain key historical events the same, but reimagines how they unfold in fascinating, unexpected ways.
One twist I never considered: Charles Brandon never becomes the Duke of Suffolk without Henry Tudor! The attention to detail was excellent—I could tell the author did extensive research into both French and English history. And let me tell you, the final line? It was chef’s kiss perfect.
This book was so much fun, and I couldn’t put it down! I really hope the author continues with more like this in the future.
4.5 stars. Bends the genre in the best way and a lot was believable, a lot wasn't but thats up to opinion- it also made a lot unexpected. Had to dock half a star purely for the spelling mistakes that have been sustained throughout the series (prie-dieu is consistently spelled as prie-deux), however this was such a small thing to be the only issue I had with the book. Really loved it and hope it will become a part of a series in the future.
Such a great twist on "what could have happened if..." Most of the names we know from history appear in this story, in perhaps, what should have been. No beheading or divorcing wives! I found myself sort of wishing this is the timeline we should have had. Great story, great characters, lots of twists & events happening that I didn't see coming.
I loved this. It was such a refreshing take. Very plausible rendition to the players and held true to events that would likely be fixed points in time. I loved this take on a huge what if question and I loved the ending in tying it all together. 10/10 recommend.
I have read so much real history on this that I can say what courage it is to make such a wonderful what if of it!!! It takes alot of guts to take this particular one on. It is very well done. You will enjoy it very much, no matter where you stand. Thank you to the author!