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Above all Others - The Lady Anne #5
Judge The Best
The end is nigh...
Anne Boleyn is Queen, with an infant daughter in the royal nursery and another child on the way, but plots are forming within the shadows of court. As events progress, bringing sorrow and fear to Anne's fragile life, she finds once-allies are becoming enemies.
In the final book of Above All Others: The Lady Anne, Anne Boleyn faces hardship, sorrow and danger as she attempts to challenge not only Thomas Cromwell but Henry himself.
Judge the Best is the last book in the series Above All Others: The Lady Anne, by G. Lawrence.
The author's thanks are due to Julia Gibbs, the proof reader of the book, and Serena Daphn, the Graphic Artist who designed the cover.
Anne Boleyn is Queen, with an infant daughter in the royal nursery and another child on the way, but plots are forming within the shadows of court. As events progress, bringing sorrow and fear to Anne's fragile life, she finds once-allies are becoming enemies.
In the final book of Above All Others: The Lady Anne, Anne Boleyn faces hardship, sorrow and danger as she attempts to challenge not only Thomas Cromwell but Henry himself.
Judge the Best is the last book in the series Above All Others: The Lady Anne, by G. Lawrence.
The author's thanks are due to Julia Gibbs, the proof reader of the book, and Serena Daphn, the Graphic Artist who designed the cover.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2018
139 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
G. Lawrence
50 books278 followersI am an independently published author, and proud to be so. Living in a little cottage in Wales in the UK, I love where I live as much as I love to write.
The age of the Tudors has been an obsession for me since I was a child, and many of my upcoming books will center on that time, but I also pen the odd dystopian fiction or historical fiction from other time periods. I will be releasing all my titles on amazon, for kindle and then hopefully for print later.
I studied Literature (with a capital L) at University and usually have twenty or more books I'm currently reading. Reading and writing are about mood for me, and I haven't found a genre I didn't enjoy something about so far...
You can often find me on Wattpad or Twitter when I'm not writing...
The age of the Tudors has been an obsession for me since I was a child, and many of my upcoming books will center on that time, but I also pen the odd dystopian fiction or historical fiction from other time periods. I will be releasing all my titles on amazon, for kindle and then hopefully for print later.
I studied Literature (with a capital L) at University and usually have twenty or more books I'm currently reading. Reading and writing are about mood for me, and I haven't found a genre I didn't enjoy something about so far...
You can often find me on Wattpad or Twitter when I'm not writing...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 22, 2018
Judge the Best covers the final period in Anne's life, from her first still-birth (after the birth of Elizabeth) to bringing about of her downfall by Thomas Cromwell, and her execution. It is a long book, I believe about 160K words, but I never felt that I was ploughing through it. I was riveted all the way through, and felt sad when I got to the end.
So much has been written about Anne Boleyn; I have always been on the 'she was innocent and the whole thing was dreamed up by Cromwell to get rid of her because Henry wanted a new wife who might give him a son' side, and if there was any doubt in my mind, I would be completely convinced of her innocence and the sins committed against her by this book. It has also showed me further sides to the story ~ how much of a danger to Cromwell she had become, aside from other political considerations.
'Guilt and innocence seem to be one and the same at this time. It all depends on the King... not on evidence, confession or actual sin...just on what Henry believes.'
Anne's last moments are told by Thomas Wyatt, in which he suggests a deeper reason for Henry's wish to rid himself of her: he could not control her. She would not behave herself, unlike the insipid Jane Seymour. I see Anne's inability to produce a son as his all-encompassing motivation: to prove himself the strong, virile, god-like figure who could produce male heirs. None of us knows the absolute truth, of course. I feel that Gemma Lawrence's is the most likely, of all I have read. After the end of the novel, she gives much evidence of Anne's innocence, and also discusses Henry's descent into tyranny, lechery and ill health—and provides a brief look at the rest of Henry's life and the unfortunate women who would be chosen to sit on Anne's throne after her, as well as the fates of the other players in the story (I've saved the 'other players' bit to read in bed, shortly!).
'..there would always remain a part of him that would doubt. I knew it was there, in him. That was why I would die by the sword. Because he knew I was innocent.
Cromwell should watch that doubt, I thought. This is the lesson he has not learned.'
As ever, with this series and all of this author's work, it is meticulously researched with the detail unobtrusively woven around her own words, viewpoints, and portrayal of her subject. Never, like in many other works of historical fiction, do I feel I'm reading a text book; every event is told only through the eyes of Anne. She shows Anne as I believe she was: a woman born before her time, who was passionate, loyal, highly intelligent, sometimes cruel, impulsive, generous, strong, dignified, reckless, considerate, deeply emotional, self-critical, and so much more.
'Tomorrow, he will kill me, but he will become the ghost in truth; a pale imitation of the great man he could have been. A demon set up on a throne where a godly king might have ruled.'
I am one who thinks that the idea of gods, heaven, afterlife, etc, is wishful thinking, but sometimes I wonder if there exists, somewhere, a trace of what we were; I can't help but hope this is so, when I think how delighted Anne Boleyn would be to see, nearly 500 years after her murder, how she has lived again in these books, which I recommend most highly to anyone who is interested in her. The series is a terrific achievement, and a magnificent tribute to this most fascinating of women.
'The great irony of Henry's quest for a male heir is that it was his daughter by Anne who would go on to be remembered as the greatest monarch of the Tudor dynasty, rather than his son, or even himself.'
So much has been written about Anne Boleyn; I have always been on the 'she was innocent and the whole thing was dreamed up by Cromwell to get rid of her because Henry wanted a new wife who might give him a son' side, and if there was any doubt in my mind, I would be completely convinced of her innocence and the sins committed against her by this book. It has also showed me further sides to the story ~ how much of a danger to Cromwell she had become, aside from other political considerations.
'Guilt and innocence seem to be one and the same at this time. It all depends on the King... not on evidence, confession or actual sin...just on what Henry believes.'
Anne's last moments are told by Thomas Wyatt, in which he suggests a deeper reason for Henry's wish to rid himself of her: he could not control her. She would not behave herself, unlike the insipid Jane Seymour. I see Anne's inability to produce a son as his all-encompassing motivation: to prove himself the strong, virile, god-like figure who could produce male heirs. None of us knows the absolute truth, of course. I feel that Gemma Lawrence's is the most likely, of all I have read. After the end of the novel, she gives much evidence of Anne's innocence, and also discusses Henry's descent into tyranny, lechery and ill health—and provides a brief look at the rest of Henry's life and the unfortunate women who would be chosen to sit on Anne's throne after her, as well as the fates of the other players in the story (I've saved the 'other players' bit to read in bed, shortly!).
'..there would always remain a part of him that would doubt. I knew it was there, in him. That was why I would die by the sword. Because he knew I was innocent.
Cromwell should watch that doubt, I thought. This is the lesson he has not learned.'
As ever, with this series and all of this author's work, it is meticulously researched with the detail unobtrusively woven around her own words, viewpoints, and portrayal of her subject. Never, like in many other works of historical fiction, do I feel I'm reading a text book; every event is told only through the eyes of Anne. She shows Anne as I believe she was: a woman born before her time, who was passionate, loyal, highly intelligent, sometimes cruel, impulsive, generous, strong, dignified, reckless, considerate, deeply emotional, self-critical, and so much more.
'Tomorrow, he will kill me, but he will become the ghost in truth; a pale imitation of the great man he could have been. A demon set up on a throne where a godly king might have ruled.'
I am one who thinks that the idea of gods, heaven, afterlife, etc, is wishful thinking, but sometimes I wonder if there exists, somewhere, a trace of what we were; I can't help but hope this is so, when I think how delighted Anne Boleyn would be to see, nearly 500 years after her murder, how she has lived again in these books, which I recommend most highly to anyone who is interested in her. The series is a terrific achievement, and a magnificent tribute to this most fascinating of women.
'The great irony of Henry's quest for a male heir is that it was his daughter by Anne who would go on to be remembered as the greatest monarch of the Tudor dynasty, rather than his son, or even himself.'
April 30, 2024
Let me say first that Anne Boleyn is my most favorite historical Queen.
I think this series is one of the best about her.
It was well researched and the development of Anne character and her relationship with Henry was well done.
I think this series is one of the best about her.
It was well researched and the development of Anne character and her relationship with Henry was well done.
September 24, 2018
Anne Boleyn has been approached from so many angles it’s hard to separate the woman from the legend. Deeply associated with the usual story is conjecture as to whether Henry drove the whole adultery plot, or was it all a concoction from the wicked Cromwell’s twisted mind? But this novel is different. Told in first person by Anne while waiting in the Tower for her execution, we see her evaluating the last two years of her life and trying to figure out just went wrong. We have a character who is unaware of what went on behind the scenes; her story doesn’t really answer the question of who ordered the arrests of her alleged lovers, or how, or even why. As far as Anne knew, all the way up to her own arrest she was mostly in control of the situation—that the love between Henry and her would conquer even the worst of their difficulties.
“Henry and I were aligned in policy and passion, and as I supported him he turned to me like a flower opening her petals to the sun.
Henry needed me. I was never more assured of that fact than in those first days of April. He fed from my strength and courage, and although we did not see eye to eye on the closures of the monasteries, we were united in purpose.
Or so I thought.”
In retrospect, she sees that she was wrong. Did she ever completely understand—or accept—the depth of Henry’s duplicity? I’m not entirely sure. This book gives us a complex personality study of a queen that has been wronged by her husband, her contemporaries, and historians all the way down to present time. Anne was apparently clueless that she was close to disaster for so long a time. What surprised me was just how late in her marriage she managed to maintain an influence over Henry. Even a month before the fatal arrest, she was winning political battles against Cromwell. To give us a thorough understanding of the politics, the author goes into great historical detail, which does tend to slow down the pace. Religion plays a huge part in her story. From Anne’s point of view, Cromwell’s dogged insistence of closing down all the religious houses and depositing the money into the king’s treasury (instead of using it for the poor and education) is a major reason she forsakes their earlier collaboration. She thought she was powerful enough to ruin him like she ruined Wolsey. Was she just fooling herself? She could only speculate just how much Cromwell’s antagonism contributed to her own destruction.
Although there were times I didn’t recognize the Anne I thought I knew, by the end of the book I was prepared at least to give her the benefit of the doubt. That in itself is quite an accomplishment for Gemma Lawrence.
“Henry and I were aligned in policy and passion, and as I supported him he turned to me like a flower opening her petals to the sun.
Henry needed me. I was never more assured of that fact than in those first days of April. He fed from my strength and courage, and although we did not see eye to eye on the closures of the monasteries, we were united in purpose.
Or so I thought.”
In retrospect, she sees that she was wrong. Did she ever completely understand—or accept—the depth of Henry’s duplicity? I’m not entirely sure. This book gives us a complex personality study of a queen that has been wronged by her husband, her contemporaries, and historians all the way down to present time. Anne was apparently clueless that she was close to disaster for so long a time. What surprised me was just how late in her marriage she managed to maintain an influence over Henry. Even a month before the fatal arrest, she was winning political battles against Cromwell. To give us a thorough understanding of the politics, the author goes into great historical detail, which does tend to slow down the pace. Religion plays a huge part in her story. From Anne’s point of view, Cromwell’s dogged insistence of closing down all the religious houses and depositing the money into the king’s treasury (instead of using it for the poor and education) is a major reason she forsakes their earlier collaboration. She thought she was powerful enough to ruin him like she ruined Wolsey. Was she just fooling herself? She could only speculate just how much Cromwell’s antagonism contributed to her own destruction.
Although there were times I didn’t recognize the Anne I thought I knew, by the end of the book I was prepared at least to give her the benefit of the doubt. That in itself is quite an accomplishment for Gemma Lawrence.
February 2, 2020
There is a LOT here.
It starts with Anne Boleyn suffering her first miscarriage, and it nearly destroys her, even though for the first one Henry offers her love and support (although he does order it hushed up, obscuring the historical record). Lawrence goes with the three miscarriages theory, and plausibly presents it, both as happening, being hidden, and being part of wore her down, physically, mentally, and politically.
There is also a deep dive into the religious politics of the time, as this Anne Boleyn is presented as deeply caring about moderate reform, and getting involved in the nuts and bolts of helping make the new Church of England. Its a side of her we don't usually see - but the evidence is there that it existed, and Lawrence goes to great plains to show it.
And we see the ticking time bombs everywhere that are going to explode in May of 1536. And yet - again, quite plausibly - we see Anne Boleyn with power and influence well into April of that year, with the suggestion it wasn't the January miscarriage, but a combination of no sign of a new pregnancy by April, and Cromwell deciding to take her down when she threatens to take him down.
And at the heart of it all, Henry VIII becoming more and more of a monster.
An excellent finish to the series, giving Anne Boleyn a fair portrayal that probably comes as close as any to showing a fully human, three-dimensional person.
April 17, 2020
The last book in the series and I'm genuinely sad it's come to an end. This book covers the final years of Anne Boleyn's life and her downfall.
This last book sees Anne go through so much, from miscarriages to Henry's dalliance with Jane Seymour and her fight for the monasteries.
It's not often I feel emotional about a book but gosh this brought a tear to my eye when Anne is in the Tower of London and then comes the epilogue told from the viewpoint of Thomas Wyatt, that almost had me sobbing! That to me is a clear sign that I was totally enthralled by this book.
There's an added bonus at the end of this book as Lawrence provides her opinions and reasons for them along with a short synopsis on the fate of other main characters such as Cromwell, Wyatt, Thomas Boleyn which I found interesting. Additionally Lawrence gives a brief overview of each of Henry's wives.
I honestly cannot praise this series enough, it's fantastic, everyone should give it a go.
This last book sees Anne go through so much, from miscarriages to Henry's dalliance with Jane Seymour and her fight for the monasteries.
It's not often I feel emotional about a book but gosh this brought a tear to my eye when Anne is in the Tower of London and then comes the epilogue told from the viewpoint of Thomas Wyatt, that almost had me sobbing! That to me is a clear sign that I was totally enthralled by this book.
There's an added bonus at the end of this book as Lawrence provides her opinions and reasons for them along with a short synopsis on the fate of other main characters such as Cromwell, Wyatt, Thomas Boleyn which I found interesting. Additionally Lawrence gives a brief overview of each of Henry's wives.
I honestly cannot praise this series enough, it's fantastic, everyone should give it a go.
March 12, 2024
A worthy, yet sad final to the series about Anne. I loved this series, it has been a joy to follow the days of her - way to short - life. How she was raised so very high, and then thrown so very low. How she was loved, feared, respected, adored and hated. What she accomplished, her triumphs and her fails.
All the books in the series mixes facts and fiction in a wonderful and insightful way. The writing style flows easy, and is vividly described. This, I have found, is very typical for Lawrence. She's highly talented in painting a rich and detailed picture. It is very clear that the author also was very fond of Anne, and have done her best to portrait a woman in many facets. Both her good and also her not so good sides are clear and strong in these pages.
Comes highly recommended for all Tudor fans, Weir / Gregory fans and those who like to read about Anne Boleyn, or strong women in general.
All the books in the series mixes facts and fiction in a wonderful and insightful way. The writing style flows easy, and is vividly described. This, I have found, is very typical for Lawrence. She's highly talented in painting a rich and detailed picture. It is very clear that the author also was very fond of Anne, and have done her best to portrait a woman in many facets. Both her good and also her not so good sides are clear and strong in these pages.
Comes highly recommended for all Tudor fans, Weir / Gregory fans and those who like to read about Anne Boleyn, or strong women in general.
October 1, 2018
A book above all others
After reading all the titles in this series, I took much time over reading this one as I wanted to savour it, much like a great meal. Anne has always been my favourite historical figure, I think I have read nearly everything ever written about her life and times. I quite literally enjoyed this book above all others because the Anne I imagined is well within these pages.
Once upon a time I fancied myself as writing something similar but have decided to leave that job well alone and concentrate on the mundane retail existence I'm used to. Gamma Lawrence has done an outstanding job! I look forward to reading your other works. Thank you .
After reading all the titles in this series, I took much time over reading this one as I wanted to savour it, much like a great meal. Anne has always been my favourite historical figure, I think I have read nearly everything ever written about her life and times. I quite literally enjoyed this book above all others because the Anne I imagined is well within these pages.
Once upon a time I fancied myself as writing something similar but have decided to leave that job well alone and concentrate on the mundane retail existence I'm used to. Gamma Lawrence has done an outstanding job! I look forward to reading your other works. Thank you .
October 1, 2023
I have been hyper fixated on this subject and era for about two years now, I have especially devoured every Plantagenet to Elizabethan historical fiction I can find. No one does it better than this author! I’m working my way through all of her books and she never misses the mark. These are by far my favorite Anne Boleyn books, Lawrence has given her so much depth and humanity. Anne’s story really did need multiple volumes to do it justice and her fall is covered in a way I haven’t seen done yet. Just brilliant.
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December 19, 2019Very great reading!
This is a remarkable read about this period in time. I have never read another story like it..a true period piece. I loved all the intrigue which history tells us was accurate in Court. Thank goodness I did not live in that time! It brought to life once again that all is not what we envision where power, influence and wealth are involved. There is enough of truth to make this great reading.
This is a remarkable read about this period in time. I have never read another story like it..a true period piece. I loved all the intrigue which history tells us was accurate in Court. Thank goodness I did not live in that time! It brought to life once again that all is not what we envision where power, influence and wealth are involved. There is enough of truth to make this great reading.
May 18, 2020
I am so sad to finish this beautiful book series, however I feel as if Anne Boleyn has finally been set free in this series as well.
This book in particular was a beautiful finish. I smiled, I laughed, and I wept. The author has a way with words to the point you are feeling as if you are right there with the main character (Anne) every step of the way.
If you are an Anne lover like me, look no further this author will bring Anne to you and your heart in ways you could never imagine.
Ebook.
This book in particular was a beautiful finish. I smiled, I laughed, and I wept. The author has a way with words to the point you are feeling as if you are right there with the main character (Anne) every step of the way.
If you are an Anne lover like me, look no further this author will bring Anne to you and your heart in ways you could never imagine.
Ebook.
August 14, 2018
Fantastic read
The Tudor world was brought to life in my minds eye with the wonderfully descriptive writing, the entire series is so well thought out mixing fact with an amazing imagination to give a picture of how Queen Anne's life might have been. I've looked forward to this series for my bedtime reading every night since I first picked up book one
The Tudor world was brought to life in my minds eye with the wonderfully descriptive writing, the entire series is so well thought out mixing fact with an amazing imagination to give a picture of how Queen Anne's life might have been. I've looked forward to this series for my bedtime reading every night since I first picked up book one
June 28, 2018
Amazing as always
I cannot praise Gamma highly enough. I have read many books on Anne Boleyn but this series of books is one of the best. If you are looking for a new series of historical fiction books but are unsure of trying an independent author, go for it, you won't regret it!!
I cannot praise Gamma highly enough. I have read many books on Anne Boleyn but this series of books is one of the best. If you are looking for a new series of historical fiction books but are unsure of trying an independent author, go for it, you won't regret it!!
June 10, 2019
Wonderful read
Ms Lawrence writes historical fiction so well I am inclined to believe that the parts she admits are from her imagination and which she would like to think could be possible, are in fact...Fact!
I have read and enjoyed all of the Boleyn series and recommend these books to anyone who like me is obsessed with Tudor history
Ms Lawrence writes historical fiction so well I am inclined to believe that the parts she admits are from her imagination and which she would like to think could be possible, are in fact...Fact!
I have read and enjoyed all of the Boleyn series and recommend these books to anyone who like me is obsessed with Tudor history
August 7, 2020
Drags at times. Far too much pastoral description especially at the end. I also don't like how the last part changes from Anne's point of view to Wyatt's. Also has a bit too much 21st century psychobabble - and did words and concepts like addiction even exist in the 16th century? Despite all of 5his however Anne shines through as the enigmatic and fascinating enigma she is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2024
I knew the ending but was sad never the less. This author was more compassionate in her approach to her feelings. She also demonstrated a different feeling towards her daughter. Other books have not demonstrated the motherly instincts that she might have felt. This book also placed more blame on Henry for the treatment of Kathryn and Mary. It shows how love can change.He was definitely a crazy man.
July 16, 2018
I loved this book and the whole series.
I really liked the perspective that G. Lawrence used. In this book she really made Anne seem human. In other books I have read she was not portrayed as human at all.
I would highly recommend this series of books.
I really liked the perspective that G. Lawrence used. In this book she really made Anne seem human. In other books I have read she was not portrayed as human at all.
I would highly recommend this series of books.
December 15, 2018
Thank you for an honest book
I really enjoy the style of the author. I found great enjoyment in being able to get a perspective of some off the times in Anne's life that other authors often glace past. I appreciated a new voice and how well it was researched.
I really enjoy the style of the author. I found great enjoyment in being able to get a perspective of some off the times in Anne's life that other authors often glace past. I appreciated a new voice and how well it was researched.
December 2, 2020
Brilliant book read some time ago. Read all other books in this series too. Sensitively written and highly enjoyable set in the brutal Tudor age. What we suffer today is so minimal when considering our past. Snuggle down and get reading.
June 7, 2022
Awesome read
Gemma really brought Queen Ann to life. I loved to learn of her days as a child and young woman. Although it's fictional you Kind of forget and take it as real. It's so well written WELL DONE GEMMA
Gemma really brought Queen Ann to life. I loved to learn of her days as a child and young woman. Although it's fictional you Kind of forget and take it as real. It's so well written WELL DONE GEMMA
August 2, 2018
Brilliant
Thoroughly enjoyed the series of books about Anne Boleyn, it is a series I will revisit in the future, i would be interested in further books written by the author.
Thoroughly enjoyed the series of books about Anne Boleyn, it is a series I will revisit in the future, i would be interested in further books written by the author.
October 23, 2018
This was easily the weakest book in what was a genuinely astonishing series. This particular book really dragged. It felt repetitive and tired. Amazing bibliography at the end though. V useful.
August 13, 2018
One of my favs
I love this author. Since the first of this series I set an alert on my phone to notify me when a new one comes out. I read constantly and to date this is the only author I have ever “flagged” like this.
This may have been my favorite of the Anne Boleyn series. It’s clear how much work went into this. Like a lot of us I have read dozens of books on the life and downfall of Queen Anne. But I loved this best. I absolutely love the end where she outlines the rest of the lives of all the big players in the Tudor and Boleyn lines.
Thank you Gemma. I love your work. I look forward to the next- I’ll be alerted when it comes out !!!
I love this author. Since the first of this series I set an alert on my phone to notify me when a new one comes out. I read constantly and to date this is the only author I have ever “flagged” like this.
This may have been my favorite of the Anne Boleyn series. It’s clear how much work went into this. Like a lot of us I have read dozens of books on the life and downfall of Queen Anne. But I loved this best. I absolutely love the end where she outlines the rest of the lives of all the big players in the Tudor and Boleyn lines.
Thank you Gemma. I love your work. I look forward to the next- I’ll be alerted when it comes out !!!
June 30, 2021
Brings Anne to life
I have really enjoyed G. Lawrence's books about Anne and this one is like getting into Anne's head and thoughts. She bring a complex historical figure to life. Lots of imagery to help picture the surroundings, clothing and other details. If one is a Tudor junky like me, I think you will enjoy the series. Thank you G.L. Love your books
I have really enjoyed G. Lawrence's books about Anne and this one is like getting into Anne's head and thoughts. She bring a complex historical figure to life. Lots of imagery to help picture the surroundings, clothing and other details. If one is a Tudor junky like me, I think you will enjoy the series. Thank you G.L. Love your books
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews