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The Falcon's Rise: A novel of Anne Boleyn
The day before her execution, Anne Boleyn’s mind wanders back to the journey that changed her life…
Born into the Boleyn family in rural Norfolk, obscurity looms, but when Anne's father, Thomas, moves the family to Hever Castle, in Kent, to further his own interests, the family’s fortunes take a turn for the better. Thomas secures a place for Anne’s sister, Mary, at the prestigious court of Margaret of Austria, but fate has other plans, and Anne ends up taking her place.
At thirteen, Anne yearns for adventure. However, unused to curbing her outspoken tongue and youthful curiosity, she discovers that life at Margaret’s court is not quite how she’d imagined. Experiencing love, loss, jealousy and fear, she soon realises that her future happiness lies in her own hands - and that she must shape her own destiny...
The Falcon’s Rise is the first part of a two-part series, beginning the journey with the young Anne Boleyn growing into the woman who captured the heart of a king.
Author InterviewHow did you first become interested in Anne Boleyn?I was always passionate about the history of England, and I first became interested in Anne Boleyn by reading the Tudor books my mother brought from the library. They were always about the six wives of King Henry VIII, but it was Anne Boleyn that captured my imagination when I read ’The King’s Secret Matter,’ by Jean Plaidy’. I was probably about 13 at the time. At the same age, I watched ‘Anne of a Thousand Days’ at the cinema and that was it. I was hooked for life. Of course, in those days, it was Geneviève Bujold, rather than Natalie Dormer in The Tudors, playing Anne.
Did you uncover any interesting Tudor facts in your research?It was interesting finding out about people I knew nothing about such as Margaret of Austria and the Emperor.Is there one character in your historical novel that you particularly found interesting?It has to be Margaret of Austria. I knew nothing of her before I started my research, but she comes across as a delightful woman who despite her sorrows, was charming and amusing. I often read her poetry and truly like her. I’m also interested in Charles Brandon, admiring his ability to survive his secret marriage to the king’s sister and escape the Tower of London!
What period of Anne Boleyn's life does this fictional history story cover?The book starts in 1497 and ends in 1514. However, I have set Anne's birth in May 1500. What is interesting is that she was born during the reign of the old King Henry VII - founder of the Tudor dynasty - and nine years before his son, Henry, ascended the throne. It had different fashions to how we imagine the later Tudor ones. I think the life-size models of Anne and her nurse in the gallery at Hever Castle illustrate this well. They are still in the medieval style.
Is there a more in-depth interview with you and how you researched your books?Yes, its on TheAnneBoleynFiles website, just search for my name - Natalia Richards
Any other thoughts?Looking at portraits of Anne Boleyn as a young woman, it is sad to think about the tragic end she came to. But it is not the end of her life that fascinates me, it is the beginning and the many questions it raises. What made her the woman she later became? Why did she attract Henry VIII in the first place and why write about Anne when she has been written about so extensively?
Born into the Boleyn family in rural Norfolk, obscurity looms, but when Anne's father, Thomas, moves the family to Hever Castle, in Kent, to further his own interests, the family’s fortunes take a turn for the better. Thomas secures a place for Anne’s sister, Mary, at the prestigious court of Margaret of Austria, but fate has other plans, and Anne ends up taking her place.
At thirteen, Anne yearns for adventure. However, unused to curbing her outspoken tongue and youthful curiosity, she discovers that life at Margaret’s court is not quite how she’d imagined. Experiencing love, loss, jealousy and fear, she soon realises that her future happiness lies in her own hands - and that she must shape her own destiny...
The Falcon’s Rise is the first part of a two-part series, beginning the journey with the young Anne Boleyn growing into the woman who captured the heart of a king.
Author InterviewHow did you first become interested in Anne Boleyn?I was always passionate about the history of England, and I first became interested in Anne Boleyn by reading the Tudor books my mother brought from the library. They were always about the six wives of King Henry VIII, but it was Anne Boleyn that captured my imagination when I read ’The King’s Secret Matter,’ by Jean Plaidy’. I was probably about 13 at the time. At the same age, I watched ‘Anne of a Thousand Days’ at the cinema and that was it. I was hooked for life. Of course, in those days, it was Geneviève Bujold, rather than Natalie Dormer in The Tudors, playing Anne.
Did you uncover any interesting Tudor facts in your research?It was interesting finding out about people I knew nothing about such as Margaret of Austria and the Emperor.Is there one character in your historical novel that you particularly found interesting?It has to be Margaret of Austria. I knew nothing of her before I started my research, but she comes across as a delightful woman who despite her sorrows, was charming and amusing. I often read her poetry and truly like her. I’m also interested in Charles Brandon, admiring his ability to survive his secret marriage to the king’s sister and escape the Tower of London!
What period of Anne Boleyn's life does this fictional history story cover?The book starts in 1497 and ends in 1514. However, I have set Anne's birth in May 1500. What is interesting is that she was born during the reign of the old King Henry VII - founder of the Tudor dynasty - and nine years before his son, Henry, ascended the throne. It had different fashions to how we imagine the later Tudor ones. I think the life-size models of Anne and her nurse in the gallery at Hever Castle illustrate this well. They are still in the medieval style.
Is there a more in-depth interview with you and how you researched your books?Yes, its on TheAnneBoleynFiles website, just search for my name - Natalia Richards
Any other thoughts?Looking at portraits of Anne Boleyn as a young woman, it is sad to think about the tragic end she came to. But it is not the end of her life that fascinates me, it is the beginning and the many questions it raises. What made her the woman she later became? Why did she attract Henry VIII in the first place and why write about Anne when she has been written about so extensively?
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2019
283 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Natalia Richards
5 books18 followersMuseum curator and researcher for forty years. Passionate about the Tudors and Anne Boleyn. Loves travelling and researching Anne's early life, in England and France.
The Falcon's Flight is part two of The Falcon's Rise and follows Anne Boleyn as she serves Queen Claude in France
The Falcon's Flight is part two of The Falcon's Rise and follows Anne Boleyn as she serves Queen Claude in France
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 31, 2020
A beautifully written portrait of a young Anne Boleyn and the world she inhabited. Natalia Richards does an amazing job of vividly bringing the atmosphere of the the future queen's childhood and adolescence to life at Hever Castle and abroad, when she was educated at the Austrian Court. The novel explores the relationships between Anne and those closest to her and gives an insider's perspective of historical events as well of the daily lives of 16th century aristocracy and nobility.
September 11, 2019
Excellent historical novel
Natalia Richards' "Falcon's Rise" gives a unique look into the early life of Anne Boleyn, from her earliest years to just before she travels to France to join the British princess Mary, now queen of France. This is a part of Annes' life that is seldom seen and I found it most interesting. I can't wait to read the sequel!
Natalia Richards' "Falcon's Rise" gives a unique look into the early life of Anne Boleyn, from her earliest years to just before she travels to France to join the British princess Mary, now queen of France. This is a part of Annes' life that is seldom seen and I found it most interesting. I can't wait to read the sequel!
November 14, 2019
Anne Boleyn as a Child
I thought this book was well written and interesting. I liked reading about Anne’s time in the Duchesses Court and the addition of her meeting Maximilian and a young Charles. The ending came too soon and, even though the story was mostly made up by the author, I will be interested to see what the next book holds.
I thought this book was well written and interesting. I liked reading about Anne’s time in the Duchesses Court and the addition of her meeting Maximilian and a young Charles. The ending came too soon and, even though the story was mostly made up by the author, I will be interested to see what the next book holds.
October 31, 2019
In know times
I really enjoyed reading something about her youth. Even though these days she would have been going when she dies.
I really enjoyed reading something about her youth. Even though these days she would have been going when she dies.
August 11, 2020
A beautiful coming of age story-telling of the early years of Anne Boleyn. Natalia has really outdone herself with this book, I was eagerly anticipating it as I loved the previous novel ‘Falcon’s Rise’ and found the concept of a novel set around Anne’s time in the French Court intriguing as it is a period of her life that undoubtedly had a profound effect on her and shaped her into the woman she became. Everything from her religious beliefs, love of music and manuscripts, her style and culture, all came from her years abroad. Yet they very rarely get any focus in fictional tellings. Natalia does Anne justice in this story, we journey with her as she falls in love for the first time, we watch as she grows into a young woman. Through Anne’s eyes we learn the intrigues and politics of the French Court and who Anne can really trust and as she makes friends with Queen Claude and Marguerite of Angoulême, and makes an enemy of Henry VIII’s sister Mary Tudor. The chateau’s and landscape of France are superbly brought to life by Natalia. I am eagerly awaiting book 3.
February 27, 2023
The Falcon's Rise is an immersive and unique perspective of one of England's most written about queens. Richards' Anne Boleyn is feisty and cunning, far too clever for a world dominated by men. I enjoyed seeing her personality develop through the early years, an era long neglected in stories about her life. It was easy to see how she transformed into the woman and monarch she became in later years. Richards' scenes are sumptuous with detail, and well-grounded in history. This was a great read!
May 29, 2020
This book offers such a refreshing portrayal of Anne as a child. Many of us are used to reading Anne's story and whilst I will never get tired of reading about it I've never read a whole book based on her childhood and that's why I loved this. It brought Anne to life as a girl rather than the lady and queen we all know.
May 15, 2021
A fun read
I think the conceit that young Anne just happened to be present for these conversations about politics and significant people is over the top. The idea that this young person would have been taken into confidence is also hard to buy. But Anne’s voice does ring through and it’s fun to picture this period in her life.
I think the conceit that young Anne just happened to be present for these conversations about politics and significant people is over the top. The idea that this young person would have been taken into confidence is also hard to buy. But Anne’s voice does ring through and it’s fun to picture this period in her life.
March 10, 2022
3.5 Considering this was written by a historian, I would love to know why she went with certain things e.g. Anne having a sixth finger, which I don't believe in. 1501 birth date etc. But I enjoyed it and I'll happily read the next book once it becomes available. It focuses on the years of Anne's life that are often ignored or skimmed over. This book gave us a deep dive.
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June 25, 2023A fascinating glimpse into Anne Boleyn's year at Margaret of Austria's court
I so enjoyed this story of Anne Boleyn's year at Margaret of Austria's court. Some parts were hard to believe- that Anne as a 13 year old would be privy to Margaret of Austria's conversations with other rulers and diplomats. But this did not diminish my enjoyment of this historically interesting tale.
I so enjoyed this story of Anne Boleyn's year at Margaret of Austria's court. Some parts were hard to believe- that Anne as a 13 year old would be privy to Margaret of Austria's conversations with other rulers and diplomats. But this did not diminish my enjoyment of this historically interesting tale.
December 19, 2020
Young Anne Bolelyn
I have an interest in Tudor England. This book is about the life of a young Anne Boleyn. The author uses this story to reveal both her intelligence and cunning. While I enjoyed the book I found it to be a slow read.
I have an interest in Tudor England. This book is about the life of a young Anne Boleyn. The author uses this story to reveal both her intelligence and cunning. While I enjoyed the book I found it to be a slow read.
July 15, 2021
Richards clearly did a lot of research on Anne Boleyn's life, and it shows, as we get massive info dumps on everything about the Boleyn family, the Tudors, European politics, English politicians - absolutely everything. All the pieces are here - but it doesn't flow as a smooth, organic story.
January 17, 2024
This was a very well-written and interesting novel about Anne Boleyn’s early life. It’s rare for authors to focus on the time before she got involved with Henry VIII, so I definitely recommend for Tudor history fans!
May 3, 2020
Believable
I enjoyed this book very much but was sad to reach the end. I look forward to the second chapter in Anne’s life.
I enjoyed this book very much but was sad to reach the end. I look forward to the second chapter in Anne’s life.
August 26, 2020
Great Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I had a hard time putting it down. Definitely a great read. Do not pass this one up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I had a hard time putting it down. Definitely a great read. Do not pass this one up.
December 19, 2020
Perfect.
Sometimes one word says it all. But this reviewer wants at least 14. Check my underlines. I say one word is enough. Perfect.
Sometimes one word says it all. But this reviewer wants at least 14. Check my underlines. I say one word is enough. Perfect.
June 14, 2021
Very interesting book. Most books are written about Anne Boleyn after her marriage. This starts with her as a child.
April 5, 2022
I enjoyed that this was a totally different part of Anne Boleyn's story and something I hadn't read about before.
June 11, 2023
Excellent book. As if an interviewer sat down with Anne Boleyn and she got to tell the story of her life from her point of view.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews