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Le Temps Viendra: A Novel of Anne Boleyn
Anne is a young twenty-first century woman in the midst of a life-long love affair with the sixteenth century and the enigmatic Anne Boleyn. Having been taken ill during a visit to the British Library, for a second time, she is catapulted back 500 years and into the body of her long-time heroine. From the zenith of Anne Boleyn’s power and influence, the modern day Anne experiences, with poignant intimacy, the exhilarating days of Anne Boleyn’s clandestine marriage to the mighty King Henry VIII and her subsequent, triumphant Coronation, through to the devastating stillbirth of Anne’s second child in the summer of 1534. Dragged between two lifetimes by a pledge of eternal love, the twenty-first century Anne watches both her fragile lives hurtle toward disaster as jealousy, greed, passion and betrayal leaves both woman teetering on the edge of oblivion.
This heart-wrenching story of two women, two lives and one love reaches its dramatic climax in Le Temps Viendra: a Novel of Anne Boleyn, Volume II.
Praise for Le Temps Viendra, Volume One
‘This is the best book I've read about Anne Boleyn. The author has managed to completely capture life in Tudor Britain and every page makes you feel like you are there watching Anne and Henry's story play out.’ Miss Tingley
‘Sarah Morris debut novel is well written, meticulously researched, and above all a very different look at the life of Henry VIII's second queen.’ Sarah
‘Wow, wow, wow! Just finished book one, cannot WAIT for book two! Awesome stuff, thank you for the transport back to Tudor Times!’ Aelfida
‘It is a fantastic take on the story, from an angle I haven't seen explored before. Absolutely amazing, I'm off to read the next one!’ J Benton, ‘Book Addict’
This heart-wrenching story of two women, two lives and one love reaches its dramatic climax in Le Temps Viendra: a Novel of Anne Boleyn, Volume II.
Praise for Le Temps Viendra, Volume One
‘This is the best book I've read about Anne Boleyn. The author has managed to completely capture life in Tudor Britain and every page makes you feel like you are there watching Anne and Henry's story play out.’ Miss Tingley
‘Sarah Morris debut novel is well written, meticulously researched, and above all a very different look at the life of Henry VIII's second queen.’ Sarah
‘Wow, wow, wow! Just finished book one, cannot WAIT for book two! Awesome stuff, thank you for the transport back to Tudor Times!’ Aelfida
‘It is a fantastic take on the story, from an angle I haven't seen explored before. Absolutely amazing, I'm off to read the next one!’ J Benton, ‘Book Addict’
775 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 18, 2014
Having last year read and enjoyed Volume I of Le Temps Viendra, I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Volume II. Although author Sarah Morris' passion for and knowledge of Anne Boleyn and Tudor history continues to shine in this second novel, I found this a less enjoyable read than its predecessor for several reasons.
1. Morris' immense knowledge of the Tudor period is remarkable, and at times really enhanced the story and added an additional level of realism and attachment for me as a reader. On other occasions, however, I found that the enormous amount of detail detracted from the narrative; there were times when events were picking up and heading towards something exciting, only for the pace to be significantly slowed by two long paragraphs describing architecture in great detail. There's a time and place for describing your surroundings in intricate detail and it seemed as though Morris sometimes got carried away, to the detriment of the pacing.
2. The sheer length of the novel was, for me, also a key issue. This is a book in desperate need of ruthless editing. Aside from numerous spelling errors which should have been picked up in the basic editing stage, I had to force myself to push through the middle section of the book, as I felt the story was dragging and being bogged down by swathes of unnecessary text.
3. I really struggled to relate to 21st century Anne's character in this novel - something I had no issue with in Volume I. At times, she really perplexed me. She reiterates over and over how she wishes to change history to help Anne and other members of the Boleyn faction, and yet she repeatedly neglects to use her knowledge of the period to her advantage. She knows from the beginning, for instance (as we all do), which men will be her co-accused in May 1536, yet she makes no effort whatsoever to a) distance herself from them, or b) think through any of her actions, particularly those on 30th April 1536. Her treatment of and attitude towards Katherine of Aragon and Princess Mary are similarly baffling, considering her historical knowledge. Yes, I know that they're supposed to mirror Rose and Jemima in her modern life, but for me she simply came across as immature and infuriating for steadfastly refusing to have even the slightest care for them and their circumstances, considering that she possessed the gift of historical hindsight. Her later contrition felt far too late for me and left me wondering why it had taken so long - and so many trips back and forth to Tudor England - to realise her mistakes. I could give many more examples, but I don't want to spoil details...
There are parts of this story with truly beautiful writing and fantastic pacing - I loved the way Morris wrote the unfolding of events from 30th April to 2nd May, for example - particularly much of chapter 38. Anne's time in the Tower is similarly well written and very emotionally charged, and I absolutely adore the portrayal of Anne's relationship with George Boleyn and their mother - Morris captured them perfectly and really brought their affection for each other to life for me. The writing of most character relationships is fantastic, in fact - which makes the issues with this book all the more irritating.
At the heart of it, this is a good, solid story with an inventive plot written by a highly knowledgeable author, which is sadly bogged down by its problems. A bit of a missed opportunity for me - but some tweaks could turn a good book into a great one.
1. Morris' immense knowledge of the Tudor period is remarkable, and at times really enhanced the story and added an additional level of realism and attachment for me as a reader. On other occasions, however, I found that the enormous amount of detail detracted from the narrative; there were times when events were picking up and heading towards something exciting, only for the pace to be significantly slowed by two long paragraphs describing architecture in great detail. There's a time and place for describing your surroundings in intricate detail and it seemed as though Morris sometimes got carried away, to the detriment of the pacing.
2. The sheer length of the novel was, for me, also a key issue. This is a book in desperate need of ruthless editing. Aside from numerous spelling errors which should have been picked up in the basic editing stage, I had to force myself to push through the middle section of the book, as I felt the story was dragging and being bogged down by swathes of unnecessary text.
3. I really struggled to relate to 21st century Anne's character in this novel - something I had no issue with in Volume I. At times, she really perplexed me. She reiterates over and over how she wishes to change history to help Anne and other members of the Boleyn faction, and yet she repeatedly neglects to use her knowledge of the period to her advantage. She knows from the beginning, for instance (as we all do), which men will be her co-accused in May 1536, yet she makes no effort whatsoever to a) distance herself from them, or b) think through any of her actions, particularly those on 30th April 1536. Her treatment of and attitude towards Katherine of Aragon and Princess Mary are similarly baffling, considering her historical knowledge. Yes, I know that they're supposed to mirror Rose and Jemima in her modern life, but for me she simply came across as immature and infuriating for steadfastly refusing to have even the slightest care for them and their circumstances, considering that she possessed the gift of historical hindsight. Her later contrition felt far too late for me and left me wondering why it had taken so long - and so many trips back and forth to Tudor England - to realise her mistakes. I could give many more examples, but I don't want to spoil details...
There are parts of this story with truly beautiful writing and fantastic pacing - I loved the way Morris wrote the unfolding of events from 30th April to 2nd May, for example - particularly much of chapter 38. Anne's time in the Tower is similarly well written and very emotionally charged, and I absolutely adore the portrayal of Anne's relationship with George Boleyn and their mother - Morris captured them perfectly and really brought their affection for each other to life for me. The writing of most character relationships is fantastic, in fact - which makes the issues with this book all the more irritating.
At the heart of it, this is a good, solid story with an inventive plot written by a highly knowledgeable author, which is sadly bogged down by its problems. A bit of a missed opportunity for me - but some tweaks could turn a good book into a great one.
March 14, 2014
Le Temps Viendra: A Novel of Anne Boleyn Volume I was published back in August 2012, which seems a long time ago now, so I was relieved when Volume II was released in December 2013. Obviously we all know how Anne Boleyn's story ends, so readers weren't left completely hanging, but Le Temps Viendra had two main characters - the modern day Anne, who was having a relationship with a married man, and the sixteenth century Anne Boleyn, who was having a relationship with the married Henry VIII - and I was desperate to know what would happen to modern Anne as Anne Boleyn's story reached its tragic end.
As readers of Volume I will know, Le Temps Viendra is two stories in one, a kind of parallel lives novel, and is about a modern day woman being transported into Anne Boleyn's shoes after being taken ill at Hever Castle, the Boleyn family home. Le Temps Viendra Volume I covered just one year in Anne Boleyn's life, from 31st May 1527 to June 1528, and ended with Anne Boleyn being taken ill with sweating sickness and the modern Anne leaving her. Volume II opens with the modern day Anne waking up as Anne Boleyn on 1st September 1532, the day that Anne Boleyn is made Marquis of Pembroke, and ends with Anne's execution on 19th May 1536. Although Anne Boleyn's life has fast-forwarded four years, the modern Anne has only been "stranded" in what she describes as "a colourless twenty-first century" for two years.
Although Volume II is much longer than Volume I (632 pages compared to 398 pages), I found it faster paced and more enjoyable. I don't know whether this was because the events of 1532-1536 are themselves more exciting or whether it was the writing style, but I found myself much more involved in the story. I was desperate to know how Sarah Morris would tie the two women's lives together. What would happen with modern Anne and her boyfriend? What would happen if the modern Anne was in Anne Boleyn's body when she was executed? Would things end happily for modern Anne or would she die too? Would modern Anne take any steps to change history because of her historical knowledge? So many questions and they were answered in a way that left me satisfied at the end of the book. I found the end very moving and it was very well written.
As I said in my review of the first volume, it doesn't seem quite right to call Le Temps Viendra a "novel" when Sarah Morris has worked so hard to make her story historically accurate. Obviously, Sarah has filled in the blanks and has used her imagination in bringing Anne Boleyn to life as a person vividly through the modern Anne's eyes, but it worked and it didn't "jar" with me at all. It all tied in with what we know and what she did with the story made sense. The length of the story and the incredible amount of detail, plus all the end notes, again makes it more of a novel for those who are "au fait" with Anne Boleyn's story and Tudor history, rather than those looking for a lighter historical read, but it's the detail Tudor history fans will love.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read and I loved how Sarah ended it.
I received a review copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.
As readers of Volume I will know, Le Temps Viendra is two stories in one, a kind of parallel lives novel, and is about a modern day woman being transported into Anne Boleyn's shoes after being taken ill at Hever Castle, the Boleyn family home. Le Temps Viendra Volume I covered just one year in Anne Boleyn's life, from 31st May 1527 to June 1528, and ended with Anne Boleyn being taken ill with sweating sickness and the modern Anne leaving her. Volume II opens with the modern day Anne waking up as Anne Boleyn on 1st September 1532, the day that Anne Boleyn is made Marquis of Pembroke, and ends with Anne's execution on 19th May 1536. Although Anne Boleyn's life has fast-forwarded four years, the modern Anne has only been "stranded" in what she describes as "a colourless twenty-first century" for two years.
Although Volume II is much longer than Volume I (632 pages compared to 398 pages), I found it faster paced and more enjoyable. I don't know whether this was because the events of 1532-1536 are themselves more exciting or whether it was the writing style, but I found myself much more involved in the story. I was desperate to know how Sarah Morris would tie the two women's lives together. What would happen with modern Anne and her boyfriend? What would happen if the modern Anne was in Anne Boleyn's body when she was executed? Would things end happily for modern Anne or would she die too? Would modern Anne take any steps to change history because of her historical knowledge? So many questions and they were answered in a way that left me satisfied at the end of the book. I found the end very moving and it was very well written.
As I said in my review of the first volume, it doesn't seem quite right to call Le Temps Viendra a "novel" when Sarah Morris has worked so hard to make her story historically accurate. Obviously, Sarah has filled in the blanks and has used her imagination in bringing Anne Boleyn to life as a person vividly through the modern Anne's eyes, but it worked and it didn't "jar" with me at all. It all tied in with what we know and what she did with the story made sense. The length of the story and the incredible amount of detail, plus all the end notes, again makes it more of a novel for those who are "au fait" with Anne Boleyn's story and Tudor history, rather than those looking for a lighter historical read, but it's the detail Tudor history fans will love.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read and I loved how Sarah ended it.
I received a review copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.
January 29, 2022
Needs a lot of editing. The first book was fantastic but this second is spoiled by repetition and being very long winded.
June 14, 2015
Last year, Volume I of Le Temps Viendra: A Novel of Anne Boleyn was released by Spartan Publishing. I had followed Sarah Morris’ facebook page for her novel since pretty much the very beginning, intrigued by her idea of having a modern-day woman transported to the sixteenth century and into the body of her heroine, Anne Boleyn; the unfortunate second wife of Henry VIII of England. I attended Sarah Morris’ book launch in London, then hungrily read Volume I of the novel in January 2013. It ended on a cliffhanger- which means I, and many other fans, have been waiting patiently for a year to see what happens next.
“Madame.” Just barely discernible through the heavy mantle of sleep, I heard the woman’s voice speaking to me in gentle tones….
….I scanned the room. I couldn’t believe it! After two long, desolate years stranded in a colourless twenty-first century, I had finally come home.
Le Temps Viendra tells the story of Anne, a modern day woman who is in love with the Tudor period- Anne Boleyn in particular. Anne’s life is complicated- after divorcing, she fell in love with a married man, Daniel, and has been involved in an affair for seven years. Wanting to get away from it all, she books herself onto an Anne Boleyn connoisseurs weekend at Hever castle; while there, she falls ill, her modern body falling unconscious but her soul entering the body of Anne Boleyn herself. Volume I takes us through Anne’s life between 1527 and 1528 before modern Anne awakes to discover she has a dangerous health condition. The end of Volume I sees modern Anne falling ill again while at the British Library, falling unconscious in the modern world but once again waking up to find herself in Anne Boleyn’s body. Several years have passed in the Tudor world, and Anne finds herself in the middle of history in the making. With her knowledge of what is in store for her historical heroine, will Anne be able to change the course of history for Anne Boleyn? Or are their fates set in stone?
What struck me about Volume I of Le Temps Viendra was the extraordinary amount of research that had clearly been done to make the novel as authentic as possible. Volume II, on this score, does not disappoint. The research is meticulous and the detail extraordinary- nothing is missed, whether it be clothing, art or Anne’s Tudor surroundings. If you’re one for detail, this book will delight you. I enjoyed it for the most part, but sometimes the detail became a little overwhelming. As well the historical, Morris has researched in other areas to enhance her prose and it really shines through; she has talked to experts about hawking, archery and someone from a stillbirth support charity, making her novel authentic on more than just historical detail.
Another thing that I found wonderful about this novel is the fact that known historical events are never, ever messed with. I’ve read so many historical novels where timelines have been changed, events moved or taken away, or salacious events involving sex and violence have been added to ‘enhance the story’ or ‘add to the narrative flow’. This has irritated me for as long as I can remember because surely, these people are interesting enough as it is? They’re interesting enough for people to both want to read and write about them, so why must ‘exciting additions’ be placed into narratives? This novel proves that a talented author can work with what history has to offer to produce an excellent, exciting and compulsively readable historical novel without any additions. Le Temps Viendra does not meddle with timelines or historical events but does exactly what historical fiction should do- works with history to bring it to life.
The perspective of a modern person in Anne’s world is what makes this novel unusual- modern Anne in her sixteenth century body marvels at what she has the opportunity to see; St. Edwards’ Crown, Hampton Court before the Georgian period, and the old Palace of Westminster are a few examples. There doesn’t seem to be any hints of culture shock for Anne though, in either her Tudor world or her twenty-first; she never seems to struggle to adjust to her changing worlds. If I were to wake up in a different time period in a different body, I think I might really struggle, but our Anne adapts with ease to her new environments, adopting sixteenth attitudes quickly and faultlessly.
Despite its excellence however this novel, in my opinion, would not stand alone. If someone were to pick up Volume II on a whim, several parts of the story would not make sense. For example, we learn in the prologue of Volume I that Anne is telling her story from her prison in the Tower, but this is not mentioned at all in Volume II. Similarly, details of Anne’s twenty-first century life would be missed and these chapters would not make a great deal of sense in Volume II without the reader having read Volume I. Volume I also probably would not stand alone, as it ends on a cliffhanger so there would be no closure without reading Volume II. This would be my only criticism of an otherwise excellent series of novels.
In a nutshell, then; meticulous research, lovely writing, a wonderful and unique story of a woman who holds the heart of thousands. This book appealed to the history lover and the science fiction fan in me, and I highly recommend it to lovers of Anne, the Tudor period, and historical fiction in general.I stayed up late several nights because I didn’t want to stop reading (1:30am last night!) and that speaks volumes. This book is a compulsive page turner; an emotional, passionate and heartfelt novel. In a word, it is a triumph.
“Madame.” Just barely discernible through the heavy mantle of sleep, I heard the woman’s voice speaking to me in gentle tones….
….I scanned the room. I couldn’t believe it! After two long, desolate years stranded in a colourless twenty-first century, I had finally come home.
Le Temps Viendra tells the story of Anne, a modern day woman who is in love with the Tudor period- Anne Boleyn in particular. Anne’s life is complicated- after divorcing, she fell in love with a married man, Daniel, and has been involved in an affair for seven years. Wanting to get away from it all, she books herself onto an Anne Boleyn connoisseurs weekend at Hever castle; while there, she falls ill, her modern body falling unconscious but her soul entering the body of Anne Boleyn herself. Volume I takes us through Anne’s life between 1527 and 1528 before modern Anne awakes to discover she has a dangerous health condition. The end of Volume I sees modern Anne falling ill again while at the British Library, falling unconscious in the modern world but once again waking up to find herself in Anne Boleyn’s body. Several years have passed in the Tudor world, and Anne finds herself in the middle of history in the making. With her knowledge of what is in store for her historical heroine, will Anne be able to change the course of history for Anne Boleyn? Or are their fates set in stone?
What struck me about Volume I of Le Temps Viendra was the extraordinary amount of research that had clearly been done to make the novel as authentic as possible. Volume II, on this score, does not disappoint. The research is meticulous and the detail extraordinary- nothing is missed, whether it be clothing, art or Anne’s Tudor surroundings. If you’re one for detail, this book will delight you. I enjoyed it for the most part, but sometimes the detail became a little overwhelming. As well the historical, Morris has researched in other areas to enhance her prose and it really shines through; she has talked to experts about hawking, archery and someone from a stillbirth support charity, making her novel authentic on more than just historical detail.
Another thing that I found wonderful about this novel is the fact that known historical events are never, ever messed with. I’ve read so many historical novels where timelines have been changed, events moved or taken away, or salacious events involving sex and violence have been added to ‘enhance the story’ or ‘add to the narrative flow’. This has irritated me for as long as I can remember because surely, these people are interesting enough as it is? They’re interesting enough for people to both want to read and write about them, so why must ‘exciting additions’ be placed into narratives? This novel proves that a talented author can work with what history has to offer to produce an excellent, exciting and compulsively readable historical novel without any additions. Le Temps Viendra does not meddle with timelines or historical events but does exactly what historical fiction should do- works with history to bring it to life.
The perspective of a modern person in Anne’s world is what makes this novel unusual- modern Anne in her sixteenth century body marvels at what she has the opportunity to see; St. Edwards’ Crown, Hampton Court before the Georgian period, and the old Palace of Westminster are a few examples. There doesn’t seem to be any hints of culture shock for Anne though, in either her Tudor world or her twenty-first; she never seems to struggle to adjust to her changing worlds. If I were to wake up in a different time period in a different body, I think I might really struggle, but our Anne adapts with ease to her new environments, adopting sixteenth attitudes quickly and faultlessly.
Despite its excellence however this novel, in my opinion, would not stand alone. If someone were to pick up Volume II on a whim, several parts of the story would not make sense. For example, we learn in the prologue of Volume I that Anne is telling her story from her prison in the Tower, but this is not mentioned at all in Volume II. Similarly, details of Anne’s twenty-first century life would be missed and these chapters would not make a great deal of sense in Volume II without the reader having read Volume I. Volume I also probably would not stand alone, as it ends on a cliffhanger so there would be no closure without reading Volume II. This would be my only criticism of an otherwise excellent series of novels.
In a nutshell, then; meticulous research, lovely writing, a wonderful and unique story of a woman who holds the heart of thousands. This book appealed to the history lover and the science fiction fan in me, and I highly recommend it to lovers of Anne, the Tudor period, and historical fiction in general.I stayed up late several nights because I didn’t want to stop reading (1:30am last night!) and that speaks volumes. This book is a compulsive page turner; an emotional, passionate and heartfelt novel. In a word, it is a triumph.
March 15, 2014
This has now become one of my favourite books!
This book with its historical facts along with the story telling is truly magnificent - with its attention to detail you sometimes feel as though you are there standing beside Anne.
Many congratulations Sarah.
This book with its historical facts along with the story telling is truly magnificent - with its attention to detail you sometimes feel as though you are there standing beside Anne.
Many congratulations Sarah.
February 16, 2024
I enjoyed Volume 2 more than Volume 1 and commend the author for never skimping on the time and research it must have taken to describe everything--particularly her many gowns--to give us actually even more detail than we needed for authenticity. As I wrote in my review of Volume 1, for me her way of providing more and more detail and the aura of authenticity was to have a modern day woman time-travel back to Tudor England inhabit Anne. Reading Volume 2, although I still was not altogether satisfied with this author device, I was able to let that dis-satisfaction go and just enjoy the book. Good job, Sarah Morris!
(But this is enough Tudor historical for me for awhile. I think I'll read and read some classics of Latin American literature now.)
(But this is enough Tudor historical for me for awhile. I think I'll read and read some classics of Latin American literature now.)
February 26, 2022
Every Tudor fan's fantasy!
Any fan of Anne or the Tudors has most likely fantasized what it would be like to go back in time and relive these moments in history. This series does just that, however I enjoyed this book more than the first of the series. Being able to have a modern point of view, while actively in the Tudor period is a wonderful take on a story that has been written about time and time again. The book is well researched and begins at the height of Anne's power. Only thing that was hard for me was when it jumped back to modern times, the characters didn't seem very believeable.
Any fan of Anne or the Tudors has most likely fantasized what it would be like to go back in time and relive these moments in history. This series does just that, however I enjoyed this book more than the first of the series. Being able to have a modern point of view, while actively in the Tudor period is a wonderful take on a story that has been written about time and time again. The book is well researched and begins at the height of Anne's power. Only thing that was hard for me was when it jumped back to modern times, the characters didn't seem very believeable.
January 8, 2023
Some short notes:
I preferred the first volume, this one seemed bogged down in detail, yet skipped over some of the more interesting parts of Henry and Anne’s relationship (when he first becomes interested in Jane, his jousting accident etc).
Obviously I don’t like how Jane Boleyn is portrayed in this, as only later historians say she testified against them, no contemporary sources.
I preferred the first volume, this one seemed bogged down in detail, yet skipped over some of the more interesting parts of Henry and Anne’s relationship (when he first becomes interested in Jane, his jousting accident etc).
Obviously I don’t like how Jane Boleyn is portrayed in this, as only later historians say she testified against them, no contemporary sources.
May 8, 2019
The writing was smooth and captivating!!
The writing was so well done I almost felt like I was on this journey with Anne! I felt what she felt and was able to see what she saw and I even learned a thing or two!
The writing was so well done I almost felt like I was on this journey with Anne! I felt what she felt and was able to see what she saw and I even learned a thing or two!
September 15, 2020
I absolutely love this story. The author makes it seem like it really happened the exact way described. I found myself lost in Henry VIII’s England and the love of his life, Anne Boleyn.
February 27, 2015
I will say once more, I am never a fan of historical fiction that includes time travel – I often find them a little tedious, presumptuous and “fangirl” romance.
was concerned when I picked up the first instalment of this story – and yet I was blown away. I had no doubt at all that the author would continue the same strong, informed and sensual writing that she captured me with in “Le Temps Viendra Part 1” and she did not disappoint.
So the book was captivating, beautifully written, have a few curveballs in there that I didn’t see coming and also moved me to tears. Same as the last one, I didn’t want it to end. I purchased this on my kindle but I know I need to buy a hard copy to sit beside its predecessor and take its rightful place alongside my other favourite Tudor Books.
Sarah, I assume you read these reviews and so I just wanted to say - it was a journey – thank you so much for writing such a wonderful account of our heroine Anne Boleyn.
I highly recommend these books to anyone who loves Anne Boleyn!
was concerned when I picked up the first instalment of this story – and yet I was blown away. I had no doubt at all that the author would continue the same strong, informed and sensual writing that she captured me with in “Le Temps Viendra Part 1” and she did not disappoint.
So the book was captivating, beautifully written, have a few curveballs in there that I didn’t see coming and also moved me to tears. Same as the last one, I didn’t want it to end. I purchased this on my kindle but I know I need to buy a hard copy to sit beside its predecessor and take its rightful place alongside my other favourite Tudor Books.
Sarah, I assume you read these reviews and so I just wanted to say - it was a journey – thank you so much for writing such a wonderful account of our heroine Anne Boleyn.
I highly recommend these books to anyone who loves Anne Boleyn!
September 18, 2015
First off, I am a Tudor history fanatic, especially with regards to Anne Boleyn, and I was intrigued by the premise of the book-- a regular 21st century woman with a lifelong obsession with Anne Boleyn finding herself slipping 500 years into the past right into Anne Boleyn's body. I thought we would get to see how Anne would react to having someone in her body who already knows every detail of her fate, how she would adjust to having another person in her body, but the books turned out to be a monotonous rerun of the events of Anne's life with exactly zero changes that simply repeats all of the mistakes. I found it hard to believe that as intoxicating as Anne and Henry's early romance was, regular Anne could blithely ignore this and lose herself in a fantasy world. And at the crucial points where Anne's fate could have been changed, AnneB simply took over and ensured history went exactly as planned. I also found the parts of Anne's modern-day life too long and simply uninteresting, as many other reviewers have noted, and I was also put off by the blatant sequel set-up when the two books could have simply been one.
All that being said, I did enjoy the book for what it was-- a detailed and well-researched, if repetitious of what any relatively well-informed Tudor fan already knows, retelling of Anne's life. The writing style was a tad too formal for my tastes and was especially jarring in the modern day, as well as the narration inserted into paragraphs of dialogue, but on its own, the writing is very gripping and portrays Anne as a great but flawed woman, without vilifying or canonizing her. A newcomer to Tudor literature would definitely be enthralled by this book, which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 2.
All that being said, I did enjoy the book for what it was-- a detailed and well-researched, if repetitious of what any relatively well-informed Tudor fan already knows, retelling of Anne's life. The writing style was a tad too formal for my tastes and was especially jarring in the modern day, as well as the narration inserted into paragraphs of dialogue, but on its own, the writing is very gripping and portrays Anne as a great but flawed woman, without vilifying or canonizing her. A newcomer to Tudor literature would definitely be enthralled by this book, which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 2.
August 3, 2016
I loved this novel (and its predecessor, Vol I) and recommend it to any reader looking to immerse themselves in Tudor England. The novel is written in such a way that the reader really has the chance to live as Anne Boleyn- through a clever bit of time travel, the author combines our modern sensibilities with the notions of the 16th century. The novel flows effortlessly through the lives of both the modern and the historical Annes- and both are equally engaging.
The obvious research and attention to detail is present on every page without reading like a history lesson, and has clearly been a labor of love for the author. The book is satisfyingly long, but I still didn't want this story to come to an end! I read Volume I on a friend's recommendation, and have paid it forward and let so many of my own friends know about this gem. Read it today!
The obvious research and attention to detail is present on every page without reading like a history lesson, and has clearly been a labor of love for the author. The book is satisfyingly long, but I still didn't want this story to come to an end! I read Volume I on a friend's recommendation, and have paid it forward and let so many of my own friends know about this gem. Read it today!
September 14, 2016
I really really enjoyed this book. Granted parts of it were perhaps overlong and the odd part may have dragged a little but the sheer amount of research and love that has gone into this book is so evident.
This novel deals with the latter part of Anne's reign and her untimely death. The novel is well researched and generally well written - although there are the odd grammar errors where a word is missed. It doesn't detract from the general feel of the novel however.
The only thing that bothered me a little - and this is perhaps me as an Anne Boleyn fan - modern Anne doesn't really seem to do much to try and prevent Anne's fate. She simply says how she wants to
but never acts on it. In fact at times she seems to make things worse.
Overall though a good read.
This novel deals with the latter part of Anne's reign and her untimely death. The novel is well researched and generally well written - although there are the odd grammar errors where a word is missed. It doesn't detract from the general feel of the novel however.
The only thing that bothered me a little - and this is perhaps me as an Anne Boleyn fan - modern Anne doesn't really seem to do much to try and prevent Anne's fate. She simply says how she wants to
but never acts on it. In fact at times she seems to make things worse.
Overall though a good read.
August 4, 2017
Just finished reading the most amazing story ever written about Anne Boleyn beside Eric Ives OMG sarah morris made this book so special I will never forget the journey this book has giving me ,I really felt like stepping into Anne's shoes this book to my
breath away a book every Anne Boleyn fan should read, I cried when the book ended cuz this was such amazing journey incredible masterpiece wonderful amazing beautiful I'm speechless of words U have to read this book U will never forget the journey le temps viendra
breath away a book every Anne Boleyn fan should read, I cried when the book ended cuz this was such amazing journey incredible masterpiece wonderful amazing beautiful I'm speechless of words U have to read this book U will never forget the journey le temps viendra
April 4, 2014
I was so excited when I heard this was coming out having read the first novel and anxiously awaited its publication. It did not disappoint! I appreciated Sarah's writing and her ability to take me into the tuder era and involve me in both the past and present characters lives. I knew how it had to end but didn't want it to,hoping a twist of some sort may have been added but alas..... I highly recommend both novels wether you are a Tudor fan or not
July 11, 2015
I absolutely loved this second volume and read the last 100 pages very slowly so as to not rush Anne to her ultimate fate. The time slip element worked well and the attention to detail including setting and language magnificent. The book is very well presented- just a couple of lapses where I lost sense of the chronology. A modern telling of an old story about narcissism, fear, arrogance, pride and everything in between. You just couldn't make it up.
May 29, 2016
So much editing was needed with this one.
I love/hate Anne's story, I always get so sad when she dies in the end...spoiler alert. This version was super tedious to read and I feel a lot of what was written, was unnecessary, I honestly do not care about the exact measurements of a room and you don't need to tell me the back story of a person, every time they come into contact with Anne. Just a thought. Poor Anne. :(
I love/hate Anne's story, I always get so sad when she dies in the end...spoiler alert. This version was super tedious to read and I feel a lot of what was written, was unnecessary, I honestly do not care about the exact measurements of a room and you don't need to tell me the back story of a person, every time they come into contact with Anne. Just a thought. Poor Anne. :(
June 3, 2014
Even better than the first, as Anne's life and the life of the main character both reach a climax....the pages turn themselves, as the author gives you a heightened awareness of Anne as a queen, a mother, a wife and a person. When I finished the last page I was left with a deep feeling of "wow," and this book will definitely stay with you. Again, you will not be disappointed.
August 20, 2018
I struggled so hard with this book, not because it was hard to read or slow, but because emotionally I just couldn't cope. I knew what was going to happen. The character knew what was going to happen, which made it worse, and then it happened and my heart just stopped. Beautifully written and incredibly emotional.
February 2, 2014
I have just finished reading LTV II, I am lay here in floods of tears! What an amazing journey I have been on! What a beautifully written book, I felt like I was actually in the book myself! Thank you for such an amazing book! Your passion for Anne Boleyn shone through on every page! Thank you!xxx
January 4, 2014
I just finished this with tears in my eyes. What a wonderful evocative book! Thank you so much Sarah! These two books are a must for Anne Boleyn and Tudor era fans.
February 9, 2022
So soulful
What a read.so engrossed from beginning to end..well worth a read, feel like you are back there living it with Anne
What a read.so engrossed from beginning to end..well worth a read, feel like you are back there living it with Anne
February 14, 2015
still a great swing to Queen Anne's story. Well written.
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