The Worm and the Fledgling

The Phoenix Trilogy: Story of Jane Seymour #2

by G. Lawrence

May 1529, London Jane Seymour has risen to become a lady in waiting to Queen Katherine, wife of King Henry VIII, but Jane has joined the household of the true Queen at a time most dangerous, as the King seeks to end his marriage to Katherine, and take Anne Boleyn as his Queen. Through years of struggle, Jane will watch as the England she knows, and the faith she honours are torn apart by the King's wish to take a new wife, and to break from the power of Rome. Devoted to her beloved mistress, Queen Katherine, Jane makes an oath to do all she can, to save England and its King. Little does Jane Seymour know that one day she will be in a position to fulfil her vow, becoming part of one of the most notorious events of English history; the fall of Queen Anne Boleyn. The Worm and The Fledgling is Book Two of The Phoenix Trilogy, Story of Jane Seymour, by G. Lawrence The author's thanks are due to Julia Gibbs, proof reader of this work, and Dill's Designs, the cover artist.

604 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2021

About the author

I 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...

Reviews

[Terry Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in Gemma Lawrence's Phoenix trilogy, the story of Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, covers the period from the early days of the King's affair with Anne Boleyn, and ends the day after Anne's execution.

Most of the first two thirds of the book is about the King's Great Matter, with developments being told by Jane through information given to her by others, mostly brother Edward, or through conversations that take place in her hearing. This must have been the number one topic for discussion, argument and gossip both at court and throughout the country, and constants throughout the account are Jane's love for and loyalty towards Queen Katherine, and her deep resentment of Anne Boleyn. Having read and loved Ms Lawrence's series about Anne Boleyn, it was interesting to read the view from the other side. More than any other book I've read about the period, this one made me fully realise what Anne was up against.

Later on, as Henry and Anne's marriage crumbles, the King notices Jane, and their relationship begins. This is talked about only briefly at first; I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on and actual scenes showing how their relationship began and developed, and Jane's life, generally, rather than so much about what was going on elsewhere, politically, although of course this was the backdrop for Jane's story. However, this could just be because I've read so much about the Great Matter in books over the years!

I have always been of the belief that Jane Seymour was every bit as ambitious and calculating as Anne is thought to have been, and indeed she appears so in this book—and the Seymour family were no different from the Boleyns in the way that they pushed Jane forward. I was so glad Ms Lawrence didn't paint Jane as saintly and of great virtue. Never having had any attention from men, the love Henry professed to feel for her became as a drug, and she had no qualms about doing to Anne Boleyn the very same thing that she'd hated her for doing to Katherine. Worse, really; at least Anne was passionately in love with the King, though Jane seems to be motivated more by loneliness, the desire to improve her own self-image, and to triumph over a woman she hated.

The last third of the book is by far the most compelling, and I was glued to my Kindle. Jane only once or twice considers that Anne might not be as black as she is painted, but by being an 'unreliable narrator', she gives the reader sufficient information to see her rival as would her admirers and supporters. I was most impressed by the clever way in which this was written.

Once the trials and executions begin, the truth begins to dawn on her. Be careful what you wish for....

As is the norm in Ms Lawrence's Tudor books, both prologue and epilogue are set as the main character faces death, which always works so well. I thought the epilogue in this book was particularly good, a fine ending. I am so, so looking forward to Book 3, and indeed to more of Ms Lawrence's books about Henry's wives.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly but aptly, Jane Seymour disappears from her own story.

Jane narrates all the events surrounding the breakdown of Henry's first and second marriages without hardly ever mentioning what she is doing. It makes sense to have her character be an observer, but she does so in such an invisible way that there are huge swatches of the book where you can forget she is even there.

Also, while it would make sense for to observe events in her vicinity, she also sums up events that are happening elsewhere as other characters are always running in with reports of recent events.

So, this is a great book about Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, but I would have liked to have seen more plot and action from Jane Seymour herself.

[Rohase Piercy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second book in Lawrence's Phoenix Trilogy, but was hoping to learn more about Jane Seymour's day to day life in the service of Queens Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, and in particular about her private meetings with Henry as Anne falls from favour and he begins to court her, than is revealed here. Lawrence does present Jane as much more than the meek and malleable pawn her brothers assume her to be, with passionate feelings and strong opinions beneath her mousy exterior, but I would have preferred more conversations and encounters and less overheard and reported speech. There's a lot of well-researched detail about the political machinations involved in Henry's 'Great Matter' (his plan to divorce Queen Katherine and marry Anne), which of course is fascinating and important, but I do feel it could have been presented in subtler ways, with more 'show, not tell'.
Nevertheless, Jane's character does shine through sufficiently vividly for me to want to finish the trilogy! And her doubts about Anne Boleyns's guilt, even as she waits for the outcome that will elevate her to the the status of Henry's third wife, set the scene for a Queen with a troubled conscience in the third and final book. It's great to have one of history's most often overlooked characters given a chance to tell her story in such detail.

[jeannette Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean38no

Interesting book of Ann Boleyn as seen through Jane Seymour eyes. It has a wealth of historical knowledge of Tudor England. I love immersing myself in that time. Some historical facts seem to different from the many books I have read of Tudor England. Many said the King left Ann immediately after she miscarried of the last baby. When Norfolk came to say the King was dead. The King blamed Ann for the miscarriage because she fainted and fell on the floor before anyone could catch her. Most history and historical fiction state he railed at her that Ann did not take enough care of his son in her womb. Many books state he never let her explain about Norfolk. Nor spent much time with her after this event. Once he left the joust she never saw him again!

[Kathryn Simoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I've read so many stories about this era and have loved them all. This was an easy read, like the first book and thoroughly enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the 3rd now! When I read the author's notes at the end, about how she had hoped to portray Jane Seymour, I realized that she succeeded beautifully. I felt about queen Jane pretty much exactly the way she said she hoped that we would.I have read a few other books by Ms. Lawrence,And I highly recommend them all.

[Berita · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a sad story, really. Of a deranged King, a Queen put aside, of a replaced Queen- brought high, and then so very low. And the shy mouse, the maid - the sister - the worm.

Jane is always in the background, not invisible but yet not seen either. Until the King starts to actually take notice of her. Then she comes out, tiny steps at a time. To comfort the King, and to observe things at court.

It couldn't have been easy, for any of them.

Good book, though.

[Debra George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the title says this book is about Jane Seymour it is more about Jane’s observations of Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. There is lots of information about the political, international and religious issues of the time. The names and titles of the various characters is a little confusing. The story moves slowly until the last part

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad…

Well, there was more about Jane towards the end of the book. And this book had less flowery language than the first one but I still keep hoping for more substance on Jane. This was just the same Anne Boleyn/Katherine of Aragon that I’ve read multiple times before. Regardless I’m going into the third book to see if the trilogy satisfies my need.

[Dayanara Ryelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Besides what I mentioned for the last book, this author's biggest flaw is that she enjoys long, wordy prologues and epilogues reflecting on the protagonist's life. I don't think I even made it through the prologue of her first Anne book before I gave up and began to skip ahead to the first chapter.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Jane , Queen Ann and Queen Katherine

Three woman each different but the results are the same. All became Queens but their deaths are all different same King with the same wants from the King and the tragedies that these woman women entailed

[Elisha Gordon]

I enjoyed this version of Jane Seymour's story

Very well told and I enjoyed that the author portrayed Anne Boleyn as a human woman. Misquided, she may have been, but seeing her through Jane's eyes was a new perspective. Any true fan of Tudor era should give this book a read!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a happy book

But well written and believable. Definitely paints a picture in the imagination. Looking forward to book three and Jane's journey with Henry

[mrs e mcnulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book

Excellent read plenty of detail looking forward to book 3 as Jane becomes queen and provides Henry with his heir

[Lorna Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I really enjoyed this book the author spun the tale excellently and told the story as someone in the shadows which made it more,interesting

[May Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

great next read in series

Sometimes the middle book can be slow to move along but this one could stand on its own without the others in the series

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and well written. G.Lawrence is an underrated gem in the Tudor fiction sphere. Deserves a lot more kudos.

[Karen Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love G. Lawrence!
Her books are so good!
Another good one about Jane Seymour!