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Thornleigh #2
The King's Daughter
Upon the death of her father, Henry VIII, Queen Mary assumes the throne after a long exile. Her first order of business is to wed the devout Prince Philip of Spain, creating a powerful alliance that will transform Mary's fanatical dream of ridding England of Protestantism into terrifying reality. And so begins the reign of Bloody Mary...
Even as she plans for her own nuptials, Isabel Thornleigh is helping to lay the groundwork to overthrow Mary and bring Elizabeth to power. But none of the secrets Isabel has discovered compares to the truths hidden in her own family. With her beloved father imprisoned by Queen Mary, only Carlos Valverde— a Spanish soldier of fortune—can help Isabel. Now with England's future at stake, Isabel risks all to change the course of history...
Even as she plans for her own nuptials, Isabel Thornleigh is helping to lay the groundwork to overthrow Mary and bring Elizabeth to power. But none of the secrets Isabel has discovered compares to the truths hidden in her own family. With her beloved father imprisoned by Queen Mary, only Carlos Valverde— a Spanish soldier of fortune—can help Isabel. Now with England's future at stake, Isabel risks all to change the course of history...
481 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1995
51 people are currently reading
1374 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Kyle
15 books339 followersThanks for visiting!
Here’s a little about me. Before becoming an author, I enjoyed a twenty-year acting career playing Shakespearean heroines on stage, leading roles in daytime TV dramas, and characters in Disney made-for-TV movies. It felt like a natural extension of my acting to create characters for fiction, and I hope you'll enjoy my novels. Over half a million copies have been sold worldwide.
My seven-book Thornleigh Saga series is set in 16th-century England and follows a middle-class family’s rise through three generations and three tumultuous Tudor reigns. ("Riveting Tudor drama" - USA Today). I’m also the author of acclaimed thrillers.
My new novel, THE DEADLY TRADE, is a murder mystery. I hope you’ll love it!
As a writing mentor I’ve launched many writers on the path to published success. My video course YOUR PATH TO WRITING A PAGE-TURNER shows how to craft a book that excites publishers and thrills readers. It's a Udemy Bestseller! See: https://www.udemy.com/course/your-pat...
My husband and I live in Guelph, a university city in southern Ontario where we enjoy its riverside walks, vibrant arts community, and good-neighborliness.
Happy reading!
Barbara Kyle
P.S. Follow me on Instagram @BarbaraKyleAuthor
Here’s a little about me. Before becoming an author, I enjoyed a twenty-year acting career playing Shakespearean heroines on stage, leading roles in daytime TV dramas, and characters in Disney made-for-TV movies. It felt like a natural extension of my acting to create characters for fiction, and I hope you'll enjoy my novels. Over half a million copies have been sold worldwide.
My seven-book Thornleigh Saga series is set in 16th-century England and follows a middle-class family’s rise through three generations and three tumultuous Tudor reigns. ("Riveting Tudor drama" - USA Today). I’m also the author of acclaimed thrillers.
My new novel, THE DEADLY TRADE, is a murder mystery. I hope you’ll love it!
As a writing mentor I’ve launched many writers on the path to published success. My video course YOUR PATH TO WRITING A PAGE-TURNER shows how to craft a book that excites publishers and thrills readers. It's a Udemy Bestseller! See: https://www.udemy.com/course/your-pat...
My husband and I live in Guelph, a university city in southern Ontario where we enjoy its riverside walks, vibrant arts community, and good-neighborliness.
Happy reading!
Barbara Kyle
P.S. Follow me on Instagram @BarbaraKyleAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
nope-not-interested
March 28, 2015Upon the death of her father, Henry VIII, Queen Mary assumes the throne after a long exile. - book blurb, The King's Daughter
Except that Mary did NOT assume the throne upon the death of her father, Henry VIII. She succeeded her brother Edward VI.
Except that Mary did NOT assume the throne upon the death of her father, Henry VIII. She succeeded her brother Edward VI.
August 3, 2009
I tried to continue with this book. Really, I did. I finally gave up waiting for it to turn and grab my attention, but alas, it did not. In addition, the lead character comes off dim-whitted and acts contrary to her supposed "intelligence" that we are led to believe she has in the first two chapters. It is a very dark book, but plot wise, rather mediocre and uninteresting (at least not enough to keep me reading).
Like some others who have commented, with a title like "the King's Daughter" you would think it would have more of Queen Mary in it than it does. Frankly, a disappointment.
Like some others who have commented, with a title like "the King's Daughter" you would think it would have more of Queen Mary in it than it does. Frankly, a disappointment.
December 7, 2009
I tried hard to read this book...but i just couldn't do it. The title of the book is misleading!
November 29, 2015
Warning: book contains a rape scene that would make G. R. R. Martin sit up and say “Damn, that’s cold.”
The plot at least gets more engaging after that point, but the main character keeps making the same mistakes over and over, which is just exasperating at about the 10th time she gets scammed.
November 28, 2016
The book was ok, but not stellar. Title was very misleading as Queen Mary (Bloody Mary) was not really a central character. While her pending marriage to Spanish Philip was the catalyst for much of the action in the book, she, in my opinion, was a minor part of the book. Perhaps I might have been happier with it had I not kept waiting for the revelation as to why this title....
May 11, 2009
The description of this book leads one to believe that it's going to be about Queen Mary. In fact the first chapter also leads you to believe this. The title would also make you think the book could possibly be about Queen Mary. But no, Queen Mary is not the main focus of this book. The story takes place during her reign and is about an uprising to overthrow her, but this is not about Queen Mary. This is about a young woman named Isabel Thornleigh and her quest to find her father who has been thrown into prison for murdering the father of one of the Queen's ladies. ( Her father killed him while trying to defend his own family since this man had critically shot and wounded Isabel's mother) She finds out some things kept secret from her about her parents. To help her in her quest to find her father she hires the very mercenary soldier who had been hired by a man in the Queens court to murder her father in prison. Of course you know she ends up falling in love with this man. All in all, a fast paced book with a good enough story line to keep me reading it.
June 30, 2009
I thought this was mediocre historical fiction. I managed to finish it, but I can't say I really enjoyed it.
April 1, 2011
Hmmm.
I enjoyed the non-historical parts, I must say. Some of the sections that were supposedly based on history had me gritting my teeth at times though.
I thought the author did a good job at bringing the horrendous states of English prisons alive to the reader.
Some historical facts that are extremely easy to find out she got wrong though. They were small things, but detracted from the book for me. For example, a number of times Kyle refers to the Duke of Suffolk and his sons.... that particular Duke of Suffolk, Henry Grey, father of Lady Jane Grey, had no sons... none at all. Something she could have found out in two seconds on wikipedia... Perhaps she got the previous Duke of Suffolk - Charles Brandon, who actually did have a couple of sons, mixed up with the Suffolk that was involved in the rebellion.
I didn't really like her characterization of Mary much... digging up and burning her father's bones? Really? Praying all the freaking time? Out to kill every Protestant? She was actually promising mercy when she first came to the throne. Must say, I prefer Alison Weir's interpretation of Mary in 'Innocent Traitor'.
Found the love story rather predictable although, thought Martin's departure was a bit of a cop-out.
I did enjoy reading this book for the most part, just had to keep reminding myself that it occurs in a parallel universe haha.
I enjoyed the non-historical parts, I must say. Some of the sections that were supposedly based on history had me gritting my teeth at times though.
I thought the author did a good job at bringing the horrendous states of English prisons alive to the reader.
Some historical facts that are extremely easy to find out she got wrong though. They were small things, but detracted from the book for me. For example, a number of times Kyle refers to the Duke of Suffolk and his sons.... that particular Duke of Suffolk, Henry Grey, father of Lady Jane Grey, had no sons... none at all. Something she could have found out in two seconds on wikipedia... Perhaps she got the previous Duke of Suffolk - Charles Brandon, who actually did have a couple of sons, mixed up with the Suffolk that was involved in the rebellion.
I didn't really like her characterization of Mary much... digging up and burning her father's bones? Really? Praying all the freaking time? Out to kill every Protestant? She was actually promising mercy when she first came to the throne. Must say, I prefer Alison Weir's interpretation of Mary in 'Innocent Traitor'.
Found the love story rather predictable although, thought Martin's departure was a bit of a cop-out.
I did enjoy reading this book for the most part, just had to keep reminding myself that it occurs in a parallel universe haha.
June 16, 2009
As the author of THE KING'S DAUGHTER I loved writing this sequel to THE QUEEN'S LADY, continuing the adventures of the Thornleigh family into the reign of Henry VIII's daughter, Queen Mary. Isabel Thornleigh, Honor Larke's daughter, is this story's heroine as she dangerously commits herself to two missions: helping Wyatt's rebellion to overthrow the queen, and rescuing her father from prison. If you enjoy historical adventure enriched by a deeply felt love story, look for THE KING'S DAUGHTER.
September 10, 2009
I quit reading due to a HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, SMUTTY, Rated X scene. Do not read if you don't want to feel polluted! BLEH!
October 23, 2022
This book was just an ok historical fiction...was not really about Queen Mary. I got bored reading about all the disgusting prisons in England over and over. If there was a half star I would have given it 2.5.
August 30, 2025
The title does not work. The title character is one-dimensional at best.
September 13, 2010
To be fair, the writing of this book is not terrible, which is why I felt that I couldn't give it less than two stars (although I wanted to give it only one, for reasons of taste). In fact, given some of the subject matter, I might have preferred it if the writing was far worse and less effectively descriptive than it was.
Far and away the most egregious fault - noted by other Goodreads reviewers - is that the title is terribly misleading. It gives one to believe that the subject is a king's daughter, in this case, "Bloody" Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII. DIsappointingly, this singularly ill-fated but fascinating queen and her reign serve only as the backdrop to a far-fetched sub-plot concerning a family of Protestants trying to escape Catholic England during Queen Mary's reign. It's a strange thing that many writers of historical fiction continue to delude themselves into thinking that the wan figments of their own imagination are capable of capturing our attention in any way close to the way that the lives and doings of real historical people continue to do. The Thornleigh family - notwithstanding their colorful clothes and language - pale in comparison to the hints and whispers we are occasionally given concerning Queen Mary. Simply put, we don't care about the Thornleighs; give us Mary, warts and all!
Other than the misleading title and the credulity-straining antics of the main characters, this book is notable for a scene that features a truly horrific sexual assault, which the author describes in nauseatingly lurid detail. This scene is followed by a series of other scenes which echo the author's fetish for prison rape; if you don't have a strong stomach, you honestly won't want to read this. And don't imagine that the reader's perseverance will be rewarded in the end. If you can stand to finish it, which I very nearly couldn't, this book will probably leave you with the improbable sensation of both revulsion and boredom.
Far and away the most egregious fault - noted by other Goodreads reviewers - is that the title is terribly misleading. It gives one to believe that the subject is a king's daughter, in this case, "Bloody" Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII. DIsappointingly, this singularly ill-fated but fascinating queen and her reign serve only as the backdrop to a far-fetched sub-plot concerning a family of Protestants trying to escape Catholic England during Queen Mary's reign. It's a strange thing that many writers of historical fiction continue to delude themselves into thinking that the wan figments of their own imagination are capable of capturing our attention in any way close to the way that the lives and doings of real historical people continue to do. The Thornleigh family - notwithstanding their colorful clothes and language - pale in comparison to the hints and whispers we are occasionally given concerning Queen Mary. Simply put, we don't care about the Thornleighs; give us Mary, warts and all!
Other than the misleading title and the credulity-straining antics of the main characters, this book is notable for a scene that features a truly horrific sexual assault, which the author describes in nauseatingly lurid detail. This scene is followed by a series of other scenes which echo the author's fetish for prison rape; if you don't have a strong stomach, you honestly won't want to read this. And don't imagine that the reader's perseverance will be rewarded in the end. If you can stand to finish it, which I very nearly couldn't, this book will probably leave you with the improbable sensation of both revulsion and boredom.
June 4, 2012
This book was published in 1995, and weighs in at 480 pages. At some point the title was " A Dangerous Devotion". The new title- The King's Daughter" is very misleading, and I think the reviews for this book are mixed as a result.
Isabel Thornleigh's parents have secrets in their past they keep from their daughter. She's lead a charmed life, until Mary is crowned queen and makes the announcement that she plans to marry the Price of Spain. An uprising develops in which Isabel's fiance, Martin is taking part. She wants to help him and convinces Sir Thomas against his better judgment to allow her to be a go between. However, before she can do her duty, her mother is killed and her father is imprisioned.
Through the novel I was struck at how trusting and naive Isabel was. She was always trusting the wrong people. She would do ANYTHING to free her father. She teams up with a Spaniard mercenary to help her locate her father, but in fact he was hired to kill her father and is using her as cover . He finds himself attracted to Isabel and there a few slilted moments when the attraction is addressed, but it's ridiculous. Carlos even thinks about attempted rape to get her "out of his skin" and makes a move for her, but nothing comes of it. Isabel eventually learns of his betrayal and then finds herself in an even more precarious position. Carlos does have good points from time to time, but the couple never had any chemistry at all. In fact, they never even kissed. Even her father once all was said and done couldn't understand her attraction to him. There were way too many battle scenes in this book for my personal taste. I thought this was a romance novel, but there was very little romance. It was interesting at times, but I found it boring a lot of the time. I really struggled with this one.
Isabel Thornleigh's parents have secrets in their past they keep from their daughter. She's lead a charmed life, until Mary is crowned queen and makes the announcement that she plans to marry the Price of Spain. An uprising develops in which Isabel's fiance, Martin is taking part. She wants to help him and convinces Sir Thomas against his better judgment to allow her to be a go between. However, before she can do her duty, her mother is killed and her father is imprisioned.
Through the novel I was struck at how trusting and naive Isabel was. She was always trusting the wrong people. She would do ANYTHING to free her father. She teams up with a Spaniard mercenary to help her locate her father, but in fact he was hired to kill her father and is using her as cover . He finds himself attracted to Isabel and there a few slilted moments when the attraction is addressed, but it's ridiculous. Carlos even thinks about attempted rape to get her "out of his skin" and makes a move for her, but nothing comes of it. Isabel eventually learns of his betrayal and then finds herself in an even more precarious position. Carlos does have good points from time to time, but the couple never had any chemistry at all. In fact, they never even kissed. Even her father once all was said and done couldn't understand her attraction to him. There were way too many battle scenes in this book for my personal taste. I thought this was a romance novel, but there was very little romance. It was interesting at times, but I found it boring a lot of the time. I really struggled with this one.
November 2, 2011
I really enjoy historical fiction when it's combined with a happily-ever-after romance, which is the case with The King's Daughter. Though you'll be able to follow the action in this book without having read the first book in the Thornleigh series (which features the romance between Honor and Richard), it's wise to read them in order since the intrigue in this book follows from the actions of the principals in the the first, The Queen's Lady.
The King's Daughter is set in the 1550s, about twenty years after the action in the first book. Isabel Thornleigh, the daughter of Honor and Richard, naively sets out to support the ill-fated Wyatt rebellion and gets herself caught up with a Spanish mercenary, Carlos Valverde. Carlos is not a romantic hero--he's a man who takes money to kill people and his initial relationship with Isabel is based on lies. But his attraction to Isabel grows when they have to work together in London to find her father--she to save him and Carlos to kill him.
I found Carlos to be by far the most interesting character in The King's Daughter, though Kyle does an excellent job of showing how Isabel leaves her naivete and idealism behind in the face of hard choices and desperation.
While the book starts a bit slow, stay with it, as the action picks up to a break-neck pace. Some readers may be disturbed by a sordid scene early on, but I found it to be both accurate for the time period and an effective way of conveying Isabel's determination and character. Kyle doesn't flinch at depicting the 16th century in all its stink and brutality, so if you're looking for a light read, this ain't it. Fans of Philippa Gregory should give Kyle a try, though Kyle doesn't bother with gratuitous sex scenes or incestuous couplings.
The King's Daughter is set in the 1550s, about twenty years after the action in the first book. Isabel Thornleigh, the daughter of Honor and Richard, naively sets out to support the ill-fated Wyatt rebellion and gets herself caught up with a Spanish mercenary, Carlos Valverde. Carlos is not a romantic hero--he's a man who takes money to kill people and his initial relationship with Isabel is based on lies. But his attraction to Isabel grows when they have to work together in London to find her father--she to save him and Carlos to kill him.
I found Carlos to be by far the most interesting character in The King's Daughter, though Kyle does an excellent job of showing how Isabel leaves her naivete and idealism behind in the face of hard choices and desperation.
While the book starts a bit slow, stay with it, as the action picks up to a break-neck pace. Some readers may be disturbed by a sordid scene early on, but I found it to be both accurate for the time period and an effective way of conveying Isabel's determination and character. Kyle doesn't flinch at depicting the 16th century in all its stink and brutality, so if you're looking for a light read, this ain't it. Fans of Philippa Gregory should give Kyle a try, though Kyle doesn't bother with gratuitous sex scenes or incestuous couplings.
November 11, 2015
Honor re-appears briefly as the mother of a grown daughter, Isabelle. Soon the story shifts to the POV of Isabelle as she is drawn into a web of intrigue over Wyatt's rebellion against Queen Mary I. Isabelle, unlike her steadfast mother is torn by conflicting loyalties. She is often wrong in her choice of who to trust and doesn't even know who she loves until the very end. The characters whom she comes in conflict with know exactly what they want and will stop at nothing to get it. Only, Carlos, a mercenary Spaniard has the knowledge to ensure a happy outcome. There was one character in this book, I thought the author should have dispensed with. Except for her status as Queen Mary's chief lady in waiting I saw little reason to include this character in the story as she has little impact on the outcome. Otherwise those with weak hearts should not read this book as I read with my heart in my throat and nerves racing, turning pages in haste to see what happens next.
Although I think Frances Grenville and Amy should have been cut from the story entirely I am still giving this thriller a five star rating in honor of my racing heart.
Although I think Frances Grenville and Amy should have been cut from the story entirely I am still giving this thriller a five star rating in honor of my racing heart.
March 19, 2016
This was a fun read, although it centered mostly on Isabel, and not Queen Mary like the title suggests. Most historical fiction is about royalty, or at least wealthy people, and while Isabel's family isn't poor, they aren't part of the royal circle, which made this story different from other historical fiction I've read.
There was a lot of adventure and intrigue. Isabel wasn't always the brightest person, she's very naive and sheltered, which led to some really stupid decisions on her part. But, she did everything for a valiant reason, and stuck to morals and choices with every turn, making her a very worthy heroine.
Overall, this was an intriguing and entertaining book.
There was a lot of adventure and intrigue. Isabel wasn't always the brightest person, she's very naive and sheltered, which led to some really stupid decisions on her part. But, she did everything for a valiant reason, and stuck to morals and choices with every turn, making her a very worthy heroine.
Overall, this was an intriguing and entertaining book.
May 22, 2009
OK, so I was in the mood for some trashy romance but was hoping for a bit more story than the typical... so I picked this up.
Can I say... most disappointing romance ever. There was one REALY graphic rape scene and a bit of fooling around but the main characters never really got it on themselves.
Eh, next time I"m in the mood for "romance novels" i'll get a trashy harlequin... at least i'll read nookie.
I mean, I can deal with "tame" if it's a good story. And well, this one had the most contrived story ever. Seriously contrived.
Can I say... most disappointing romance ever. There was one REALY graphic rape scene and a bit of fooling around but the main characters never really got it on themselves.
Eh, next time I"m in the mood for "romance novels" i'll get a trashy harlequin... at least i'll read nookie.
I mean, I can deal with "tame" if it's a good story. And well, this one had the most contrived story ever. Seriously contrived.
February 14, 2025
I am done looking at other reviews lol~ I went into this book thinking I would not like it and it is far from what I thought it would be.~
This book is not about Queen Mary as the main character. It is about the "underworld" of the rebels trying to over throw her. The Rebels and the Royalists become the main story. There is deceit throughout the book. One minute you trust someone and the next you realize the person is not who you think they are. I was sitting at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen! The main character is Isabel Thronleigh. She becomes an integral part of the groundwork to overthrow the Queen. Holding in her own secrets, she finds out her family has many also! The plot gets more complicated when her father is thrown in to prison for murder. The only person she has to help her save her father is a Mercenary named Carlos Valvere...But he has been hired to kill him! This story is filled with fascinating characters and love! This story weaves a plot that will keep you up reading all night!
This book is not about Queen Mary as the main character. It is about the "underworld" of the rebels trying to over throw her. The Rebels and the Royalists become the main story. There is deceit throughout the book. One minute you trust someone and the next you realize the person is not who you think they are. I was sitting at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen! The main character is Isabel Thronleigh. She becomes an integral part of the groundwork to overthrow the Queen. Holding in her own secrets, she finds out her family has many also! The plot gets more complicated when her father is thrown in to prison for murder. The only person she has to help her save her father is a Mercenary named Carlos Valvere...But he has been hired to kill him! This story is filled with fascinating characters and love! This story weaves a plot that will keep you up reading all night!
June 15, 2017
This is the continuing saga of the Thornleighs..
The story starts after King Henry has died and the country has decided that the next ruler need be a blood relative of the king. That means that Mary, daughter of the King and Queen Catherine, has become the ruler. She insists that the country go back to being Catholic and starts killing the Protestants. There is a rebellion.... And Honor, Richard and daughter Isabel get caught up in it.
This is a well written book though long and sometimes tedious to read. Some parts drag on and the exciting parts make you want to read just to get to those parts. There is history interspersed with fictional parts which does make the book interesting. I will continue the series.
The story starts after King Henry has died and the country has decided that the next ruler need be a blood relative of the king. That means that Mary, daughter of the King and Queen Catherine, has become the ruler. She insists that the country go back to being Catholic and starts killing the Protestants. There is a rebellion.... And Honor, Richard and daughter Isabel get caught up in it.
This is a well written book though long and sometimes tedious to read. Some parts drag on and the exciting parts make you want to read just to get to those parts. There is history interspersed with fictional parts which does make the book interesting. I will continue the series.
February 13, 2019
This book was a great disappointment. It is the first I've read of this author and it will be the last.
While most of the historical background was accurate the central character and those around her were totally unbelievable. A 17 yr old female who for the most part had lived a fairly uneventful past suddenly becomes a messenger between rebels attempting to over throw Queen Mary. Secondly, her gratuitous sexual encounters were deplorable one was a rape and other allusions to sexuality were totally male dominated. I could expect this kind of nonsense from a male author perhaps but from a female? Not. Character's are unrealistic and plot predictable.
While most of the historical background was accurate the central character and those around her were totally unbelievable. A 17 yr old female who for the most part had lived a fairly uneventful past suddenly becomes a messenger between rebels attempting to over throw Queen Mary. Secondly, her gratuitous sexual encounters were deplorable one was a rape and other allusions to sexuality were totally male dominated. I could expect this kind of nonsense from a male author perhaps but from a female? Not. Character's are unrealistic and plot predictable.
March 19, 2022
Frustrating.
Isabel abandons her fiance because he wants to escape with her from the horrors of war, calling this a betrayal. Then she singlehandedly closes the gates on the rebels just because some archers want to shoot her father, who is most likely already dead or dying and and if loses he will hang. Meanwhile she's fallen in love with a man fighting for the opposite side who is also excessively violent. So she has condemned her former fiance for leaving the rebellion, and then actively works against the rebellion along with her boy toy.
Ex-fiance is the better man, prove me wrong.
Isabel abandons her fiance because he wants to escape with her from the horrors of war, calling this a betrayal. Then she singlehandedly closes the gates on the rebels just because some archers want to shoot her father, who is most likely already dead or dying and and if loses he will hang. Meanwhile she's fallen in love with a man fighting for the opposite side who is also excessively violent. So she has condemned her former fiance for leaving the rebellion, and then actively works against the rebellion along with her boy toy.
Ex-fiance is the better man, prove me wrong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2017
Intrigue, drama, romance and betrayal set in 16th century England. What more could any reader want? The writing was rich, but not dense. Every single character was believable and the depictions of real life characters blended with their fictional counterparts seamlessly.
My only quibble was that it was a bit long. Personally, I don't recommend it unless you have the time and patience to devote to a book of this length.
My only quibble was that it was a bit long. Personally, I don't recommend it unless you have the time and patience to devote to a book of this length.
September 27, 2021
Having read another author's stories of the Tudors, I was a bit surprised to discover that in this story the monarch plays a very minor role. It's not about Queen Mary. Once I got past that, this story was okay. In some ways it felt like the story was set in the 19th century not the 16th century. Some of it seemed a bit unrealistic for the time period. As far as storyline goes, it was adventure filled.
March 19, 2022
Library book, thank goodness. I'm about two-thirds of the way through. Not about Queen Mary so far. Lots of repetition about the horrible prisons of England and now it's into wars. I find the author belabors one subject and then another. I think it could have been a much better book had it been edited tighter and cut by half. Not sure if I'll finish it or not - maybe I'll just jump to the end.
May 22, 2017
This is the 2nd book in this series. It started a little slow for me as the first book did, but the story picked up a few chapters in. I enjoyed reading this one. It was hard to believe that the whole book took place in just a week or so. I am looking forward to continuing this series.
October 10, 2017
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, especially when it involves English monarchs but I found myself rolling my eyes at the main character's continued naivety. Not to mention the end was very predictable. I'm not a fan of the happily ever after ending
February 21, 2019
Horrible. I want to read Historical Novels, not trashy fantasy. I want the book to revolve around facts.
The opening pages were ridiculous.
Too many good books to waste my time on garbage.
It is in the 'donate' pile after five pages.
The opening pages were ridiculous.
Too many good books to waste my time on garbage.
It is in the 'donate' pile after five pages.
July 4, 2023
The description was a lie. The plot was boring, they didn’t make us care about any of our narrators. There was a lot of unneeded sexual assault/elisions to assault. Main love interest is boring. Main character is giving 2010s not like other girls in the strangest way. The author tried to gaslight us into thinking the main character is smart and in fact she is not.
June 6, 2017
At first I was upset that it wasn't about Honor and Richard, but I really really liked Isabel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews