The Heretic’s Wife

by Brenda Rickman Vantrease

Tudor England is a perilous place for booksellers Kate Gough and her brother John, who sell forbidden translations of the Bible. Caught between warring factions - English Catholics opposed to the Lutheran reformation, and Henry VIII's growing impatience with the Pope's refusal to sanction his marriage to Anne Boleyn - Kate embarks on a daring adventure that will lead her into a dangerous marriage and a web of intrigue that pits her against powerful enemies.

From the king's lavish banquet halls to secret dungeons and the inner sanctums of Thomas More, Brenda Rickman Vantrease's glorious new novel illuminates the public pageantry and the private passions of men and women of conscience in treacherous times.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, British Literature, 16th Century, Christian Fiction

404 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Brenda Rickman Vantrease (born in 1945) is a former librarian and English teacher from Nashville, Tennessee. She grew up and was educated in the Middle Tennessee area where she graduated with a B.A. in English from Belmont University in 1967. During the twenty-five years she served as an educator in Nashville, she earned a masters degree and a doctorate from Middle Tennessee State University. Brenda still resides in Nashville with her husband of 31 years.

Reviews

[Sarah (Presto agitato) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction of the Tudor era has an uphill battle. There are just so many novels about that time, from Philippa Gregory’s blatant romances sprinkled with a touch of history to Hilary Mantel’s prize-winning, erudite, and decidedly unromantic Wolf Hall. The world is not exactly crying out for more variations of the Henry VIII-Anne Boleyn story.

Still, I had some hope for The Heretic’s Wife. It focuses not on the portly serial bridegroom Henricus Rex, but on the sister of a bookseller who plays the dangerous game of selling Lutheran (i.e., Protestant) books in England. She becomes involved with historical characters John Frith, a Protestant writer and reformer, and his friend William Tyndale, famous translator of the Bible into English.

In those days, the idea that people should be able to read the Bible for themselves was a perilously radical one, and it could result in its proponents ending their days burned at the stake the final ending for both Frith and Tyndale. While King Henry had sympathy for some Protestant viewpoints, he was hardly theologically progressive, and didn’t hesitate to dictate the same punishment for those who took the wrong view on transubstantiation the idea that the bread and wine at Communion are literally the body and blood of Jesus. During those turbulent years, what was considered safe, orthodox belief changed at the whim of the king and whatever powerful people he currently held in favor.



”Lord, open the king of England’s eyes” - Last words of William Tyndale, executed in 1536.

The Heretic’s Wife plays fast and loose with some of the historical details, but most of the changes don’t detract too much from the story. The bigger problem lies with the anachronisms. Characters worry about being “broke,” Henry VIII has “flings” with women, and the lawyers seem a lot more concerned with due process and illegal search and seizure than they should reasonably have been in early 1500s Tudor England. Occasionally, the characters pop out with a “verily” or two to remind us of the setting, but with the uneven prose, it isn’t convincing. What is worse, the relationship between protagonist Kate and her romantic interest John Frith commits one of the unforgivable sins of historical fiction, transplanting 21st century sensibilities into people who lived 500 years ago. The effect of the clumsy language and shoehorning of the blandest of chick-lit romances into an otherwise tumultuous period of history is jarring, making it difficult to be absorbed in the story.

It’s a shame, because other aspects of the novel are more compelling, particularly the depiction of the king’s chancellor Sir Thomas More (canonized as a Roman Catholic saint in 1935). More comes across as a villain with sadomasochistic impulses who takes a little too much pleasure in not-so-gently convincing heretics to renounce their beliefs as he marches them to the stake. He is set in contrast to the reformers, who are equally convinced that they are on the path of the righteous. Like the reformers, More was willing to be martyred over his religious beliefs when he was executed for refusing to support Henry VIII’s divorce.

The early Protestant Reformation in England was a dangerous time for people on every side of the religious question. It makes a good background for a novel, but maybe not so great of a setting for a love story.

2.5 stars

[C.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenda Rickman Vantrease is truly one of the exceptional historical novelists working today. In her third book, THE HERETIC'S WIFE, she follows the fortunes and tragedies of the descendants of her protagonists in "The Illuminator" and "The Mercy Seller", forwarding us in time to the dangerous years of Henry VIII's reign, when the bastion of Catholicism began to crumble under an influx of illegal Protestant literature. As she so masterfully established in her previous novels, Ms Vantrease knows how to mine that explosive turf between absolute adherence to established faith and rebellion against a despotic church in order to tell her story, plunging us into a world not often explored.

The heroine of the title, Kate Gough, is sister to a bookseller arrested for heresy, both descendants of a family which has for centuries participated in reformist book selling. Forced to take charge of her destiny, Kate becomes involved in Thomas More's relentless pursuit and persecution of Protestants, even as their sovereign King Henry grows determined to wed Anne Boleyn, who is inclined to Lutheranism. The title, however, is misleading, as this is less a novel about one woman's fight for the right to live and worship freely as it is the epic account of an entire nation caught in the convulsions of change, with More himself - strident, self-flagellating, obdurate and ultimately terrifying - taking center stage in his almost single-handed attempt to stem the tide that will sweep away his entire existence. Entwined story lines alternate between More's descent into righteous fury; a remarkably fresh depiction of the catalyst herself, Anne Boleyn; and of Kate's struggles to assist her reformist allies, even as she too finds herself caught up in the course of inexorable transformation.

While less focused than her previous works, Ms Vantrease's "The Heretic's Wife" makes up for the lack with its ambitious scope and compelling lack of sentimentality; she does not shy away from the horrors visited on those who opposed king and state, even as she offers a riveting personal look at the risks taken, and sacrifices made, by many courageous men and women who believed in championing their faith during a perilous and ruthless time.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realize that the protagonist is Protestant and she and her friends are struggling to bring about reforms in the church, but I got tired of the implication that the Catholic Church is BAD!!!!!! and the reformers are GOOD!!!!!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book set in Tudor England that talks about various people involved in King Henry VIII's time including Anne Boleyn, Thomas More, Thomas Frith, and William Tyndale. Along with all these historical figures, the author included Kate Gough who is fictional. History tells us that Thomas Frith was married but nothing is really known about his wife so the book is centered mainly on Kate who the author has imagined as Thomas Frith's wife. Frith, Tyndale, Kate and many others are fighting for the right to be able to read the Bible in their native language so that it is more readily accessible to the common man. Many critics of this belief in Tudor England were afraid that the Bible would be misinterpreted and lead to uprisings among the poor in England. Baffling to my modern mind - everyone should have access to the written word in their native language!

I learned more about Thomas More in this book and his horrible role in condemning so many "heretics." Scary! I also had to laugh at how the author made Anne Boleyn out to be such a shrew (historians either love or hate her!).

After having read so much about this period in history, I am so glad to live in this century and in the country where I do so that I have freedom of religion. It really boggles my mind how so many people were put to death over the belief (radical at the time) that the host was just a representation and not the actual body of Christ. I am a "cradle Catholic" so yes, I have been raised to believe the host becomes the body of Christ but to argue and murder people over this is so sad. We should all be allowed to practice our religion how we see fit as long as we all believe in one God and live our lives as good Christians.

Good book! I'd like to read more by this author.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

The bashing of the Catholic Church was not enjoyed by either the Protestants or the Catholics that read this book for my bookclub.
I have always been interested in the life of Henry the eighth and his many wives. I have read many stories and seen many movies and Tv shows regarding his life. During all that time it has never been intimated that King Henry was anti-Catholic. He just was a man who wanted a woman and went to extreme lengths to get her. This book however, makes it seem as if Henry was pro-protestant and anti-Catholic. The portrayal of Anne Boleyn as a closet Lutheran also is a new idea that I had not heard of. When I researched it there were conflicting ideas about this. The vilified portrayal of the king’s chancellor Sir Thomas More (canonized as a Roman Catholic saint in 1935) is one sided. The characters were either all good or all bad and it was very obvious who the bad guys were.

The story itself of illegally selling Bibles in English was interesting. However, I felt I understood both sides because while I believe that everyone should have access to the Bible I understood the concerns of the Catholic Church of taking things out of context especially the non-literate masses of 16th century. The story was easy to read and the character Sarah I liked.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written historical novel recounting the political and spiritual tensions of the Reformation. It's not every day you get to read about Henry VIII getting a hand job from Anne Boleyn, after all. The "Heritic" in the title, the legendary John Frith, well...I know nothing of his actual character, but the feminist in me squirmed every time he treated his wife like a fragile child. I get it, this is the 16th century - 21st century gender politics would be completely anachronistic in this book, and it would greatly take away from its plot. I'm cool with that.

It's interesting to see one of the most revered English writers/philosophers/statesmen cast as a villain, but a villain Sir Thomas More is. You can't argue with facts - More was indeed adamantly opposed to the Reformation, so it's interesting (and ballsy on Vantrease's part) to see this cold, brilliant, sanctimonious, and sinister side of him. He wasn't characterized as "evil" in the book, but the portrait Vantrease painted of him in the last years of his life was not flattering. According to "The Heretic's Wife" More sort of "lost his head" a bit before he...you know...lost his head.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this one, though the main character (Kate) sort of pulled a cliche by sailing off into the sunset with the "bad-boy-who's-actually-mr-wonderful" at the end. But we had to wrap this up neatly somehow, I suppose.

[Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite (1) a cover that made me embarrassed to read this in public because it makes this look like a historical romance novel--and there were elements of that; (2) an anachronistically feminist heroine; (3) characters who were almost all either unblemished heroes or villains; (4) a gradual realization that this could be read as (and perhaps even was intended as) a Protestant, anti-Catholic polemic--despite all this I found this to be an engaging yarn that shed light on Reformation-era England. The main character is a young woman who marries an actual, but minor, English reformer (an ally of William Tyndale, who is another minor character); other characters include King Henry himself, Anne Boleyn, Thomas More (here as in Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, a thoroughly despicable character), Cardinal Wolsey, & Cranmer & Cromwell.

[Sherry Sidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite my serious aversion to books titled The XXX's Wife or Daughter or books with covers that look like they're one step above cut and paste romances with women in flowing skirts and locks facing away, I ended up with this book from a library sale grab bag. I'm mostly glad I did.

Stories about Tudor England feel mostly played out at this point. Philippa Gregory's role in that aside, we get it. Henry VIII was a sociopathic tyrant who married and destroyed a series of women and broke with the Catholic Church in a years-long tantrum because he couldn't get a legitimate living son. Henry and Anne Boleyn and many of their cynically odious court do make numerous appearances here, but where The Heretic's Wife stands out is in focusing largely on what the beginnings of the English Reformation looked like on the ground. There's a mix of historical and fictional characters left to grapple with the ever shifting standards of permissible beliefs as Henry's war with the pope to obtain a divorce from Katherine of Aragon dragged on and king's chancellors who could enforce those beliefs, often with literal fiery zeal, rose and fell. The danger so many of these people are in is always palpable.

The primary complaint with the story telling is one you'll have when major characters are also real historical characters: Without dumping what makes them interesting or important historically in the first place, you can't get around the major facts of their biography. Very little is known about seminal English Bible scholar and translator John Frith as a person except that he had multiple chances to not end up being burned at the stake and refused to take any of them. He's frustrating as a lead character because we're told over and over how brilliant a mind he is but then we're left to watch him make absurdly poor choices over obvious ones that would have saved his life. I realize we're dealing with a 16-century mind that takes ideas of religion and martyrdom literally, but still. He's just exhausting. This leaves the mostly fictional surrounding cast to try to pick up the pieces for a satisfying if not exactly happy ending.

[Meg Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous read! Brenda Rickman Vantrease delivers intrigue and adventure in a page-turning historical novel that will leave readers questioning what they believe, and what they ought to. The Heretic’s Wife vividly and authentically renders the fascinating world of the Reformation from the viewpoints of historical figures like Thomas More, who opposed it, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who used it to their advantage, William Tyndale, who drove it forward in his English translation of the Bible, and men like John Frith, who worked toward the perilous goal of making the Bible available for all to read with less fame but no less sacrifice. At the same time, Vantrease does what only the best of historical writers do: brings alive the sisters, wives, daughters and mothers involved in this time of dramatic change. For all the kings, bishops, chancellors and reformists so compellingly drawn in this fine novel, it is its women¬¬ –Kate Gough Frith, in particular, but also Anne Boleyn, Lady Margaret Roper, Lady Walsh, and the humble Endor¬—that move and inspire. Readers unfamiliar with this period in history will be astonished at this compelling story; readers who think they know everything there is to know about the Reformation will find this intimate telling refreshing and new.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the romantic plot of this novel overly predictable and slow-moving at times, but Vantrease's talent definitely lies in bringing the details of religious turmoil of Tudor England and 16th century Antwerp to life. I was pleasantly surprised by how much this book made me think about my own Christian faith, especially how many things I take for granted. For example, I don't think twice about being able to read and study the Bible on my own or with a group of other women, and those things were absolutely forbidden, even punishable by death for heresy during the time of this book. (In 1543, Catherine Massys, a minor character in this book, was burned at the stake in Leuven for reading the Bible.) I especially enjoyed the parts of the book set in Antwerp, a part of modern-day Belgium, my current adopted country. I definitely recommend this novel if you are interested in this time period or if you want to imagine what it must have been like to be on the forefront of the Protestant Reformation.

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book a 3.5, but since I was forced to choose I opted to give it the benefit of the doubt. I liked the begining and end of the book, but the middle seemed to drag on. Vantrease seemed to loosed the focus of John Frith adn Wm Tyndale and spend too much time with Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. I have read better books about those two and really wanted more of the William Tyndale story, which I consider to be of great import to modern Christianity. I enjoyed the character Endor who was able to touch so many so deeply without saying a word--a valuable lesson. Kate Gough Frith was a strong character who was able to stay true to her morals and find her own happiness through great trials. Overall I enjoyed the book.

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. Found the court intrigue just as fascinating as the Kate's storyline. Makes me want to read some non-fic about this time period in Britain.

[Evy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel that the author tried to focus on too many characters without going into great depth on most. They were flat and not generally gripping. The story was slow at points and lacked focus.

[Mariana Arguello Galvez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Puntuación 3.25/5

Es una lectura muy interesante en los aspectos que desglosa.

La historia tiene tres tramas paralelas, la principal presenta a la protagonista Kate Cough, hermana de un librero atrapado por la sospecha de vender libros luteranos o más bien biblias en inglés, luego de que su hermano es apresado decide dejar la causa, pero Kate tiene esa voluntad para seguir vendiendo estos libros. El camino de Kate choca con John Frith un académico de Oxford que fue encerrado en un sótano y que huyó de su destino de ser marcado (asesinado) como hereje, y cuando se presenta sus primeras interacciones con Kate son interesantes.

La segunda trama presenta a un personaje retorcido y fanático, que llega hasta el punto de golpear y latigarse a si mismo por una doctrina, este es Tomas Moro que al parecer es un ayudante del rey, y mandatario del indignante movimiento de cazar herejes, hacerlos pasar por un infierno en donde los apresan sin cargos y posteriormente si son atrapados o relacionados con el movimiento son quemados en la hoguera. Es la trama más retorcida ya que muestran todo lo que es capaz de hacer una persona por su propia causa y por mantener una posición de poder, una posición respaldada por una iglesia corrupta en donde es tanto el dinero que manejan y tanta la ambición que mueve a las personas que no les importe a quien se lleven por delante por su causa.

Y bueno la tercera trama presenta al rey Enrique, mostrando su devoción por una mujer llamada Ana bolena, Ana bolena es un personaje con buenas motivaciones y un trasfondo muy misterioso ya que se dice que también apoya está causa llamada herejía.

Como tal este libro toca aspectos demasiados duros y el destino de los personajes es incierto, me gusta como se maneja el misterio y poco a poco se va dando más información.

El aspecto central muestra como un gran grupo de personas una comunidad es capaz de hacer lo que hace por creer en algo, por tener la oportunidad de tener ese momentos de leer las palabras del señor que más que cualquier cosa es un aliciente para tener libertad de pensamiento y esperanzas del futuro, ya que en esa época tan oscura había mucha ignorancia y la gente que estaba fuera de la esfera del poder y de la iglesia, sólo podía dejarse llevar por la doctrina que esos hombres corruptos armaban.

### Narrativa 4/5

Disfruté mucho de esta lectura, abarca aspectos de una época en que había mucha barbarie, mentalidad cerrada y un extremo fuerte ya que todo pensamiento debía de ser establecido por un grupo con poder, que no permitía argumentos en contra de su pensar.

Esta historia está muy bien contada, presenta perspectivas muy variadas acerca de la situación, la reforma presentada en esta Inglaterra de 1528 en extremo conservadora y sujeta al mando de la iglesia, una circunstancia tan fuerte. Ya que si tú pensamiento era diferente en algo, no había forma de defensa, solo te quedaba la opción de ser quemado en la hoguera.

Se presentan tres tramas, la de la protagonista Kate Cough que nos sumerge en la percepción de una persona dentro del movimiento reformista, la perspectiva de Tomas Moro. Y bueno las otras perspectivas son aún más variadas y sus pensamientos llegan a ser muy dinámicos durante el desarrollo de la historia. La de John Frith, Endor, Tom Lasser, entre otros.

El final se me hizo precipitado, aún sin tener tiempo de digerir el asesinato de John Frith y toda esa fuerte situación que me dejó en shock porque es una escena impactante, la trama de Kate siguio un camino que no me esperaba y que bueno no disfruté tanto, pasaron demasiadas cosas que se me hicieron unas más fuera de lugar y ese final, solo pensar en ese final hubiera hecho que le bajara mucho el nivel a esta historia pero sin tomarlo en cuenta me parece rescatable.

### Argumento 3/5

Hay una circunstancia en que Kate le dice unas cuantas cosas a la cara a Tomás moro que logra quitarme la molestia por la situación de Frith en la cárcel, es un personaje que permite proyectar y ver cómo eran las cosas en ese tiempo, que haya tanta limitante en el libre pensamiento.

Ahora un aspecto que se me hizo muy llamativo del libro es que la autora no llega a romantizar ningún tipo de creencia, es decir, muestra tanto lo bueno como lo malo, y mediante los pensamientos y reflexiones de los personajes hace alusiones significativas. En el sentido en que estos hombre de ideas y pensamientos diferentes tenían muchas cosas en común, cosas como el nivel de fanatismo al que llegaron por tratar de defender su punto y de demostrar la importancia de su pensamiento sobre el de los demás, y no se porque pero se me hizo brillante como la autora manejo está situación que el personaje aún teniendo eso en mente, sacará sus conclusiones y de igual forma se sacrificara porque bueno igual es un hecho real al cual había que hacer referencia, con esto me refiero a la situación de John Frith en la prisión antes de su asesinato.

### Mundo 3/5

Las descripciones logran sumergirnos en esta Inglaterra de época en donde habían muchas circunstancias que son acordes al tipo de pensamiento del tiempo, los personajes son coherentes, y sorprendentemente la protagonista Kate es como una figura que nos permite interactuar con los personajes basados en la realidad,

### Personajes 3/5

Kate Cough o Frith, la protagonista cuyo papel de hermana del librero da un giro interesante, ya que contra todo pronóstico ella quiere continuar compartiendo estos textos, luego de la puesta en libertad de su hermano John, ella tiene la motivación de quedarse dentro del movimiento reformista, ya que es la única manera de no depender de su hermano. Además aun casándose con John rompe con cualquier paradigma social, ya que establece un grupo de mujeres para leer la biblia y entre ellas compartir sus aprendizajes, una circunstancia que era peligrosa en una época en donde la mujer tenía que estar al servicio del hogar y del esposo.

Tomas Moro,un abogado, padre de familia con el peculiar “hobby” de atrapar y torturar herejes para luego mandarlos a la hoguera y bueno su punto de vista es en extremo desagradable, y a la vez triste de ver como un personaje basado de la realidad pudo hacer actos tan descabellados en pos de un pensamiento.

John Frith, un académico de oxford cuyas ideas son hasta radicales dentro del movimiento reformista, su vida se ve cegada por el hecho de que no renunció a su fe y se mantuvo en la posición de defender en lo que creía, abandonando así a Kate y a su hijo (que al final no nació pero eso es otro tema), este personaje tiene un desarrollo interesante durante la trama y le permite todas las libertades a Kate pero aun asi tiene esa idea de que la mujer es para acompañarlo no más.

Endor, la protegida de Tom Lasse y tiene un papel significativo en el libro.

Tom Lasser, un Marinero que tiene un papel importante durante toda la historia, ya que ayuda en el primer escape de Kate y de John Frith. Luego de la muerte de John.. este termina casándose con Kate debido a una serie de circunstancias que en lo personal se me hicieron forzadas para darle un cierre veloz a su historia.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Like most people these days, I am looking at my phone more and holding an actual book less often, but I want to change that habit and knock out some of the books I own. This book was a pleasure to read. I found the characterization to be well done and I identified with the main character. While this was a mainstream title and not inspirational fiction, I found it to be tastefully written and historically based, which is my preference when reading a book. The heroine was married to one of William Tyndale's peers and included the perspectives (on occasion) of Anne Boleyn and Thomas Moore, both on opposing sides of the religious spectrum of the day. There were a few other perspectives as well such as the husband and a ship captain. I liked how the author included historical quotes or writings at the beginning of each chapter to establish the fact from where she derived her fiction.

The trials endured in by the characters in this book were well executed and realistically portrayed. I am always more grateful for minor struggles when I read stories that include true hardships. Since I am an avid fan of Tudor era fiction, and I read a lot of it, I have to say I felt like I was living in that time period while reading this novel. I sensed the anxiety the characters had over the possibility of being burned at the stake for their beliefs. Even though this is not classified as Christian fiction, the author inserted a faith element that was spot-on in regards to how protestants viewed the bible and its interpretation. The author inspired me whenever I read the parts where the characters' faith was tested. Bottom line, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. And that's a good thing.

[Ana Or'Lar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ John Frith es un personaje histórico que, tal como se nos informa en una nota del libro, tenía una esposa de la que se desconoce hasta su nombre, así que la autora decidió darle una identidad y una historia que es la que nos cuenta aquí. Intercalada con muchas intervenciones de otros personajes que jugaron un importante papel en los sucesos de la época tales como Enrique VIII, Tomás Moro, Ana Bolena o William Tyndale entre otros, lo que nos permite comprender la complejidad de los acontecimientos que marcaron aquellos convulsos tiempos.

La historia consiguió engancharme enseguida y mantener mi interés, aunque por momentos no he estado de acuerdo en el rumbo que seguía Kate, la protagonista, y también me hubiese gustado que se le diera mayor importancia a determinados personajes como el de Tom Lasser. Aún así cumple su función de entretener.

Es preciso añadir que si bien la autora está bien documentada, también se toma algunas licencias como es normal, por lo que si los hechos o personajes históricos que aquí aparecen son de interés del lector es recomendable recurrir a otras fuentes más rigurosas para su investigación.

[Madison Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of my new favorites The characters were well written and the storyline was fun and easy to follow. I am a big fan of historical fiction and this one checked all of the boxes for me. It mixes exciting storytelling elements in with historical details and context. Kate Gough is an inspiring protagonist, and I enjoy how the book takes a more feminist driven perspective, especially as it relates to women's norms. In addition, it looks at Anne Boleyn's involvement in reformation, an area that often gets overlooked in the stories about the Tudors.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This look at the dangerous time of William Tyndale translating the Bible into English is seen through the experiences of the fictional wife of John Frith who was a colleague of Tyndale's. The details of daily life and the commitment of the translators is the focus with the machinations of Henry VIII and the nearly psychotic Thomas More breathing down their necks. This is note the view of More from A Man for All Seasons.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel and found it to be an interesting look at England during the reformation. It certainly left me grateful for my current religious freedoms. It did, however, paint certain characters in a terrible light. Anne Boleyn, for example, was portrayed as an utter shrew and Thomas More as a full-throated sadist. These extreme characterizations took away from the greater story for me.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this very well researched, well written character driven historical fiction. While I am very knowledgeable about Henry VIII, this explored the time when reading the Bible for yourself in E gland was illegal. I learned a lot and enjoyed it. My only complaint is that for a book that was so detailed and carefully constructed. The tied up in a neat bow ending felt rushed and out of place next to the rest of the book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Heretic's Wife was well written, and I love Vantrease's bits of history tucked within each line, but this book wasn't as good as The Mercy Seller. I have yet to read The Illuminator, but I will when I have an itch to finish the series, albeit backward. I look forward to what Vantrease will publish next!

[Dee Ann Border · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about this period of time, as the reformation is getting started. Certainly a scary time to be alive if your religious views differed from the crown. Nice to have a woman's prospective. Well written and very informative.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine, I guess. The Catholics are Bad and the Protestants are Noble, Good, and True. I'm not really sure what the sections on Anne Boleyn were meant to illuminate, other than that those events were happening at the same time.

[Jane Pepin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the reformation in England. It’s profound to understand the impact of the translated Bible had on society.
The book is a very good Historical Fiction. The author presented a few story lines, taking me a little more time for careful reading - but worth it.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good. Well written and researched with great fictional characters and well drawn actual historic figures. Not to long not to short. Just right. Very well done.

[dragon lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Wonderful writing and a great story. I read it in one day and plan to read her other novels asap.

[PGarg · Rating 1 out of 5]

predictable, boring and i could not care enough to finish

[Amanda Geaney]

General market fiction with both sensuality and profanity.

Interesting history.

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot was well written, but there was too much language, innuendo, and crass remarks.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tudor England, Henry the VIII, Anne Boleyn and a disagreement over Bible translation. It was an good book, but kind of on the slow side. I did enjoy it, but not like I expected.