Le cercle des confidentes T01 : Lady Megan (Macadam)

Maids of Honor #1

by Jennifer McGowan

Lorsque Meg Fellowes, 17 ans, voleuse et comédienne de la troupe de la Rose d’Or, est arrêtée, elle sait que la sentence va être la mort. C'est ce à quoi les voleurs sous le règne d’Élisabeth 1re d’Angleterre doivent s'attendre. Pourtant, on lui propose une alternative : accepter de faire partie d’un groupe de demoiselles d’honneur très spéciales : des espionnes. Avec ses nouvelles compagnes, Jane, Anna, Béatrice et Sophia, Meg doit protéger la couronne des intrigues de la cour. En ces temps troublés, mille complots guettent la jeune reine protestante. Grâce à son sens inné de la comédie et à sa mémoire extraordinaire, Meg doit espionner la délégation espagnole, composée de fervents catholiques, opposés à Élisabeth, dont le séduisant Rafe, comte de Martine, qui vient d’arriver à la cour. Mais dans le paysage complexe de ce début de règne, la jeune fille comprend vite que les frontières entre ennemis et alliés sont mouvantes et qu’elle ne peut se fier à personne. Si elle entend sauver la vie de sa reine et retrouver sa propre liberté, elle devra aussi démasquer le meurtrier d’une autre demoiselle d’honneur, mystérieusement assassinée quelques mois avant son arrivée…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Romance, Mystery, Fantasy, Fiction

350 pages

First published September 4, 2013

About the author

Jennifer McGowan writes Young Adult romance full of swash and buckle. Her novels in the Maids of Honor series include MAID OF SECRETS, MAID OF DECEPTION and the upcoming MAID OF WONDER

Reviews

[Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Queen fairly screamed. "You failed in that charge and instead took it upon yourself to run about the castle after a Spaniard—and do not think I don’t understand the reasoning behind that little move.”

I’d chosen to run off after him, a young, handsome courtier who could possibly have nothing at all to do with the plot against the Queen.

What do you call a spy who falls in love?

Dead.



Or she would be, if the events in this book had any level of veracity. The main "maid" spy within this book is so fucking incompetent, I can only breathe a sigh of relief that this book is, in fact, fiction. Had the "spies" in this book actually existed, we would all be speaking Spanish right now due to their complete and utter incompetency at saving England's throne.

Madre de Dios.

The Summary: The plot of this book revolves around an idiotically blunderbuss of a spy. Meg is a pickpocket, working for a threatre troupe in London, in 1559, when she gets captured. Yes, she gets captured. Keep this in mind, it will not be the first time she gets caught.

The blundering 17-year old orphan Meg is plucked from her life as a street urchin into the service of Queen Elizabeth herself. The newly crowned, Gloriana herself. Who just fucking out of nowhere selects Meg to be a super special secret spy.

Meg is absolutely horrified at being caught. I mean, this is TUDOR TIMES. People get tortured. Pickpockets are dismembered. Meg is right to fear for her life. Tudor punishments are no joke!

I’d expected their questioning to be painful—perhaps involving thumbscrews or white-hot tongs. And when they’d yanked me from my cell and marched me into to the foul-smelling heart of the Tower of London, my hands and feet bound with chains, I’d fully believed I would be humiliated, reviled, and left heartily wishing I was dead.

Instead, her punishment is worse. SO MUCH WORSE THAN TORTURE.

What they’d actually done was much worse.
In a dank and barren corner of the Queen’s dungeon, they’d...sat me at a table. Served me spiced wine. And explained my new life to me in clear and simple terms.

Yes. Because having a conversation and drinking wine is so much better than having your tongue chopped off.

For no fucking reason at all, Queen Elizabeth knows that Meg is fucking special, and recruits her to be part of a team of maiden spies. There are five of them, the seductress, the brilliant code-cracker, the deadly assassin, the seer/psychic, and the...uh, actress. Meg would be the actress. She is special. She will be the most vital of them all. Queen Elizabeth even says so herself.

There is a mystery to be solved. Queen Elizabeth's life and throne may be at stake. Meg has the power to save her. By the grace of god, I don't fucking know how, since she is so ridiculously ineffective, it's not even funny.

I Spy With My Little Eye That You're a Motherfucking Dumbass: There is no other word for it. Meg is a fucking moron. Why is she a spy? I don't get it. For one thing, Meg cannot read. She is educated to be a spy for 3 months, she is instructed on how to kill, the etiquettes of court, the social graces...and she has yet to learn to motherfucking read.

I learned Japanese hiragana in a week. I am not making fun of disabilities, Meg does not have a learning disability. She just simply cannot read. And she refuses to tell her instructor so that they can help her.

Madre de dios.

Meg thinks she is so brilliant that she constantly, consistently underestimates people. People like Sir William Cecil, Sir Francis Walsingham (actual historical figures, actual, very, very important, very intelligent, very cunning historical figures). The Queen. Her fellow maids. Meg thinks everyone is dumber than she is, and she is utterly flabbergasted every time when she is proven wrong.

My Other Name is Johnny English: Meg blunders through every single mission. She not only falls into insta-love with the possibly dangerous Spanish spy, Rafe Luis Medina, the Count de Martine, but she keeps getting caught in the process. She acts so DUMB. In the middle of a very important ball, Meg gets jumpy. Nervous. What does she do to ease her nerves?

To steady my nerves as I walked, I drew out my short blade. I cut a loose brooch from one courtier’s sleeve and slid a hairpin free of a lady’s elaborate wig, then slipped another woman’s jewel-studded cuff off her wrist as she pushed by me, intent on her laughing quarry. I tucked my plunder into the wide band of cloth at my waist.

SHE STEALS THINGS? IN THE MIDDLE OF A COURT WHEN IT WAS WHAT GOT HER INTO TROUBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

It comes back to bite her in the ass when she finally executes her mission, only to find that she has no room to conceal the letters she has stolen BECAUSE HER POCKETS WERE ALL FULL BECAUSE OF ALL THE LOOT SHE'S BEEN STEALING.

I slipped the packet out adroitly and—
Nearly stopped dead.
My waistband was already full of stolen jewels.

She not only fucks up her missions, she gets caught in the act.

And just like that, I knew my mistake.
He pulled the letter out as quick as a breath, taking a sharp step away.

Again.

And just as I did so, a hand slipped over my mouth.
“Ah, sweet Meg, what am I to do with you?”

Again.

I was jerked off my feet by a powerful set of arms and hauled summarily into an antechamber before I even had breath to cry out.

My Love is Like a Red Red Rose That Nearly Gets Me Killed: Meg's incompetency isn't the only thing that gets into trouble. She's constantly thinking with her heart instead of her head. Even in the middle of a mission. The Count de Medina is a target. Meg forgets that he's a target, because maaaaaan, he's so fiiiiiiiiine. I mean, who cares about the fate of England, anyway?

I was taller than Beatrice, and more fit, but she had the kind of lithe beauty that men could not resist. I strained to see whether Rafe looked like he was enjoying himself. Surely he could see through Beatrice’s game and—
“Your report, Miss Fellowes.” Walsingham’s biting tone cut through my thoughts, and I looked up at him, suddenly peevish.
“Ah, yes, my report.” I barely constrained myself from spluttering the words.

Her heart gets in the way of everything. it puts her in danger, she compromises a mission for the sake of a stupid fucking romance that comes out of nowhere.

There is an incomprehensible amount of insta-love.

...in just that moment he turned his head, and our gazes met.
God’s breath.
I almost staggered back, the force of our sudden connection like a physical blow. My heart seized in my chest, my eyes flared wide, and my feet were rooted to the rush-strewn floor. It seemed as if time itself held still for a moment, waiting in frozen anticipation alongside me. Did he know my heart was about to burst?

And for fuck's sakes, let's just throw in a love triangle, too, for good measure.

Miscellaneous complaints: Historical timeline inaccuracies, such as Walsingham's involvement at court. Terrible dialogue and a completely unconvincing Welsh accent. The speech is riddled with modern nuances, while trying hysterically to sound "archaic." There are sprinklings of "What, ho!" as well an baffling attempt at lower-class speech.

“Leave it! Leave it, ’e says,” I protested, to mask my growing alarm. “Then you’ll be ’avin’ both ale and shillin’s for me, you better believe. Orderin’ a good, honest woman to leave her clothes in the middle of the road where any sort of unnatural people might come across them. As I live and breathe, the Queen ’e says. As if the Queen would ’ave anything to do with the likes of ol’ Sally—”

Tudor Fail.

[Emily Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maid of Secrets was a lot of fun! I know that based on the description, a lot of people would think it wouldn't be fun. Why not intriguing? Or thrilling? Beautifully written, fast paced or thought provoking?

And the truth is this novel is all of those things. But first and foremost it is fun. And I don't mean in a laugh-out-loud kind of way. I mean in a scary, awesome roller coaster kind of way. There is heart-pounding, action, interesting dialogue, quirky characters make this so enjoyable and not to heavy even though the book has quite a handful of pages!

Meg was a very good protagonist she had a strong but at the same time unsure voice and developed beautifully throughout the book. She is not quite sure where she belongs, if anywhere, but she has some killer spy traits. (Actual maybe not "killer". That's Jane!) Anyways, Meg can do perfect mimicry. Isn't that insane? This also makes Meg unsure of who she is though. Is she an independent person or just a copycat that can be anybody but herself?

The other characters all have cool traits to. They are able to see the future, assassins, really smart, or kind of manipulative. Sophia, Jane, Beatrice, Anna , and Meg make a perfect group. Although they were introduced weirdly and untimely. Actually, the whole introduction was kind of off-putting, just whizzing through scene after scene which were months apart in the first 30 pages. That is my only complaint though, so readers, just get through the intro!

The romance in the book was fun, although we didn't dwell on it. Mostly we are talking about conspiracies against the queen. These parts were fun, entertaining and interesting. I definitely loved all the plots and the author's take on how the queen acted. I am still not sure if I like the queen, although I definitely admire her. She has guts! She endures insults, proposals, gossip, plots and still manages the entirety of England on her own.

Overall, I really enjoyed Maids of Secrets. This is recommended to anyone who wants a fun, interesting read, with memorable characters.

4/5 bookcases

Also on my blog,Counting in Bookcases! Come check it out!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There are moments in my life that I believe I'll remember forever. A perfect Sunset, the sight of ships coming into port, the first breath of spring." And I, I will remember this book. It is known that I have a predilection for historical fiction and for YA. Mix those two, and I just discovered a new series that I will love for sure! I loved how the female characters were strong despite the era, when women were known for their frivolity. The plot was great too, and no stranger to why I devoured the book!

[Henrietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you rather be a thief or a spy?

Unfortunately, Meg has no choice but to accept her one-and-only option – to be trained as a spy in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. Being the newest member in the spy team, the lack of seniority means Meg has to bear the sarcasm and eye rolling from the existing members of the team. It also means she must succeed in completing her assignment and prove herself to be a useful member to the group. Can she excel at being a maid of honor for the Queen?

I adore Meg. She is smart, witty and talented. Having a background as a resourceful thief, she has an instinct to find clues like no others. With a heart that wants to protect the innocence and a passion to right the wrong, Meg is loyal to those who choose peace over violence. She is also a master of pretense. It’s amusing and refreshingly funny to see her acting clumsy, witless and boisterous. Since she has never been kissed before, Meg acts a little uncertain and flabbergasted when she has to pretend to be in love and I adore her for the reaction that she offers when her lips are pressed against those of a handsome courtier.

As suggested in the title, the story is all about spies and secrets. What I didn’t expect is the intricacy and mystery revolving around every major character in the book. I guess it’s obvious that the Queen and many of the royal members hold a bundle of secrets of their own but I totally didn’t expect to read about secrets in concern with the dead and how these mysteries could tie in so closely with the fate of the elite group of spies that Meg is now a member of.

Beautifully-written, Maid of Secrets offers a plot that is well-thought-out and engaging. I particularly like the theme of loyalty and after finishing the book, I can’t help but wonder what may happen next for Meg and her spy sisters. I just wish I could get my hands on book two, Maid of Deception, now…

--

Originally posted on Leisure Reads.

A copy of the book was provided by publisher for review purposes.

[snowplum · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're reading Robin LeFever's Fair Assassins trilogy, you'll understand exactly what I mean when I say that I'm not surprised that the top endorsement for the Maids of Honor series comes from Ms LeFevers... because these books are the next closest thing to works of her own. Empowered olde fashioned girls get involved in courtly politics; learn to fight, poison, steal, spy, and kill; make friends with other girls who are also spy assassins; have some romantic feelings and adventures but don't need men, and generally serve as models of new chick lit feminism. Instead of assassin "nuns" (I use the quotations because their god is Death, not God, and because they have sex) a la Fair Assassins, we have assassin/spy maids to Queen Elizabeth, but the general vibe of the books is ridiculously similar otherwise. Having read Grave Mercy first, I feel like it was more original, so if I had to pick only one of the two, that would be it. Having the option to read both, I feel pretty lukewarm about this series. I was distinctly not captivated -- I put the book down several times over the course of several days to do other stuff, so that means it's squarely in the read-it-if-you're-lent-it-but-don't-buy-it category.

My most significant complaints about the books are with the female friendships and the romantic relationship, so those are pretty huge whammies for this genre. The point of the book, of course, is that the girls become great friends who put each other first, rely on each other, and believe that loving each other is even more important than boys. The problem is that McGowan doesn't actually show a bond of this depth forming. We start at point A where Meg is the new girl and the other girls call her Rat, don't like her, and/or are annoyed by her, and then we jump to point C where they all band together to save Meg from the Tower of London and supposedly love her. But there's not much meat in between. I'd buy, based on what we're actually shown, that these girls come to be sort-of-friends -- more because of their common circumstances than because of meaningful emotional connection. The notion that they would risk their lives for each other or trust each other with their most personal and/or dangerous secrets does not strike me as authentic. I'd like to read that story, but this isn't it.

Then there's the romance. I find it pretty generic. We have two people who are immediately attracted to each other, have every reason not to trust each other, flirt, fight, and ultimately share an adrenaline rush when they get involved in a situation where people die. True to the Chick Lit Feminist Manifesto, Rafe isn't the one who ultimately saves Meg in the end, though. {spoiler here} On the up side, the book doesn't end with a really unrealistic Happily Ever After for Meg and Rafe, given that they still can't necessarily trust each other and don't even live in the same country. It ends with a mildly optimistic "we like each other and we'll try to see more of each other and see what happens." Which I guess is realistic, but rather tepid.

Like I said, read it if you're lent it, but don't go out of your way for this one unless you love love love His Fair Assassins so much that you can't possibly wait for the next book in that series without satiating your craving for essentially the same story.

[Stephanie Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maid of Secrets is a story full of excitement, mystery and action. I loved this book and I believe that Jennifer McGowan did a magnificent job in developing the characters and the relationships in this book. Queen Elizabeth has just taken the throne and she is faced with people, foreign and close, who wish to see her off the throne. In order to uncover the truth of what is happening and to keep her crown safe, she has contracted five maids to be her spies. Meg is employed as the eyes and ears of the queen and is to report on anything she overhears, but she is not only responding on the queen, but is asked to spy on her as well. As Meg goes through her time as a spy she is forced to do things that go against her conscience, betray her friends, and she falls for an unlikely courtier. I loved the development of the plot, how the mystery was mixed in and the excitement of trying to figure out what comes next. The book is lengthy, but there is never a dull moment. It was nice to have a book so well detailed and explained that I couldn't put it down until I finished the last page. I also enjoyed learning the pasts of a few of the maids and to see how it brought them all together. Maid of Secrets is a fresh new tale in the young adult literature world and I think it will be met with a great response!

[Richa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at City of Books

Maid of Secrets is an awesome YA historical debut! I loved the mystery, the characters, and of course the writing. Even though this is a pretty long book, I finished it within a day, because I really couldn’t put it down. Meg is one of my new favourite YA heroines!

Meg is a part of the Golden Rose acting troupe. She doesn’t act, though. She’s employed as a thief, nicking wallets and other valuables from the audience as they watch the play, enraptured. However, when Meg is caught, she’s brought to Windsor Castle, where she is trained as a spy. There are quite a lot of mysterious things going on in the castle, and Meg has to figure everything out before it’s too late. But she’s not sure whom to trust…

Maid of Secrets reminds me of Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers. Both are really gripping YA historicals with badass female protagonists, as well as a lot of politics running throughout the novels. So if you loved Grave Mercy, you’ll love this! I have to admit that the politics didn’t interest me much, and I didn’t really understand some of it, but that didn’t hinder my appreciation of the book. The mystery plotline had me intrigued immediately. There’s loads of double-crossing in this novel, and Meg is torn between keeping her old friends safe and doing her duty to her queen.

I really loved Meg! She’s tough as nails, and quick on her feet. She’s an awesome thief, and I found it really cool to read about how she nicks things from other people without them realizing. Meg is also by far the most sensible one of the maids. Her bluntness even made me laugh out loud at times!

What was with this talk of husbands? Did these girls not understand that marriage was not the answer to every question in their heads?

Meg’s incredibly smart, and has another talent that she’s managed to keep secret for a long time. But it comes out while she’s taking lessons at the castle, and all it does is put her in more danger, as well as higher on the pedestal.

The other four maids training to be spies are all really intriguing as well. I really liked Jane, who’s basically the stealthy one. She’s not afraid to kill, and is definitely the strongest and toughest out of all five of them. I also loved Anna, the smart one. She really reminded me of Hermione from Harry Potter, so how could I not love her? Anna loves puzzles and codes of any kind, and she’s practically a genius! Then there’s Beatrice, a.k.a. the pretty but bitchy one. Beatrice is gorgeous and a total flirt. She’s useful in distracting men while the others do what they’re meant to. But I definitely did not like her bitchiness! Sophia is the youngest out of all of them, and she’s a Seer. She can see into the future, and I think that makes her the most valuable one. But Sophia’s incredibly unconfident of herself, though she’s really sweet. I hope she gets tougher in the next book.

Count Rafe is a Spanish courtier who catches Meg’s eye, and he definitely makes things a lot more complicated. Meg doesn’t think she can trust him, but he strives to prove her wrong. I didn’t like Rafe much at the beginning, but he kinda grew on me, and three-quarters through, I was completely rooting for him and Meg. He’s still a mystery to me, though, and I’m looking forward to finding out more about him in Maid of Deception.

Another thing I loved about Maid of Secrets is learning about what life was like in 16th century England. The way they talked, the way they dressed… And the history of the English royalty is really interesting too! Extremely confusing, but intriguing nonetheless. It’s a nice change from novels set in the current times.

This book is so captivating and gripping, with danger lurking at every corner. My heart was in my mouth for the most part! The character development and depth is impressive, and I think that’s my favourite aspect of the novel. Jennifer McGowan has done an awesome job with this debut. I’m now desperate for the sequel! Maid of Secrets is a must-read for all you historical lovers out there.

*Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an eGalley for the blog tour*

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of historical fiction, I knew instantly I had to read Maid of Secrets. The cover alone made me curious about the secrets held within the pages.

“I had no way of knowing his smile would be my undoing.” (sigh)

Meg Fellows was one of many in the Golden Rose acting troupe. They weren’t just your average acting group, they were street thieves. I felt sorry for Meg, the protagonist. The only possessions she owned were a slim book of verse and a set of golden pinlocks her grandfather had given her on his deathbed. The small group relied on one another for survival. An unexpected coin exchange landed Meg inside of Windsor Castle (Windsor, England). Expecting to be thrown in the gallows, Meg finds herself at a table with an offer. If she did as asked to do, complete assignments and act as a spy for the Queen, then maybe eventually she would be free to live her own life.

Within the walls of Windsor Castle, there is deception at every turn. Meg, the smart girl that she was, questioned everything. Her remarkable ability to remember conversations helped her in her obligations. Meg was one of four other Maids of Honor, Queen Elizabeth’s secret society of protectors. These Maids were all very different and each held their own special talent. Beatrice Knowleshad the uncanny ability to get any male to do her bidding, and got my blood boiling. She was rude and quite bitter towards Meg. Jane was tough, sneaky and blended in among the shadows. Anna Burgher was scholarly, sweet and kind. Sophia Dee was the youngest of the bunch who sat beside the Queen but was also part of the group.

They were under the supervision of Cecil, who I wasn’t fond of. He was rough and expected these ladies to do some difficult tasks. Meg learns that she was actually replacing a maid that was murdered. Besides her teachings and assignments, Meg was determined to find out who the killer of this maid was.

This story is packed full of secrets and suspicious characters! I couldn’t wrap my brain around the network of spies and secrets these people had. Just wait until you meet Rafe Luis Medina Count deMartine! This man is swoony and infuriating at the same time!! He has his own agenda and secrets as well, but when his character is around Meg, the temperature elevates.

I was shocked by all the craziness this book has to offer. One second I thought I knew who was behind the plot to remove the Queen, and then something else pops up and I was totally thrown into limbo. I really enjoyed Maid of Secrets. This story was beautifully written. I look forward to the next installment. Adventure, Romance, and a jungle of plotting, this story is one you should give a try.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg is a thief working for a theatre troupe when she’s plucked from the streets and forced to work for Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster instead. She joins the Queen's special Maids of Honor, where her perfect memory and gift for mimicry are complemented by Beatrice, the beautiful high-born flirt; Anna, the clever codebreaker; Jane, the stealthy ninja; and Sophia, the Seer. Meg’s romance with a Spanish courtier is swoon-worthy, and the question of whether or not he’s really trustworthy is compelling, but I love how independent-minded she is. Despite her feelings for Rafe, Meg doesn't wish to marry and give up her independence, which rang totally true for a girl who's grown up with such freedom. My favorite thing about the novel might be that despite the bickering between the girls, they are ultimately tremendously loyal to each other – and to the Queen. Meg risks her life to make sure that young Elizabeth’s romantic secrets remain just that, even from her spymaster – which won my favor as well as the Queen's. I’m looking forward to the other novels in the series! Also, I blurbed this book: McGowan offers a tantalizing look at the spies, seductions, and secrets of Queen Elizabeth’s court. There are no damsels in distress here; Meg and her fellow Maids of Honor are a clever, winsome quintet! (read ARC; bought; recommend, obviously!)

[Elizabeth ♛Smart Girls Love Trashy Books♛ · Rating 2 out of 5]

-POTENTIAL SPOILERS-

I anticipated this being as boring as the other book I read recently that also took place in Elizabethan England. And guess what? I was right. A lot of people compared this to His Fair Assassin trilogy, and I can see those comparisons, but that trilogy was better than this one. Why? Because at least the main characters were good at their job! They were trained to be spies and assassins, and it showed.

In this book, the main character was a TERRIBLE spy! She didn't really seem to care about her mission or her friends, she just cared about the Spanish guy she had a crush on. But was he really the bad guy? The book wasn't very clear on that, or very clear on anything. It just seemed so rushed and boring, barely anything was described or explained.

And I mean it when I say this is a really boring book. I considered DNF it several different times. I want to get mad at it or insult it, but I can't. There's literally nothing here for me to insult. And I'm not even sure if it'll be worth finishing the trilogy off it was so boring.

[Melissa Landers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, yes, yes! I loved this book like whoa. It had everything: mystery, danger, betrayal, romance, all told from the POV of Meg, an incredibly sympathetic and fiercely-loyal heroine who remains true to her queen even when the regent (literally) walks all over her.

In full disclosure, I suppose I should mention that I know the author personally, but that doesn't diminish my recommendation of this book. It's superbly written, and if you enjoy historical romance and YA, you should read it, posthaste. I can't wait for the sequel, which I believe is Beatrice's story.

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those who adore historical fiction like me and are waiting for this book every day can sign up for the blog tour taking place from May 1st to 14th!

UPDATE 22/1/2013: The tour is officially opened for sign-ups. Please fill in this form if you would like to join the tour :)

Totally rooting for Meg & Co. (and that hot Spanish spy) ;)

[Celeste_pewter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, well-written and basically perfect. Review to come soon.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale begins as we meet Meg Fellowes an orphan working with a performing traveling troupe. As the crowd gathers, she moves through the crowd picking pockets. Yes, Meg is a thief, a master at changing her look and quite good at it. When she picks the pocket of one of the Queen’s men, she finds her life forever changed as she is taken to the tower. Here she is given the choice of working for the royal service or rotting in a prison. She chooses to join the royal service where she meets four gifted girls also working as Maids of Honor; the Queen’s secret protectors. The tale that unfolds is filled with suspense, intrigue, politics and a little romance. Watching Meg navigate the shark infested waters of the Elizabethan court kept me intrigued.

When we first meet Meg, she is confident and sure of herself and ambitious to improve her places within the traveling troupe, she is also very protective of them. I really took a liking to Meg, she is bright, intuitive, and despite obstacles she does not whine and looks for ways to improve her position. The Queen accuses her of not knowing who she is and watching Meg transform and find herself was fascinating. The other maids of honor are Beatrice, Jane, Sophia and Anna. They have unique personalities, and desires. They nickname Meg the “rat” and she finds herself without friends. Slowly they become friends and watching all of the bickering, back stabbing and jockeying for position within the court had me both giggling and annoyed. Meg refers to them as; The Seer, The Scholar, the Belle and the Blade. The queen’s men in charge of the maids Cecil and Walsingham like their positions and manipulate the girls. I loathed them and also questioned their loyalties which kept things suspenseful. Rafe is smexy and a courtier to the Spanish court. The interaction between Rafe and Meg was exciting. Their banter and the complicated tango they danced felt genuine. From the beginning there is an attraction but Meg is set to spy on him and ooh-la-la I loved the thread they shared. Elizabeth was portrayed as strong, intelligent and suspicious. The men think her a fool because she is a woman, but I think they are sadly mistaken.

The setting and time period is a fascinating one. Elizabeth has recently come to the throne, declared the official church to be Protestant and refused Philip II's marriage proposal. As a result the political climate is in unrest, as the Spanish, Scottish and French governments maneuver to secure their own best interests. McGowan did a lovely job of explaining the court and describing both the castle and the people as it all came to life for me. Spies, pranks and mischief all played out in the queen’s court and as a result spies were needed to watch both visitors and members of the royal court. This made Meg and the other maid of honor’s roles vital. I found the whole cat and mouse game delightful. Meg and the girls were fascinating and I enjoyed how each girl’s strength was utilized. The girls spied for the queen, on the queen and spied to protect themselves. It was dizzying and kept me enthralled. The pace at times slowed, but everything was vital in both character and plot development. The romance was not the main focus but added drama and felt genuine. I am hoping we see them interact again in the next book. The intense moments made the slower moments worth it and in the end I was well satisfied with this first book in the series.
ARC provided for unbiased review
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Amy Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely loved this book! There is mystery, politics, romance, intrigue & fighting. The main character grows but doesn't lose herself and the other characters are very interesting. The fight scenes were fun and exciting. I absolutely want to continue this series. It seems like each book focuses on a different girl in the group which could be fun.

Meg is a pickpocket who travels with a troupe of people using theater as their disguise. She unfortunately gets caught and is forced to spy for Queen Elizabeth Regnant. She finds herself in a group of 5 girls who have different spy talents called to protect the Queen called the Maids of Honor and other than their teachers and the Queen, nobody knows what they do.

Meh stumbles onto treason being planned and has to do her best to survive while always questioning everyone to figure out who is in on the treason and who isn't. Someone is definitely out to get her but will she figure out who in time?

[Geoffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun & smart. Girl power x 5. Meg Fellowes (1st-person narrator) has a unique and genuine voice throughout. Looking forward to the next books in the series. (Could be a great TV show also!) Good stuff.

[Lollita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like nothing really happened til the last 20 pages

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
This book, you guys. THIS BOOK. It was historical fiction at it's best. I know that sometimes people are weary of historical fiction. They might find it boring or drowned in too many historical details, but that is not the case with Maid of Secrets. As it's name indicates, this book is about a girl who is one of the several young women who are at the service of Queen Elizabeth in her court. And this court, as it's protagonist, Meg, are shrouded in secrets. And it was really fun to read about. The pacing in this novel is really great. So easy to get into that you almost forget that it's historical fiction, you almost feel like this book is like reading an episode of Gossip Girl on paper that just happens to take place during a historical period in time. That's how much drama it had, and the fun kind because there is just so much mystery around the crown of the famed Queen Elizabeth who never took a husband and had quite the prosperous reign in England.




Let's talk about our female lead in this book. Meg. I have to say, that she has one of the most unique voices in Young Adult literature that I have ever encountered. She is a female character that stands out, tremendously. She is incredibly sharp and has street smarts by the bucket-loads because not only was she a sort of street actress, but a thief as well. In the court of Queen Elizabeth, she becomes a spy of sorts and her powers of observation are insane. The amount of detail that this girl can pick up on are amazing. And Meg is incredibly willful and set on living her life in freedom. She is no damsel in distress and despite being a thief, you can tell that she doesn't like living a life of deceit that just increments as she is employed in the royal court. What is so interesting about her journey, is that we get a character study on how emotionally taxing it is on a person to be constantly submerged in manipulation and games. It can almost drive any person to the edge, and poor Meg has to navigate her way through that in this novel and it was quite interesting to read about.


The secondary characters in this novel are also very well-developed. Which to me always just enriches a novel. To not only be invested in a interesting protagonist, but in the cast of characters around them as well, and their individual stories. The girls that accompany Meg in the court, are all so unique, I would say. We have Beatrice, the gorgeous and manipulative, mean type of girl. We have Anna, the bit innocent but brilliant type of scholar. Just to name a few. There is Cecil, the man that trains these girls to work for Queen Elizabeth as spies of sorts, who is just so manipulative and demanding. Queen Elizabeth herself, is also quite the character. She does not disappoint. She is wise beyond her years, with an incredible strength and regality and there are just so many plots to dethrone her or sabotage her in the novel, as was the case in reality, and it's all so interesting to read about.


And now onto the romance in this book. What I loved about romance in this book is that it does not overwhelm the story. It's not the focal point. It's there, but there is just so much intrigue, games, and suspense going on, that the romance is kind of a balancer in the story, it brings in just the right amount of emotional drama that you need. Between the girls in the court having crushes, or trying to gain suitors, or avoid arranged marriages, you have quite a wide range of romance going on the story. What's interesting about Meg, our female lead's love life, is that a Spanish courtier named Rafe grabs her attention. Thing is, Meg is terrified of marriage. She is just so used to being independent, that love and marriage are not a priority, but she can't help but be attracted to the sly, charming, and gorgeous Rafe. I thought it was quite refreshing that she wasn't the type of girl to be swooning over a guy, and having that on her mind all the time, if it happened, it caught her by surprise, and it was fun to follow her journey.



Overall, I think that Maid of Secrets, does live up to it's name. This book is full of secrets and mystery and it really does keep the reader emotionally invested in the characters because you just are kind of on the edge of your seat, wondering how on earth these characters are gonna survive such an incredibly complex setting, as is the court of Queen Elizabeth. I loved this book. I need a sequel. I could so see this series as a fun period drama on TV for young people out there who might not be the biggest history fans, but who love drama, because these books are full of it, and the good kind and it really does catch your attention.


My rating: 4.5/5

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to be accepted for this blog tour because this novel seemed to encompass some of my absolute favourite things in novels: historical setting, royalty, and spies. All three are winners for me, and may I just say: check, check, and check! This one totally delivered and I am a big fan!

In many ways this was a novel about characters, which I thought was used very powerfully. One aspect I really loved was Meg's connection to her troupe and how it wasn't cut off when she was brought into the castle. Instead, Meg's constant comparisons of palace life to troupe life and the surprise visits along the way help to strengthen the understanding of Meg's past and show just how strong her bond to the group she grew up with really is. I think that was really excellent for helping develop Meg as a character. I also just grew to like Meg because of who she is. She is clever and observant but not perfect, which was fantastic to see because it really showed how she was a product of her upbringing. It tied in her background with the girl she became perfectly.

I also loved how prominent the other characters became as the story went on. It wasn't only Meg's story being told, she was just at the centre. I thought it was brilliant to have the other characters each be somewhat mysterious in their own way. I had suspicions about so many of them, but they seemed to be changing constantly as I discovered more about each person. Rafe is a prime example of that as I never knew whether I (or Meg) should trust him or not! I was also so glad to see the other Maids of Honor playing important roles as it is a great set up for the rest of the series. Finally, the portrayal of Elizabeth was absolutely wonderful. There was so much depth to her character and seeing as she is the monarch and the reason all the girls are there as maids/spies, I was so pleased to see so much of her as more than just "the boss" or "the queen".

The writing is also something I want to comment on. Ms. McGowan makes great use of lines that bring you in and make you extremely curious about what's coming, which is a huge asset to a longer book (400+ pages). She really manages to bring things to life, which kept excitement up. While I did occasionally wish the story had moved faster, I do think that the depth helped me really get to know the characters and feel for Meg in particular. I also noticed that there was a sense of exploration that ran throughout the novel and I definitely loved it. Exploring the castle, the court, the mysteries, the men, and even the girls themselves. It added to the sense of wonder and the interest that often comes with historical fiction, while also providing great growth and movement.

In all, this was a fabulous debut that leaves me very excited for the next novel so I can get more of the wonderfully mysterious characters and the excitement that comes with being a Maid of Honor!
4 stars!

*I received an electronic advance review copy from the publisher for review purposes for the blog tour.*

[Small Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was fun! I'll be reading the sequel for sure. Full review to come.

Originally posted on Small Review

This is the book I wanted the Palace of Spies series to be. Both series follow a maid of honor/ladies in waiting type of group and involves courtly mysteries and an interesting historical backdrop (with minor appearances by real people). However, of the two, I much prefer the Maids of Honor series.

While the series isn't amazing, it does have likable characters (and nice camaraderie between them) and a mystery that did keep me engaged. It's fun. The stakes felt higher, and I was definitely considering nail-biting during the torture scene. Best endorsement? It grabbed me quickly and got me out of a reading slump.

This is the first in a series, but it ended well enough as a standalone. I didn't feel the need to immediately read the sequel (I read Maid of Secrets in May 2014), but I do intend to read Maid of Deception soon (I actually took it out of the library the day before I was approved for Dangerous Deceptions, the sequel to Palace of Spies, but they were just too similar to read so close together).

Recommended, especially to readers who like light historical mysteries.

Originally posted on Small Review

[Mitchii · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you know me, I tread the YA Historical Fiction very carefully. But there were times that I hit the jackpot and ended up adoring the book, just like Throne of Glass & Burning Sky. And if you’re fan of Throne of Glass there’s a possibility that you will also like Jennifer McGowan’s Maid of Honor. It has the same components, a girl was caught doing something illegal but instead of throwing her in prison, she was offered a job instead, using the same ability that got her in trouble the first place. The story mostly revolved around spying, political issues and even a bit religious ones. Of course there’s a romance from unexpected source, well at least for me it was. Overall, and surprisingly, I enjoyed it.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

SPIES! ASSASSINS! MURDER! And historical fiction – literally (almost) all my loves. A fun read but I honestly expected more. It engaged me most of the time but there were some cringeworthy scenes. Set in Tutor times, some events or reactions to certain events didn’t seem plausible, especially in terms of punishments (can you tell I wanted more gore?).

I was very optimistic going into this book because it promised some thrilling adventures, crime and mysteries. Sounds great right? And it delivered to some extent.

This book is set in Tutor times in England where our protagonist Meg gets caught pickpocketing. Yes her situation sounds bad. But her punishment is becoming one of the closest secret spies for the queen, a maid of honour. Not very realistic but I was able to look past that because SPIES. I thought punishments during Tutor times were harsh and I thought this book was going to be brutal – spoiler (not): it was not.

I had a good time reading this book but it didn’t meet my expectations. For one, Meg is a really incompetent spy. I think there were more times she got caught rather than do her job. Her special skill was acting but she couldn’t really hold up a façade long before… surprise she was caught. After a while, I pretty much predicted the outcomes of the situation:

Meg: interesting! I’ll inspect without telling anyone (whilst being totally unaware of surroundings but sure, spy)
*gets caught* by someone – talks, banter, seduces, leaves, repeat.
I would literally count down from the minute she started “spying” until…
“And just as I did so, a hand slipped over my mouth”
or...
“I felt a firm hand clamp around my arm”
... so something like that.

So if you’re not a fan of instalove, I’m sorry to say it plays a part in the story. I liked the love interest in the beginning but then his “mysteriousness” and Meg’s trust in him annoyed me and I didn’t care too much. This I never understand in YA books. Just because someone is attractive, it doesn’t mean you should trust them and especially not tell your plans *eye roll*. Her love/lust got in the way so often, why didn’t anyone realise and take her off the job. In a way, the love interest reminded me of a lesser version of Zach from the Gallagher Girls series who sort of helps the in the mission, flirts and then disappears.

Other maids: okay I was interested in the other maids and their skills and we did get to see them, but for the last half of the book, they kind of disappeared, only returning for convenience. I mean I like the aura of mystery surrounding them and their backstories, but there was little detail and I couldn’t see their development and their skills on display.

• Beatrice: specialises in manipulation. Now that I think about it, she reminds me of a little character from The Selection series, Celeste. Both came from privilege and both know how to play the game.
• Anna: the genius of the group. She was mostly just there when she was needed.
• Sophia: she had THE SIGHT (okay did anyone think about the scene in Shadowhunters).

There wasn’t much explanation but she was some psychic skills which haven’t quite developed yet.
• Jane: the assassin. Excellent.

But I need to talk more about Meg. Something I couldn’t understand was why she was so special and everyone though she was so special. Out of the five maids, what were her superior skills? So I didn’t understand why the queen, Cecil and Walsingham (and everyone that was important) could trust her so much and so quickly with this “special task”. And another thing was her quick attitude change from pickpocketing and breaking the law to unwavering support and protection of the crown. Please explain. Meg’s dialogue also fell flat for me because I think it was supposed to sound like epic and passionate outcries in support of the crown, but they ended up uber-dramatic and didn’t work for me.

The story got a bit convoluted at times and I would forget what Meg’s goal was. Probably because she thinks A LOT. And questions a lot. But of course that attitude stayed in her mind because planning isn’t really her thing. I enjoyed the conspiracy theories but the action fell flat. There was a range of different aspects explored: court politics, gossip, murder, betrayal, royalty, loyalty, and perhaps it was because there were so many exciting things to incorporate that it overall lacked cohesiveness. I have a soft spot for ballroom scenes because they’re just so fun (especially when there’s a totally different goal in mind), but the ones featured in this novel were just… cringeworthy.

And there was this particular scene, one may call it a “torture scene”. I was like yay realistic punishment but that failed (that might be a bit strong) which left me confused and the tortured, well not.

Don’t get me wrong, I liked the idea of this story and these elite maids of honour, but the events were pretty convenient. I didn’t need to be reminded of the character’s cool traits, show me. The ending was quite disappointing and the unravelling of the mystery was quite underwhelming and rushed.

I’ve heard comparisons of this book to a more popular series His Fair Assassin, which I haven’t read yet but I guess if you’re a fan of that series, you might want to give this one a go. I had problems with many aspects of this book, however I was able to look past it and stay for the entertainment value. Despite all my complaints and nitpicking (and this really is nitpicking), it really was an overall solid book. So don’t be completely deterred by my negativity because I repeat, I was an enjoyable book.

[Paola (A Novel Idea) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at Novel Idea Reviews

RATING: 4/5 Stars

**We're currently hosting an ARC giveaway for the book!**

I already really love to read historical fiction, but there are few things in life more awesome than combining the genre with a little espionage. (Seriously, just look at that word: espionage. It’s thrilling all by itself. Right??) Maid of Secrets really does an amazing job incorporating a vivid historical setting — in this case, the court of a young Queen Elizabeth I — and all the cloak and dagger action you could possibly ask for. This book is a web of intrigue, lies, and deception that I really enjoyed reading. I almost don’t want to give my ARC away, but I firmly believe that great books should be shared, so there’s a giveaway for you at the end of this post! Keep reading for my thoughts on the book and your chance to win the ARC!

Meg Fellowes never envisioned herself being recruited off the streets and brought into the Queen’s confidence. She’s an accomplished thief and a versatile actress, skills that ensure her livelihood with the Golden Rose acting troupe. She’s satisfied with her lot in life, and she spends a large portion of the plot just wishing she could go back to how things used to be. I liked that she wasn’t immediately amazing at her new role of being one of the Queen’s spies in the royal court. She had to come into this gradually, and she also had to learn to accept the person she was becoming because of it. Meg has a lot to learn and a lot to prove. I was relieved to see that she wasn’t going to be the usual clumsy, awkward, “plain” heroine; actually, she strikes a balance between being easy to relate to and yet also being understandably special. And I appreciated that Meg consistently used her skills to see her way out of tough situations. She’s a resourceful and clever heroine, as well as independent. She can take care of herself.

Being self-sufficient and cunning is absolutely necessary in the vipers’ nest she finds herself thrown into when she’s chosen to become a Maid of Honor to Queen Elizabeth I. The court of the young queen is thick with scandals, conspiracies, and tensions. In order to navigate this tangled web, Meg is forced to rely on all the wits in her possession. Everyone has their own agenda, with political intrigue at max ever since Elizabeth I’s ascension to the throne. Meg and her fellow Maids are tasked with doing everything they can to find and sabotage any plots against their queen. Alas, the job is nowhere near as simple as it seems. Not only is Meg obliged to act according to the wishes of her spymasters, she also ends up torn between performing her duty as a Maid and remaining loyal to Elizabeth — a loyalty that is sorely tested when her own freedom is on the line. I had a lot of fun with all the political games and complicated connections within the court. Most of all, I loved that five young girls who would normally have very little influence or power were able to use the very thing that put them at a disadvantage in order to turn the tables. In a world dominated by men, an undeniably strong woman on the throne and a cast of quick-witted girls acting as her spies was really, truly refreshing to see.

I liked Meg’s fellow maids, although they did sort of fall into character tropes. The friendship that eventually brought them all together by the end made me smile. I like when girls work together instead of plotting against each other! And if you’re wondering about the romance, there is a pseudo Love Triangle here… but not really. I think it was less a Love Triangle and more of an inner conflict for Meg; one man, the master of her acting troupe, represented everything she’d left behind and still longed for, while the other man stood for the new world she’d been brought into. Master James doesn’t figure very prominently in the story and we mostly see Meg’s interactions with the wily Rafe Luis Medina, part of the Spanish envoy to Elizabeth’s court. Well, she mostly refers to him as ‘that blasted Spaniard’ during all the incidents in which she’s forced to match wits with him. I found myself really liking these two together. They’re both talented liars, pickpockets, and spies, which adds tension as well as chemistry. Rafe is great for independent Meg; I can’t picture her with anyone who wouldn’t be able to keep up with her.

I have only a few complaints. I did wish that the other Maids had been brought into more collaborative efforts with Meg, especially Sophia, who was always in the background either fainting or looking terrified over something. I happen to love Beatrice despite how prickly she was and I hope for more of her in the rest of the series. Sometimes the plot did become too caught up in all the secret passageways, eavesdropping, and strategic flirting, which slowed it down in parts. Oh, and Meg’s random rhyming couplets were a bit strange to me… but hey, all characters have quirks, right? Overall, the little things were outweighed by the sheer fun of reading this book.

Fans of historical fiction, the medieval era, and tons of delicious subterfuge will definitely enjoy Maid of Secrets! It’s out tomorrow, May 7th, and the publisher was kind enough to let me give away my ARC and share the love :) Everything you need to know about winning a copy can be found below! Good luck!!

Thank you so much to SimonTEEN for the ARC!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Honestly, just a bit underwhelming - like this whole idea could be a CW spin-off of Reign and it didn't really grab my attention. The idea was there, the execution...

[Isa (Pages Full of Stars) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If God won't save the Queen... we will."

Once I finished reading, two things came to my mind: a. I need the second book and b. if this book is any indication, I should read more YA historical fiction. Maid of Secrets is a fast-paced story full of intrigues, plot twists and secrets. It's an amazing book that will keep you guessing, and I'm honestly surprised that it's not more popular!

The book drew me in immediately and I didn't want it to end. I realised that I'm more and more fond of "palace games" type of plot, with the court machinations, changing loyalties and hidden secrets, and this book had a lot of it. Till the very end I wasn't sure of some of the characters and the side they are on, which made reading really enjoyable. I loved putting the pieces of the puzzle together with the main character.

Meg was a really good and interesting protagonist, who, thrown into a completely new reality, had to learn how to make herself a part of it and use her talents to their full potential. I also liked her growing and changing relations with other maids and how at first they seemed very different, almost stereotypical, but later on really grew to care for each other. Her relationship with Rafe was nice too, and always an interesting "break" from the main course of events. :D But I generally liked Rafe as a character, am curious to learn more about him and hope that he will appear in the second book.

Another thing that's worth mentioning is the scenery - a stunning palace with secret passages and chambers. The descriptions were truly beautiful and realistic, so it was easy to imagine that I'm there with Meg. I also thought that the writing style reflected the time period the story was set in really well and was very engaging and gripping.

Althought we were given the conclusion to the main plotline, I think that the author left a few unanswered questions and a lot of open way for the next books, which I can't wait to pick up! Maid of Secrets is definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year :)


My reviews for all books in the series:

Maid of Secrets - 4,5 ★
Maid of Deception - 5 ★
Maid of Wonder - 2 ★

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I basically quit reading historical fiction that involves real people years ago after I realized how mad historical inaccuracy made me. The Elizabethan era in particular seems doomed to haunt me. I took a chance with Maid of Secrets, though, because the plot sounded promising. And it turned out to be...decent, for YA. I enjoyed it. I might find the sequel. But I don't know that I recommend it. There is nothing new here, but it still makes a fun read.
While the story-line has some good action and is well written, there are several elements that are immensely distracting. Like the insta-lust. The love triangle. The psychic girl whose powers are convenient and rarely used.
I liked the main character despite her moments of idiocy. I liked the idea of the elite maids of honor. And in some ways...I like how the story is told. However, this isn't a book where the heroine pushes the narrative, but rather a narrative pushing the heroine. She finds clues when it is convenient, makes friends and enemies as needed. The timing is always convenient. The part where she finds the Scottish thistle just because they are trying out rain proof cloaks never to be heard of again was immensely convenient.
Oh, and that whole super secret spy parents thing? C'mon. Lame.
2 star plot brought up to 3 stars with enjoyable writing.

[Fani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story set in the court of Elizabeth, a castle, beautiful dresses, five maids who are also spies, secrets passages, missions and a bit of romance in between, what more could i ask?
I love it when the narration is set on the past and especially in an English court. The idea of maids who would work as spies for the queen was very clever indeed and for once i enjoyed the fact that the first thought of the characters wasn't always about the man that they love except for Beatrice maybe. That of course doesn't mean that i didn't enjoy the romance of Meg and Rafe and i hope i'll see more of it in the next book, a book which i'm already dying to read.

[Ann Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maid of Secrets is a delightful opening act for a planned series of novels featuring five young women in the Elizabethan court. Each serves Elizabeth with a unique ability. In Maid of Secrets, the heroine, Meg, can perfectly recall conversations she has overheard.

Although labeled YA, this is sophisticated fare that any fan of historical romance, regardless of age, will enjoy. McGowan, with a wonderful command of language and historical details, has produced an intriguing and entertaining tale.

[Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was fortunate to read an ARC of this novel. Elizabethan era story about spy girls in Elizabeth's Windsor castle! Sisterhood, romance, friendship, and danger - Jenn McGowan covers all the bases in this well-researched novel. You'll love main character, Meg Fellowes, and follow her breathlessly as she grapples with Spanish noblemen, watery dungeons, and two-timing confidantes. A rolicking good read for the historical fiction and Girl Power! lover in you.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon!