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Agents of the Crown #1
Oczy krolowej
Oczy krolowej
344 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2020
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April 27, 2024DNF
so many reasons to leave a book unfinished but in this case — quite simply— the way in which this author treats his female characters (our two rival queens) vs. his male characters is practically a literary (and historical) crime.
Moving on despite loving the premise of this series!
(Reviewed 1/27/23)
so many reasons to leave a book unfinished but in this case — quite simply— the way in which this author treats his female characters (our two rival queens) vs. his male characters is practically a literary (and historical) crime.
Moving on despite loving the premise of this series!
(Reviewed 1/27/23)
October 27, 2020
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review The Eyes of the Queen. All opinions are my own.
I began this with good intentions, enjoying the story as it unfolded. Decided to ignore the premise on the first pages “… a man who will become the original M16 agent.” That sounded a little too “new.” Okay, whatever. I’ll just go on. The book “stars” John Dee, who as history says was the court astronomer and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Oliver Clements, our author would have him in love with the Queen, and as a “intelligencer” (spy) for Francis Walsingham.
The story starts in France with the Huguenot massacre. Stolen plans are involved, a link to the fabled “Northwest Passage.” But what it all boils down to is intrigue and treachery surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots. And boy, what that lady gets up to in the course of the book, they didn’t teach us in our history books, let me tell you. Be advised that there’s some erotic content here that’s, uh, interesting, that even puts a blush on Sir Francis’s face.
So, our John follows a dream. He does that a lot, and finds out things. There’s a lot of treachery and double-crossing going on, of course. And in the end, we learn that assassins are out to kill Elizabeth, but with John’s help, that doesn’t happen, of course. He’s quite the inventive guy.
I wanted to enjoy this book. It was interesting, if a little too modern in its themes and “feel.” I was okay with that. Until I got to the very last page, and realized that what I was reading was a pitch for a screenplay; a little too twee for my taste, with an (I hope) intended funny ending that just felt totally unnecessary, to me. I won’t be reading another of Dr. Dee’s “adventures,” if there is one.
I began this with good intentions, enjoying the story as it unfolded. Decided to ignore the premise on the first pages “… a man who will become the original M16 agent.” That sounded a little too “new.” Okay, whatever. I’ll just go on. The book “stars” John Dee, who as history says was the court astronomer and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Oliver Clements, our author would have him in love with the Queen, and as a “intelligencer” (spy) for Francis Walsingham.
The story starts in France with the Huguenot massacre. Stolen plans are involved, a link to the fabled “Northwest Passage.” But what it all boils down to is intrigue and treachery surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots. And boy, what that lady gets up to in the course of the book, they didn’t teach us in our history books, let me tell you. Be advised that there’s some erotic content here that’s, uh, interesting, that even puts a blush on Sir Francis’s face.
So, our John follows a dream. He does that a lot, and finds out things. There’s a lot of treachery and double-crossing going on, of course. And in the end, we learn that assassins are out to kill Elizabeth, but with John’s help, that doesn’t happen, of course. He’s quite the inventive guy.
I wanted to enjoy this book. It was interesting, if a little too modern in its themes and “feel.” I was okay with that. Until I got to the very last page, and realized that what I was reading was a pitch for a screenplay; a little too twee for my taste, with an (I hope) intended funny ending that just felt totally unnecessary, to me. I won’t be reading another of Dr. Dee’s “adventures,” if there is one.
December 8, 2021
This review will contain crude langue. Potentially with great frequency. Potentially with spoilers. Read on if you must.
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I have no idea what the f*ck I just read. Queen Elizabeth I's life is in danger. Because when wasn't it? That's suppose to be a pretty huge plot point in this story.
Except that it's not. All of the talk about an assassination attempt on ole' Bess is completely forgotten once you realize that a large portion of this book focuses on Francis Walsingham (Big, bad, black wearing, Catholic murdering, Walsingham) following someone all over England and parts of Scotland only for him to discover he's been chasing a huge, silver dildo. The f*ck? I am suppose to believe that one of the greatest conspiracies ever attempted by one Mary, Queen of Scots was a request to replicate her dead husband's d*ck. For real?
You completely forget that there's suppose to be an attempt on the life of Queen Elizabeth I and a potential Spanish invasion because you get so wrapped up in the twisted bedroom life of MQoS. Like seriously twisted sh*t. You think you don't get paid enough to do your job? Would be Queen of England, Ms. Mary, had a girl whose primary job was to get Mary's rocks off using some pretty kinky methods.
I know history leaves room for interpretation. But c'mon man, what are we even doin' here?
It's pretty safe to say, I absolutely will not be picking up any future books in this series.
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I have no idea what the f*ck I just read. Queen Elizabeth I's life is in danger. Because when wasn't it? That's suppose to be a pretty huge plot point in this story.
Except that it's not. All of the talk about an assassination attempt on ole' Bess is completely forgotten once you realize that a large portion of this book focuses on Francis Walsingham (Big, bad, black wearing, Catholic murdering, Walsingham) following someone all over England and parts of Scotland only for him to discover he's been chasing a huge, silver dildo. The f*ck? I am suppose to believe that one of the greatest conspiracies ever attempted by one Mary, Queen of Scots was a request to replicate her dead husband's d*ck. For real?
You completely forget that there's suppose to be an attempt on the life of Queen Elizabeth I and a potential Spanish invasion because you get so wrapped up in the twisted bedroom life of MQoS. Like seriously twisted sh*t. You think you don't get paid enough to do your job? Would be Queen of England, Ms. Mary, had a girl whose primary job was to get Mary's rocks off using some pretty kinky methods.
I know history leaves room for interpretation. But c'mon man, what are we even doin' here?
It's pretty safe to say, I absolutely will not be picking up any future books in this series.
January 17, 2022
Dr. John Dee, secret agent man, is fairly amusing, but I'm finding the portrayal of Elizabeth I as somewhat iffy.
October 25, 2020
3.5 stars
This is a complex story of spying on behalf of Queen Elizabeth and on behalf of her rival, Mary (popularly known as Mary, Queen of Scots) in 1572. It is a time of intense religious feeling, and the book opens with scenes of violence as Catholics slaughter Protestants (Huguenots) in France. In England there is fear that the Spanish are making plans to crush England via the sea in order to put the Catholic Mary on the English throne.
The adventures culminate with the establishment of Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
I enjoyed the exploits of Francis Walsingham and John Dee and loved reading the vivid descriptions of London and all the other locations - how disgusting the Seine and the Thames were! The story dragged in places, however. Also, there are some scenes that involve Mary, who is under house arrest in Sheffield, that involve sex toys, self-stimulation and stimulation required from her female servants that seemed to me totally unnecessary to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read an advance copy of this book.
This is a complex story of spying on behalf of Queen Elizabeth and on behalf of her rival, Mary (popularly known as Mary, Queen of Scots) in 1572. It is a time of intense religious feeling, and the book opens with scenes of violence as Catholics slaughter Protestants (Huguenots) in France. In England there is fear that the Spanish are making plans to crush England via the sea in order to put the Catholic Mary on the English throne.
The adventures culminate with the establishment of Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
I enjoyed the exploits of Francis Walsingham and John Dee and loved reading the vivid descriptions of London and all the other locations - how disgusting the Seine and the Thames were! The story dragged in places, however. Also, there are some scenes that involve Mary, who is under house arrest in Sheffield, that involve sex toys, self-stimulation and stimulation required from her female servants that seemed to me totally unnecessary to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read an advance copy of this book.
December 8, 2020
4.5 stars loved this book. Not perfect but a pretty darn RIP roaring yarn full of historical intrigue and action.
February 5, 2022
I couldn’t connect with this from the beginning; the audio can only be described as sub-par at best.
The story didn’t click, I didn’t like the men including our protagonist and Queen Elizabeth would NEVER be as pathetic as the author tried to describe her here.
The story didn’t click, I didn’t like the men including our protagonist and Queen Elizabeth would NEVER be as pathetic as the author tried to describe her here.
August 16, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read this book. I love historical novels but this one fell a bit short. The basis of the story was great but there were too many side stories that weren’t needed and parts that should have been expanded on were left cut short without answers. I was not expecting the Queen Mary sexual exploits and I thought that could have been handled differently as it didn’t add to the story or help explain anything. I was indifferent towards the characters except for Dr Dee as he had some humour and realistic traits. Historical novels have a lot of death but some deaths would have been better avoided and could have added that character to the exploits. I did a report on Queen Elizabeth I in school and I loved that it was centred around her era as Queen. To be honest I read this book in the entirety hoping that it would redeem itself. I will admit that the very end of the book gave me a chance to smile and have a little laugh. That is what saved this book but sadly wasn’t enough to make it a great novel.
July 20, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A Doctor becomes a Spy for Elizabeth I, helping to create the British secret service. It was histrionic, and dull at the same time. It felt like the reader was going for a sort of combination of Gothic and Captain Blood, but didn't quite make it.
A Doctor becomes a Spy for Elizabeth I, helping to create the British secret service. It was histrionic, and dull at the same time. It felt like the reader was going for a sort of combination of Gothic and Captain Blood, but didn't quite make it.
June 26, 2024
This work of historical fiction, set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, quite cleverly depicts events that will give rise to the spy network known as His Majesty's Secret Service and agents of the Crown, such as the well-known fictional James Bond 007.
The story begins in Paris in 1572, the night of the Huguenot massacre. Francis Walsingham, working as an agent for the English queen, is desperate to get plans depicting a Northwest Passage safely back to England, which will help him thwart a plot to free Mary Queen of Scots from her captivity. He and his intelligencer, Oliver Fellowes, make a mad dash across the rooftops of Paris with Death breathing down their necks. If that sounds like an opening scene from a James Bond movie, you are right, complete with its shocking conclusion.
Back in London, Walsingham enlists Dr John Dee, a scholar, soldier and alchemist, as well as a great friend of the Queen, to undertake a mission to reclaim the stolen plans, which leads, of course, to another death-defying scene.
Obviously the author had a screenplay in mind as he wrote this novel so the plot is driven by several more exciting action scenes. We want to boo and hiss over Mary, Queen of Scots. When she's not plotting her moves to take over the crown, how does she spend her time in captivity? With some manic cringe-worthy self-pleasuring, all too often aided by a reluctant maid servant. Ugh! I could have lived without those scenes.
The fourth book in this series is publishing in August so the author and publisher made copies of all four books available via NetGalley. I jumped at the chance to try this series but as I started to read this first book, I regretted that I was so hasty to grab them up. But all in all, it's an interesting premise and I was a big fan of Ian Fleming's books, so we'll see how the others go--maybe they will get better and hopefully a bit deeper and meatier.
The story begins in Paris in 1572, the night of the Huguenot massacre. Francis Walsingham, working as an agent for the English queen, is desperate to get plans depicting a Northwest Passage safely back to England, which will help him thwart a plot to free Mary Queen of Scots from her captivity. He and his intelligencer, Oliver Fellowes, make a mad dash across the rooftops of Paris with Death breathing down their necks. If that sounds like an opening scene from a James Bond movie, you are right, complete with its shocking conclusion.
Back in London, Walsingham enlists Dr John Dee, a scholar, soldier and alchemist, as well as a great friend of the Queen, to undertake a mission to reclaim the stolen plans, which leads, of course, to another death-defying scene.
Obviously the author had a screenplay in mind as he wrote this novel so the plot is driven by several more exciting action scenes. We want to boo and hiss over Mary, Queen of Scots. When she's not plotting her moves to take over the crown, how does she spend her time in captivity? With some manic cringe-worthy self-pleasuring, all too often aided by a reluctant maid servant. Ugh! I could have lived without those scenes.
The fourth book in this series is publishing in August so the author and publisher made copies of all four books available via NetGalley. I jumped at the chance to try this series but as I started to read this first book, I regretted that I was so hasty to grab them up. But all in all, it's an interesting premise and I was a big fan of Ian Fleming's books, so we'll see how the others go--maybe they will get better and hopefully a bit deeper and meatier.
October 27, 2020
I am a big fan of historical mysteries, so I was happy to have a chance to read a review copy of The Eyes of the Queen, which is the first title in a new series featuring the real-life John Dee - mathematician, astrologer, astronomer, alchemist, philosopher and also, by-the-way, advisor to Queen Elizabeth I - as the protagonist.
Clements’ tale weaves nicely among major historical events of the day: the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in France; Queen Elizabeth’s reluctance to execute Queen Mary, even in the face of numerous real and rumored plots to put Mary on the throne of England; Philip of Spain’s attempts to invade England; and the search for a rumored Northwest Passage. Many historical figures other than Dee, including Francis Walsingham, William Cecil, Philip Sidney, and of course, Elizabeth herself, have roles to play as well, fleshing out a nice historical background.
And the story itself is a good one, more of a spy thriller than a mystery, with multiple threads told from multiple viewpoints that kept me reading until the very end. John Dee’s character is an interesting mix of what today would be seen as scientist and charlatan, but Dee’s analytical skills were quite advanced for his time, and he puts them to good use. The author’s slightly understated writing style is also engaging. For example, in a moment when Walsingham and his aide-de-camp are puzzling over something, the author comments in a dry aside that “knowing what it isn’t doesn’t help them with what it is”.
I did have a couple of minor issues with the book. First, by the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, Queen Elizabeth would have been on the throne for nearly 15 years, so I have a bit of trouble imagining that she would only now be setting up a formal spying apparatus. And second, without being spoiler-ish, I wasn’t thrilled with some of the behaviors attributed to Queen Mary during her captivity. These may be based in fact, but I didn’t see that they added much to the story, and so the descriptions seemed rather gratuitous to me. But both of these are sort of minor, and overall, I liked The Eyes of the Queen a lot, and hope that more titles in the series are to come.
Please note that I tend to be pretty conservative in awarding stars, only giving five stars to maybe one in thirty or forty books. So four stars is a great rating from me and means I really do recommend a book. And my thanks again to the publisher, Atria/Leopoldo & Co, and NetGalley for the ARC!
Clements’ tale weaves nicely among major historical events of the day: the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in France; Queen Elizabeth’s reluctance to execute Queen Mary, even in the face of numerous real and rumored plots to put Mary on the throne of England; Philip of Spain’s attempts to invade England; and the search for a rumored Northwest Passage. Many historical figures other than Dee, including Francis Walsingham, William Cecil, Philip Sidney, and of course, Elizabeth herself, have roles to play as well, fleshing out a nice historical background.
And the story itself is a good one, more of a spy thriller than a mystery, with multiple threads told from multiple viewpoints that kept me reading until the very end. John Dee’s character is an interesting mix of what today would be seen as scientist and charlatan, but Dee’s analytical skills were quite advanced for his time, and he puts them to good use. The author’s slightly understated writing style is also engaging. For example, in a moment when Walsingham and his aide-de-camp are puzzling over something, the author comments in a dry aside that “knowing what it isn’t doesn’t help them with what it is”.
I did have a couple of minor issues with the book. First, by the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, Queen Elizabeth would have been on the throne for nearly 15 years, so I have a bit of trouble imagining that she would only now be setting up a formal spying apparatus. And second, without being spoiler-ish, I wasn’t thrilled with some of the behaviors attributed to Queen Mary during her captivity. These may be based in fact, but I didn’t see that they added much to the story, and so the descriptions seemed rather gratuitous to me. But both of these are sort of minor, and overall, I liked The Eyes of the Queen a lot, and hope that more titles in the series are to come.
Please note that I tend to be pretty conservative in awarding stars, only giving five stars to maybe one in thirty or forty books. So four stars is a great rating from me and means I really do recommend a book. And my thanks again to the publisher, Atria/Leopoldo & Co, and NetGalley for the ARC!
July 8, 2022
I was immediately drawn in by the synopsis of this book. The birth of the British secret service! SPIES! Kick a$$ women fighting for the crown! ? These topics are right up my ally.
The concept is clever and I always love reading about the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots. For me, this didn't hit the right balance of history and fiction and the continuity and flow didn't seem to find each other. Some of this may be because I've studied and read about this time period in depth (I legitimately dressed up as Mary Queen of Scots for Halloween as a kid!) so things felt surface level to me without enough excitement to balance it out.
It often takes a book or two to get a series in momentum. I will definitely keep my eye on this series & the author for future reads.
Thank you to S&S Canada, Atria and Netgalley for the gifted eARC to read and review.
Pub: October 2020
The concept is clever and I always love reading about the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots. For me, this didn't hit the right balance of history and fiction and the continuity and flow didn't seem to find each other. Some of this may be because I've studied and read about this time period in depth (I legitimately dressed up as Mary Queen of Scots for Halloween as a kid!) so things felt surface level to me without enough excitement to balance it out.
It often takes a book or two to get a series in momentum. I will definitely keep my eye on this series & the author for future reads.
Thank you to S&S Canada, Atria and Netgalley for the gifted eARC to read and review.
Pub: October 2020
June 27, 2022
📚 ***Book Review*** 📚
3✨'s
While I did enjoy this, I found it a bit meh in some parts and found myself frequently skimming paragraphs to be aware of plot points. I will continue with book 2 , hopefully it'll keep my interest a bit more invested. I do enjoy the characters and the pacing was ok. I just feel that I wasn't drawn in as quickly as with other books in this genre with this focus.
#booksbooksandmorebooks #bookcommunity #bookworm #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #readsomething #rif
3✨'s
While I did enjoy this, I found it a bit meh in some parts and found myself frequently skimming paragraphs to be aware of plot points. I will continue with book 2 , hopefully it'll keep my interest a bit more invested. I do enjoy the characters and the pacing was ok. I just feel that I wasn't drawn in as quickly as with other books in this genre with this focus.
#booksbooksandmorebooks #bookcommunity #bookworm #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #readsomething #rif
May 31, 2021
There's a grittiness to Clements' historical fiction that is refreshing. In my admittedly limited reading in these realms (god bless Hilary Mantel), Clements paints a contemporary sensibility like an oily sheen over the thoughts and actions of these characters. While one might easily discover in reviews (or simply by close reading) the homage to a more contemporary branch in service of the queen, I was too caught up in the plot and characters to see the parallels; that is until Clements wapped me in the face with it at the end of the book. I'm pleased to see that this is a series and eagerly anticipate seeing how he develops his rather clever idea.
July 5, 2021
Sama nie wiem ile gwiazdek dać, bo niby były fajne fragmenty i wątki, ale ogólnie książka wypada dość marnie. Miałam przysiąść do pisania jej recenzji, ale naprawdę ciężko idzie.
October 16, 2021
A thrilling tale of intrigue and espionage in Elizabethan England that is rich in fascinating historic detail. The powderkeg of religious intolerance and sovereigns plotting against others comes to life vividly through the eyes of figures like John Dee, Francis Walsingham, Mary Queen Of Scots, and Elizabeth herself.
November 3, 2020
I have recieved this book for a honest review from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster.
I found this book very dry. It have no historical events to keep it interesting. I found the writing style very robotic.
I found this book very dry. It have no historical events to keep it interesting. I found the writing style very robotic.
dnf
February 17, 2021DNF @19%
2020; Atria/Leopoldo & Co.
When I first received the audiobook from the library, I didn't get very far into it, before it was due back. I was able to get it again and and this time I was able to make it to 19%. I found the story slow and no matter how hard I paid attention, I just didn't know what was happening.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; Atria/Leopoldo & Co.
When I first received the audiobook from the library, I didn't get very far into it, before it was due back. I was able to get it again and and this time I was able to make it to 19%. I found the story slow and no matter how hard I paid attention, I just didn't know what was happening.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
October 5, 2020
1572 - What a dangerous time to be alive! Clements’s first novel in the Spymasters Series, set in Tudor England, is a historical novel about beginnings of Her Majesty’s Secret Service and the original MI6 agent, John Dee. The novel opens with an overly descriptive telling of the St. Bartholemew’s Day Massacre, an extremely bloody and violent attack started by the Catholics against the Protestants in France. If readers can make it through this, they are introduced to Queen Elizabeth I’s chief spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham. He has lost a very important document about how to find the Northwest Passage and recruits Doctor John Dee, Royal Astrologer and spymaster to retrieve it. You see, Queen Elizabeth I was an ambitious monarch who was intent on increasing England’s influence. In order to surpass Spain, England had to take control of the seas from the Spanish. Finding a northwest passage was vital. Readers are then introduced to Mary, Queen of Scots as she is in exile. This is where having prior knowledge of religious history is important; this time in history the Catholics and Protestants are vying for power and control. The Spanish need to put Mary back on the throne because they need a Catholic back in power. As you can imagine, the novel follows these two queens and England’s quest for dominance.
The premise of this novel was intriguing and I was hoping to get lost in a great read, unfortunately, it wasn’t my style. I’m not sure if it was the R-rated language, the very descriptive violent scenes, or a male author attempting to write about two strong women, but once he painted Mary, Queen of Scots as a nymphomanic, he lost me. Clements is an author and screenwriter and it shows in his work. Readers become viewers, not simply readers, of history as he writes like a roving camera, capturing events as they happen. I’m fully aware that this is the first novel of a series and that a wide view is necessary in order for the author to set the scene for further events. However, I felt Clements focussed too much on some details and not enough on others. I was not convinced enough to read his second instalment of the series. The Eyes of The Queen (Book 1) will be published on October 27, 2020.
Thank you to Atria Books, Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
The premise of this novel was intriguing and I was hoping to get lost in a great read, unfortunately, it wasn’t my style. I’m not sure if it was the R-rated language, the very descriptive violent scenes, or a male author attempting to write about two strong women, but once he painted Mary, Queen of Scots as a nymphomanic, he lost me. Clements is an author and screenwriter and it shows in his work. Readers become viewers, not simply readers, of history as he writes like a roving camera, capturing events as they happen. I’m fully aware that this is the first novel of a series and that a wide view is necessary in order for the author to set the scene for further events. However, I felt Clements focussed too much on some details and not enough on others. I was not convinced enough to read his second instalment of the series. The Eyes of The Queen (Book 1) will be published on October 27, 2020.
Thank you to Atria Books, Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
July 17, 2020
An interesting and informative historical Goodreads gift. This expanded and greatly illuminated my knowledge of Queen Elizabeth’s circle of friends and advisors. It was very violent but it was set in the 1500’s when times were rough and murderous. The language and some of Queen Mary’s antics were a bit R rated. I really liked the characters, especially the humanity of Queen Elizabeth and the talent and personality/bravery of Dee.
May 18, 2023
Written as a spy thriller in the court of Elizabeth I, this book veered off into some unpalatable areas for me. I really did not want to read about Queen Mary's sex toys and her forcing a maidservant to pleasure her repeatedly. That was quite unnecessary and seemed rather out of character with the rest of the story-which was Walsingham's machinations to trap Mary into admitting she plots to kill Elizabeth.
September 22, 2020
I found this book difficult to read in spite of my interest in this historical period. The pacing was well done in some scenes, leaving the reader anticipating the next move but horrible slow in other sections.
It was loaded with info about the Queen(s), the religious turmoil, and the politics of the era but still fell to capture my interest and enjoyment.
It was loaded with info about the Queen(s), the religious turmoil, and the politics of the era but still fell to capture my interest and enjoyment.
September 19, 2020
No no no. I’m not reading what some guy has to say about women’s kinks for no particular reason.
December 6, 2021
Enjoyed the second volume in this series more.
October 28, 2020
This was such a great read!
Historical fiction meets thriller meets the makings of the future James Bond, all had me devouring this book in a matter of days!
Dr James Dee has a surprising relationship with Queen Elizabeth, one not many people understand, including Francis Walsingham, her head of security detail. Dee is a curious man, having many skills in the sciences, astronomy, astrology and spiritualism, and it makes him invaluable to the Queen's aid. While Walsingham is defending Queen Elizabeth's life against the uprising of Catholicism and Queen Mary of the Scots trying to take over the throne, he ends up requiring the unique skills that Dee can bring to the table.
I really enjoyed this book for a number of reasons. The historical side of it was really well done - the uprising of the Catholics and their revolt against the Christian monarchy was richly detailed and very horrifying; the characters were really enjoyable, as were the different relationships between them; Queen Mary was a wonderful villain to root against the whole time, and her tricks of communicating outside her prison cells to her accomplices was very creative; and finally the ending came together in a way that was enjoyable but not too neat - we're still left with some questions, some ill-feelings and the sense that there is more to come from this story!
Overall, very well done. If you're a fan of sixteenth century historical fiction, I would definitely check this one out!
4.5🌿
Historical fiction meets thriller meets the makings of the future James Bond, all had me devouring this book in a matter of days!
Dr James Dee has a surprising relationship with Queen Elizabeth, one not many people understand, including Francis Walsingham, her head of security detail. Dee is a curious man, having many skills in the sciences, astronomy, astrology and spiritualism, and it makes him invaluable to the Queen's aid. While Walsingham is defending Queen Elizabeth's life against the uprising of Catholicism and Queen Mary of the Scots trying to take over the throne, he ends up requiring the unique skills that Dee can bring to the table.
I really enjoyed this book for a number of reasons. The historical side of it was really well done - the uprising of the Catholics and their revolt against the Christian monarchy was richly detailed and very horrifying; the characters were really enjoyable, as were the different relationships between them; Queen Mary was a wonderful villain to root against the whole time, and her tricks of communicating outside her prison cells to her accomplices was very creative; and finally the ending came together in a way that was enjoyable but not too neat - we're still left with some questions, some ill-feelings and the sense that there is more to come from this story!
Overall, very well done. If you're a fan of sixteenth century historical fiction, I would definitely check this one out!
4.5🌿
July 3, 2022
Even as spy novels have their devotees, so do those that move their spies as well as the drama and adventure into the past. In this case, it's Elizabethan England and different governments are working to overthrow the reigning queen - to place Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne and return England to the Catholic religion. Protestant verses Catholic. Spain and France and Scotland verses England.
And Sir Francis Walsingham is the perfect spymaster who is using not only Dr. John Dee as one of his agents but others. Unfortunately, death is still quite the possibility. There are games and deceptions and plots and treachery. Although. . . the repeated appearances of Bill and Bob in their attempts to arrest Dee for debts does get rather amusing. . . .
I'm not sure if I will investigate the next in the series but it is enough that this one peck an interest that may need more exploration.
2022-144
And Sir Francis Walsingham is the perfect spymaster who is using not only Dr. John Dee as one of his agents but others. Unfortunately, death is still quite the possibility. There are games and deceptions and plots and treachery. Although. . . the repeated appearances of Bill and Bob in their attempts to arrest Dee for debts does get rather amusing. . . .
I'm not sure if I will investigate the next in the series but it is enough that this one peck an interest that may need more exploration.
2022-144
July 14, 2022
A fun read with suggestions to both James Bond and the Scarlet Pimpernel. Clements has created a very believable world where our protagonist (John Dee) is the last hope to help stop an invading Spanish Armada. His mix of the real, historical threat to England from Spain with the creation of Her Majesty's Secret Service is top-notch.
The author does not stick with a traditional 'adventure' story, but updates it just enough to show the effects of working from the shadows without getting preachy or woke. Difficult to do, but he was successful. He also achieved a near-perfect mix of action and explanation.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
The author does not stick with a traditional 'adventure' story, but updates it just enough to show the effects of working from the shadows without getting preachy or woke. Difficult to do, but he was successful. He also achieved a near-perfect mix of action and explanation.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
October 27, 2024
prose was iffy, tended to jump time spans and skip dialogue a lot which i didn’t like, shortness of cuts also led to a lack of atmosphere and setting at times. did feel accurate to the period though, and liked the portrayal of the central characters for the most part. the uh. whatever mary had going on was weird but i see it’s. i guess of some importance to how the plot proceeds. the 007 reference at the end is…heavy-handed and made me roll my eyes. also why did the author make elizabeth have blue eyes when she’s been depicted to have brown ones?
July 20, 2020
This book is pretty well written. But I seemed to struggle getting through it. I feel like a little bit more clarity in the writing could help with the continuity and flow of the story. I would definitely read other books by the author in the future!
I received this book in a giveaway, but this in no way influences my review.
I received this book in a giveaway, but this in no way influences my review.
November 25, 2020
Action packed historical spy novel.
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