Tag: Net Galley

Book Review: “The Fourth Queen” by Nicola Cornick

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How far would you go to keep a secret? For Marris North in 16th-century England, the secret she keeps would change history forever. A secret such as this must be protected for centuries. But now, Jenna Bergin shares a deep connection with Marris. Can Jenna keep the secret that no one has known for centuries, or will an archaeological dig force it to be revealed? What is Anna of Cleves’ connection to Marris and the secret she carries?  Nicola Cornick explores this 500-year-old mystery in her latest dual-timeline novel, “The Fourth Queen.” 

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have enjoyed Nicola Cornick’s previous dual timeline novels, so when I heard that she was writing a new novel, I was excited. It was when I saw the cover and realized that this novel featured Anna of Cleves that I knew I wanted to read it. Anna of Cleves is one of my favorite wives of Henry VIII, so I was thrilled to read Cornick’s version of Anna and her life. 

We begin in the year 1539. Marris North, along with her sisters Rose and Bridget, is facing the end of their beloved monastery, Winterhill Priory, which is about to be sold to Sir William Sharington. Marris must find another place for her and her sisters to live, but Sir William has a proposition that Marris become a lady in waiting for Anna of Cleves, Henry VIII’s fourth wife, since Marris knows German. Along the way, Marris marries William, and she sees how Anna’s marriage began and dissolved quickly. Henry moved on to Catherine Howard, but Marris stayed with Anna when Anna revealed a massive secret to Marris, one that, if revealed, would change Tudor history forever. Marris and William promised to keep the secret safe no matter the cost, and they do as they grow their own family.

In the modern storyline, we meet the Bergin sisters, Jenna, Molly, and Bree. Jenna has a deep connection to Marris as she is her reincarnation. Jenna can recall Marris’ memories and feels like it is her responsibility to protect the secret in the modern age. That proves a bit of a challenge when she falls for Owen Power, who is the accountant for the Swan Power Trust, who are in charge of the archaeology project at Winterhill Priory. While she is dating Owen, Jenna must keep her reincarnation a secret as well as Anna’s secret from centuries ago. Can Jenna do this and survive like Marris, or will the secret be revealed at the cost of everything she holds dear, including her family?

This was another delightful novel by Nicola Cornick that was able to balance the past and the present with a fantastical element. I also thought the way she weaved Anna of Cleves’ tale, especially the play on a rumor about Anna during her lifetime, was very clever. I had a lot of fun reading this novel, and I cannot wait for her next story. If you are a fan of Tudor novels with a dual timeline twist, I highly recommend you read “The Fourth Queen” by Nicola Cornick. 

Book Review: “Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old” by Mary Beard

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In our education experience, we have all studied the ancient classics of Greece and Rome. To some, the subject may have seemed dry, but to others, it means so much more. But the deeper we dive into the past, the more questions arise about the subject of studying the classics.  Why do people study the classics? How has our understanding of the classics changed over time? Why do some political groups choose to use the classics to make their points? Do you need to learn Greek and Latin to understand the classics? As someone who has been a scholar and a professor of the classics, Mary Beard explores these questions in her latest book, “Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old.”

 

I would like to thank The University of Chicago Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. As someone who mainly reads about medieval and 16th-century history, I usually don’t dive further into the past, but this year I have decided to get outside of my comfort zone. I have been reading about medieval humanism, but I have not dived into the classics that the great humanists did. I wanted to learn more about the classics, and I heard that Mary Beard is a great place to start, so I decided to give her latest book a try.

 

This is not your typical nonfiction book about the classics. This is a book that explores themes surrounding the classics in a series of essay-like chapters. Beard begins with her own journey into antiquity when she was a young girl exploring the British Museum and found some Egyptian bread. This was the start of Beard’s exploration into thauma, or wonderment, of the ordinary. It’s by connecting to the ordinary of the past that we can better understand it, although the significant writings of Homer, Virgil, Plato, and Aristotle are important in their own ways. 

 

Beard explores questions like why we tend to focus on Greece and Rome when we think about the ancient world, as well as exploring how the art and architecture of antiquity inspired future generations. One of the bigger topics that she explores is how different political groups have used the classics to press their own agendas. Beard argues that the classics are for everyone and that they do not belong to one side or another. She also explores how the classics should be for everyone,  and that you don’t necessarily need to know Latin and Greek to appreciate and study the classics. Finally, Beard looks to the future and asks why we should continue to study the classics while leaving the field open for everyone.

 

I think Beard has a wonderfully engaging writing style, and her knowledge about the classics and antiquity is superb. I think for my first book, diving into the world of antiquity and the classics, it may not have been the best fit, but I did enjoy it. I think I will read more books by Mary Beard in the future. If you are interested in the classics and want to explore deeper questions about the subject, I would suggest you give “Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old” by Mary Beard a try.

Book Review: “The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton” by Jennifer N. Brown

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England was undergoing a shift during the reign of Henry VIII. The king was sick and tired of the pope not giving him the divorce he so desired so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, so he wanted to split from the papacy. Obviously, some opposed his break from Rome and used different methods to stop what they considered madness. Take, for example, Elizabeth Barton, known as the Holy Maid of Kent, for her prophecies tied to the marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Many may not know her name, but centuries later, a book of her prophecies will change the course of Dr. Alison Sage’s life and those who attended a special Consortium. What secrets does this book hold, and can Alison survive the cutthroat world of academia? Jennifer N. Brown tells the tale of these two women, separated by centuries, and of a book that unites them in her first novel, “The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton.”

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. What caught my eye about this novel was the mention of Elizabeth Barton. I wanted to know more about Elizabeth Barton herself, as she is merely a footnote in other novels and nonfiction books. I wanted to see how Brown would approach her story with a modern tale.

We begin with Elizabeth Barton, an orphan who was a servant at the Cobb farm. One day, she fell ill with a fever and had her prophecy that came true. It attracted the attention of powerful men like Bishop Fisher, who allowed Elizabeth to enter St. Sepulchre’s Priory under the supervision of Prioress Philippa Jonys and her spiritual advisor, Edward Bocking. Bocking would write down Barton’s visions, but there was one that became too dangerous, the vision of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in hell if they married each other. The king did not take kindly to this prophecy, and so Barton and Bocking were killed and her books destroyed. Prioress Philippa and Agnes Vale worked hard to protect their memory.

In the modern age, we are introduced to Dr. Alison Sage, a historian, who recently found one of Barton’s books, which she presents at a medieval conference. It attracts the attention of Roger Shefield, who invites Alison to the Codex Consortium at Vale House Manor. There she runs into someone from her past, Westley, who goes from enemies to something more. To add to the drama, there is a treasure hunt about the Elizabeth Barton book and a murder mystery.

While I appreciate the amount of effort Brown put into this novel, I feel like she was throwing a lot of ideas at this book and not everything worked, especially having a murder mystery so late in the book. I feel like the modern storyline was a tad weaker than the 16th-century story. Overall, it was a thought-provoking read that shed a bit of light on the life and legacy of Elizabeth Barton. If you want a novel about a lesser-known figure in Tudor history with a modern twist, I recommend you read “The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton” by Jennifer N. Brown.

Book Review: “Cleopatra” by Saara El-Arifi

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Some queens throughout history surpass the history of their own countries and create legacies that would transcend centuries. One such queen was Cleopatra, Pharaoh of Egypt, who loved both Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony). She fought against her siblings and even Rome for the right to rule Egypt. There have been accusations of witchcraft and Cleopatra being a seductress, but is this a fair assessment of this Queen of Egypt? Saara El-Arifi tells her own version of Cleopatra’s story, from the queen herself, in her latest novel, “Cleopatra.”

I would like to thank Ballantine Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. As the name of my blog suggests, ancient Egypt is not something I normally read about, but when I was younger, I remember reading a Royal Diaries series book on Cleopatra, so I know elements of her story. When I saw this particular book with such a stunning cover, I decided to dive back into the world of ancient Egypt and give this novel a try.

Unlike many novels about infamous queens, this one is told by Cleopatra in the afterlife. By setting her novel in such a way, El-Arifi gives Cleopatra a chance to address the sources against her directly. It creates a semi-memoir type of novel, which is quite a unique approach to such a legendary figure. El-Arifi has decided to break down her novel into three sections after the three labels that Cleopatra is most known for: the Witch, the Whore, and the Villain.

We begin with the story of how Cleopatra, after the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, became co-ruler with her brother, Ptolemy XIII, also known as Mikro Theos, or Little god. Cleopatra had a loyal friend and servant named Charmion. In ancient Egypt, the Ptolemys were seen as chosen by the gods and were granted gifts to show their powers, but even though Cleopatra was blessed by the goddess Isis, she was granted no gift. Instead, Cleopatra had a love of learning, especially from the Library of Alexandria and practicing the medicinal arts. But Cleopatra knew that to stay in power as a Ptolemy, she had to fight for it, even if it meant taking down her siblings, Mikro Theos and her sister, Arsinoe, who believed she was the rightful queen. We also get to see Cleopatra’s relationship with Rome, primarily with Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius. Finally, we get to witness Cleopatra and Marcus’ death from her perspective.

This was such a gripping read. I found myself falling in love with Cleopatra’s story and blending fact with Egyptian mythology, which was prevalent in the society of ancient Egypt. The actual ending of this novel was different, and I am not sure if I liked it or not. Overall, I think this was a well-researched novel trying to revive Cleopatra’s legacy. If you are a fan of Egyptian history and this infamous queen, you should check out “Cleopatra” by Saara El-Arifi.

Book Review: “Fool” by Mary Lawrence

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Being a fool in any royal court can be dangerous, but being a fool in the court in King Henry VIII’s court could be deadly. While you could enjoy performing for royalty, you could also learn secrets about those close to the throne, secrets that have deadly consequences. Kronos knows this all too well. Born disabled, Kronos must navigate his way through prejudice to find his place in society. How did Kronos become the fool to King Henry VIII, and what secret threatens his life? Mary Lawrence explores what life must have been like for a fool in the tumultuous court of Henry VIII in her novel, “Fool.”

I would like to thank Red Puddle Print and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have read a few novels that have featured Henry VIII’s most famous fool, Will Somers, so when I saw the premise for this novel, it intrigued me. I like looking at the court of Henry VIII through the eyes of those who might have worked behind the scenes.

Kronos was not an actual fool of Henry VIII’s court, but his story reflects how real fools like Will Somers, Patch, and Jane the Fool must have felt dealing with prejudices at court. Kronos was born with dwarfism and was dropped off at Thetford Priory, where the brothers raised him. At the Priory, he learns medicine from Brother Ulric. Kronos also picks up the skill of juggling, which will become his skill when he becomes a fool. He is satisfied with not becoming a novice for a while, and then he meets Bess Holland, a young noblewoman whom he helps heal from an illness. Kronos becomes infatuated with the young noblewoman, which was a little weird to read at times.

After an incident at the Priory with a maid, Kronos leaves the Priory and begins to look for his own place in the world. He joins a travelling circus troupe, where he becomes a better juggler. He gains a reputation that lands him in the court of Henry VIII, but it is not all glitz and glam. Kronos soon learns that keeping a secret will have deadly consequences. Kronos is maimed, on the brink of death, but although he is brought to an apothecary, he soon learns that his rescuers may have darker plans for the fool.

Overall, I thought this was a decent novel. There was something about Kronos that made it hard for me to connect with him. I think the novel was well written and understood the Tudor world pretty well. If you want a darker look at what life was like for a fool in the court of King Henry VIII, I think you should check out “Fool” by Mary Lawrence.

Book Review: “The Queen’s Granddaughter” by Diane Zahler

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When a medieval princess married, most of the time, she had to take an arduous journey to their new country. For many of these royal ladies, they had an idea that this would be their fate at a young age, but for others, it would come as a complete surprise. Take, for example, Blanca (Blanche) of Castile. She was the granddaughter of the indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine. When it is time to create a marriage alliance between Castile and France, Blanca believes that her sister Urraca will be the one who will become Queen of France. However, Eleanor has other plans. How will the journey change Blanca and get her ready to rule a nation? Diane Zahler tells the tale of Blanca’s journey to the throne in her middle grade novel, “The Queen’s Granddaughter.”

I would like to thank Roaring Brook Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I tend to read books tailored towards young adults and adults, but I wanted to see how middle grade books handle historical figures. My love of history started with a middle grade book, so I wanted to see how middle grade books are for the next generation of history nerds.

We are introduced to Blanca of Castile when she was twelve years old. As the daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Eleanor of England, Blanca realizes that she will have to marry one day, but she wants to stay with her family in Castile. With the arrival of her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, from England to discuss a match between Castile and the French dauphin Louis. Blanca believes that the intended bride will be her elder sister Urraca, but she doesn’t want her sister to leave. Grandmother Eleanor has a different plan and says that the bride to be is Blanca.

To say Blanca is shocked will be an understatement, but after spending time with her best friend Suna and her family, who are Almohads, Blanca decides that she will go to France. Suna, grandmother Eleanor, and Sir William Marshal join Blanca in her journey over the Pyrenees Mountains to France. The journey is arduous as they encounter a snow storm that lands the party in a cave while grandmother Eleanor recovers from an illness. They also face off against Hugh de Lusignan, a man who is seeking vengeance. Throughout the journey, Blanca learns that a queen must make difficult decisions and say the hardest goodbyes for the good of her new kingdom.

This was a great novel to get younger future history nerds interested in history. It was well researched and even gives Zahler’s readers mini biographies about the main characters so that they can begin their own journey into medieval European history. If you want a book for a young history lover in your life that focuses on medieval Castile and France, I recommend you check out “The Queen’s Granddaughter” by Diane Zahler.

Book Review: “The Boleyn Curse” by Alexandra Walsh

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The court of Henry VIII was a treacherous place for anyone, but especially for the Boleyn family. We all know the stories of Anne, Mary, George, and Thomas, but one figure from this illustrious family does not get enough attention: Elizabeth Boleyn, the mother of Anne, Mary, and George. What was her relationship like with her family, her husband, and most importantly, King Henry VIII? And what does a Chaucer manuscript recently discovered at Cerensthorpe Abbey have to do with Elizabeth and the Boleyns? Alxandra Walsh explores the life of Elizabeth Boleyn and the mystery of the missing Chaucer in her latest dual-timeline novel, “The Boleyn Curse.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I enjoy a good dual-timeline novel, and when I saw that this one also featured Elizabeth Boleyn as the main character, I was intrigued. Elizabeth Boleyn has not been the focus of novels of the Boleyn family that I have read, so I was interested to see how her story would translate into historical fiction.

Since this is a dual timeline novel, there are two main timelines. We get to explore the Tudor period with Elizabeth Boleyn and the modern day with Tabitha Mundy, the archivist of Cerensthorpe Abbey. We begin with the modern storyline and Tabitha, who is employed by the owner of Cerensthorpe Abbey, Edith Swanne, to archive the entire estate. Tabitha is dealing with the death of her husband, Blake, when she meets Edith’s nephew and heir to the estate, Gulliver. Edith gives Tabitha the task of finding a missing Chaucer manuscript by decoding clues left behind in a journal from the 1900s. The journey to the missing manuscript holds a connection to Elizabeth Boleyn and the curse upon the family.

We also jump back to the life of Elizabeth Boleyn, who was Elizabeth Howard when the audience is introduced to her in 1485. Her father was arrested by the new King Henry VII for supporting King Richard III, but eventually the family rebuilt their reputation. Elizabeth falls in love with Thomas Boleyn and joins the glittery court of King Henry VIII, where she catches the eye of Henry VIII himself. Elizabeth fights for her family and the love of her husband, even if it means making an enemy of the crown itself.

I think this was a decent novel, even though it explored my least favorite rumor about the Boleyn family. I also thought the diary entries were a bit distracting from the rest of the narratives, a case of too many stories going on at once. Overall, I did enjoy this book. If you want a novel that is a dual timeline or a novel that features Elizabeth Boleyn, you should check out “The Boleyn Curse” by Alexandra Walsh.

Book Review: “The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia” by Johnny Teague

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Have you ever wondered what it might be like to discover a long-lost diary of a historical figure by accident? Archaeologist Giuseppe Campise has already found a diary of Mary Magdalene. Now, the Vatican wants Giuseppe to uncover the tomb of Alexander the Great. However, while on the search for the tomb, Giuseppe finds something even more precious, the diary of Lucrezia Borgia. What secrets does the diary hold? Johnny Teague tells the tale of Lucrezia Borgia through her diary in his latest novel, “The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia.”

I would like to thank Histria Fiction and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have been interested in Lucrezia Borgia’s story since reading “Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia” by Samantha Morris, so I wanted to see how her story would translate into a historical fiction novel.

Since this book is actually a novella, I will try to keep this review short. We begin with Giuseppe Campise as he begins his search for the tomb of Alexander the Great. Along the way, he gets lost and finds the tomb of Pope Leo X. By the tomb, he finds a diary that was written by Lucrezia Borgia, so he begins to read.

Lucrezia’s diary begins with her reflecting on her life as she is ill with her final pregnancy. This diary is really her autobiography, beginning in her childhood, when her father was Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, before he became Pope Alexander VI. We also get to see how close Lucrezia was to her brother Cesare and how it changes over time. Since they are the illegitimate children of a Pope, they are expected to make alliances through marriages and military might. Lucrezia was married three times. Her first marriage was to Giovanni Sforza, but it was quickly dissolved by her father, Pope Alexander VI. Her second marriage, to Alfonso of Aragon, resulted in a son, Rodrigo, before Alfonso died young. Lucrezia’s final husband was Alfonso d’Este, Duke of Ferrara. We get to see how Lucrezia’s life was changed through the chaotic politics of the Italian states, the constant wars, and the schemes of her father and her brother Cesare. Lucrezia was not just a one-dimensional character, but is well developed, and you feel sympathy for what she is going through.

Personally, I think this was a decent novella, but the subplot with Giuseppe did not feel necessary for me. The story of Lucrezia Borgia could stand on its own without the modern bits cutting in. Overall, I enjoyed this novella. If you enjoy reading about Lucrezia Borgia, her life and times, you might enjoy “The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia” by Johnny Teague.

Book Review: “The Rose Amongst the Thorns” by Laura Johnson-Smith

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Lady Katherine Turner was never meant to be the Countess of Leicester, but when her brother William dies suddenly, she must take on the mantle of power. Unfortunately, with power comes responsibility, and in medieval England, women in power could not hold onto that power unless they married. That does not sit well with Katherine, who is a very independent woman. However, a choice must be made between two suitors, Lord Henry Tyrell, Earl of Dornton, and Lord James Stanford. Who will Lady Katherine Turner choose, and can she maintain her independent spirit while falling in love? Laura Johnson-Smith explores Lady Katherine’s love story in her debut novel, “The Rose Amongst the Thorns.”

 

I would like to thank The Book Guild and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I enjoy reading novels that are set during the Wars of the Roses, and I like to read debut historical fiction novels. When I read the description for this novel, it sparked an interest in me to give it a try.

 

We begin with Katherine and her brother William, who is about to go on a mission for King Edward IV in France. William is engaged to be married to Isabelle, but things come crashing down when William is killed in France. Now, the title of the Duchess of Leicester has been passed down to Katherine. We flash forward a few years, where we see Katherine adjusting to her new role. Now, her aunt and uncle are pushing Katherine to marry, even though she has no desire to marry. That is, until she meets her two potential suitors. Lord Henry Tyrell is the first man to sweep Katherine off her feet, but she soon realizes that he has nefarious plans for her. And then there is Lord James Stanford, whom Katherine truly falls for. 

 

As a debut, it was a fine novel, but it was hard for me to figure out when it was supposed to take place. If it wasn’t for the description, I would have felt completely lost as the story felt like it could have been placed in any time period. It didn’t have a distinct feeling of being in the middle of King Richard III’s short reign. I also felt like this plot was pretty predictable for me, and it didn’t give me a wow factor. That being said, I can sense that the author does have a passion for the past, and the novel is pretty well-written for her first novel. If you want to give a new reader a try and enjoy a good historical love triangle, you might enjoy “The Rose Amongst the Thorns” by Laura Johnson-Smith. 

Book Review: “Lady of Lincoln” by Rachel Elwiss Joyce

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Medieval England, under the reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, was a turbulent time. The focus tends to be on the rebellion of Henry’s sons against their father and how Eleanor sided with her sons. This story has been told, but there is a story of another woman who was caught directly in the middle of the entire ordeal. Her story is most known for her role during the reign of King John and the Magna Carta, but that was when she was an older woman. The story of Nicola de la Haye and Lincoln Castle has been told in biographies and nonfiction books, but not really in historical fiction novels. Rachel Elwiss Joyce hopes to change that with her novel, “Lady of Lincoln.”

I would like to thank Books Go Social, Hedgehog Books, and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I first became aware of Nicola de la Haye from Sharon Bennett Connolly’s book on the women of the Magna Carta, followed up by her fantastic biography about Nicholaa de la Haye. I am familiar with her story, but I was curious to see how her life would translate to a novel. When I saw the description of this novel, it definitely caught my attention.

We are introduced to Nicola de la Haye as a young woman who is helping a young soldier, Suardinc, train, when her mother goes into labor and loses her son. That means that Nicola and her sisters are the heiresses of the de la Haye estates. Their father gives her sister, Julia Normandy, and Nicola receives Lincolnshire and Lincoln Castle. Nicola loves Lincoln Castle and the people who inhabit Lincolnshire, including the Jews that the constable of the castle must protect. Nicola wants to be a constable, but her father reminds her that she must marry and her husband will become the constable of Lincoln Castle. Three men want to marry Nicola: Gerard de Camville, the man whom Nicola’s father wants her to marry; Sir Alured of Pointon, the outside schemer who wants Nicola’s lands; and Sir William FitzErneis, the man Nicola falls hard for.

We get to see Nicola fall in love with her first husband, Sir William FitzErneis, even if they face extreme monetary hardships. FitzErneis decides to side with the Young King Henry when he rebelled against his father, King Henry II. This placed Nicola, her family, and the castle in a precarious situation as Alured became the sheriff and tried every which way to make Nicola his, even when she was married. Luckily, Gerard de Camville keeps a close eye on Nicola, even though he himself has fallen for Nicola.

We get to see Nicola transform from a naive young woman to a fiercely determined mother and wife who would do anything to protect her family, her friends, and her family home. I enjoyed that we not only got to see Nicola interacting with the typical nobility, but also the common people, including the Jewish population of Lincolnshire. If you want a well-written novel about one of the most important women in 12th century England, I recommend you read “Lady of Lincoln” by Rachel Elwiss Joyce.