Tag: Net Galley

Book Review: “The Shakespeare Secret” by DJ Nix

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Everyone knows the story of William Shakespeare—the famed poet, actor, and playwright who revolutionized English literature forever. There have been a series of debates about whether or not Shakespeare truly wrote the plays or someone else did. Well, what if a group of women employed William Shakespeare as a sort of spokesperson for their plays? Can this group of women survive to write another day? This is the premise of DJ Nix’s novel. “The Shakespeare Secret.”

I would like to thank Alcove Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have not read a lot of novels about the writing of Shakespeare’s plays, but I have heard the many theories on who actually wrote them. When I saw that this novel would focus on a group of women as the so-called authors of the plays, it was such a fun idea that I decided to give it a go.

So, just who were these three women who were the authors of the plays? We begin with Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, who has just returned to the court of Queen Elizabeth I after a three-year absence. She is not one for court life, but she soon finds herself enjoying the company of others below her station. Take, for example, Emilia Bassano, a court musician and mistress to Lord Chamberlain, Baron Hunsdon. And then we have Jane Daggett, the new Mistress of the Wardrobe for the Queen’s Men, a company that was the starting point for a young Will Shakespeare. One fateful day, these three women met and decided to write a play, which would become known as The Taming of the Shrew. Since this was a group of women writing a play, they needed a man to act as their spokesperson to make sure that their play would be performed. Enter young Will Shakespeare, who wanted to make a name for himself.

It seems like such an innocent prospect, that is, until Robert Cecil and his spy Hardwood catch wind of what they think is a Catholic plot against Queen Elizabeth I. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. Now, Mary, Emilia, and Jane must escape suspicion while navigating life, love, and playwriting, with Will along for the ride. This was a relatively predictable plot, and I felt a bit bored by the middle of this novel. While the characters are well written, it is hard for me to imagine this group of women together and using the formal Shakespearean dialogue. Other than the few historical characters and locations, it does not feel like Elizabethan England (especially with the mention of tea).

Overall, it’s an okay novel, but it could have been better. The premise had a lot of potential, but it kind of turned into a sappy ending, which is not a bad thing, but I wanted more. If you want a novel about the alternative history of the writing of the early Shakespearean plays, you might enjoy “The Shakespeare Secret” by DJ Nix.

Book Review: “A Daughter’s Place” by Martha Batiz

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Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, lived quite an interesting life. He was a poet, soldier, war hero, prisoner, husband, brother, uncle, father, and author. His writing might portray a man of honor and dignity, but his home life was messy. You see, Miguel was married, but his daughter was not the daughter of his wife, Catalina de Salazar. His daughter, Isabel, was illegitimate, and when her mother died, Miguel decided the best possible solution was to invite Isabel to live with his sisters and his niece. What’s the worst that could happen? Martha Batiz explores the women’s lives connected to Miguel de Cervantes in her debut novel, “A Daughter’s Place.”

I would like to thank the House of Anansi Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I had never read Don Quixote, and I knew nothing about Miguel de Cervantes or his family, so I was excited to learn more. Stories like this add depth to the understanding of the late 16th and early 17th centuries in Spain and Europe as a whole.

This novel is broken into five sections and contains three different narrators: Isabel, the illegitimate daughter of Miguel de Cervantes, Constanza de Ovando, Miguel’s niece, and Catalina de Salazar, Miguel’s wife. Our story begins with Isabel, who just turned fifteen. All of her life, she believed that she was the daughter of a tavern owner, that is, until she met Magdalena de Cervantes, who claims to be her aunt, as Isabel’s true father is none other than the famous war hero turned author Miguel de Cervantes. After the death of Isabel’s mother, Miguel has decided to have Magdalena as Isabel’s legal guardian and raise her to be part of his family, although not with the de Cervantes name. Constanza de Ovando has been dumped after a long engagement and is nearing the age of spinsterhood. She is jealous of Isabel and wonders if she will ever marry and have her own life. Finally, we have Catalina de Salazar, who lives far away from the family and did not know that her husband, Miguel, had an illegitimate child.

We see this family slowly adjust to having a new family member and the repercussions of Isabel being part of the de Cervantes family. While the family is getting used to one another, King Philip III of Spain threw a monkey wrench into their plans as he moved the royal court from Madrid to Valladolid and back to Madrid. Since Miguel is writing his magnum opus, Don Quixote, and is looking for sponsors, the family has to move alongside the court, which causes its special kinds of headaches and heartbreaks. There are so many twists and turns, especially the last twist, that kept me guessing until the end of how this novel was going to end.

Batiz has created such a believable world of 16th and 17th century Spain with a colorful cast of characters in the de Cervantes family. I got very attached to this family, and to see what would happen to them as life kept causing chaos. As a debut historical fiction novel, this is such an enjoyable, beautifully written, and extremely well-researched novel, and I hope that Batiz continues to write historical fiction. If you want an excellent novel about one of the most celebrated authors in Spanish history and his family, I highly recommend you read “A Daughter’s Place” by Martha Batiz.

Book Review: “Florenzer” by Phil Melanson

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Florence, Italy, in the 16th century, was a city of opportunity and full of art and architecture. It was also a city on the precipice of great change. The great banking family, the Medicis, holds the reins of government in Florence, and Lorenzo de’ Medici is the family’s current head. However, two bastards will radically change his life and the Medici family. One was a bastard son of a notary who became one of the most famous artists ever. The other was a bastard son who became a priest and the enemy of the Medici family. Their stories of power and ambition intersect in the city of Florence in Phil Melanson’s debut novel, “Florenzer”.

I would like to thank Liveright Publishing and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. The description of this novel attracted me to it, rather than the cover, as the cover was released after I requested to read this novel. I have slowly been diving into the world of Renaissance Italy, but I have yet to encounter Leonardo da Vinci or Lorenzo de’ Medici in my adventures, so when I saw a novel that featured both and a new historical person to me, Francesco Salviati, I jumped at the chance to read it.

We begin with the funeral of Cosimo de’ Medici, the grandfather of Lorenzo de’ Medici, in 1464. It is the point where all three characters are introduced, and in the case of Leonardo da Vinci, it is the point before his apprenticeship where we begin to see the tumultuous relationship between Leonardo and his father, Piero, the notary. We then jump forward to 1471, when Leonardo is working as an apprentice painter for Andrea del Verrocchio. Around this time, Leonardo meets Lorenzo de’ Medici, a young man who is trying to achieve greatness, but issues arise, such as the death of the Pope and his brother Giuliano not wanting to be part of the family business. Lorenzo desires military glory, but it doesn’t go well. Finally, we have Francesco Salviati, a man who was destined to be a banker, but because he was a bastard son with darker skin, he decided to devote his life to the church, working alongside the new Pope Sixtus IV, also known as Francesco della Rovere.

As the three men grew up, they had obstacles to deal with. Leonardo fell in love with another man, known as Iac in this novel, and his love might cost him everything. While Lorenzo is trying to make sure his family is the most prominent in all of Italy, Francesco Salviati is using his influence at the Vatican to turn the tables on Lorenzo, which culminated in the Pazzi Conspiracy of 1478. The Pazzi Conspiracy was something that I had never heard of before this novel, so it was interesting to see it play out and the aftermath. While I did enjoy reading about Leonardo and Lorenzo, I didn’t feel a connection to Salviati, so when his story concluded, I didn’t feel any sort of way. I think the formatting of the book, almost like a screenplay, was a unique idea, but I don’t think it added anything to the context of the novel.

Overall, I think this was a decent novel. It was a slow start, and it was a bit of a challenge to get used to three different perspectives, but the stories of ambitions, love, and power truly shone. As a debut for someone who does not usually focus on historical fiction, I think Melanson does an admirable job of portraying 15th-century Florence in such a believable way. I think if you want a novel that’s set in 15th-century Italy, you will enjoy “Florenzer” by Phil Melanson.

Book Review: “The Cardinal” by Alison Weir

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During the reign of King Henry VIII, the king would elevate well-qualified men to positions of power and prestige. We all know the story of Thomas Cromwell, but it is his mentor, Sir Thomas Wolsey, whose story shows how one can rise from humble beginnings, but whose fate is ultimately tied to the mood of the monarch. The son of a butcher turned scholar who became a priest, a lover, a father, and the closest advisor to the king. His life, his loves, his successes, and his struggles are told in Alison Weir’s latest novel, “The Cardinal.”

I would like to thank Ballantine Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I am a fan of Weir’s novel, so when I saw her writing a new one about Sir Thomas Wolsey, I knew I wanted to read it. Wolsey is someone who tends to be a side character, so to have a novel dedicated to his life was an exciting idea.

Weir begins her story with Thomas (known in this novel as Tom) at the age of 11, going to school. His father, Robert Wolsey, is a butcher from Ipswich who wants his son to climb the social ladder in the church. Tom will eventually rise to the level of becoming King Henry VII’s chaplain and will begin working with King Henry VIII. Life for Tom is thrilling with the twists and turns of court life, but the one thing that is missing in his life is someone to share it with. Since he is a member of the church, he cannot marry or have his own family, but things change for Tom when he meets Joan Larke. Their love for each other is genuine, even though it is taboo in the eyes of the church and King Henry VIII, which comes across as quite hypocritical.

It was under King Henry VIII that Tom’s star rose to remarkable heights. He became a Cardinal, was the King’s right-hand man and best friend, and was able to create the architectural marvel of Hampton Court Palace. But his rise in prominence came with a cost. Tom must help the king navigate not only international affairs, such as the Field of Cloth of Gold, but also more personal matters, such as the divorce of King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, which would become known as The Great Matter. Tom would have many enemies at court, including Anne Boleyn, the future wife of King Henry VIII, who would ultimately lead to Tom’s fall from grace.

This is such an engrossing novel about one of the most complex figures of the Tudor dynasty. Thomas Wolsey’s story shows the struggle of fighting for those you love over the ambitions and prestige of the glittering court life. If you want an excellent novel about one of Henry VIII’s closest advisors and his life, I would highly recommend you read “The Cardinal” by Alison Weir.

Book Review: “The Black Death in England: Journal of the Plague Years in the Fourteenth Century” by Kathryn Warner

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Throughout history, pandemics have ravaged human populations and changed the course of history. None more so than the Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death. It devastated entire families and altered entire countries, primarily in Europe. Although England is an island nation, that does not mean it could not escape the pandemic’s horrors for long. In her latest book, “The Black Death in England: Journal of the Plague Years in the Fourteenth Century, “ Kathryn Warner explores the lives of the victims of the Black Death throughout England during this century.

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I haven’t read many books that focus primarily on the Black Death, so I was interested to see what kind of insights Warner would provide in this book.

Warner is known for her meticulous research, which she masterfully demonstrates in this book. Unlike other books about the Black Death, Warner chooses to focus on the individual stories of the victims and the survivors from every walk of life. Now this is a lot of information, especially when you consider how many waves of the plague hit England and the number of villages that were in England during this period. However, Warner breaks it down so each region gets its special section. Primarily, Warner explores the plague outbreak of 1349-1350, but she does explore other outbreaks.

The true highlight of this book is the fact that Warner focuses on the stories of the common people, not just the nobility or royalty, which are often highlighted in medieval history books. I think it was so fascinating to see how others dealt with the plague and how it affected their families and the nation as a whole.

Overall, I think this is a solid book for those who want to dive into the archives and explore the impact of the Black Death in England. It may be a difficult read for some and it might not be for casual readers, but if you want something more academic, I would suggest “The Black Death in England: Journal of the Plague Years in the Fourteenth Century” by Kathryn Warner.

Book Review: “The Pretender” by Jo Harkin

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The Wars of the Roses are ending, and with it comes uncertainty about who will lead the country. On one side is King Richard III, who many believe killed his nephews to become King of England; on the other is Breton Henry, Henry Tudor, who believes he is the rightful king due to his bloodline. However, there is a third player in this entire debacle. A young farm boy named John Collan may spend his days daydreaming and studying to his heart’s content, but he is destined for more. A path that will lead him to hobnob with nobility and become the enemy of a king who just sat on his throne. Just who is John Collan, and how did this boy go from the farm to a life of infamy? Jo Harkin tells the story of how John Collan became Lambert Simnel in her novel, “The Pretender.”

I would like to thank Knopf and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. As someone who reads a lot about the Wars of the Roses, I tend to gravitate towards the main players and the nobility. However, there was something about a novel all about one of the pretenders, Lambert Simnel, that piqued my curiosity. Plus, the fact that this was the author’s first foray into historical fiction was a nice touch. I wanted to see how well Harkin would do with an obscure figure and her first historical fiction novel.

We begin with John Collan, a son of a farmer who dreams of being a scholar and running away from a rather vicious goat. John’s father, Will Collan, is a pretty wealthy man, but he is also connected to a man named Maister Richard Simons, who agrees to tutor John at Oxford. Such a remarkable turn of luck for a farm boy, but why choose him over others? Maister Simons explains that Will Collan is not John’s father. His name is not even John. He is to be known as Lambert Simnel, and his true father is none other than George, Duke of Clarence, which makes him Edward, Earl of Warwick. It’s a lot to take in, but then John/Lambert is taken to both Burgundy and Ireland so that he can gain powerful allies such as Margaret, Dowager Duchess of Burgundy, John de la Pole, 1st Earl of Lincoln, and the Earl of Kildare.

John/Lambert continues to study, falls in love with a girl named Joan, is crowned king, and even goes to war against the Tudor king. But the boy will soon learn the bitter taste of betrayal and the heartache of losing those he loves the most to try and wrest the crown from Henry VII. While the dialogue was at times borderline vulgar, I did enjoy most of the story until the aftermath of the Battle of Stoke Field. It was when John/Lambert was held captive that it fell flat, and it was a bit difficult to follow along for me. I also wish Harkin had included some sort of author’s note or explanation of her research to help those who are new to Lambert Simnel’s story understand why she wrote the novel in the way she did.

Overall, I think this was a decent novel. It is ambitious to tackle an obscure figure like a pretender as a protagonist of a historical novel, but I think Harkin does a good job. It makes you wonder what must have been going on when this young man decided that he was going to take on a crowned king. Such a small footnote in history makes one compelling tale. If you want a novel about someone who does not get enough attention, I recommend you read “The Pretender” by Jo Harkin.

Book Review: “Charles II’s Portuguese Queen: The Legacy of Catherine of Braganza” by Susan Abernethy

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Throughout English history, a colorful cast of queens has left their marks in their distinct ways. While the Plantagenet and Tudor queens are more well-known, the Stuart queens and the mistresses of the Stuart kings were dynamic in their unique ways. One of the lesser-known queens was the wife of King Charles II. Though Charles II is known for his numerous mistresses, his wife Catherine of Braganza is not discussed much in England, but in her native Portugal, she is famous. So who was Catherine of Braganza, and what is her legacy in England and Portugal? Susan Abernethy tells the story of this almost forgotten queen in her book, “Charles II’s Portuguese Queen: The Legacy of Catherine of Braganza.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I am someone who is dipping her toes into the Stuart dynasty, so I wanted to explore a story about someone new to me. When I saw the title and subject of this book, it piqued my curiosity because I have heard of Catherine of Braganza, but I know nothing about her.

Before we dive into the actual life of Catherine of Braganza, Abernethy takes the time to explore the relationship between Portugal and England, which culminated in the union of King Charles II and Catherine. I didn’t know much about the history of Portugal except for the aspect that is included during the life of John of Gaunt, so I was excited to learn more about how Portugal became a trading and exploration powerhouse. It was the rise of the House of Braganza that propelled Catherine into a position to marry the King of England.

As the daughter of King John IV of Portugal and Queen Luisa de Guzman, Catherine was destined to marry a member of royalty, but the issue was a matter of faith. Catherine was a devout Roman Catholic, whereas Charles II was a Protestant who was trying to restore his kingdom after the reign of the Protector Oliver Cromwell. Catherine also had to deal with the numerous mistresses of Charles II, like Barbara Villiers, Lucy Walter, Louise de Keroualle, and Nell Gwyn, who were able to give Charles children while Catherine remained barren. Throw in a few anti-Catholic plots, and you can start to understand the strain Catherine was under while living in England. Eventually, after the death of Charles II, Catherine decided to return to her native Portugal, where her life took an unexpected twist with the War of the Spanish Succession until she died in 1705.

I found Catherine of Braganza such a fascinating figure. She did so much in her lifetime, and it is a shame that Catherine does not get more attention. Abernethy does an excellent job of telling the story of this queen who is often in the shadow of more boisterous figures of the age and integrating the history of Portugal into this book. If you want to learn more about a Stuart queen who is often forgotten and her impact on two nations, I highly recommend you read “Charles II’s Portuguese Queen: The Legacy of Catherine of Braganza” by Susan Abernethy.

Book Review: “Bitter Greens” by Kate Forsyth

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For centuries, fairy tales have entertained and taught lessons to those young and young at heart. One of the most memorable stories was the tale of Rapunzel, the maiden a witch kidnapped because her parents stole a Rapunzel plant from her while Rapunzel’s mother was pregnant. For years, Rapunzel languished in a Tower, her hair growing exponentially until a rogue/ prince climbs her hair and rescues the damsel in distress. The witch dies and Rapunzel and her hero live happily ever after. At least, that is how the story has been passed down to us throughout the centuries, but where did the story come from and how are the stories of three women from different generations and countries connected? Kate Forsyth weaves together the stories of three women and their fates into one delightful novel called, “Bitter Greens.”

I want to thank Allison & Busby and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. When I am not reading historical fiction or nonfiction, I do enjoy reading fairy tales retold, so when I heard about this novel and how it would explore the origins of the story of Rapunzel, it was intriguing to me.

Forsyth breaks down her novel into three separate narratives based on the lives of three women. We begin with Charlotte-Rose de la Force, a woman who weaves stories on a whim at the court of the Sun King Louis XIV. Charlotte is the person who gave the Rapunzel story some of the main characteristics that we are familiar with from the Italian origin story by Giambattista Basile. Her life choices have caused the king to send Charlotte to exile in a convent. It is in the convent that Charlotte meets Soeur Seraphina and she learns the story of Margherita and Selena Leonelli.

Margherita is the daughter of a mask maker and his wife. When she turns 7, a sorceress named La Strega Bella tells her parents that it is time to pay for their crime of stealing bitter greens. La Strega Bella wants to raise Margherita as her child, so she kidnaps Margherita, changes her name to Petrosinella, and places her in a convent. When Margherita turns 12, she is taken from the convent, placed in a tower, and given her characteristically long hair.

The question is why did La Strega Bella take Margherita from her parents just to put her in a tower with such long hair? It is through Selena Leonelli’s story that we can discover the truth about La Strega Bella. A woman who had to survive in the dark days of the plague in the early 16th century when her family died, she learned how to use spells and the power of plants from a woman named Sibillia. Life was not always fair for Selena, but then she met a man named Tiziano, who we know as Titian, and she inspired his art. Selena is afraid of growing old and wants to stay young forever, so she comes up with a dark and twisted plan.

This novel is dark and full of tragedies, love, and adventures. While I did enjoy reading it, there were a few historical inaccuracies, such as the plague doctor uniform was not introduced until the 17th century, not the 16th century. If you want a dark version of a fairy tale retold with a historical twist, I think you will enjoy “Bitter Greens” by Kate Forsyth.

Book Review: “The Shadow on the Bridge” by Clare Marchant

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Have you ever had an incident that was so impactful that it defined your entire life from that moment on? For Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel, it was the death of her younger brother, George. She vows vengeance against those who were behind his untimely demise. In the present day, Sarah must return to her godmother’s home, which holds a lot of memories, mostly painful. It is in the halls of this ancient house that Sarah meets Anne through a book of poetry. Can these two women find peace or will the truths bring even more disasters? Clare Marchant tells the stories of these two women, the tragedies and the poetry that unite them, in her latest novel, “The Shadow on the Bridge.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I liked the cover and when I read the description, it caught my eye. I have had Clare Marchant on my blog for a guest post, but I have yet to read her novels, so I decided to take a chance. I was not familiar with the story of Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel, so I was excited to read her story.

We begin with Anne Howard, born Anne Dacre, and her family at Barnhamcross Hall. She takes care of her young brother George, who is supposed to become the 5th Baron Greystoke. However, tragedy strikes when George falls from his rocking horse. It seems like a tragic accident, but Anne soon discovers that it was done deliberately. While Anne is married to Philip Howard, she secretly plans revenge against her father-in-law, the Duke of Norfolk. Anne Howard is known for her poetry, so she uses her skills with a quill to uncover a plot a bit closer to home.

Sarah, in the modern day, is a woman full of remorse and guilt. She has accepted to visit her godmother Cordelia at her home of Barnhamcross Hall, which holds many secrets and sorrows. Sarah knows what it means to lose a loved one as she lost her sister, Emily. Her parents blamed her, and they are no longer in her life. Cordelia is dying, and she wants to leave her home to Sarah. Sarah agrees to stay and help with organizing the estate, and while doing so, she finds a book of poetry from the past. It is through the story of Anne and George that Sarah finds the strength to confront her past.

This was a delightful read full of discovery, suspense, and healing. It was very well-balanced and gave a new perspective to the Howard family. It was such a gripping read that I want a sequel with the same characters because I became attached to them. I am looking forward to reading more novels by Clare Marchant. If you want a fun dual timeline escape that explores a lesser-known Tudor woman, I highly recommend you read, “The Shadow on the Bridge” by Clare Marchant.

Book Review: “Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws, and Kitties of Yore” by Catherine Nappington

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For centuries, man’s best friend has been the dog, but don’t tell your feline friends that. In ancient times, cats were revered as idols, but something changed during the medieval period. For a thousand years, from 500 to 1500, cats were vilified and believed to be working with witches and the devil—a harsh assessment for small, fluffy cats, which we consider pets nowadays. So how were cats portrayed in medieval art and literature? Catherine Nappington hopes to give her readers a glimpse of feline art and literature in her book, “Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws, and Kitties of Yore.”

I want to thank Ten Speed Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have been a cat owner most of my life; my current cat is an orange tabby named Colby, so when I saw this book title and subject, I thought it might be a light-hearted read.

Since this book is relatively short, I will keep this review short. In essence, this is a picture book full of illuminated manuscripts, witty sayings, and some interesting facts. While I did find the images interesting, the captions tended to be a bit distracting, and the fact that it was not in chronological order irked me (a personal pet peeve).

Overall, it was a fun read. I feel like it’s not really a nonfiction book that you are used to, but it would make a great gift for a medievalist who is a cat lover in your life. If this sounds like you or a loved one, I would suggest you read, “Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws, and Kitties of Yore” by Catherine Nappington.