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misslorieo's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one very much. It starts at the end of her mother's life and continues until she becomes queen. Very well researched and historically believable, and also well-narrated (although the voice of young Elizabeth is a bit disconcerting at first).
lucy3107's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this for the most part. Weir does a good job of blending the known historical details and using the rumors of what "might have been" to her advantage in creating drama in this novel. However, the novel, after getting off to a strong start, slows to a plodding pace in the middle and has trouble regaining its early promise. Perhaps more ruthless editing (50 less pages?) might have helped.
explorastorynz's review against another edition
3.0
I've read a lot of Weir's true history, and she has a writing style there that I have loved.
Not so much this one.
Every time we saw into someone elses thoughts, I kept being surprised at returning to Elizabeth and finding a third person narrator. I'm not sure why though.
Not so much this one.
Every time we saw into someone elses thoughts, I kept being surprised at returning to Elizabeth and finding a third person narrator. I'm not sure why though.
marnieluna's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
abbielester's review against another edition
4.0
Very intense! I liked the creative choices Weir made in this book. I would also recommend Weir's biography of Elizabeth I. It was interesting to compare her interpretation of events from an historian's prespective and from a novelist's perspective.
kayli_mckay's review against another edition
4.0
I quite enjoyed reading this book, although at times it was more difficult to stick with it. Once I got to the last 25 or so percent I could not put the book down. A very interesting way to tell her story and the story of the English monarchy.
thumbelinablues's review against another edition
4.0
What a fascinating early life Elizabeth had, and what murky waters she had to negotiate to make it to the throne! I had an inkling, but Weir really brought it home.
I found myself wondering whether Weir meant this to be a YA book, given her flat-out frightening treatment of sex. You all know me, I think kids should read whatever they can, but I'm glad I didn't read this book as a ten-year-old, and I might hesitate to give it to girls under, say, sixteen. I understand that it's hard for a realistic historical piece to be sex-positive, but the abusive stepfather was a bit...vivid.
I found myself wondering whether Weir meant this to be a YA book, given her flat-out frightening treatment of sex. You all know me, I think kids should read whatever they can, but I'm glad I didn't read this book as a ten-year-old, and I might hesitate to give it to girls under, say, sixteen. I understand that it's hard for a realistic historical piece to be sex-positive, but the abusive stepfather was a bit...vivid.
saucydoorhandles's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't enjoy the parts focusing on Thomas Seymour as I couldn't see what people saw in him. Then I didn't like where she took the story afterwards. Once that was all the way, I found myself enjoying the story again.
sarcastic_feline's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty standard novelization of the life of Elizabeth I from the time of Anne Boleyn's execution to when she inherited the throne. It's fairly engaging and a good read if you're into Tudor history. One aspect of the plot I didn't care for, but I liked the rest of the book enough to finish it.