Better than most novels about Elizabeth that try to be for the most part historically accurate. I was actually quite pleased with the fact that it managed to keep itself together while not being a really dry, overly-formal read.

I enjoyed it for the most part but I didn't like that this novel has Elizabeth get pregnant by Thomas Seymour and then miscarry the baby.

Reading this one right after Phillipa Gregory's The Constant Princess, I was initially struck with the differences in Weir's style. I personally feel like Gregory's flows a bit better and is generally more engrossing, but Weir's writing did grow on me as the story progressed.

As for the story itself, it was quite the interesting look at Elizabeth I's life. As the daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, she and Mary I forged a unique friendship early in life. Mary I was the daughter of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII.

The interactions between her stepfather, Thomas Seymour, were bizarre to say the least. Especialy the dress cutting incident that Catherine Parr (Henry VIII's widow and wife of Seymour) partook in along with Seymour. Despite knowing the Elizabeth I ultimately becomes queen, there was quite a bit of suspense around the matter when Mary I was in power that Weir captured quite well (if a bit exhaustively).

Overall, a solid read at 3.5 stars. I still think I prefer Gregory's books though this one was quite good.

It was a really good book. Well written fictional history. You really felt apart of what was going on through out Elizabeth's life from toddler years to becoming queen. I look forward to reading more of Weir's books on the Tudor family.

Didn't get far as the audiobook version from Calibre was difficult for me with varying sound levels. The little I read was a bit clunky in the writing. Whilst I've enjoyed a couple of Alison Weir's non fiction this lacked somewhat.

Wonderfully told and beautifully narrated novelization of Elizabeth I's early life. Highly recommended.

Despite the fact that this book took me a while, I liked it quite a bit. I love history and am a huge fan of the Tudor dynasty in England, so this book, despite fictionalizing parts of Elizabeth I's life, fit the bill for me.

Fantastic! A real page-turner. Left me wanting more.

A well researched book that also adds hints of fiction to add to the drama. The language is great, and overall, a quick and easy read. It's one of those books you don't get bored with, you just want to read until you finish the whole thing.

One of several books I have read about Elizabeth 1. I love me some royal biography.