Review: A Thousand Ships, by Natalie Haynes

Rating: ★★★★☆

Categories: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Greek Myth Retelling

Goodreads

A Thousand Ships is a retelling of the Odyssey through the eyes of the women. The narrators are, ostensibly, Muses to whom a poet prays for inspiration. But each character gets their own chance to narrate, and stories that should not have been forgotten, are finally told.

This was so enchanting, beautiful and I devoured it in two sittings. A Thousand Ships is exactly what I hoped The Silence of the Girls would have been, and I am pleased that, despite my initial hesitation towards this book, it surprised me with how good it is!

Review: The Mirror and the Light, by Hilary Mantel

Rating: ★★★★☆

Categories: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction

Goodreads

The Mirror and the Light is the third and final installment of the Cromwell series, which has had my whole heart since I started it a few years ago. It tells the story of Thomas Cromwell, his ascension into power and trust of King Henry VIII. In this last installment, we have seen Anne Boleyn fall from the king’s graces and lose her head – and although Cromwell has more power and wealth than ever, his enemies are gathering to plot his fall.

This trilogy takes a long time to read, not only because it’s nearly 900 pages, but also because of the sheer amount of characters, plots, subplots and the amount of attention the reader has to pay to details (absolutely worth it). It’s a series to get immersed into, and I loved spending around two weeks reading this – it’s one of my favorite series of all times, of all genres I read. Mantel turns Cromwell into a character so full of life, complexity, sharp wit, intelligence and ambition it’s truly refreshing to cheer for someone who is clearly not the classical hero in historical fiction stories. I’ve read a few Tudor books, and none have the brilliance of this series.

ARC Review: The Light in the Labirynth, by Wendy J. Dunn

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Tudors

Goodreads  / Amazon

I have received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw this book in the Read Now section of NetGalley, I just had to get it! I am a sucker for a Tudor historical fiction, and I have been very interested in Young Adult historical fiction lately, it’s a subgenre I haven’t read much of, but I really like it!This is the story of the fall of Anne Boleyn, told by the point of view of Kate Carey, daughter of Anne Boleyn’s sister, Mary. Raised in the countryside by her mom and her stepfather, Kate dreams of going to court with her aunt, the Queen of England, her image so full of glamour and majesty. When she finally gets the chance to do that, Kate finds herself immersed in the political drama and all the gossip of court, a labyrinth of fake smiles, strict rules and secretive plots.

Review: Bring up the Bodies (Thomas Cromwell #2) by Hilary Mantel

Rating: ★★★★☆

Recommend: Yes

Genres: Historical Fiction

Add to your TBR: Goodreads, Skoob

I don’t suppose this review will be a surprise if you read the Wolf Hall one. I absolutely loved this book. It follows the downfall of Anne Boleyn, and as Wolf Hall, through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, who is under the favor of Henry VIII. The Boleyn family will not allow Anne to be replaced so easily and will use any power and influence they have to prevent it. At the same time, a shy, quiet girl catches the eye of the King: Jane Seymour.

Review: The Last Tudor, by Philippa Gregory

Rating: ★★★★☆

Recommended: Yes

Genres: Historical Fiction

Add it to your TBR: Goodreads

I wanted very much to read this book, so when I saw this gorgeous edition, it was impossible not to get it immediately.

The Last Tudor is not the story of Queen Elizabeth I, but of three of her cousins: Jane, Katherine and Mary Grey. Jane Grey is to inherit the throne when her cousin King Edward VI dies and famously becomes the Nine Days Queen, a martyr for the protestant faith. Katherine was a carefree beauty that sparked jealousy in Elizabeth and her fury when Katherine secretly marries for love. Mary was a little person, no taller than four feet, who possessed extraordinary ability to survive the unpredictable wrath and jealousy of Elizabeth.

Review: Wolf Hall (Thomas Cromwell #1) by Hilary Mantel

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

Goodreads / Skoob

My boyfriend was peacefully reading the book #2 of the Thomas Cromwell Trilogy in a train trip last year, when I started creepily staring, almost drooling over the pages, until he told me what book it was. I have a thing for thick books – they just look so beautiful and full of promises – so I was immediately convinced to put it on my TBR.

I have recently mentioned this book in the review from The Other Boleyn Girl, but this book is by no means in the same style. If you liked The Other Boleyn girl and are looking for something similar, this book may not be for you. I recommend reading some more reviews before getting into this one.

Review: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Rating: ★★★★☆

Recommend:  Yes, with restrictions

Genres:  Fiction, historical fiction

I came across this book as a suggestion from Goodreads right after I read Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall (see a theme?) and my sister-in-law gave me as a gift (thank you!). After reading a Tudor-themed book, it is mandatory to spend the next minutes/hours lost in Wikipedia articles about every character.