Reviews
"Highly recommended for fans of the period . . . As with the earlier novels in the Six Tudor Queens series . . . [Alison] Weir focuses tightly on the sole perspective of her protagonist, thereby finding enough relatively fresh territory to keep even die-hard Tudor buffs interested. A fascinating afterword sheds light on Weir's departures from the confirmed historical record and on the additional research she did for this novel, including an investigation of how exactly Jane died." -- Library Journal (starred review) "Deft, authoritative biographical fiction . . . Weir offers a dramatic and empathic portrait of Jane Seymour." -- Kirkus Reviews "Best-selling Weir's impressive novel shows why Jane deserves renewed attention. Without any dull moments, Weir illustrates Jane's unlikely journey from country knight's daughter to queen of England. . . . This third volume in Weir's exceptional Six Tudor Queens series offers new angles on its earlier subjects. . . . From the richly appointed decor to the religious tenor of the time, the historical ambience is first-rate. With her standout novel in the crowded Tudor-fiction field, Weir keeps the tension high, breathing new life into a familiar tale and making us wish for a different ending." -- Booklist (starred review) "Jane Seymour the shy mouse type? Think again! This superb book, the result of deep and meticulous new research, brings her to astonishing life--she is vibrant and determined, and she sets the king's court on fire. The fascinating secrets of the Seymour family are deftly explored, the world of the Court painted anew--and Jane's romance with the king is an absolute revelation. Wonderfully written with sympathy and grace, this gripping book gives us the real third wife and shows her struggle to stay true to herself and survive in the toughest of worlds. A magnificent novel." --Kate Williams, author of Becoming Queen Victoria "In this gripping and utterly compelling novel, Henry VIII's third and--allegedly--best-loved wife is brought vividly to life. Forget 'plain' Jane Seymour: here is a woman to be reckoned with--strong-willed, brave, and tenacious. Her story is set against the rich and complex backdrop of Henry VIII's court at its most turbulent. Not to be missed." --Tracy Borman, author of The Private Lives of the Tudors Praise for Anne Boleyn, A King's Obsession "A stunning, engaging, comprehensive and convincing novel . . . important, page-turning biographical fiction, hauntingly and beautifully told in first-person narrative . . . psychologically penetrating and packed with wonderful, vivid scenes. [Alison] Weir's characterisation is superb." --Historical Novels Review "A persuasive attempt to restore the humanity of a tragic, misrepresented figure . . . Weir's fictional Anne is ferociously smart and guilty of nothing but craving the power that's rightfully hers to claim." --NPR
