This took me a while to get through as an audio book. I think I may have gotten more out of it by reading it. I'm not sure how much of the informationThis took me a while to get through as an audio book. I think I may have gotten more out of it by reading it. I'm not sure how much of the information I'll actually retain (although to be honest, the same could be said had I read it - my memory seems pretty bad at times!). It provided a great overview of the Plantagenets. If you're only going to read one non-fiction book about them, this is certainly a good one to go with - it's long, but considering how many people are covered it's actually not that bad....more
This was an enjoyable novel about Jane Shore, one of the mistresses of Edward IV. Other novels I've read about her (or which had her in them) tended tThis was an enjoyable novel about Jane Shore, one of the mistresses of Edward IV. Other novels I've read about her (or which had her in them) tended to end around Edward's death, but this one went quite a bit beyond that period which made that part of the story feel entirely new for me (which is becoming harder and harder to find when it comes to English royalty because I've read so much about it over the years). This was the first book I've read by Smith, and I will try to check out some of her other ones in the future....more
For some reason it took me awhile to get into this book (I think probably more an issue with me than the book - I haven't had the time to 3.5/5 stars.
For some reason it took me awhile to get into this book (I think probably more an issue with me than the book - I haven't had the time to read like I used to). The first half was more of a 3 star book for me, but it definitely picked up in the second half (second half was a 4 star book for me, hence the 3.5). Once I warmed up to the characters I really enjoyed it, and I look forward to the next book....more
My rating is probably closer to 2.5 stars since I didn't bother to finish the book (halfway through and due back to the library, so might as well cut My rating is probably closer to 2.5 stars since I didn't bother to finish the book (halfway through and due back to the library, so might as well cut my loses now). It wasn't a bad book (I liked Varvara for the most part), but I just wasn't that interested in it. ...more
Another great novel by SKP, and I can't wait for the next installment on Richard! I don't think I've read a book that focused on the Crusades before, Another great novel by SKP, and I can't wait for the next installment on Richard! I don't think I've read a book that focused on the Crusades before, so this was a great one to start with....more
This was an outstanding book. It's like a greek tragedy set in the U.S. antebellum period. I will definitely read more by this author. It's terribly sThis was an outstanding book. It's like a greek tragedy set in the U.S. antebellum period. I will definitely read more by this author. It's terribly sad though, so if you are in the mood for an uplifting or happy story, don't pick this right now! Certainly consider it at some point though....more
Excellent book. I debated about giving it 5-stars, but I don't love it like I love other books I've given 5-stars to (like Gone With The Wind or The IExcellent book. I debated about giving it 5-stars, but I don't love it like I love other books I've given 5-stars to (like Gone With The Wind or The Innocent Traitor). That being said, I did download the sequel onto my Kindle as soon as I finished reading this one, so it's definitely a book I would recommend. It's a great and unique story, and the more I think about it, I can't think of anything I really disliked about it. It could definitely be 5-stars - I'm just not sure this story will stick with me the way others have (like the ones named above)....more
I really enjoyed this book! The set up is very unique. It jumps between a modern day story and a historical story (which I've experienced before), butI really enjoyed this book! The set up is very unique. It jumps between a modern day story and a historical story (which I've experienced before), but the historical story is told through "memoirs", "autobiographies", "letters" and even a "wikipedia entry" (I use quotes because while the historical story is based on fact, all the "documents" themselves are fiction). While it took a little while to get used to the set up (because I wasn't expecting it), it worked really well. I enjoyed both the modern and historical stories, and by the end, the two stories really came together. This book also sparked one of the best discussions we've ever had at my group here at goodreads. I probably would not have picked up this book by myself (just not a topic I was too interested in), but I'm really glad I did! Great story....more
Not that bad for my first completed Gregory novel. I see where she is going with her take on the story; I don't believe it for a moment, but this is wNot that bad for my first completed Gregory novel. I see where she is going with her take on the story; I don't believe it for a moment, but this is what I've come to expect from Gregory. My fondness for Elizabeth Woodville and the Princes in the Tower are not nearly as great as my fondness for Anne Boleyn and the Tudors, so I'm less disturbed by the liberties Gregory took here as compared with The Other Boleyn Girl. That being said, all of the use of magic was a bit too much for me (hence the 3 stars)....more
Good book, but there were a few slow spots which made the book feel a tad too long. I think I expected Eleanor of Acquitaine to appear more often in tGood book, but there were a few slow spots which made the book feel a tad too long. I think I expected Eleanor of Acquitaine to appear more often in the book; she's referred to a lot, but we don't see much of her. I'm definitely interested to read Chadwick's second book about William Marshal though....more
Pretty fluffy read, but quick and entertaining. I was familiar with most of these people and stories; it might be a little confusing for people not faPretty fluffy read, but quick and entertaining. I was familiar with most of these people and stories; it might be a little confusing for people not familiar with them since there is not much background information. There are family trees which help however....more
I really enjoyed this book. I definitely want to read a lot more about the great Italian families after reading this. All the murders and contract kilI really enjoyed this book. I definitely want to read a lot more about the great Italian families after reading this. All the murders and contract killings! No wonder the English were fascinated with Italy at that time (although I suppose there were plenty of untimely deaths in England and France during this period - I think I'm just used to someone being thrown in prison and then killed by order of the king as opposed to secret assasins and mysterious poisonings).
The references to Catherine de Medici were also interesting because it helped to give me a reference point that I was familiar with. I'd love to read more about how she fit in with the rest of the Medicis....more