The Boleyn King
An enchanting story of 'What if...'
For any Tudor lover, a different type of saga emerges that follows the storyline of what if Anne Boleyn did not miscarry in her last pregnancy? Laura Andersen writes a new historical fantasy series following this question. She has imagined a new English lineage where Anne Boleyn has given birth to boy, William, who is now reigning after the death of his father, Henry VIII. We follow most of King William's story through the eyes of Minuette, a Lady in waiting to Princess Elizabeth as she, Elizabeth, William and friend to the King Dominic try to unravel a plot against Queen Anne Boleyn that could affect William's claim to the throne. The plot comes to life when friend to Minuette, Alyce mysteriously dies. A message that Alyce sends Minuette before her death sets the quartet on an adventure.
One of the things I like best about this storyline is the inclusion and interpretation of the real characters into these speculative roles. I thought it was very interesting to read about Anne Boleyn as an older woman, Lady Mary Tudor and the blossoming relationship of Elizabeth and Robert Dudley in a different context.
The Boleyn Deceit
The Boleyn Deceit continues the story of the "what if" king William.
Now securely on his throne and having successfully won a war, William is set on arranging himself a marriage with a French princess. Only, this is a political maneuver of course, his true admiration lies with Minuette. A love triangle now emerges between William, Minuette and Dominic, giving this book a much more 'Tudor-esque' feeling. We see William's character grow and there are many references to King Henry VIII.
Minuette is also still trying to solve the case of who killed her friend Alyce. Someone does not like her digging into this and threatens her life several times. This outrages both King William and now, Lord Exeter, Dominic.
Overall, the Boleyn Deceit has much more suspense and intrigue than the Boleyn King. Now that I know the characters, I am much more interested in their lives. The plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat and we are left with another 'what if' cliffhanger that leaves me wishing that the Boleyn Reckoning came out sooner!
This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Boleyn Reckoning
This was by far my favorite installment of the Boleyn trilogy and I am glad that it ended strongly.
The Boleyn Reckoning is filled with intensity, suspense and danger from all sides. My favorite aspect of the series has been the alternate history with people's roles from actually history being fulfilled in different ways. While King Henry IX is of course completely fictional, his role as King is portrayed as well as I could imagine. Laura Andersen has given him several aspects of his father's personality that made him infamous. The majority of this story deals with the perilous relationship of Dominic and Minuette. The secret nature, the scandal and the precarious position that Minuette is placed in creates the feeling of a Tudor Court, even though it never happened.
A great series for those who love reading about the Tudor court, but would like something different.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
An enchanting story of 'What if...'
For any Tudor lover, a different type of saga emerges that follows the storyline of what if Anne Boleyn did not miscarry in her last pregnancy? Laura Andersen writes a new historical fantasy series following this question. She has imagined a new English lineage where Anne Boleyn has given birth to boy, William, who is now reigning after the death of his father, Henry VIII. We follow most of King William's story through the eyes of Minuette, a Lady in waiting to Princess Elizabeth as she, Elizabeth, William and friend to the King Dominic try to unravel a plot against Queen Anne Boleyn that could affect William's claim to the throne. The plot comes to life when friend to Minuette, Alyce mysteriously dies. A message that Alyce sends Minuette before her death sets the quartet on an adventure.
One of the things I like best about this storyline is the inclusion and interpretation of the real characters into these speculative roles. I thought it was very interesting to read about Anne Boleyn as an older woman, Lady Mary Tudor and the blossoming relationship of Elizabeth and Robert Dudley in a different context.
The Boleyn Deceit
The Boleyn Deceit continues the story of the "what if" king William.
Now securely on his throne and having successfully won a war, William is set on arranging himself a marriage with a French princess. Only, this is a political maneuver of course, his true admiration lies with Minuette. A love triangle now emerges between William, Minuette and Dominic, giving this book a much more 'Tudor-esque' feeling. We see William's character grow and there are many references to King Henry VIII.
Minuette is also still trying to solve the case of who killed her friend Alyce. Someone does not like her digging into this and threatens her life several times. This outrages both King William and now, Lord Exeter, Dominic.
Overall, the Boleyn Deceit has much more suspense and intrigue than the Boleyn King. Now that I know the characters, I am much more interested in their lives. The plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat and we are left with another 'what if' cliffhanger that leaves me wishing that the Boleyn Reckoning came out sooner!
This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Boleyn Reckoning
This was by far my favorite installment of the Boleyn trilogy and I am glad that it ended strongly.
The Boleyn Reckoning is filled with intensity, suspense and danger from all sides. My favorite aspect of the series has been the alternate history with people's roles from actually history being fulfilled in different ways. While King Henry IX is of course completely fictional, his role as King is portrayed as well as I could imagine. Laura Andersen has given him several aspects of his father's personality that made him infamous. The majority of this story deals with the perilous relationship of Dominic and Minuette. The secret nature, the scandal and the precarious position that Minuette is placed in creates the feeling of a Tudor Court, even though it never happened.
A great series for those who love reading about the Tudor court, but would like something different.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
