The Family of Henry VIII - Fiction Shelf

Tudors Fans Here is a page for you to review & recommend your favourite or not so favourite FICTION books about Henry VII and his family: Elizabeth of York, Margaret and Mary Tudor, and Lady Jane Grey.	Want to add to this page? Click EasyEdit to update this page! (Don't see the EasyEdit button above? <a href="/#signin" target="_self">Sign in</a> or <a href="/accountnew" target="_self">Sign up</a>.) *please stick with the same format & fonts, it makes it easier to read*
About the Book & Author	Reviews & Recommendations

Fiction About the Author: Jean Plaidy Jean Plaidy is the pseudonym of Eleanor Hibbert (1906 - 1993) a British author who has written approximately 200 historical novels during her lifetime. Many of her books were set in the Tudor period, "To Hold the Crown" which was previously published as "Uneasy Lies the Head", is chronologically the earliest in her Tudors Series is about Henry VII. This novel is a renamed reissue.

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Fiction: Fantasy / Adventure About the Author: Robin Maxwell Robin Maxwell has written five works of fiction set in the Tudor Era: "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn", "Mademoiselle Boleyn", "Wild Irish", "Virgin: Prelude to the Throne", and "The Queen's Bastard". "To the Tower Born" involves "Princess Bessie" = Elizabeth of York, the future wife of Henry VII and beloved mother of Henry VIII.

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Fiction About the Author: Jean Plaidy [see above] Part of the "Tudor Princesses" Series

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Fiction About the author: Diane Haeger Diane Haeger left her doctorate program in clinical psychology in order to become a writer. Her first novel was entitled "Courtesan" about Diane de Poitier, famous mistress of Francois I, King of France. "The Secret Bride" follows the life of Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, her marriage to the king of France and her budding love affair with the Duke of Suffolk, Charles Brandon.

Submitted by: jsardonne Comments: I finished this one a while back and I found it a very good read. It is the story of Henry's sister Mary and Charles Brandon. Mary Tudor was a very strong willed woman, even willing to risk her brother's wrath to be with Charles. You had to cheer her on. Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:

Mary, Queen of France Historical Fiction Jean Plaidy Jean Plaidy wrote a lot of books (100+), this is part of her The Tudor Princesses series. ABOUT THIS BOOK Legendary historical novelist Jean Plaidy brings to life the story of Princess Mary Tudor, a celebrated beauty and born rebel who would defy the most powerful king in Europe—her older brother. Princess Mary Rose is the youngest sister of Henry VIII, and one of the few people whom he adores unconditionally. Known throughout Europe for her charm and good looks, Mary is the golden child of the Tudor family and is granted her every wish. Except when it comes to marriage. Henry VIII, locked in a political showdown with France, decides to offer up his pampered baby sister to secure peace between the two mighty kingdoms. Innocent, teenage Mary must become the wife of the elderly King Louis, a toothless, ailing man in his sixties. Horrified and furious, Mary has no choice but to sail for France. There she hones her political skills, bides her time, and remains secretly in love with Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk. When King Louis dies, after only two years of marriage, Mary is determined not to be sold into another unhappy union. She must act quickly; if she wants to be with the man she truly loves, she must defy the laws of church and state by marrying without her brother’s permission. Together, Mary and Charles devise a scheme to outwit the most ruthless king in Europe and gain their hearts’ desire, not knowing if it will lead to marital bliss or certain death.

Submitted by: VickiLovesCharles Comments: I love historical fiction, the blending of true characters, places and times with the addition of the fictional backstory is fantastic. Ms. Plaidy doesn't disappoint fans of Mary Tudors in this story. It's a good read, doesn't bog down, it's part of her The Tudor Princesses series and provides you with the story of Princess Mary Tudor, Queen of France, her first marriage to Louis, King of France, her interaction with Francois, future King of France and her second marriage to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. It portrays Mary as a young woman used by her older, scheming brother Henry VIII and her rebellion to be her own woman and marry the man she loves. Mary just wants to be married to Charles, live quietly away from court with her husband and children yet her life is tragically short as she dies at just 37 Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:

The King's Daughter: A Novel of the First Tudor Queen (Rose of York) Historical Fiction by Sandra Worth

Submitted by: Lady_Kathryne Comments: I really liked this book, about Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII's mother. From her childhood, the disappearance of her brothers the Princes in the Tower, to her death it was a very good read. Unfortunately, it is a very pro-Richard III book. Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:

Fiction About the Author: Alison Wier This is the first work of Fiction by Alison Weir, her second novel "The Lady Elizabeth" see reviews on the Elizabeth Tudor Fiction shelf. Reviews for Innocent Traitor: "A sensitive and fast pasted tale...Wier conveys the age's political intrigue, religious fanaticism, sexism." - USA Today "Every bit as good as anything [Phillipa] Gregory has ever done... Weir makes a familar story vibrant and fresh." - The Atlanta Journal Constitution	Submitted by: SemperEadem Comments: Alison Weir is traditionally known for her non-fiction books about the Tudors, but she makes a nice entrance into the world of fiction with Innocent Traitor. The book covers the short, sad life of Lady Jane Grey, daughter of Francis Brandon Grey (daughter of Charles Brandon!), and her doomed placement as the Nine Days Queen. Forced into taking the crown, Jane's story is told by those who influenced her life: Jane Grey herself, Francis Brandon Grey, Queen Mary, Catherine Parr, her nurse Mrs. Ellen, and the Duke of Northumberland. I felt Weir did a good job of staying to historical fact, except I tried to figure out why while I was reading it that it felt like I had read it before. I realized, halfway through, that it was because it felt like passages I had read from Weir's nonfiction books. However, this was fine for me since I like historical accuracy, but it might annoy people who like to "discover" characters and not be told about them. A few scenes are of Weir's contrivance, and she admits to it: for example, Jane Grey finds and delivers the dropped arrest warrant for Catherine Parr, ultimately helping the sixth wife to become the one that "survived," and Jane also is present for the burning of Anne Askew for heresy. However, these small liberties (which we don't know if Jane did or did not take part in), help to establish religious convictions and fears of death for Jane in the long run of the book. Weir also did a good job, I felt, of showing the religious feelings of both her Catholic and Protestant characters, although admittedly you will get more of the Protestant side since Jane narrates most of the story. Nevertheless, Weir does a good job of letting the Catholics share the feelings and opinions, too, and her Queen Mary is one of the best fiction depictions of the Queen during her early reign that I have read. A highly recommended book! Submitted by: Boudica Comments: To the Phillipa Gregory fans, this is the sort of book for readers who like a little fiction with their history, and not a little history with their fiction. Wier's "Innocent Traitor" is saturated in history, dates, names, and facts. Unless you are already familiar with the time period and the story line, it's hard to tell where the fiction lies (although Wier leans some assistance in her Author's Note at the back of the book). Wier's book succeeds at bringing long dead characters to life, creating a compelling narrative out of an already compelling story based on the inner machinations of court politics. Certainly Wier's book reads like a novel, I couldn't put it down as I reached the last 100 pages, but I kept thinking the author must have had such a hard time writing this book and letting go of the nonfiction genre. The content of the book is various streams of consciousness of various characters in Jane's life, but their thoughts sound more like scripted actors from a costumed historical reenactment than a candid, believable event. Certainly the book is creative and captivating in its content, but in Wier's execution I was a bit disappointed, I hope her style of writing improves in her next book. Submitted by: queen_elizabeth_1533 Comments: This book is entertaining and factual, and is worth the time to read it. Much of the book is based on historical fact; I could see pieces of Weir's nonfiction book The Children of Henry VIII as I read. However, it is every bit as exciting as any other historical novel I've read, even ones with completely wrong information that are supposed to be more entertaining. I loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone. Submitted by: Katharine_fanatic Comments: Allison Weir is fantastic at being historically accurate, but having this book leap from one point of view to another was very confusing to the reader (it was easy to forget who was talking) and I found myself skim reading anything that wasn't from Jane or Elizabeth or Mary's perspective. I was also shocked at the horrific, graphic, and brutal rape scene. I think that could have been written more delicately. Submitted by:HouseCat Comments: I have this book on order but I have read many of Weir's non-fiction book and I'm sure the facts will be legit. Whichever reader differentiated btwn (paraphrasing) a little hist. and a lot of fiction compared to history w/fiction makes a great point. If you don't like straight biography, etc but want to find out facts this kind of book should really help. Submitted by:yddib Comments:This is a great read. Very enjoyable and really transports you back to that period. It was so sad. Submitted by: Lady_Kathryne Comments: I really LOVED this book. Alison Weir is a great author and writer.
The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith Smith is the author of "A Rose for the Crown" and "Daughter of York". In "The King's Grace", the little known Grace Plantagenet, illegitimate daughter of Edward IV details the Perkin Warbeck crisis during the reign of Henry VII.	Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:
The Raven Queen by Pauline Francis. Description from Amazon. This is an powerful historical novel that brings to life an unforgettable story of love, hope and royal duty, from a hugely talented new author. The life of Lady Jane Grey, the nine day Queen, is all too often remembered as just a line in a history book, but this stunning debut novel reveals the full fascinating and tragic story -a tale of treachery, power struggles, and religopus turmoil in the Tudor court.	Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:
Fiction About the Author: Margaret Campbell Barnes (1891-1962) was a fantastic and wonderful historical fiction writer of several members of the Tudor Family. About the Book: From "Publisher's Weekly:" A magnificent portrait of Elizabeth of York, set against the dramatic background of fifteenth century England. Elizabeth, the only living descendant of Edward IV, has the most valuable possession in all of England—a legitimate claim to the crown. Two princes battle to win Britain's most rightful heiress for a bride and her kingdom for his own. On one side is her uncle Richard, the last Plantagenet King, whom she fears is the murderer of her two brothers, the would-be kings. On the other side is Henry Tudor, the exiled knight. Can he save her from a horrifying marriage to a cut-throat soldier? Thrust into the intrigue and drama of the War of the Roses, Elizabeth has a country within her grasp—if she can find the strength to unite a kingdom torn apart by a thirst for power. A richly drawn tale of the woman who launched one of the most dramatic dynasties England has ever seen, The Tudor Rose is a vibrant, imaginative look at the power of a queen.	Submitted by: WilesWales Comments: This book is written based on a great deal of historical fact, but the writer intertwines these into a capturing way as to include other things going on in the Queen's mind and life. I didn't know that there were any books available on her as I considered her a mystery, except for the fact that she is the Queen on every deck of cards. Ms. Barnes writes in such a way as to be so flowing that one can hardly put it down. It happily points to Henry saying he would name his daughter, "Elizabeth," who was the greatest English absolute monarch the country ever had before of after her. I was very disappointed when the book ended. Originally published in 1953, in 2009 it has been released again. A must for anyone who wants to know anything about her at all. It's a 10 out of 10! Submitted by: Comments: Submitted by: Comments:
The Red Queen By: Philippa Gregory	Submitted by: Lady-Demiya Comments: A very interesting book. Philippa has done a very good portrayal of a modest and highly religious woman. This is, in my opinion, one of Philippa's best books. Really worth reading if you love hearing about the War of the Roses/Cousins War. The story is based around Margaret Beaufort, mother to King Henry VII, and also I believed known as the Mother of the Tudor Dynasty.