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The Irish Princess
by
Karen Harper (Goodreads Author)
A grand-scale historical novel from the national bestselling author of "Mistress Shakespeare."
Born into a first family of Ireland, with royal ties on both sides, Elizabeth Fitzgerald-known as Gera-finds her world overturned when Henry VIII imprisons her father, the Earl of Kildare, and brutally destroys her family. Torn from the home she loves, her remaining family scatt...more
Born into a first family of Ireland, with royal ties on both sides, Elizabeth Fitzgerald-known as Gera-finds her world overturned when Henry VIII imprisons her father, the Earl of Kildare, and brutally destroys her family. Torn from the home she loves, her remaining family scatt...more
ebook, 416 pages
Published
February 1st 2011
by Not Avail
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The Fitzgeralds were considered Irish royalty when the English Tudors deposed them in 1533. Harper follows the young Elizabeth Fitzgerald from the imprisonment of her father in the Tower of London and the siege of her family’s castle to the execution of her half brother and five uncles in London.
Gera, as she was called, was determined to exact revenge on the Tudors—especially Henry VIII, and eventually positioned herself in the epicenter of English Royal court and becomes a lady-in-waiting fo...more
Gera, as she was called, was determined to exact revenge on the Tudors—especially Henry VIII, and eventually positioned herself in the epicenter of English Royal court and becomes a lady-in-waiting fo...more
I really enjoy historical fiction. The author called this story"faction", she researched Elizabeth Fitzgerald and Edward Clinton and used the facts and filled in with what she thought the characters would say and do. I thought that was a good description of historical fiction. I liked the main character Elizabeth, Gera. She was a from the Fitzferald family, in Maynooth Ireland at the time of Henry VIII. The Fitzgeralds were treated badly by Henry (surprise, surprise). Gera ends up in England and...more
Gera is one of those heroines who has a one track mind. Desperate to regain her family’s throne, Gera desires to return to Ireland come hell or high water. Usually this type of single mindedness annoys me. Somehow, in Gera, I found it exciting.
The Irish Princess also adds the added romance factor that has been getting me through a lot of books lately. Although I would never label this book as a romance read, in The Irish Princess Gera learns to couple her passion for her love of country and her...more
The Irish Princess also adds the added romance factor that has been getting me through a lot of books lately. Although I would never label this book as a romance read, in The Irish Princess Gera learns to couple her passion for her love of country and her...more
"The Irish Princess" is a historical novel set in 1533-1559 in Ireland and England. The story appeared to be very well-researched, and the author said she kept true to the facts about Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald and simply filled in with fiction what history didn't record. The author did an excellent job of weaving historical details into the story without ever slipping into a history lecture. The vivid setting and historical details brought the story alive in my imagination.
While it seemed like...more
While it seemed like...more
I really liked this book and I'm glad that I read it. It is a historical Tudor era novel, but is about more peripheral characters than you usually get. (For example Queen Elizabeth is a minor character instead of one of the main ones). Actually a lot of the things that happen in the book really did happen. I ended up really liking the main character, Gera. I thought that the book started out slowly which is why I gave it 4 stars. The rest of the book is a 5. I liked that Gera evolved and didn't...more
The Irish Princess by Karen Harper
Historical Romance - Feb 1st, 2011
4 stars
Elizabeth “Gera” Fitzgerald and her family are the unofficial royalty of Ireland. Under the chilling rule of King Henry VIII, her father must be careful not to cross the king’s ire. Even so, he is eventually summoned to London and thrown into the Tower where he died. At the age of 10, Gera’s entire life suddenly changes that year. With her father’s death, her oldest brother starts a revolution against the Tudor King. Her...more
Historical Romance - Feb 1st, 2011
4 stars
Elizabeth “Gera” Fitzgerald and her family are the unofficial royalty of Ireland. Under the chilling rule of King Henry VIII, her father must be careful not to cross the king’s ire. Even so, he is eventually summoned to London and thrown into the Tower where he died. At the age of 10, Gera’s entire life suddenly changes that year. With her father’s death, her oldest brother starts a revolution against the Tudor King. Her...more
This is the second of Karen Harper's books that I've read, and I continue to be impressed by her work. The Irish Princess was a bit slow in the first few pages, but once I accustomed myself to the characters, I could hardly bear to put the book down. Gera was an absolutely fascinating heroine, and I loved reading about her adventures during the reigns of the Tudor monarchs.
(view spoiler)...more
(view spoiler)...more
Ehhh I had a hard time getting into this. It's not that it's written poorly, and Harper definitely did her research; when it comes to historical fiction, I always check for a bibliography.
I guess I didn't like that Harper bought into the whole "red-headed Irish temper rebel girl" stereotype that I feel like I've read a million times. Also, the main character, Gera, as well as her supporting cast, are very one-dimensional. Everyone fits into one role; good, evil, love interest, and so on. Gera a...more
I guess I didn't like that Harper bought into the whole "red-headed Irish temper rebel girl" stereotype that I feel like I've read a million times. Also, the main character, Gera, as well as her supporting cast, are very one-dimensional. Everyone fits into one role; good, evil, love interest, and so on. Gera a...more
I was actually disappointed in this one. After reading Karen Harper's The Queen's Governess, I found myself a fan of her approach to history and how she brought the past to life. Though I wouldn't say Harper is my favorite historical author out there, I enjoyed reading here and wanted to read more. So, of course, I put The Irish Princess on hold as soon as it popped up at the library. But when I got it, however, I soon found that it just wasn't that good. Perhaps I had over hyped it in my mind o...more
Feb 18, 2012
Lindsay
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
never-finished,
read-in-2012
Reading this book for the Historical Fictionista's book club read. This would not have been my first choice and indeed was not even my third but my resolution is to participate more in the book club and participate I shall.
Ugggg! That's it, I tap out. I madeit more than three quarters of the way through this book and I won't waste another moment. I enjoyed the dialoge and the romance story was vaguely interesting. The rest needed much tuning!
The main character started by being childish and when...more
Ugggg! That's it, I tap out. I madeit more than three quarters of the way through this book and I won't waste another moment. I enjoyed the dialoge and the romance story was vaguely interesting. The rest needed much tuning!
The main character started by being childish and when...more
This book is regarding Elizabeth Fitzgerald.
'Lady Gera'
She is the daughter of the 8th Earl of Kildare, who has been taken by King Henry VIII and has been charges with treason.
Along with his entire family.
Gera's dad, half brother, and uncles, have all been killed in the tower of london, and Gera and her mother and sisters are forced to leave their home in Kildare, Ireland, and forced to become part of King Henry's court, even though they would like nothing else than to see him killed for his...more
'Lady Gera'
She is the daughter of the 8th Earl of Kildare, who has been taken by King Henry VIII and has been charges with treason.
Along with his entire family.
Gera's dad, half brother, and uncles, have all been killed in the tower of london, and Gera and her mother and sisters are forced to leave their home in Kildare, Ireland, and forced to become part of King Henry's court, even though they would like nothing else than to see him killed for his...more
Feb 07, 2011
Rio (Lynne)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
I thought I was Tudored out, but this book tells the story of people that I was not familiar with. Elizabeth Fitzgerald's family was beheaded for treason because of an uprising in Ireland and we all know Henry 8th didn't allow anyone the opportunity to overthrow him. Elizabeth came to England after her family was overthrown and was forced to live among those that killed her family all the while hoping for revenge one day and to hopefully see her family brought back to power in Ireland. Karen Har...more
Jun 21, 2012
Jayme Swallow
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
uk
Karen Harper's The Irish Princess introduced me to Elizabeth Fitzgerald, the uncrowned Irish Princess of Tudor times and rule. The Fitzgeralds and Henry VIII don't exactly get along, and that leads to quite a few visits to the Tower of London for the Fitzgerald men. Elizabeth, or Gera, is also forced to relocate to London so Henry VIII and his men can keep an eye on her and her family.
I enjoyed The Irish Princess; it was nice to be introduced to a new character and storyline. I feel like Harper...more
I enjoyed The Irish Princess; it was nice to be introduced to a new character and storyline. I feel like Harper...more
This was fun historical fiction & based on a real person-- even down to when she was in her 30's & commited an act of piracy on Queen Elizabeth's behalf, which would have seemed very silly if it wasn't based on a recorded event. It's more romantic than realistic, and there are too many references to "streaming red hair" (which works at sea only if you're facing the wind, and flat out blinds you if you're looking any other direction) and "for Ireland and the Fitzgeralds," and the author s...more
Dec 01, 2011
Sarah Wagner
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
england,
historical-fiction
A fun read about Gera Fitzgerald, the daughter of a powerful 16th-century Irish clan which falls afoul of Henry VIII. Gera spends much of her life in exile in England, struggling to restore her family's rights and to enact her revenge on those who destroyed her loved ones. In the process, she also encounters the dashing sea captain Edward Clinton, who helps her make her peace with the Tudor dynasty. I found this novel a fascinating introduction to a very interesting Tudor figure I had not encoun...more
Karen Harper is a good storyteller. The opening sentences were really good and incited my interest in the story. Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald was a historical personage who lived during Tudor times. In "The Irish Princess" Gera tells her story from the age of ten to approximately thirty-one. In between those years she lives a lifetime of experiences.
I felt that the story flowed well, but some of Gera's actions do seem a little unbelievable and out of sorts with true historical behavior for gentle...more
I felt that the story flowed well, but some of Gera's actions do seem a little unbelievable and out of sorts with true historical behavior for gentle...more
The Irish Princess was an easy read however it was not a book I enjoyed for a few specific reasons. The main character Gera harbors a deep seated hate for Henry 8th (for good reason). Her talk and feelings aside she is a very passive character even for the time period until the end of the novel. When the character starts to be more active in the plot it was to me through unbelievable circumstances. Also the personalities of certain characters like Mary Tudor changed seemingly at random with no t...more
This books is an easy read. I love historical fiction--especially about Great Britain. This novel is written almost at a young adult level--nothing wrong with that--but it has been merchandised as an adult novel. Too much of the novel is telling instead of showing--not much depth--a lot of shallow narration. The story is an excellent one that could have and would have made a more serious adult read. The characters are appealing--but some are well drawn and others are quite flat. Some of the plot...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I enjoy a good historical fiction novel. The author calls it a "historical faction" meaning most is fact while some stuff was added to keep the story running smoothly. Of course I was googling the people in this book as soon as I finished!
This story was about Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald .. from a noble family in Ireland in the 1500s, and who would more than likely have been the royal family if not for the stinken English (seriously, they caused problems for everyone back in the day!) Henry VIII...more
This story was about Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald .. from a noble family in Ireland in the 1500s, and who would more than likely have been the royal family if not for the stinken English (seriously, they caused problems for everyone back in the day!) Henry VIII...more
I would have given the book 4 stars, but the beginning was a bit hard to get into. By the middle I couldn't put it down, and overall it was a good book. I loved the heroine's fiery temper and fierce determination as she navigates her way through the political web of King Henry's court. Her goal is to get close to him to bring him down and get her revenge for the atrocities committed against her family. However, with all the intrigue and plotting there is a good dose of romance too as she finds h...more
Yet another book set in the time of Henry VIII. This one is about a woman born to the Fitzgeralds in Ireland who's hotheaded brother gets the family attainted by Henry VIII and himself and his uncles beheaded. Elizabeth Gera Fitzgerald decides she will revenge her family by killing the King. Apparently this book is very factual - it reads like an epic romp that I didn't believe that even half of it was true. So huzzah to Karen Harper for a fun, fast, factual read.
Spencer picked this off the shelf for me. It's a historical novel - you know, based on real people from history... not usually my sort of thing, but I did finish this one, which is why I'm rating it three stars instead of two. I think it's pretty good... if you go in for that sort of thing, which I don't really (I hate how I always feel like I'm bracing myself for the next tragedy when I read this sort of book), so I do recommend it. If you like historical novels.
Jan 08, 2012
Jodi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
historical fiction fans
Recommended to Jodi by:
Marika Chronister
Shelves:
books-about-england,
historical-fiction
I love historical fiction that has a touch of intrigue, a little mystery and a little romance. This book had all that and was a quick, enjoyable read. I have read a lot about Tudor England and especially about all the wives of Henry VIII. I have read a variety of books from various points of view with different key players in King Henry's court and this book presented yet another side - that of the would-be Irish princess, Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald, if it wasn't for the King of England stealin...more
Interestingly (to me, anyway) I read a book about King Henry VIII's mistress and the mother of his "baseborn" son, Bessie Blount earlier this year. Without knowing it, this is the story of her husband's third wife, Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald.
Nothing stellar, but interesting all the same. I enjoyed seeing the Tudor court through the eyes of an Irish woman, although her obsession with revenge was a bit tiring.
All in all, a pleasant read about a fairly unknown character in English History.
Nothing stellar, but interesting all the same. I enjoyed seeing the Tudor court through the eyes of an Irish woman, although her obsession with revenge was a bit tiring.
All in all, a pleasant read about a fairly unknown character in English History.
Very fun read. I've been reading all about the Tudor time period the last few months and when I saw this book I was really hesitant cuz it wasnt about the Tudor family per say but an outside force. However the gorgeous book cover drew me in and I'm so glad it did. It def brought me out of my "Tudor family only" mindset and has pushed me into the open. The lead character is absolutely enthralling. Her courage and force makes u want to be a Fitzgerald and start yelling "A Geraldine, A Geraldine!"...more
Set during the reign of Henry VIII this is great historical read, it touches on some of the interesting historical characters around him that often aren't mentioned much including Elizabeth Fitzgerald-known as Gera, the main character of the book. And though it is not a romance it has romance elements. It's a fast compelling read and historically accurate and I highly recommend it.
I appreciated this book for the fact that it tells a story I haven't read much about in my historical fiction endeavors, that of Gera and the Fitzgeralds of Ireland. It is focused on Tudor England but gives another perspective from a courtier with a fascinating past of her own. I liked the main character, Gera, and enjoyed the love story as well.
3.5 stars!
This book is ridiculously well written. The author obviously knows her history and is talented at retelling a story from 100's of years ago to an audience today.
The heroine is captivating and likeable, and the period (Tudor history) is enchanting all on it's own.
If people are fans of historical fiction, especially Tudor history, then I encourage them to pick up this book.
P.S. The cover is gorgeous too!
This book is ridiculously well written. The author obviously knows her history and is talented at retelling a story from 100's of years ago to an audience today.
The heroine is captivating and likeable, and the period (Tudor history) is enchanting all on it's own.
If people are fans of historical fiction, especially Tudor history, then I encourage them to pick up this book.
P.S. The cover is gorgeous too!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Irish woman with a lot of 'gumption' plans to assassinate King Henry VIII for killing her family. She ingratiates herself into the Tudor Court where she befriends both princess Mary and Elizabeth. A lot of fascinating Tudor history...and, oh yes, there is a 'swarthy' sea captain.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Historical Fictio...: Feb/Mar '12 Group Read: The Irish Princess by Karen Harper | 25 | 113 | Mar 17, 2012 04:14pm |
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scott...more
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