As Henry VIII's only child, the future seemed golden for Princess Mary. She was the daughter of Henry's first queen, Katharine of Aragon, and was h...
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reviews
Nov 03, 2010
Rusty
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This is the story of Mary, firstborn daughter of King Henry VIII told by Plaidy in the voice of this tragic woman. Born to Katharine of Aragon and Henry VIII, she enjoys her father's affection, his scorn when he declares the marriage invalid and his daughter a bastard, and finally his affection again when she does what she must to please him and save her life. She believes that she has a greater purpose in life - to bring back the Catholic church to England. Her father's frail son, Edward, i
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Dec 06, 2011
Joyce
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Queen Mary's life is in many ways a tragedy. It is specially sad to see that after being under the shadow of her father for her whole life and finally gained control of her own life, she gave it up and let her husband take the lead. Perhaps she was too desperate for love, and too influenced by her void engagements in her childhood, and that leads to her wants for marriage and child. It's interesting to compare Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, as they shared similar childhood, yet showing such con
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Jun 28, 2010
Lindsey
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While this book was written with all of Plaidy's usual skill and talent, it was probably my least favorite in the series. Fascinating to see another side to Bloody Mary, the idea that her entire life was one pitiful attempt after another to simply be the sort of woman she thought God wanted her to be was incredibly depressing. It seems like the only good that ever came to her life was the hope that it would get better and small moments of kindness amid all the attempted murder or coercive acts
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Jun 18, 2011
Elisa
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This is a story of Mary, Henry VIII’s daughter with Katherine of Aragon. As a child, Mary has it all. She’s the king’s only child and it’s understood she’ll be inheriting the throne. But, the king divorces the queen, marries Anne Boleyn, and has another daughter, Elizabeth. Mary is declared illegitimate and she is constantly fighting for her place in court (and her place in line for the throne). By the time Henry VIII dies, he has a son, Edward. Edward dies young, and after a fight, Mary b
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May 20, 2010
Elena
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I really enjoyed this book until it actually started talking about the life of the supposedly main character of the book, Mary Tudor, the daughter of King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragona. From a good historical novel it turned into a sappy Harlequin. I was skipping page after page trying to find some interesting fact through all the long complaints on the loveless life of the poor queen!! Anyway, although it took forever to finish, I think Jane Plaidy is really good at making people like me
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Jul 26, 2010
Karla (Mossy Love Grotto)
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Mary was a frustrating figure in this book when I read it, but now that I've learned more about England's history, she had a huge shadow looming over her wrt to the concept of a female monarch. The stench from the civil war between Maude and Stephen 400 years earlier still lingered in English memory, and Mary's own failings certainly did her no favors. I'm just going on memory for this book, but I really enjoyed it at the time.
Sep 08, 2010
Natalie
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How can someone take one of the most interesting periods of history and make it this boring??
I was hoping to get a intriguing, interesting, fiery(no pun intended!) story of the infamous "Bloody Mary." Instead I found a passive whiney brat.
And the writing was lacking. It was like hearing a boring story from your 103 year old great-aunt many years after the fact instead of an in-the-moment exciting account.
Do yourself a favor, skip over this.
I was hoping to get a intriguing, interesting, fiery(no pun intended!) story of the infamous "Bloody Mary." Instead I found a passive whiney brat.
And the writing was lacking. It was like hearing a boring story from your 103 year old great-aunt many years after the fact instead of an in-the-moment exciting account.
Do yourself a favor, skip over this.
May 06, 2011
A good friend highly recommends Jean Plaidy's historical fiction books...so I'm excited to dive into this when I get the chance!
May 20, 2011
Ashley
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This novel about the life of Mary I, also known as, Bloody Mary, was a very sympathetic view on her, and thought it seemed more of an account of her life rather than a story with a plot, it was simply amazing. Of course, no one can deny she was wrong for the burnings of Protestants, this book moves into her mind and gives you an insight as to why she might have done so. She really thought she was doing the right thing, much like how her father believed he was doing the right thing in divorcing a
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Jan 30, 2009
Megan
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You only hear the negative side of "bloody Mary" But this book explains her life and you can understand all of her.
Nov 14, 2010
Ashlee
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Like all the other Plaidy Tudor saga novels I liked it. Read it a long time ago so don't remember a lot.
Feb 02, 2010
Linwe
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Great story of Henry VIII's daughter Mary, interesting characters and great attention to detail.
Mar 28, 2011
Heather
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What always amazes me about Jean Plaidy books is how she could write in the voices of all these famous women and never stray into sparklepoo territory. This Mary was sometimes admirable, sometimes pitiable, and sometimes delusional, but she was never perfect. Good stuff.
Aug 21, 2010
Ana
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I really liked it. I felt for Mary (until she started burning people at the stake) and it was fascinating to see Henry's life through the eyes of his first daughter.
Apr 20, 2009
Wendy
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The book is historical fiction and Plaidy definitely takes some artistic license, however it's well written and entertaining.
Aug 29, 2011
Redsteve
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Pretty good and she stayed pretty close to the historical record. My only quibble is that Plaidy had a Queen Mary who was devout, but in my opinion, in a much more modern, even-handed sort of way than I believe she (and, to be honest, most people in the 16th Century) was. Queen probably more zealous than potrayed.
Sep 12, 2011
Sonya
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Great book, from the first person point of view of poor Bloody Mary, aka Queen Mary I of England. Although its in her voice you can see through it into the delusion she most definitely lived in. Her life was sad and lonely and her reign was a disaster, yet her story is fascinating. A great read, like all Jean Plaidy's books.
Jan 15, 2008
Vanessa
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This story is about "Bloody Mary" Henry VIII daughter who become Queen after his only son dies at a young age. Mary fought for England to return to Catholism and there was much blood shed along the way.
Sep 08, 2008
Audrey
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I found this book tedious and hard to keep track of characters. I found Mary very pitiful in that she lived her whole life trying to escape the plans of others to kill her or overthrow her.
Apr 03, 2008
Missy Zell
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About Bloody Mary, Henry 8th’s first daughter who killed many reformist protestant people who would not conform to the traditional catholic religion and give the power back to the pope.
Jul 28, 2008
Michelle
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This book sheds more light onto Henry VIII after the time of Anne Boelyn. It is the story of his first daughter Mary by Catherine of Aragon. Very interesting.
Oct 09, 2008
I just couldnt get into this book. I tried and tried, but I couldnt make it past about page 150.
Jun 10, 2008
I never actually finished this book. I lost it when I was about 2/3 of the way through.
Aug 14, 2008
Emily
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It really brought history to life for me. Very interesting and educational!
Mar 17, 2008
Tasha
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Not as good as the Phillipa Gregory books, but still a great historical fiction
