book data
167 ratings,
3.44
average rating, 40 reviews
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published
March 4th 2009
by Pocket
(first published 2009)
details
Paperback, 372 pages
setting
isbn
1416583203
(isbn13: 9781416583202)
description
Beautiful. Seductive. Innocent. Jane Popyncourt was brought to the court as a child to be ward of the king and a companion to his daughters -- the pri…more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 444)
All ratings
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5 stars (17)
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4 stars (63)
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3 stars (67)
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2 stars (17)
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1 star (3)
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avg 3.44
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in March, 2009
(3.5) Emerson's first book in what I believe is going to be a series set during the Tudor period is based upon Jane Popyncourt, a member of the Tudor Court and of whom very little is known, giving the author more leeway to craft her tale. When the French King dies mysteriously Jane's mother flees to England with her daughter and seeks shelter with her twin brother at Henry VII's court. Jane is taken to Eltham to be raised with the royal children and after the mysterious death of her mother she i...more
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Read in April, 2009
Actually, 2.5 stars (average). Overall, a light fluffy read with an interesting storyline that failed to live up to its potential. Few facts are known about the real Jane Popyncourt, giving the author quite a bit of creative latitude which she fails to take advantage of. The big mystery as to why Jane and her mother left France was weak and not very interesting. Since the author admits to making it up, it really could have been so much more spectacular.
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3 comments
Read in May, 2009
(4.5) I was REALLY reluctant to not give this 5 stars, but I’m trying to not be such a softie on the ratings. The flow stalled occasionally and it’s a bit of a slow start but it is most definitely worth the read if you fit into my recommended to section.
I’ve read a fair amount of Tudor history novels, and also check out that section in Barnes and Noble/ Borders, and I’ve got say, this is probably the most original premise, the most original heroine, I’ve read or heard of concern...more
I’ve read a fair amount of Tudor history novels, and also check out that section in Barnes and Noble/ Borders, and I’ve got say, this is probably the most original premise, the most original heroine, I’ve read or heard of concern...more
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Read in March, 2009
recommends it for:
Tudor Fans
Kate Emerson veers off her normal routine by tackling the dramas of the Tudor Court with this new novel. Jane Popyncourt's life is fictionalized in this fun novel although she truly was a ward of King Henry VII. We are introduced to Jane Popyncourt as a young girl fleeing her home France to seek refuge in England with the King. Jane is young enough to not question how it is that she has this privilege, although as a reader that is in the back of our minds, we are just made aware there is a famil...more
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Read in June, 2009
Author Kate Emerson has picked the Tudor Court during Henry the VIII's reign as the setting for her novel "Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace." I absolutely adore historical fiction (former "Dear America" junkie here) so the premise for this book was quite appealing. However, this book is an example of the good idea that's needs better execution (perhaps on the guillotine, non?).
For starters, Emerson could have tried harder not to give away the love i...more
For starters, Emerson could have tried harder not to give away the love i...more
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It has been awhile since I have read a book regarding the court of Henry VIII and this was the perfect book to return to that time period. I enjoyed Jane as the main character and despite her naivety at the beginning of the book she surprised me at how she was able to navigate Henry’s court. I was actually surprised that Jane was portrayed at being such good friends with so many males without being the target of more venomous gossip regarding her morals.
Although references are ...more
Although references are ...more
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Read in April, 2009
Like The Other Boleyn Girl this book gives the reader a glimpse of life in the Tudor court from the imagined prospective of a minor figure in history. Although we know very little about Jane, we do know that she was a witness to an era that continues to fascinate people nearly five hundred years later. Henry VIII and his court changed the way governments work and the relationship between church and state.
This book gives the readers a glimpse of what it might have been like to hav...more
This book gives the readers a glimpse of what it might have been like to hav...more
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Read in March, 2010
Young Jane (Jeanne) Popyncourt and her mother were hastily forced to flee the French court after the mysterious death of King Charles. They sought refuge in England at the court of King Henry VII where Jane was placed in the royal nursery to befriend and converse in French with the young princesses Margaret and Mary. At the age of eight, Jane couldn't comprehend why she had to leave her home and now live apart from her mother for the first time. When her mother's unexpected death occurs only mon...more
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Read in December, 2009
I've seen Jane Popyncourt mentioned in other Tudor bio-fictions and was interested in reading more about her. Not a huge amount is known about the real Jane. The author of this book notes the facts of her life at the end of the book, and then explains why she took the story the way she did.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the way the known facts were filled out in a believable way. Why did Jane and her mother come to England? Why was Jane favoured over others as a little girl? What happ...more
I enjoyed this book. I liked the way the known facts were filled out in a believable way. Why did Jane and her mother come to England? Why was Jane favoured over others as a little girl? What happ...more
Read in April, 2009
The fictional story on Jane Popyncourt, who served at the courts of Henry VII and VIII as a French tutor to Princesses Margaret & Mary and also served Queen Catherine.
Possibly it is just because I am used to reading mysteries but the story lacked much suspense for the first 2/3rds of the book. It was an interesting enough 'oh this is how they lived' sort of thing as time seriously began to pass, but it very much felt like a plot set up that went on for too long. Once Jane starts look...more
Possibly it is just because I am used to reading mysteries but the story lacked much suspense for the first 2/3rds of the book. It was an interesting enough 'oh this is how they lived' sort of thing as time seriously began to pass, but it very much felt like a plot set up that went on for too long. Once Jane starts look...more
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Read in March, 2009
This was a really great historical book. It is based on the life of a woman who was in the inner circle of Henry VIII. The book takes place at the very beginning of Henry VIII's reign when he is first married to Katherine of Aragon. It is a fascinating glimpse into the early years of Henry the eighth and the different social classes that existed at that time.
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Read in February, 2009
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I read this on vacation a month or so ago. I generally really like these historical pieces and thought that this book was an ok - light sort of read. I did notice that the story premise, while interesting, didn't hold my attention and a month later now, I had to remind myself what the book was about.
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Read in April, 2009
recommended to Donna Jo by:
Lorie
A fictionalize account of Jan Popyncourt, who in real life, may or may not have been one of Henry VIII's early mistresses.
This is a good book and if you like romantic tales like The Other Boleyn Girl you will enjoy this one. The emphasis is somewhat less on Henry and a little more on his sister Mary.
This is a good book and if you like romantic tales like The Other Boleyn Girl you will enjoy this one. The emphasis is somewhat less on Henry and a little more on his sister Mary.
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Read in March, 2010
I liked this first book of a series. I went ahead and ordered the second book before I finished the 1st. Supposedly, the story does not continue on with the same characters. We'll see. I did learn some things about some "real" people that I had not been aware of (some lesser royals). All in all, I would recommend it to another Tudor lover, possibly not to others.
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Read in December, 2009
The title of this book made me pretty embarrassed to have this book on my Goodreads shelf. It was, however, a good read. (ha!) This is yet another view of the Tudor court, as lived and seen and experienced by Jane Popyncourt, a real person, but fictionalized here.
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Read in June, 2009
This is a nice piece of historical fluff. I usually like something a little more historically based, but this is historically acurate with a frilly romantic story attached. This is a great beach book, and worth reading for the entertainment factor.
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Read in September, 2009
Sadly, I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. Before reading this novel I did read a couple of very strong well written novels from Anya Seton and Mary Sharratt, perhaps my standards were a little high from the beginning. I could easily put this book down, primarily because in my opinion, the characters never develop. I love books that truly touch my feelings and where I feel along with the main character. There was too much emphasis on what the members of the court were wearing and a...more
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Read in January, 2010
Interesting peek into court life during the reign of Henry VIII. It would be helpful to read other books of the period to have a general idea of characters and events referred to in the book. I was a bit dissapointed how conveniently the book wrapped up the last details of the story. Nonetheless, an easy and enjoyable read.
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Read in April, 2009
recommends it for:
Anyone who enjoys Historical Fictions based on the Tudor time period.
This was a very good first book from this author on the Tudor time period. It was a nice change to read it from the view point of a lady in waiting. This one focuses on her life and also more on the side of Mary Tudor, Henry VIIIs little sister. I am looking forward to the next installment.
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