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I am now a condemned traitor . . . I am to die when I have hardly begun to live.
Historical expertise marries page-turning fiction in Alison We... read full description
Historical expertise marries page-turning fiction in Alison We... read full description
reviews
Apr 17, 2011
booklady
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Lady Jane Grey, the grand niece of Henry VIII, and queen of England for just over a week in 1553 is the subject of Innocent Traitor, Alison Weir’s first work of historical fiction. With over ten works of history to her credit, Weir is one of my favorite British Renaissance and Reformation historians mostly because she presents the Catholic and Protestant theological differences of the era in an impartial manner without resorting to inflammatory or stereotypical rhetoric.
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Jan 26, 2009
Chris
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Innocent Traitor is good historical fiction that isn't smutted up. The only real problem is the multiple points of view. It is not there are too many speakers, but that too many speakers sound alike. There does not seem to be that much difference in tone between Katherine Parr and Frances Brandon in tone. This could be explained by the education that woman received, but some difference in tone would be nice. The only voice that really stands out in this regard is the voice of Mrs Ellen, La
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May 28, 2009
CaterinaAnna
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I enjoyed this book, sad and flawed as it was. I knew the bare outline of the life of Lady Jane Grey, although, in spite of having read some version or other of Foxe's Book of Martyrs several times in my childhood, had forgotten that she is considered a martyr by the Anglican Church. It was therefore interesting to read a more detailed version of her story. Yes, I know the account is fictional but with such a reknowned historian writing we can be fairly certain that the events, if not the motive
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Jun 02, 2008
Stacey
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Most people have never heard of the queen who reigned for 9 days after the son of Henry VIII died. It is a shame because I have always found the story of how Lady Jane Grey, great niece to King Henry VIII and girl of 16, was placed on the throne after Edward's death and bypassed Mary and Elizabeth's right to the throne as one of the more intriguing stories about the infamous Tudor family and the efforts taken to keep England a protestant country. Little did Jane know that her parents and Queen K
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May 25, 2008
Yosafbridg
rated it:
of the blood. . .I think i might have mentioned once or twice that i am a tudorphile. As such, i have read (and own) many of Alison Weir’s excellent histories. So i was rather excited to hear of her debut novel Innocent Traitor (which may sound like a Nora Roberts title but is actually the story of the rather tragic nine day reign of Lady Jane Grey). The story is told from multiple points of view from various members of the Tudor court (the prologue, told from Jane's point of view, waiting in th
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Mar 09, 2008
Brianna
rated it:
Pros: strong female characters, solid basis in history, intriguing discourse on the Protestant vs Catholic ways of thought and rule
Cons: I found the protagonist's obsession (in the form of fear) with beheadings a bit of an eye-roller. We all know what is in store for Lady Jane; does it have to be alluded to in every chapter?
Other: (1) I found Jane's mother interesting in that she was a strong, ambitious female without want of the crown. I would love to explore the tr More...
Cons: I found the protagonist's obsession (in the form of fear) with beheadings a bit of an eye-roller. We all know what is in store for Lady Jane; does it have to be alluded to in every chapter?
Other: (1) I found Jane's mother interesting in that she was a strong, ambitious female without want of the crown. I would love to explore the tr More...
Dec 10, 2007
Atul
rated it: 
It’s much better if you love history. Even if you don’t, the format of the book should compensate for the lack of interest in historical books. This is not historical fiction, though the writer (Alison Weir) has taken the liberty of imagination at certain points, and to good effect.
The places where the text adds imaginative adornments are described at the end of the book, so, if you are persnickety about poetic license, you wouldn’t be too upset.
Personally, interest in th More...
The places where the text adds imaginative adornments are described at the end of the book, so, if you are persnickety about poetic license, you wouldn’t be too upset.
Personally, interest in th More...
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Sep 10, 2007
Sarah
rated it: 
Take my review of Innocent Traitor with a grain of salt. I am an infrequent reader of historical fiction especially ones based around monarchs. So I came to this book already feeling skeptical.
Innocent Traitor covers the life and death of Lady Jane Grey, known sometimes as the "nine day queen" for her brief reign before Mary. With all the political machinations on the various sides all vying for the throne should make for an interesting novel but throughout the novel I fou More...
Innocent Traitor covers the life and death of Lady Jane Grey, known sometimes as the "nine day queen" for her brief reign before Mary. With all the political machinations on the various sides all vying for the throne should make for an interesting novel but throughout the novel I fou More...
Jan 13, 2009
Amanda
rated it: 
I'm not sure what it is, exactly, but Weir's writing style makes me nuts. I can't read her. I've tried three times now and never made it more than a quarter of the way through the book. My s-i-l, normally a woman with decent taste in books, swears by her and in fact loaned me this book and "The Lady Elizabeth." And I know lots of people like her style... I wish I could pin point what about this make me cringe. But her language use just leaves me flat, bored, and irritable.
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Feb 12, 2009
Sarah
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Once again I am reminded how much I enjoy learning history through historical novels. I was engrossed and appalled at Jane Grey's story. The story of the British crown and the politics of religion are shocking and horrifically engrossing!
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Feb 18, 2009
Chelle
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I read this book after reading The Lady Elizabeth which was Weir's second novel. I enjoyed this first effort much more. According to family legend we are descended from the Dudleys of Lady Jane Grey fame (at least I think so, the actual family legend is that we are related to her). This is an unsubstantiated (I believe) claim though but enough to pique my interest. In many accounts Lady Jane is weak and easily manipulated or she is a cunning traitor and willing participant. Here she is stro
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Jan 16, 2009
Megan
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I was excited when I first learned of this book. There is so little known about Jane Grey, so for some reason I was under the impression that this book was the result of years of research. Boy, was I wrong. It doesn't really reveal much more about Jane Grey and her life than what is shown in the movie "Lady Jane"
That would be tolerable, but it just isn't written very well. All of the characters have the same voice. Weir's attempt to tell the story from different angles doesn't w More...
That would be tolerable, but it just isn't written very well. All of the characters have the same voice. Weir's attempt to tell the story from different angles doesn't w More...
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Dec 22, 2011
Justine
rated it: 
Alison Weir takes an interesting, unique look at the life of Jane Grey 'the Nine Days Queen' and pays particularly close attention to Jane's relationship with her husband, fellow traitor Guildford Dudley.
This is the first of Weir's novels. She is better known as being a pop historian of Tudor history, and in my opinion, she should stick to the novels. Weir has little training as a historian (she lacks the PhD, which begs the question whether she can even be labeled as a historian at More...
This is the first of Weir's novels. She is better known as being a pop historian of Tudor history, and in my opinion, she should stick to the novels. Weir has little training as a historian (she lacks the PhD, which begs the question whether she can even be labeled as a historian at More...
Apr 07, 2011
Padma
rated it:
As a true history geek I am always skeptical of historical fiction. However, having read a few of Weir's historical books on the Tudors I was intrigued in how she would do in the fictional realm. I have to say that her fictional books are just as exceptional as her historical ones. Weir makes a point to note where she embellished the facts in order to make the read juicier, something I found refreshing since most authors don't want to show where they altered the facts or lacked the clarity to kn
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Feb 25, 2011
Erik
rated it:
In-between the short reigns of Edward and Mary, two of Henry VIII’s progeny, there was Lady Jane Grey, a cousin of theirs, who ruled for a mere nine days. My first heads-up about her (after running across her name on some list of British royalty) was in the film Lady Jane with Helena Bonham-Carter in the title role. As the first daughter of Frances Brandon (daughter of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s sister, and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk) and Henry Grey, Jane was deliberately hoisted onto the th
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Jun 08, 2010
Courtney
rated it:
Historic fiction based in Tudor England is my (slightly) guilty pleasure, because its usually filled with court intrigue, gossip, romance and dirty secrets. This book had the usual court intrigue and the familiar Tudor characters, but did not have as much romance as I had hoped for, due to the fact that Weir actually stuck to the true story of Lady Jane's life as we know it historically.
I was very impressed by Weir's ability to marry history and fiction though, and as a historian, More...
I was very impressed by Weir's ability to marry history and fiction though, and as a historian, More...
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May 23, 2010
Monique
rated it:
Wow...okay just added a new author to my lists of favorites, Alison Weir now joins Phillippa Gregory and Margaret George as some of my favorite historical fiction authors.. This book was about one of my favorite time periods of history--the Tudor dynasty and the drama, romance and royal misdoings by King Henry VII, his wives, and his children. In this novel the King has passed away and the son from Queen Jane Seymour, Prince Edward becomes King, however Edward is a sickly boy and doesnt live pas
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Jan 24, 2010
Lushbug
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Tudor Tragedy, 27 Jul 2009
Alison Weir is a well respected historian who has written many biographies of the Tudors so she really does know her stuff about this turbulent bloody period. This book concentrates on Jane Grey who was Queen of England for a few days when Edward dies before she is usurped by the rightful Queen Mary. As we all know she met a gruesome end and its so sad as she really was a More...
Tudor Tragedy, 27 Jul 2009
Alison Weir is a well respected historian who has written many biographies of the Tudors so she really does know her stuff about this turbulent bloody period. This book concentrates on Jane Grey who was Queen of England for a few days when Edward dies before she is usurped by the rightful Queen Mary. As we all know she met a gruesome end and its so sad as she really was a More...
Oct 10, 2009
Steven
rated it:
Lady Jane Grey was born as a disappointment—a daughter instead of a son. Her mother said upon her birth in this historical novel (Page 5): “I should be joyful, thanking God for the arrival of a lusty child. Instead my spirits plummet. All this—for nothing.” Daughter of Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk and Frances Brandon, grand-daughter of King Henry VII and related to King Henry VIII, her parents’ ambition dominated Jane’s life. Her parents’ goal? A marriage that would bring the family power. The o
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May 20, 2009
Patty
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 16, 2011
Paula
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Everyone knows the basic story of Lady Jane Grey, but this novel really brought her to life for me. Author Alison Weir is a historian, so this book was painstakingly researched and all of the characters have so much depth and personality to them. I found myself either loving or hating each of them and feeling true sorrow for the innocent Jane.
Lady Jane Grey has Tudor blood; her ambitious mother is cousin to Henry VIII and in line for the throne behind Henry's son Edward and daug More...
Lady Jane Grey has Tudor blood; her ambitious mother is cousin to Henry VIII and in line for the throne behind Henry's son Edward and daug More...
May 09, 2011
Lora
rated it:
Hrm. I think I would've enjoyed this more if it had been a straightforward history textbook instead of an attempt at prose. The multiple POVs are mutually indistinguishable, Jane at age 4 sounding the same as her mother as the queen as the duke and so on. The dialogue all sounds scripted, and the emotions are overwrought and rarely wring true.
This, from what I could tell, is much better researched than the usual Tudor trope, but the writing made it less enjoyable than the lesser works More...
This, from what I could tell, is much better researched than the usual Tudor trope, but the writing made it less enjoyable than the lesser works More...
Sep 16, 2007
Melody
rated it:
In Weir's first foray into historical fiction, she sticks to what she knows. This story of Lady Jane Grey and the people who propelled her to the throne of England is relentlessly sad. The period is conjured up so deftly one can almost smell it, and the characters are well drawn. My only complaint is that the rapid-fire changing of narrators is hard to follow unless on pays very strict attention to the chapter headings. Recommended for Tudor history fans.
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Sep 13, 2011
Melinda
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 25, 2010
Susie
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I started this book not knowing much of the life of Lady Jane Grey so on the historical accuracy I am no expert.
That being said I enjoyed this book Jane had a short and not very happy life. Her mother wanted a son and treated Jane badly because she wasn't a boy. She saw the life and death of many of Henry the 8th wives so even though she was "of the blood" it wasn't a very desirable life to aspire to.
After Henry the 8th death his young son becomes king and Jane's life is tu More...
That being said I enjoyed this book Jane had a short and not very happy life. Her mother wanted a son and treated Jane badly because she wasn't a boy. She saw the life and death of many of Henry the 8th wives so even though she was "of the blood" it wasn't a very desirable life to aspire to.
After Henry the 8th death his young son becomes king and Jane's life is tu More...
Aug 24, 2009
Katrina
rated it:
The device of having multiple narrators is a useful one, making it easy to reveal the thoughts of key characters, but I'm not convinced that Wier has the novel-writing expertise to pull it off. It was also hard to remember just how young Lady Jane was. There were obvious gaps in her understanding when she was very small, and no doubt she was forced to grow up quickly, but there was little difference between her voice at four years and at sixteen. Even the most precocious and formal of childre
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Apr 30, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
Innocent Traitor is a very interesting story. At times I admired the Lady Jane for her conviction, love of learning and inner strength; and at other times I was annoyed with her complaints and poor self-worth, however understandable. This book is well written and the character development is excellent. I hated the characters the author meant her readers to hate and I loved the loyal and trustworthy characters. This Tudor period in England's history is truly ravished with greed, hatred, dislo
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Oct 28, 2011
Lis
rated it:
Spoilers ahead, because this is an historical novel about a major figure, and I assume most people know how it ends already.
This is the story of Lady Jane Grey, the great-niece of Henry VIII, and cousin to King Edward VI, and his sisters Mary and Elizabeth. Raised a devout Protestant when England and Europe as a whole were caught up in the religious and political struggle of the Reformation, she became a pawn for those, including her own parents, who wanted to advance both their own More...
This is the story of Lady Jane Grey, the great-niece of Henry VIII, and cousin to King Edward VI, and his sisters Mary and Elizabeth. Raised a devout Protestant when England and Europe as a whole were caught up in the religious and political struggle of the Reformation, she became a pawn for those, including her own parents, who wanted to advance both their own More...
Jun 22, 2011
Shari
rated it:
This is the fictionalized story of Lady Jane Grey, the great niece of Henry VIII who was queen for 9 days after Henry's heir, his son Edward VI, died. She did not want to be Queen of England, but she was the pawn of her parents and others who did not want Henry's daughters Mary or Elizabeth on the throne. She was executed at the age of 16 for treason, even though her part in all of it was innocent.
The story is told in first person from the points of view of Lady Jane, her mother and More...
The story is told in first person from the points of view of Lady Jane, her mother and More...
Jun 12, 2011
Anne
rated it:
This is Alison Weir's first foray into writing historical fiction and, as a historian and writer of non-fiction, one can't help but find her facts more believable than, say, Philipa Gregory's works. That doesn't change the fact that this novel is a mixture of fact and fiction, and while the tragic and horrific events are part of the black list of English monarchic history, Weir is still attributing words and thoughts to these characters for which there is no evidence, and also taking some histo
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