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A Secret Alchemy
by Emma Darwin (Goodreads Author)
by Emma Darwin (Goodreads Author)
Elysium's review
bookshelves: historical, medieval, read-in-2011, wars-of-roses
Jul 28, 11
bookshelves: historical, medieval, read-in-2011, wars-of-roses
Read in July, 2011
3.5 stars
I really liked the portrayal of both Elizabeth and Antony. They’re both usually the villains and power-greedy people and it was refreshing to see them in another light. Antony’s story begins when he is taken to Pontefract Castle and knows he is being executed there. Elizabeth is in Bermondsey Abbey where she lived during Henry VII’s reign. We don’t hear the whole life story of either but few selected episodes. I have to confess I’m not usually huge fan of Antony but couldn’t resist falling for him just a bit.
I didn’t care for the present day story that much and could have lived without it. Also I had problem with too many narrative switches.. One minute it’s Una telling her story, then the next Antony is about to die and then it switches to a scene where he’s on a horse riding somewhere. So confusing!
I really liked the portrayal of both Elizabeth and Antony. They’re both usually the villains and power-greedy people and it was refreshing to see them in another light. Antony’s story begins when he is taken to Pontefract Castle and knows he is being executed there. Elizabeth is in Bermondsey Abbey where she lived during Henry VII’s reign. We don’t hear the whole life story of either but few selected episodes. I have to confess I’m not usually huge fan of Antony but couldn’t resist falling for him just a bit.
I didn’t care for the present day story that much and could have lived without it. Also I had problem with too many narrative switches.. One minute it’s Una telling her story, then the next Antony is about to die and then it switches to a scene where he’s on a horse riding somewhere. So confusing!
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Reading Progress
| 07/24/2011 | page 103 |
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25.0% | 3 comments |
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Jemidar
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rated it 5 stars
Jul 21, 2011 05:46am
I loved this one! Anthony Woodville is to die for (although unavailable) and this is one of the most even handed portrayals of Elizabeth Woodville I've ever read. Excellent stuff :-).
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I've read good reviews about it and now I saw it in library. I'm not huge fan of books that is told from present-day and past point of view so I've been hesitant to read it.But I'm curious to see how Elizabeth is portrayed.
