The Boy King

The Seymour Saga #3

by Janet Ambrosi Wertman

One of Open Letters Review's Ten Best Historical Novels of 2020; First Place Winner, 2021 Chaucer Award for pre-1750s historical fiction"Highly recommend both as a standalone and series read. Wertman's work is among the best Tudor fiction on the market" - Historical Fiction ReaderHis mother, Jane Seymour, died at his birth. Now his father, King Henry VIII, has died as well. Nine-year old Edward Tudor ascends to the throne of England and quickly learns that he cannot trust anyone, even himself.Struggling to understand the political and religious turmoil that threatens the realm, Edward is at first relieved that his uncle, the new Duke of Somerset, will act on his behalf as Lord Protector, but this consolation evaporates as jealousy spreads through the court. Challengers arise on all sides to wrest control of the child king, and through him, England.While Edward can bring frustratingly little direction to the Council's policies, he refuses to abandon his one firm that Catholicism has no place in England. When Edward falls ill, this steadfast belief threatens England's best hope for a smooth the transfer of the throne to Edward's very Catholic half-sister, Mary Tudor, whose heart's desire is to return the realm to the way it worshipped in her mother's day.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Tudor Period, Historical, Fiction, British Literature

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2020

About the author

Janet Ambrosi Wertman grew up within walking distance of three bookstores and a library on Manhattan’s Upper West Side – and she visited all of them regularly. Her grandfather was an antiquarian bookdealer who taught her that there would always be a market for quirky, interesting books. He was the one who persuaded Janet’s parents to send her to the French school where she was taught to aspire to long (grammatically correct) sentences as the hallmark of a skillful writer. She lived that lesson until she got to Barnard College. Short sentences were the rule there. She complied. She reached a happy medium when she got to law school – complicated sentences alternating with short ones in a happy mix.

Janet spent fifteen years as a corporate lawyer in New York, she even got to do a little writing on the side (she co-authored The Executive Compensation Answer Book, which was published by Panel Publishers back in 1991). But when her first and second children were born, she decided to change her lifestyle. She and her husband transformed their lives in 1997, moving to Los Angeles and changing careers. Janet became a grantwriter (and will tell anyone who will listen that the grants she’s written have resulted in more than $38 million for the amazing non-profits she is proud to represent) and took up writing fiction.

There was never any question about the topic of the fiction: Janet has harbored a passion for the Tudor Kings and Queens since her parents let her stay up late to watch the televised Masterpiece Theatre series (both The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth R) when she was *cough* eight years old. One of the highlights of Janet’s youth was being allowed to visit the Pierpont Morgan Library on a day when it was closed to the public and examine books from Queen Elizabeth’s personal library and actual letters that the young Princess Elizabeth (technically Lady Elizabeth…) had written.

With the Seymour Saga complete, Janet is deep into writing the first book of her next trilogy, which takes up where the Seymours left off to illustrate the life of Elizabeth I. And because you can never have too much Tudors in your life, Janet also attends book club meetings and participates in panels and discussions through History Talks!, a group of historical novelists from Southern California hosted by libraries around the state.

Reviews

[Juliew. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never disappointing and always a pleasure to read Janet Wertman always seems to bring something fresh and interesting to the Tudor world.I really enjoyed her portrayal of Edward VI,his thoughts,feelings and emotions were believable,sympathetic and always made you feel you were in the moment with him.As I close out this series I'm definitely hoping for others and I would highly encourage anyone with an interest not to pass up getting a hold of them all.

[Rajiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

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The Boy King is wonderful and a terrific conclusion to the Seymour Saga Series. I loved every minute of it.

To begin with, I loved Edward in the story. The author portrays his emotions so well. I can only imagine how it would have felt for a 9-year-old to ascend a throne. Mainly, he has to deal with his half-sister Mary; alternately, he has to face with Thomas Seymoure and not to mention governing a kingdom along the way. Moreover, Mary and Edward’s complex rivalry is the highlight of the story. Mary and Edward engrossed me between their beliefs on Catholicism and Protestantism and blends into the plot very well. Nevertheless, you see how Edward turns from a naive lad to a magnetic ruler.

The Boy King is my favorite book in the trilogy and a brilliant conclusion to the series. Moreover, the series itself fascinated me and had everything I look for in a historical novel. I had limited knowledge of the Tudor Era before reading this, and I felt like I learned a lot. Another reason why I liked it was that each book had a different tone and theme from one another. Although the characters overlap, none of the stories felt repetitious from one another.

Furthermore, the story ends in an unforgettable manner that I felt was perfect. I loved the style of writing and hope to read many more books of hers in the future. Overall, if you are a fan of historical novels, you must read this!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is absolutely incredible! It is moving, gripping, entertaining, and just all-around amazing! Whenever I picked up "The Boy King", I was whisked back in time to the Tudor Era, and found myself immersed in this story from the first page to the last.

This is the third book in Janet Wertman's historical fiction series, "The Seymour Saga"! It can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, especially, I think, if you are at least somewhat familiar with the general history of the main characters. It is so incredibly clear how passionate Ms. Wertman is about this time period, as she brilliantly makes history jump right off of the page. It truly takes a special author to be able to still make me hold my breath in anticipation of finding out what happens next in a story where I historically know more or less what occurs, and Ms. Wertman does just that. I feel like I learned so much from reading this book. She brings to life many historical figures as her characters, and makes them feel so real and human, and though their circumstances might differ, they have many of the same wants, needs, desires, and fears we have today. Each and every character is so well-thought out, and I could really picture every moment, location, event, and emotion vividly. We meet many historical figures in this novel: Edward VI, Lady Mary (who would later become Queen Mary I), Lady Elizabeth (who would later become Queen Elizabeth I), Edward Seymour, Anne Seymour, Thomas Seymour, Frances Grey, Lady Jane Grey, the Duke of Northumberland, among many, many others. All are brilliantly portrayed and help to move the plot forward in one way or another.

Edward VI, son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, becomes King of England at age 9 after the death of his father . Thrust into power at such an incredibly young age, he must quickly learn to navigate the ups and downs of holding such power, who he can and can't trust, and what he believes to be right and wrong in many matters. What ensues is intriguing, heartbreaking, and moving.

Lady Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, is being pushed harder to give up the religion she was raised to believe is right. She must navigate what others are trying to force her to do versus her own mind and heart, but never once loses the love she holds for her brother.

I really like that we see both Edward and Mary's viewpoints of many events, and how they intertwine and connect. I think it brings a well-rounded look at some of the conflicts in the book, such as that of Protestantism vs. Catholicism, the succession of the throne, and much, much more.

If you enjoy historical fiction, and / or anything related to The Tudor Era, I highly recommend this book! I had such a hard time putting it down! I don't want to spoil anything in this review, but, I will say, many moments toward the end of the book gave me chills...and the ending...just WOW!! I absolutely love The Tudor Era, and this is most definitely one of my favorite books I have read set in that time! I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in the series very soon!

Thank you so much to HFVBT and Ms. Wertman for the ARC of this novel, I loved it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

I loved reading about Henry VIII's only son,Edward whose reign was so very short.I really enjoyed learning about this young king.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward VI is one of the saddest Tudors in my opinion. He was a much wanted child but once he arrived his life was not his own. Add in the fact that his mother died so quickly after his birth and he was born to a father who wanted him less for himself and more to satisfy kingly need. He ran ragged through wives to find one who could finally give him that much needed son, while we understand today that it wasn’t their fault that his children were mostly female.

This is the third book in a series but it stands alone very well. I did not have the opportunity to read the first two books but felt no loss in reading this one. The series is about the Seymours so while this book is ostensibly about Edward VI it is more about how he interacts with his Uncles Edward and Thomas (Seymour) – Edward becoming Lord Protector and Thomas becoming jealous.

Ms. Wertman presents the book from the young king’s point of view and in my opinion she does a very good job of writing from a confused 9 year old boy’s point of view. After all, Edward was just a child when his father died and suddenly he was a King – but a king in name only as the council fought for power all around him. The Seymour brothers in particular did no good service to their King or country with their desire to rule the young king – or was that England?

It is also obvious how well researched the book is on the religious issues of the times as the two factions – the Catholics and the Reformers – were each fighting for control. Edward for all his young age wanted the country to abolish Catholicism where his sister Mary who would come to reign after him would be known as Bloody Mary for all of the executions of Reformers as she fought to make Catholicism the religion of the land.

This was a fascinating book pairing both a compelling story and solid research. Edward VI is often overlooked as some of the others in his family left a far larger imprint on history. But brotherly greed and jealousy such as between the two Seymours is a story as old as time and one brother responsible for the death of an other is downright Biblical.

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you HFVBT for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Boy King
Book Three Of The Seymour Saga
By: Janet Wertman


REVIEW ☆☆☆☆

The Boy King by Janet Wertman is a riveting piece of the Seymour Saga. I've always wondered what the 16th century Tudor era might have been if not for Henry VIII and his obsessive murderous quest for a legitimate male heir. It is, therefore, ironic beyond belief that Henry's male heir costs him the wife he claimed as favorite, Jane Seymour. Then again, maybe karma was hard at work, too.

It seems impossible that Edward, ascending to the throne at age nine, could have any possible chance for real power. His Seymour uncles were ambitious and power hungry to the point of madness. In the story, through Edward's perspective, we see his confusion over who is really in charge and who is trustworthy. Can you imagine a nine year old king? Edward, so young, was very much unnervingly adamant about the abolishment of Catholicism, to no avail, of course, once Mary later becomes queen.

The Tudors are a tragic people. Edward is one of the saddest cases. He had no mother. His father was, possibly, insane but also indifferent and cruel. A child is not capable of ruling, or pretending to rule, a kingdom with all of its customs and pretentiousness. And, the cherry on top, Edward suffered and died young. Janet Wertman gives us an excellent mix of fact and fiction to create this plausible accounting of Edward, and Mary's, life. Their voices are distinct and elicit sympathy. Whether you are familiar with this era or not, The Boy King is just fine as a standalone read. I wonder if, given the chance and a healthy body, Edward would have been a just and fair king or a tyrant, like his father?

[Gifford MacShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite interesting, as the major viewpoints come to you via the young boy who is King in name, and his much older half-sister, Mary—the daughter Henry VIII sometimes referred to as a Princess and at other times a bastard.

The boy, who is crowned Edward VI at the age of nine, has only some of the duties and virtually none of the responsibilities of his office, a fact that frustrates him more and more as the story goes on. With counselors who gain his trust by manipulation, and friends who are often sent away on the slimmest of excuses, Edward is often lonely and uncertain of his destiny. The one thing he clings to is his father’s wish to make the Anglican Church the religion of the country.

His longing to rule his Kingdom is mirrored by Mary’s determination to bring England back to Catholicism, and the more Edward turns away from her Church, the more stubborn Mary becomes in her practice of it, refusing to accede to the young man’s demands. Which, of course, creates ever greater frustration for Edward, as Mary is one of the only constants in his life.

Many times suspense builds, then the story jumps ahead by a week, month, or season. I would have liked to see more detailed descriptions in the narrative: there’s little information about the art or artifacts of the time, and the surroundings are only generally described in most cases. These are things I find pull me into the time period.

Nevertheless, this book held my attention—I enjoyed seeing into the life of this boy King about whom so little has been written. I was surprised at the length of his rule, as well as by his success in combating the papacy. I would recommend it particularly to anyone who finds the Tudor dynasty or the Reformation in England of interest.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story jumps backs and forth between Edward and his sister Mary. Elizabeth is a minor character with only a few scenes - this is not a story about cautious, middle-of-the-road policies - this is a story about two extremists who are each utterly convinced they are Right and the other is Wrong.

This is one of those books that I just wanted to gnaw on lovingly, like a favorite type of rock candy, and try and make it last as long as possible, because it was so incredibly good how it got in people's heads, showed how events very well could have gone down, and organically got in quite a lot of exposition about court politics AND made them exciting since they normally make fairly dry reading.

Wertman focuses on the often-overlooked era of Edward the VI. He is so often skipped over, or, at best, a quick highlights reel is played focusing on Elizabeth and Mary, with Edward dismissed as priggish and sick from Day 1, giving his short reign a sense of being a foregone conclusion. But here Wertman shows how many people were planning for the long-term for most of his reign, and the scramble for what happened after only taking place towards the very end.

An excellent end to the trilogy, showing the highs and lows of the Seymour family, both brought on by Henry VIII, and even in the reign of his son, how he cast a long shadow.

[Karen Hackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not know much of the history regarding this young man.
Interesting!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the final book of her Seymour trilogy, Janet Wertman weaves us an exciting tale of England’s boy King and those about him who thought to control him and therefore the throne.
The story is told through Edward’s eyes with his half-sister, Mary being a secondary narrator - this is something that I enjoyed as it showed the somewhat strained relationship between the siblings in regard to their own religious beliefs.
Politics at the Tudor court was often a path fraught with danger at each turn and what Janet does is write in a way that makes us wonder, was King Edward VI better off under the Protectorship of his uncle, Edward Seymour or the dominance of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland.
What is also clear in the reading of this book is that the author has a tremendous understanding of the period that it creates a believable landscape of an interesting period of Tudor history.

A worthy conclusion to the trilogy, and one that could be a stand alone novel.

Thank you to Janet Wertman for sending me a copy of this book to review.

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1547, young Prince Edward is having the time of his life studying and hoping to one day take part in a tournament. He has not a care in the world. That is until his beloved father King Henry VIII passes away, and the 9-year-old boy is now Edward VI, King of England. He must navigate family drama between his older half-sister Mary Tudor and his uncles, Edward and Thomas Seymour while maintaining order throughout the kingdom. To top it all off, he is trying to reform the entire country and convert Catholics into the Protestant faith. His short life and reign are portrayed in Janet Wertman’s third book in The Seymour Saga, “The Boy King”.

I would like to thank Janet Wertman for sending a copy of her latest novel. I have read the first two novels in this saga, “Jane the Quene” and “The Path to Somerset,” so I knew that I wanted to read “The Boy King”. I have not read many novels that feature Edward VI as the protagonist, so I was intrigued by the concept.

Wertman divides her novel between two separate narrators, Edward and his half-sister Mary. At first, I did not understand why she included Mary in a novel about Edward, but as the story progressed, it became crystal clear. At the heart of this novel is the struggle between Protestantism and Catholicism in England during Edward’s reign. Mary and Edward may seem like polar opposites when it comes to the religious spectrum, making them mortal enemies, but the way Wertman portrays them shows that they were concerned about each other’s well being, even if they did not understand each other. Mary acts in a motherly role when it comes to her criticism of Edward’s religious changes.

It was not just the rivalry with Mary that Edward had to deal with; there was also the rivalry between his uncles and the men on his Regency council. Edward and Thomas Seymour’s rivalry is legendary and has been portrayed in history books and historical fiction in many different ways. However, what puts Wertman’s narrative of the brothers’ battle for power apart from others is the way that she shows how Edward might have felt about his uncles and their falls from grace. Another court rivalry happening is between his uncle Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, and John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland. Each man fights for the right to be the young king’s Lord Protector, which leads to one of them rebelling and being beheaded for treason. It is this execution that will haunt him for the rest of his life. I find it fascinating that throughout this story, Edward is striving to be like his father, yet he mourns for the mother that he never had a chance to meet, Jane Seymour.

The conclusion to The Seymour Saga is a sheer delight. Wertman has described the rise and the fall of the Seymour family in the Tudor dynasty masterfully. Throughout this novel, you witness Edward growing from a timid boy who has to rely on others to a proud and confident king who knows exactly what he wants for his kingdom. I think that what Wertman has created with her Seymour Saga is a magnificent window into the lives of the Seymour family, and “The Boy King” is the piece de resistance of the entire series. If you have enjoyed The Seymour Saga so far or you want a stand-alone novel about Edward VI, “The Boy King” by Janet Wertman is the perfect novel for you to read.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that THE BOY KING by Janet Ambosi Wertman is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could he have become

A most delightful story on King Edward VI. Told through his eyes as well as Princess Mary's, an interesting tell of their lives as they manipulate their way after their father's death. I felt so bad for Edward as he had so much to live up to with Henry the eighth being your father as well as being crowned at the age of nine. Great book for any Tudor fan.

[Susan Abernethy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wertman's books are a pleasure to read. Well-researched and detailed, her storytelling is masterful and the dialogue is excellent. We can see Edward mature throughout the book and how he comes to master the intricacies of kingship and navigate the back-stabbing politics of his councilors. This rendering of his life begs the question: What kind of king would Edward VI have been?

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free DRC of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

This historical fiction account is the third in Janet Wertman’s Seymour Saga and gives the reader a fascinating insight into the frustrating, manipulated life and rule of Edward, son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour.

There is betrayal after betrayal, as the young king ages from nine to fifteen and finds that nearly everyone in whom he places his trust has an ulterior motive.

Janet Wertman does her utmost to liven up this slightly dry source material, but the boy king himself is not endearing in his learned self-importance and pomposity, although I did find myself pitying him.

Edward’s isn’t the only narrative character point of view though, as we also get some chapters from Mary Tudor’s point of view as she struggles with the increasing constrictions on her Catholic faith and practices. I would have liked to see Elizabeth’s point of view too, especially for the incident with Tom Seymour and Katherine!

The Boy King is a very informative and well-written, well-researched and well-resourced historical novel of politics, religion, war and succession and it feels fitting to round off the previous accounts of Jane Seymour and Henry VIII with the story of their son’s brief and ill-fated rule. Tudor fans would do well to pick up this whole trilogy.

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Jarka Woody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from Edward's point of view, I have been looking for a book just like this about him. I have learned so much about his life and the drama of the court, especially with his two uncles, Thomas Seymour and Edward Seymour. I can't imagine what it must have been like to become a king at 9 years old and being manipulated by all the men around. Two of the most touching moments for me were when Edward signed his uncle's death warrant and couple years later Edward VI dying himself at the age of 15. The author writes several chapters from Mary I's point of view as well. She becomes the queen after Edward. The first female queen in English history (not counting the 9 day queen Jane Grey). Such a great read, I enjoyed every word.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The six-year reign of Edward VI is often forgotten amid the eventful lives of his fellow Tudor monarchs. With the newest novel in her Seymour saga, Janet Wertman shows why the boy and his era are worth a closer look.

Born in 1537 as the long-sought male heir to Henry VIII and his third queen, Jane Seymour, who died days later, Edward embodied the hopes not just of his family but of the entire nation. His story in Wertman’s retelling is one of unachieved potential, a theme which Edward himself sadly acknowledges. He knows he’s too young to rule alone.

Spanning from his father’s death in 1547 to his own in 1553, aged fifteen, the novel is pure catnip for fans of Tudor politics – which are made easy to grasp because politics and character are so inextricably woven together. Lonely and overprotected, with the most private aspects of his life governed by ritual (a scene showing how his bed is freshly assembled each night to assure his safety is illuminating for both him and the reader), Edward struggles to discern his advisors’ true motives. They may have England’s best interests at heart, or they could be seeking to consolidate power.

The ongoing rivalry between the Lord Protector – his uncle Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset – and John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, plays out in powerful fashion, and the behavior of Somerset’s irresponsible brother, Tom, teaches Edward a tough lesson. Not even a nine-year-old likes to be caught off guard.

Edward’s viewpoint, shown in close third person, is utterly credible: his yearning to fulfill the promise that his birth foretold, his internal growth as he learns the threats facing his realm and rule, and his longings for aspects of a normal childhood. His insistence on viewing an acrobat’s street performance on his coronation day is meaningful and sad, “the first time since his accession that he had actually done what he wanted instead of what someone else wanted.” Edward’s cascade of emotions while seated on the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey, in full view of the large congregation, is magnificent:

“After a joyous time, he caught his breath and his heart returned to normal… The warm oil’s touch on his forehead was a mystical cord binding him to Christ. For a moment he was Christ, all blinding light and pulsating energy. Then the word pulled him back and from that height he tumbled through time, past the other sanctified prophets and rulers, until he was just himself sitting on the holy chair again, a boy straining to hold the heavy regalia upright.”

The Boy King has a serious tone befitting its subject, so the few moments of joy and kindness stand out, such as Edward’s love for his loyal dog and his friendship with Barnaby Fitzpatrick, a baron’s son whose honesty he trusts. Alas, their closeness is used against him.

In counterpoint to Edward’s perspective, Wertman also gives us that of his sister, Mary, a woman in her thirties whose devotion to her mother’s Catholicism is as fervent as Edward’s Protestant beliefs. While his councilors urge lenience with Mary’s religious expression, in the interest of international diplomacy, Edward detests “popish superstition.” Although Edward’s personal story is tragically short, one can’t help but wonder how his intolerance would have affected England in the future, had he lived longer.

First posted at Reading the Past; thanks to the author for a Kindle copy.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Janet Wertman for giving me a copy of this book to review.

The idea of this series intrigued me from the beginning. This is the third book in the series, but they can all be read as standalone books as well – this is the first one I’ve read but I will certainly be going back to read ‘Jane the Quene’ and ‘The Path to Somerset’.

Edward VI is often overlooked with many more biographies and historical novels being written about Henry VIII or Elizabeth I, and even Mary I gets a fair amount of attention. Mainly what I know about Edward VI is more about his Device for the Succession and the dispute over Jane Grey’s succession to the throne, so this was very interesting for me, even as a fictional account.

I really enjoyed reading about Edward VI’s uncertainty and trying to find his way through the political maelstrom that ended up execution two of his uncles, Thomas Seymour and Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, and his second Protector, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland. The rivalry between Somerset and Northumberland was incredibly engaging to read, dramatic and nuanced. I think it was this that really made the story so engrossing.

I liked how the story was split into different days, almost like a diary, which I know that Edward VI did write. It helped the story to move along, and the dual narration from Edward VI and Mary I worked well, to give an adult insight alongside the childish but maturing insights of Edward VI. Even the supporting characters were very interesting, just to get glimpses of the likes of Frances Brandon, Jane Grey, Robert Dudley and Princess Elizabeth was fascinating from Edward VI’s point of view.

This book is really highly recommended. The best fictional portrayal of the reign of Edward VI I’ve read so far. I had a hard time putting it down and I can’t wait to read the first two books in the series!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
The opening paragraph shows young Edward riding a horse. The words describe him using details creating a perfect picture image in my mind. Edward is young. He has a scrawny, bony, and tender body. He tires easily. He is stoic, stubborn, purposeful, and persevering.
A few paragraphs later he has a memory of a teaching principle his father, King Henry VIII told him: "People will do far worse. All your life, they will lie to you. Practice discerning their true meaning; you will need to be expert at it." Page 4.

These are examples setting the tone of the story.
~Edward is a boy. A young scrawny boy who will become king. He is a son after his father's own heart. There are similar personality traits. And, Edward wrestles with his age versus his role as king.
~Edward is thrust in an arena of ambitious and cut-throat men. He wonders who to trust. He remembers his father's advice.

I love this story for several reasons:
~I felt apart of the story from the first paragraph until the last line.
~Edward and Mary became flesh and bone because of this story. Elizabeth has a role, but hers is more of an expectant presence-just to the right of the stage.
~It's interesting the ideas, prejudices, bias Edward and Mary were taught about each other and Elizabeth. Each had the same father, but different mothers and households.
~Edward believes his Christian belief and worship is correct. Mary believes her Christian belief and worship is correct. Each are unwilling to compromise.
~The Boy King is a story strong in fleshing out human behavior, mannerisms, expressions, fears, emotions, physical impairments, and imperfections.
~Scenes show the intensity of crisis situations and how Edward feels and responds showing a realness of his youth, and a desire for maturity, and to be a decisive king.
~The story is heavy with conflicts. This creates an atmosphere of trepidation and anticipation.
Source: I received a complimentary paperback copy from Janet Wertman, I was not required to write a positive review.

[Jules Larimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does a young boy navigate the world of power struggles, religious division, and full-on deception as newly anointed King of England in the 1547 Tudor Court? The author brilliantly imagines the inner workings of Edward Tudor, son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, in her third novel of the Seymour Saga. This book is easily read as a stand-alone and brings alive the life and times in a way that’s relatable to today’s reader.

You feel Edward’s uncertainty around protocol and who he should or should not trust to tell the truth. He still yearns for the play and excitement that should be entitled to him in his youth, but he is pulled by duty and the desire to please those of high rank in his court.

The story is also told from the point of view of Mary Tudor, Edward’s half-sister, contrasting their very different religious leanings. Edward vows to support Protestantism and rid the country of Catholic worship, while Mary is a devout Catholic. The divisions between Protestant and Catholic supporters continue to cause disruption throughout the kingdom, leaving it unstable and a challenge to Edward’s rule.

While the author explains in her notes about liberties she has taken, this book serves to educate by including mostly fact-based events and information. I love historical fiction to learn about the past, and to dive into how it might have felt for those living in the times. And the author does a terrific job of both!

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is left on the third book of the trilogy, but applies to all three.
Wow, I flew through these books! I’ve always had an affinity for Tudor historical fiction, but these books brought something fresh for me. Starting with the specific focus on Jane, a queen who often felt a little glossed over even in books revolving around Henry VIII’s life. Then hearing Edward (Somerset’s) voice and finally Edward VI’s, the baton being passed from voice to voice. The author had a really wonderful way of making the characters have fully fleshed out and distinct voices and personalities. I particularly liked the way the final book was written, with Edward VI having a very strong sense of his own beliefs and wishes, and yet also being quite unaware in his immaturity of when he was being manipulated.
Really was a bit bummed the author has no other novels at this point, really hope more are to come because I am hooked!

[Libby]

Don't miss terrific final installment of the intriguing Seymour trilogy. Starting with "Jane the Quene" through "Path to Somerset", "The Boy King" culminates a creative storytelling of this period in time. If you like historical fiction you will appreciate the incredible detail and research Janet Wertman has incorporated into her accounting of the Seymours, King Henry and the rest of the court. I love that each book stands alone- if you hadn't read the first two, you would be reminded of key facts and ties to characters along the way. I also appreciate getting updates from her blog which go deeper and augment her words with key moments in history.
Check out her blog @ https://janetwertman.com
Wertman is a gifted writer who makes her characters come to a new life through her writing. I cannot wait to see what is next from her.

[Nikkolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Hard to put down

This was a fantastic end to the trilogy. All of these books made me view the Seymour family in a much different light and I truly appreciate that. This book was extremely well written and very hard to put down. I really appreciated Mary's chapters and everything about her character, it all seemed entirely realistic. I was sad when I knew Edward was about to die because I knew the book was almost over! This book absolutely had the ability to transport the reader immediately to this time period and gave the feel that I was in very same room as the characters.

[Guusje · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy King is the 3rd in the author's Seymour trilogy. It also covers his Edward & Thomas his uncles and delves into the Princess Elizabeth / Thomas Seymour scandal. There was, for my taste a bit to much about religion and religious reform. I realize the author included this because religious reform was Edward's chief passion. I found her portrayal of Edward as a normal, mischievous 9 year old boy to be very refreshing. I enjoyed the book - and while it does stand alone, I do suggest at least reading the 2nd book - The Path to Somerset first since it does a good job of filling in the background.

[Scott Coon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The journey of Edward Tudor is an amazing one. The transformation of the boy into the boy king is not only a historical drama, it is an emotional journey. Janet Wertman masterfully shows us the effect the crown has on this young man, how the responsibility and the actions of those around him changes Edward over time.

[Irina Kermong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a 4.5 star rating for me - apart from doing a great job at showing us Edward VI's story in a compelling arc rather than just enumerating facts, it also has one of the most sympathetic portrayals of Mary I I've seen, while also staying true to how she was in her time. All in all I can only recommend this trilogy to any history enthusiast.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fantastic end to the 3 part series. The Seymours are not as prominent in the Tudor stories even though they played a major part in shaping history. Highly recommend all of the books.

[BookAddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit more tedious than the previous 2 in the series. Perhaps I just wasn't in the mood for all that Tudor intrigue. I enjoyed the rest but this not as much. Still it is well written if not a bit long winded.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so well-detailed and must have been so thoroughly researched. It's not quiet my style as I prefer a bit more action in my novels but the author really makes the times of the boy king come to life in exquisite detail.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book and author

The third book in the trilogy was wonderful. It was interesting to go into the perspective of Edward and Mary. Janet knows her stuff and has a beautiful writing style. I tell everyone about these great books.