Beware, Princess Elizabeth

Young Royals #2

by Carolyn Meyer

Imprisonment. Betrayal. Lost love. Murder. What more must a princess endure?

Elizabeth Tudor's teenage and young adult years during the turbulent reigns of Edward and then Mary Tudor are hardly those of a fairy-tale princess. Her mother has been beheaded by Elizabeth's own father, Henry VIII; her jealous half sister, Mary, has her locked away in the Tower of London; and her only love interest betrays her in his own quest for the throne.

Told in the voice of the young Elizabeth and ending when she is crowned queen, this second novel in the exciting series explores the relationship between two sisters who became mortal enemies. Carolyn Meyer has written an intriguing historical tale that reveals the deep-seated rivalry between a determined girl who became one of England's most powerful monarchs and the sister who tried everything to stop her.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Tudor Period, Royalty, Middle Grade

214 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

Carolyn Meyer is as versatile a writer as you will find. Along with historical fiction and realistic novels for young adults she has written nonfiction for young adults and books for younger readers on topics as diverse as the Amish, the Irish, Japanese, Yup'ik Eskimos, a rock band, rock tumbling, bread baking, and coconuts. And ten of her books have been chosen as Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. In her most recent historical novels she has dealt with the young lives of Mary Tudor, Princess Elizabeth, Anastasia, and Isabel of Castilla, Spain.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

1547 in England: König Heinrich VIII ist tot. Sein Sohn Edward folgt ihm auf den Thron. Für Heinrichs Tochter Elisabeth rückt der Thron in weite Ferne. Sie ist nur ein Mädchen, außerdem wäre ihre Schwester Maria noch vor ihr an der Reihe. Doch das Schicksal hat seine eigenen Pläne...
*
Mein Leseeindruck:
Das Buch bzw. die Geschichte von Elisabeth hat mich total gefesselt. Ich bin sehr interessiert an englischer Geschichte, und gerade das 15. und 16. Jahrhundert finde ich sehr spannend. Daher finde ich die Idee, ein Buch aus Sicht der Prinzessin Elisabeth zu schreiben, auch richtig gut!
Hätte ich die Zeit gehabt, hätte ich das Buch an einem Stück lesen können. Es ist sehr leicht geschrieben, dabei sehr fesselnd und auch lehrreich.
Ich hoffe, ich werde die anderen Bücher aus dieser Reihe von Carolyn Meyer auch noch lesen können; leider sind sie zurzeit nicht so einfach zu erhalten.
Ich kann "Ich, Prinzessin Elisabeth von England" auf jeden Fall weiterempfehlen. Mir hat das Lesen des Buches sehr viel Spaß gemacht.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad! I do not know who is the ideal reader for this, though. Middle school?

Elizabeth I is a fascinating historical figure. This book does a good job putting readers inside her potential thoughts when she was a teen. She was considered only a "bastard" daughter of the deceased Tudor monarch, Henry VIII. Her unpopular rivals on the throne were moving her around England into unsavory castles/prisons, hoping she would die of natural causes. If she died naturally, the unpopular leaders would not be blamed.

Throughout Elizabeth's entire life, and it was definitely a long life, considering the late 1500s, I'll wager that many people grumbled at regular intervals, "good god, how is this bitch still alive??!"

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware, Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer is a young adult historical novel that follows the formative teenage years of Elizabeth Tudor, the future Queen Elizabeth I of England, as she survives a perilous childhood marked by family betrayal, religious turmoil, political intrigue, and confinement before ultimately ascending to the throne.

After her father King Henry VIII dies, Elizabeth must navigate the dangerous reigns of her half-brother Edward and then her half-sister Mary I, who sees her as a threat to the crown and subjects her to banishment, imprisonment in the Tower of London, and constant suspicion before she finally becomes queen in 1558. Told in Elizabeth’s own voice, the story highlights her resilience, strategic mind, and emotional growth amid the lethal power struggles of Tudor England.

From the very beginning this book made me feel the weight of history in Elizabeth’s youth: she is not a carefree princess but a girl shaped by loss (her mother was executed) and forced to grow up amid shifting loyalties and deadly court politics. What resonated most with me was how Meyer captures Elizabeth’s internal development as she learns to balance compassion with caution and to hold onto her convictions even when every shift in power seems to threaten her life.


The narrative does not shy away from harsh realities, religious persecution, betrayal, fear, and incarceration and yet Elizabeth’s strength and wit shine through in ways that made me admire her deeply as a character, not just a historical figure. The novel’s pacing and tone are accessible and engaging for teen readers, though adults who enjoy character-driven historical fiction will find much to appreciate too: political maneuvering, familial tensions, and Elizabeth’s gradual transformation into the iconic monarch are portrayed with vivid clarity and emotional depth.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth has been enjoyed for its gripping portrayal of a tumultuous era and its focus on Elizabeth’s personal journey toward power and self-determination.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving this book four stars because it beautifully humanizes a legendary ruler during the years that shaped her worldview and resilience, with compelling emotional stakes and a vivid sense of time and place. While the narrative sometimes feels brisk and less detailed than adult historical fiction, its balance of political intrigue, personal struggle, and Elizabeth’s evolving voice kept me deeply engaged and inspired by her courage in a world where every turn could mean triumph or tragedy.

If you enjoy historical coming-of-age stories with strong heroines and rich context, this one is a rewarding and heartfelt read.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting fun and not historically accurate.

[Katie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the historical fiction book Beware, Princess Elizabeth, by Carolyn Meyer, the theme is to persevere against all odds. This book takes place in the 1500's in London, England and the outskirts of London. The titular protagonist is a teenage Princess Elizabeth, who is a bit of a rebel, and the future queen of England. After her father, King Henry VIII dies, his last wife dies, and finally her half brother dies, the kingdom of England is left in the hands of Elizabeth's sister Mary. Mary is the daughter of King Henry's first wife, who hated Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, and therefore, hates Elizabeth. Under Mary's rule, Elizabeth is in constant danger, forced to convert to Catholicism, and is put under arrest in the Tower of London. After countless betrayals, repeated imprisonments, and being treated like a common peasant, she still ascends the throne, but not after a long and painful journey to get there.
While this book is aimed more towards girls, with its protagonist being a princess, it still has the adventure, beheadings, and various other elements that could make it appealing to boys as well. This is a really good book, and shows an insight to one of England's greatest monarch's days before she was queen. It also shows how little those of stature cared for each other. After her father's death, Elizabeth remembers the death of her father's fifth wife: "My mother was not the only wife my father sent to the Tower and then had put to death. I was eight years old when his fifth, Catherine Howard, was sentenced to die. All the nervous excitement of this latest execution could not be kept from me, and it was as if my own mother's execution were being repeated. I wept, I cried out, for days I could neither sleep nor eat. Kat, frantic to calm me, summoned the court physician to prescribe a sleeping draught. When I awoke it was over. I listened as servants whispered how Catherine Howard's head had been caught in a basket, her blood sopped up by crones with handkerchiefs, her body carried off for burial. The way it must have been for my mother, I thought, and I have thought of it many times since that day. Remembering Catherine Howard's death has always struck terror to my heart." (17-18.) This is an example of how ruthless the monarchs were at this point, and how even eight year old Elizabeth could be in danger. It also shows how empathetic Elizabeth is, even when thinking of the woman who faced the own doom as her own mother. This story is a lot like other stories of women in power at this time. Elizabeth is forced to perservere against the odds that she faces, and these odds are only increased by her gender. This book is a fantastic read for anyone who loves adventure and a bit of a history lesson at the same time.

[Genevieve Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book adequately narrated the sequence of events in Elizabeth Tudor's life between her father's death and her ascension to the throne. Even though it's written as a first person account, it did so in a way I found to be nearly as lifeless as a Wikipedia entry. If you're interested in Elizabeth, I would recommend the "Royal Diaries" book from her perspective in place of this.

[Sude Nur · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 tan 4. Aslında Philippa Gregory’nin serisiyle kıyaslayacak olursak o bile fazla kaçar.Ama ben ayrı tutarak yorum yapacağım. Kitap sadece 200 küsür sayfaydı. Benim gibi İngiliz Kraliyetine ve Tudor Hanedanına ilgi duyanlar için üstünkörü yazılmış bir kitaptı. Daha fazla ayrıntılı olmalıydı. Kitap 8. Henry ve Anne Boleyn’in kızı büyük Elizabeth’in hayatını konu almıştı. Hemen okumaya başladım ve bitirmem bir oldu dili olması gerektiğinden daha sadeydi, yazarın izini taşımıyordu sanki, çeviriden kaynaklı olabilir dolayısıyla yarım puan buradan gitti. Ayrıca kitap hayal ettiğimin tam tersi çıktı. Kitabın tam başlaması gerektiği yerde bittiğini fark ettim. Yani, gerçekten de öyle oldu. Elizabeth taht mücadelesinde galip gelip tahta geçti ve kitap bitti. Okumak istediğim ondan sonra ne olacağıydı. Bu beni bir hayli hayal kırıklığına uğratsa da birçok bilgi öğrendiğim ve bir çırpıda okuduğum için güzel sayılırdı. Bir de söylemeden geçemeyeceğim, adı çok alakasızca geldi. Sadece Elizabeth bile daha anlamlı olurdu.

Ama eğer dediğim gibi İngiltere tarihi ilginizi çekiyorsa, The Other Boleyn Girl der susarım.

[Rafaella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredible, it kept me hooked until the very end which in this case wasn't very helpful because I had a set number of pages I had to read each night as a part of my literature circles homework. Elizabeth is a wonderful, powerful, intelligent and incredible young royal who never gave up on her journey to the throne. I can't imagine being jailed and forbidden to do many things by my own sister. I wondered how Elizabeth coped with it. I think when Kat Ashley was permitted to be with her, she was her main support but when she was gone. I am now writing a biography of Kat Ashley and have found that she really loved Elizabeth and thought of her as her own child. Elizabeth was later thought to have said, "Anne Boleyn gave me life, Katherine Ashley gave me love."
I would really like to read the other books about Mary I and Anne Boleyn also written by Carolyn Meyer because I want to get a different point of view and see the terrible thought that went through Mary I's head when she imprisoned Elizabeth. I highly recommend this book to anyone who just loves history.

[Kelcey Murdoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite from high school that I just re read.

[Evangeline]

Reread: love it. So fun to take a trip down memory lane. I used to be obsessed with this series and Henry VIII in general.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this book to proofread it for a Christian day school. The parts that I read I found quite interesting as Queen Elizabeth the first was one of favourite royals. However I don't think young children need to be aware of what went on in the royal
courts. There was to much immorality, intrigue, and murder.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and am grateful to it for letting me know that Mary Tudor had a female jester named Jane, who performed with a tumbler named Lucretia, because that kind of shit is essential knowledge and I'm writing a historical romance based on that fact immediately. Hell yes.

[RebelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

We stan a badass queen.

[Berfin Taşdemir · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ✨

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

[Hilal Kahraman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5
Kitap bariz bir şekilde editör elinden geçmemişti çok fazla yazım hatası ve çeviri yanlışı vardı eğer onlar olmasaydı daha fazla puan verebilirdim ama harcandı.

[Kristy]

I gave it 5 chapters, but I'm so bored that I'm finding other things to do to avoid finishing this book.
.
I blame My Lady Jane for giving me unrealistic expectations of humor and magic.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Beware, Princess Elizabeth"
I must say, I really don't know what made me want to read this book. Its prequel in the series, "Mary, Bloody Mary", was definitely not a book I enjoyed. But I will admit, this one was much better than the one before it.

One thing this book did far better than the first one was actually spread the plot line out. Instead of cramming whole years into a couple of sentences, the whole six, seven years (I'm not exactly sure how long it was), was spread out over the course of the whole book.
Unfortunately, I still felt no emotional connection with Elizabeth. She wasn't a character I could relate to, although her determination and courage was admirable. There just wasn't enough depth to her. I never really felt like I got to know any of the characters. The only character that I felt really had some dimension was Robin Dudley, and he wasn't even a very important character. That was probably the main thing I didn't like about this book.
On another note though, this book was much more interesting than it's predecessor. There was much more drama and suspense, and the cutthroat political world of that time period was displayed very well, I thought.
Although the book as a whole was a little difficult to get into, and although the characters were incredibly two-dimensional, it was still an informative read about the royal life in England at that time.

[MsAprilVincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Elizabeth I; she is a woman to look up to: intelligent, diplomatic, and independent, she led her nation at a time when women were thought to have few (if any) redeeming qualities, and she excelled at it to boot. Best of all, she did it without subjugating herself to a man. She is a feminist icon, and I love her.

Told from Elizabeth's point of view, the book deals with the period between Henry VIII's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne. By necessity, most of the dialogue, as well as Elizabeth's thoughts, are purely speculation, but they do correspond to documented events; Meyer didn't deviate from history or invent plot points, and she didn't need to: the actual history is enough.

Unfortunately, because it IS fairly straightforward and does not introduce a lot of melodramatic posturing, the book will probably appeal only to anglophiles, royals watchers, and history buffs (read: NERDS) like me. But that's the intended audience, anyway, so ... mission accomplished.

[Silvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

i tried reading this a while back in like fourth grade, and i can't even remember if i finished it or what...

it didn't pull me in very well. as in, at all.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great historical fiction. Very well done and reasonably accurate.

[Lilian]

Finished! I don't really have a review for it since it was a school book, but I enjoyed it and it's making me want to read more about the era!

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Carolyn Meyer's "Beware, Princess Elizabeth," readers are whisked away to the tumultuous world of 16th-century England, where royal intrigue, betrayal, and danger lurk around every corner. Set against the backdrop of a kingdom in turmoil, this gripping historical fiction novel follows the young Princess Elizabeth as she navigates the treacherous waters of court politics, family rivalries, and personal turmoil.

The narrative, told through Elizabeth's own voice, provides a poignant insight into the struggles faced by the future queen during her formative years. From the shadow of her mother's execution to the relentless persecution under her half-sister Mary's reign, Elizabeth's journey is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination.

Meyer skillfully weaves together elements of history and fiction to create a compelling narrative that captures the essence of Elizabeth's character. Through meticulous attention to detail and vivid storytelling, she brings to life the cutthroat world of Tudor England, where survival often hinges on wit and cunning.

One of the standout features of the book is its portrayal of the complex relationship between Elizabeth and her sister Mary. As mortal enemies vying for power, their dynamic adds an extra layer of tension and drama to the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

While the book primarily targets a young adult audience, its themes of perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of power will resonate with readers of all ages. Whether you're a history buff or simply enjoy a good tale of intrigue and adventure, "Beware, Princess Elizabeth" delivers on all fronts.

In conclusion, Carolyn Meyer's "Beware, Princess Elizabeth" is a captivating read that offers a fresh perspective on one of history's most iconic figures. With its rich historical detail, engaging plot, and compelling characters, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up. Highly recommended.

[Maria Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware Princess Elizabeth, shares the struggles of Elizabeth to endure her half sister's punishments, Mary. The punishments are the result of a hatred sparked in Mary's youthful years after her father annulled her mothers marriage declaring Mary a bastard. In Mary's eyes, Elizabeth and her mom were responsible for the result of Mary being declared a bastard. Due to the antiquity of some of the vocabulary integrated in this book, this book might be a bit difficult to comprehend for elementary students. Middle school and beyond would make a more appropriate audience to those seeking to gain a more thorough understanding of the struggles England as a nation had to face in the 1500's. This book is historical fiction therefore some things mentioned might have not actually happened. However, this book does paint a decent image in readers' minds of what Princess Elizabeth and Mary Tudor accomplished during their reign. The theme of this book can be that no matter how tough and life threatening a scenario may be you will get past it. For example, Elizabeth faced imprisonment by her own sister for absurd reasons. She was treated as inhumanly as possible. She was even restricted from physical interaction with other humans. She survived this, and all the hardships that accompanied, while her sister was queen. As a reader I was hooked upon picking up the book, as such I finished it in one day. I really enjoyed finding out that Mary's pregnancies were all false. This gave me hope that Elizabeth might still become the next queen. I really disliked how her sister believed that by burning people she would turn a whole nation catholic again. She took the lives of many. All in all, I would totally recommend this book.

[Elyse (ElyseReadsandSpeaks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another pleasant surprise! I perused some of the reviews before I started reading, which I never do, and figured I'd be underwhelmed. However, taking into account that this is a middle grade book that presented history in a manner that held my attention, I really enjoyed it. For the most part, this novel stayed close to historical fact and only embellished thoughts and actions that can only be guessed at by this point in time.

The story has to move quickly - many years fly by with in the span of 214 pages and its purpose is to engage young readers in Tudor history. My only critique is that any person who reads this book should have some knowledge of Tudor history going into it or at least knowledge of the ideals of this time period - women had less rights and less respect than men, unwed queens or princesses were expected to wed a man to have a male rule over a kingdom, what it means to be a bastard and why Mary and Elizabeth would have been so eager to be recognized as legitimate, etc.

*I understand there's a novel before this one that follows Mary, but it seems that you don't need to read them in order. However, maybe these above issues were addressed in the first novel for the young reader and I'm just unaware at this point.

Overall, a pleasant middle grade that I read in a day. I'd recommend it to any kids (or even adults) who are interested in Tudor history.

[Elena Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is about princess Elizabeth and her struggle with her father's death, marriage, family issues, imprisonment, and coming into power. It tells the story of how Elizabeth becomes queen and restores her country to the way she wanted it to be. I thought this book was pretty good, the author could've done a bit of a better job at "show don't tell", some of the explanations of the scenes were a little bit blunt. I also would've liked a little bit more of the story about how her people helped her fight for the crown. The writing style was pretty good to, there wasn't really a whole lot that stood out about it. I read another book that was in the same series, "Mary, Bloody Mary", and I liked that one a lot. The content was a little more interesting than that of this book. This book does a really good job of telling Queen Elizabeth's story, however. It gives you the rundown of the major events in her life that had an impact on her ultimately becoming queen. I liked the themes in the book as well, such as courage, perseverance, and family tension. It did a pretty good job of showing King Henry's relationship with his children and how that affected their relationships later in life. If you like to read historical novels, I would recommend this book. However, if historical books aren't your thing, it may seem a bit dull to you.

[Monserrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book was about two sisters trying to over come the throne after their father's death, King Henry VIII. I believe this book would be great for 9th and 10th grade because it shows how only one individual can stand against everyone else to pursue what she wants. This book might be great for an educational standpoint because it teaches us how to overcome harsh challenges and believe in what you want. The author was trying to accomplish to the audience is how to overcome barriers along your journey and to not always trust the people that surround you. I believe the theme is to fight for what you want and the lesson can be is to forget about what people tell you and move at your own pace, especially if things are tough. Since Mary turned queen, right after the death of her step brother King Edward, Mary would forbid Elizabeth in doing anything she desired, which meant that Elizabeth had no freedom and was also locked in the Tower due to Mary's awful actions. Elizabeth did not give up though and kept moving forward, not letting anyone get in her way. What I loved about this book was the courage that Elizabeth had, she didn't back down, but instead went forward in pursuing on what she really wanted even though her hatred sister, Mary, had to forbid her from doing so.

[Mario Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is based on two sisters who live a wealthy life. 1 sister is drastically overpowering England with bad decisions.

this book would be perfect for 7th-10th graders. it gives you a good idea of a rebellion and where one individual stands as 1 to all odds.
This book is valuable to an educational standpoint because it shows how to be persistent in hardtimes and overcome challenges.
I felt like the author was trying to accomplish showing her audience what it's like to have mental and physical challenges even if it's someone who is close to you and you've onced trusted.
the theme of this story is keep your circle small. the lesson of this story is trust no one and keep moving forward threw hardship. I know this because when queen Elizabeth is forbidden to have any freedom due to her sisters act, she keeps going and challenges herself by not going down without a fight.

what i liked about this book is that the author describes Elizabeth as the kings " mistaken" daughter. but throughout her life, she stands for something to live for despite her hatred her sister and her have upon each other.
overall this book was great!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for all things Elizabeth. Any person that touches her life I love to find out about.

This book is so good it should be embarrassed. It manages to tell her story in 211 pages. And without any salacious content. Not that I mind that, but I honestly didn't think any of these stories could be told without it.

The fear that Elizabeth goes worrying that Mary will hang her is felt on almost every page. The poor girl loses all her friends so many times. But she is brave and holds on to hope that all will be well. She is way smarter than I could ever be.

And she stays strong in the face of every try to marry her off. She is very beloved by the people even as Mary is queen. I wonder why that is? Did they love Anne? Or is it because Elizabeth is a Protestant?

There are some things I didn't know like the fact that Mary had female jesters. There were some words I didn't know like catarrh.

I really want to read the rest of the books by this author. I love the perspective.

[Linden · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars

It feels like I just read a summary of Elizabeth's life from Henry VIII's to Mary I's death. Next to no characterization, scenic descriptions, or interesting relationship dynamics. The author's depiction felt a little too biased on the Elizabeth side of the Mary vs. Elizabeth debate and I was let down with how cut and dry Elizabeth's feelings regarding her own sister were.

I suppose I wasn't the target audience for this book, but it really didn't satisfy me in any way. Definitely not an all ages kind of book. I remember enjoying Carolyn Meyer's Elizabeth I Royal Diary back in the day, and now I'm kind of curious if this was how it was written as well. (EDIT: apparently that was Kathryn Lasky's book...I DID love Carolyn Meyer's Anastasia Royal Diary, though. It was one of my favorites, so I guess the point still stands.)

One star added for the few tidbits that I learned about history.