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“Gripping, unique, and factual.”
Reading age
12+
Genre
Historical fiction
Publisher
Ember
Publication date
February 18, 2020
My summary of the book
Who would you be if you could choose to be one of Henry VIII’s wives?
1. Would you want to be Catherine of Aragon, the “Old Battle-axe” who was divorced because she couldn’t bear a healthy living son?
2. Would you be Anne Boleyn, “The Seductress,” who was beheaded because Henry suspected her of committing adultery? 3. Or would you be Jane Seymour, “The Good Wife,” who died after bearing the son and heir?
4. Would you be Anne of Cleves “The Ugly Frump,” who was divorced because she didn’t look pretty enough for Henry?
5. Would you be Catherine Howard, “The Giddy Bubblehead” who was beheaded because she had other lovers?
6. Or would you be Catherine Parr, “The Stoical Matron” who outlived Henry?
The choice is yours, and you’ll read about how these women attempt to please the unpredictable King Henry.
Drop your number in a comment if you dare 😉
My thoughts
I was genuinely excited about reading this book, and it didn’t disappoint me; I could hardly put down the Tudor drama book. The story gripped me even if I knew a lot already. I was amazed by the writing of all the authors. The details regarding the wives were outstanding! I loved the Catherine of Aragon chapter’s descriptions of life in England in the Tudor times. The book also had unique voices. The perspectives of the six wives transported me into the royal court of King Henry VIII. The Catherine Parr Chapter captured the unfairness and mistreatment of the wives by men who held immense power.
The book was factual. There is a section in the end about who’s who in the court. There is also a timeline of the Tudor Dynasty.
The authors ask at the back of the book: “Who will you root for and who will love to hate?” I, of course, rooted for Anne Boleyn, and I was not too fond of Jane Seymour, to be honest.
My suggestions
I would recommend this book to tweens and young adults who would like to learn more about the wives of Henry VIII and, of course, who love Tudor drama: Tragedy, love, power, and betrayal! Beware of heaps of romance throughout the book.
My rating
About the author
“M. T. Anderson is the author of Feed, winner of the LA Times Book Prize, and The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, winner of the National Book Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and a Printz Honor.
Jennifer Donnelly is the author of These Shallow Graves, Revolution, and A Northern Light, winner of the Carnegie Medal, the LA Times Book Prize, and a Printz Honor.
Candace Fleming is the author of The Family Romanov, winner of the LA Times Book Prize and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award; Amelia Lost; and The Lincolns.
Stephanie Hemphill is the author of Your Own, Sylvia, a Printz Honor winner, and Wicked Girls, an LA Times Book Prize Finalist.
Deborah Hopkinson is the author of Titanic: Voices from the Disaster, a Sibert Honor Book.
Linda Sue Park is the author of A Single Shard, winner of the Newbery Medal, and the bestselling A Long Walk to Water.
Lisa Ann Sandell is the author of A Map of the Known World and The Weight of the Sky.” – Book Depository.
