A New Year, New Book Reviews

Hello Historical Fictionettes!

Thank you for stopping by on the New Years Day 2014!

Yay!

Isn't it wonderful to be ringing in the New Year?

I intend on making 2014 quite an extraordinary year.

I hope to fill up this blog with many, many more book reviews. I hope that I can fill it with so many that by next New Years I can create a few "Top Ten" lists of books. I think that will be a lot of fun.

And, if things turn out as successful as I hope, I might be able to launch a few more "Fictionette" blogs. (Mysterious Fictionette...... Dramatic Fictionette..... Romantic Fictionette..... etc.) That would be quite fun as well. I might even bring in some other blog authors to pitch in reviews for books that I haven't/aren't going to read. That would insure that you get as many book reviews as possible.

I can't wait to look back on this blog post and think about how far I've come. I am going to try very hard to make sure that this blog becomes a success. I want to write helpful reviews that help you find new books to escape into. New places to explore. New lives to live.

Hopefully, the next time I look back on this post I will have done all of that and more.

Book Review: "Brief Gaudy Hour" by Margaret Campbell Barnes

Hello Historical Fictionettes,

Thank you for stopping by, today I am reviewing a book by Margaret Campbell Barnes.

Book Title: Brief Gaudy Hour: A Novel of Anne Boleyn

Author: Margaret Campbell Barnes
Year Published: 1949
Pages: 378 pages (Not including extras such as Reading Guides etc.)
Rating: 3 Crowns. A nice read.

Synopsis: "The infamous love of King Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn undertook a rocky journey from innocent courtier to powerful Queen of England. A meticulous researcher, Margaret Campbell Barnes immerses readers in this intrigue and in the lush, glittery world of the Tudor Court. The beauty and charms of Anne Boleyn bewitched the most powerful man in the world, King Henry VIII, but her resourcefulness and cleverness were not enough to stop the malice of her enemies. Her swift rise to power quickly became her own undoing.

The author brings to light Boleyn's humanity and courage, giving an intimate look at a young woman struggling to find her own way in a world dominated by men and adversaries."

Review:

One of the reasons I enjoyed this book was it took the time to take us through each part of Anne's life.

We see glimpses of her life beginning with her preparation for leaving to France all the way until the executioners sword falls. We see her leaving her home, her striving to climb higher, falling in love for the first time, losing that love, setting off on a quest for revenge, manipulating a king to give her what she wants, becoming a queen, and finally, losing everything she has because she cannot fulfill the requirement of providing a heir.

We see her as more than just a scheming woman. We see her as a victim, a tragic heroine whose life ended too soon. Her humanity and courage is shown throughout this book, a woman who successfully rose from humble beginnings to the throne of England, despite living in a world dominated by men. A woman who fought against the social norm, because she longed for a life that didn't end with marriage.

I rated this book Three Crowns because:

Ms. Campbell Barnes is an eloquent writer. She describes scenes quite vividly and satisfactorily. Every scene comes to life.

However, there are a few negative traits of this book.

For one, the dates are quite jumbled.

Anne is said to be sixteen when she meets Henry Percy. That would mean her birth year was 1507. But later on in the book she is said to be thirty-three in 1536, that would indicate a 1503 birth year.

 It was published in 1949, which could account for the problem. It had very dated information, which many studies have now proven false.

She did not, as written, have a mole on her neck and that dreaded sixth finger on her right hand. Henry Fitzroy is older than Princess Mary Tudor in this book which is not true. He was actually three years younger than Mary. Henry Tudor didn't stray from Catherine of Aragon very much until he was sure that she wasn't going to give him a male heir.

But, it is quite easy to forgive the author. As I said earlier the misconceptions were probably not her fault. At least not most of them. In 1949 most of these myths were accepted as true stories, so you can hardly blame the author for believing them as well.

Most people who aren't overly-concerned with the dates and few miscalculations would have no problem with this book. Truly it's only problem is the few historical inaccuracies.

Margaret Campbell Barnes is truly a great author. I will be reviewing more of her books in the future.

Until next time Fictionettes,

New Book Reviews On The Way!

Hello Historical Fictionettes,

I am adventuring out on a family vacation so you won't hear from me again until late November.

However, I am taking two books with me to read so you will get those reviews when I return.

I am taking:

A Brief Gaudy Hour by Margaret Campbell Barnes. This is a story about Henry VII's second wife Anne Boleyn. It is an older book, as it was written by Barnes sometime in between 1944-1962. She wrote nine other historical novels in that time period.














The Queen's Mistake by Diane Haeger. This is another story about one of Henry VII's wives, however this time the story focuses on his fifth wife (and Anne Boleyn's own cousin) Catherine Howard. It is a more recent book, published in 2009.















Well my Fictionettes, I bid you adieu.

Three In A Row?

Hello Fellow Historical Fictionettes,

As you may have noticed my first three book reviews were all given 5 Crowns ratings. That is the best rating on my rating system.

Some of you may now be thinking "Maybe she is one of those people who like every book out there and never give any one a bad rating.".

Well, this isn't true.

I will give books the rating they deserve. I think the least I can do is be honest. Sometimes, the book is crap.

However, I wanted to give you all some quality books to read straightaway, so the first reviews are of really excellent books.

I intend to rate the books exactly as I think they should be. I am actually quite picky, and don't always love every book I read. I have many favorite books, but I have read many books that I didn't like.

You'll always see an "I rated this book ___ Crowns because:" section on every book review. I explain the reason the book received the rating, all the positive and negative attributes and so on and so forth.

I just wanted to put this out there so that everyone understands why the first books were top of the line and tell you not to worry, there will be some negative reviews later. I am trying to be completely honest.

If you happen to be an author of one of the books I have wrote a negative review on, please don't take it to heart. I am just one person in an entire world of people. At the very least, one person is going to hate your book, one person is going to like it, and one person is going to love it.

Everyone likes to read different things, that is why there are so many books in the world. There is something for every one of us.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and there will be more reviews soon,

Book Review: "At The Mercy of the Queen" by Anne Clinard Barnhill

Hello Fellow Historical Fictionettes,

This book is a fairly new one, it was published in 2012.

This is Anne Clinard Barnhill's first step into the Historical Fiction world. And believe me, it better not be her last.

Book Title: At The Mercy Of The Queen

Author: Anne Clinard Barnhill
Year Published: 2012
Rating: 5 Crowns. A perfectly amazing entrance into the world of Historical Fiction.

Synopsis: "A sweeping tale of sexual seduction and intrigue at the court of Henry VIII, At the Mercy of the Queen is a rich and dramatic debut historical about Madge Shelton, cousin and lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn.

At the innocent age of fifteen, Lady Margaret Shelton arrives at the court of Henry VIII and quickly becomes the confidante of her cousin, Queen Anne Boleyn. But she soon finds herself drawn into the perilous web of Anne’s ambition.

Desperate to hold onto the king’s waning affection, Anne schemes to have him take her guileless young cousin as mistress, ensuring her husband’s new paramour will owe her loyalty to the queen. But Margaret has fallen deeply in love with a handsome young courtier. She is faced with a terrible dilemma: give herself to the king and betray the love of her life or refuse to become his mistress and jeopardize the life of the her cousin, Queen Anne."

Review:

Any true Fictionette has heard the story of Anne Boleyn. Second wife of King Henry VIII, Anne was the main reason that he split of from the Church of Rome. However, after her failure to give Henry a son, he quickly tired of her. After trumping up some false charges against her, he had her beheaded. 

Anne Boleyn is often categorized as evil, self-centered, and immoral. In reading Historical Fiction, we have heard her story through many different eyes. We have seen her through her sister, Mary Boleyn; her ladies-in-waiting; her uncle, Thomas Howard; her sister-in-law, Jane Parker; and she has been spoken of in a past tense in many Tudor novels. But we have never before seen her through Margaret Shelton's eyes.

Madge Shelton is a cousin of Anne Boleyn and served as one of her closest ladies-in-waiting. However, most Historical Fiction authors have seemed to have forgotten Madge, or only make a brief mention of her. Almost as if her role in history was trivial. But as all Fictionettes know, everyone has a story to tell, and every story needs a chance to be told.

In At The Mercy of The Queen, not only is Anne Boleyn's story told, but Margaret Shelton's is as well. 

I rated this book Five Crowns because: 

(I know that I have used the highest rating three times in a row now...read more on that here.)

This is Anne Clinard Barnhill's first Historical Fiction book. If I ever write a book, I want my first one to be as good as this. This is right on par with Michelle Moran's first novel Nefertiti. Each of these books had a smashing debut, and I hope that Ms. Barnhill is working on another book right now.

Great character choice. Great, great, great, character choice. Ms. Barnhill made a great call in bringing to life a character that History and Historical Fiction has long forgotten. Madge Shelton was a perfect choice.

Accurate portrayals. There was nothing in this book that made me think "Come on now.... what are the chances of that happening?" No. It was all completely believable, and I think that is the defining point of a book. That is what takes it from good to great.

Well, go lose yourself in a book Fictionettes,

Book Review: “Nefertiti" by Michelle Moran

Hello Fellow Historical Fictionettes,

Today I am reviewing best-selling author Michelle Moran's first novel.

Book Title: Nefertiti

Author: Michelle Moran
Year Published: 2007
Rating: 5 Crowns - Amazing.

Synopsis: "The sweeping story of a powerful Egyptian family, Nefertiti: A Novel tells the tale of two sisters, the first of whom is destined to rule as one of history’s most fascinating queens.

Beautiful Nefertiti and her sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised far from the court of their aunt, the Queen of Egypt. But when the Pharaoh of Egypt dies, their father’s power play makes Nefertiti wife to the new and impetuous king. It is hoped she will temper King Amunhotep’s desire to overturn Egypt’s religion, but the ambitious Nefertiti encourages Amunhotep’s outrageous plans instead, winning the adoration of the people while making powerful enemies at court. Younger yet more prudent, Mutnodjmet is her sister’s sole confidant, and only she knows to what lengths Nefertiti will go for a child to replace the son of Amunhotep’s first wife.

As King Amunhotep’s commands become more extravagant, he and Nefertiti ostracize the army, clergy, and Egypt’s most powerful allies. Then, when Mutnodjmet begins a dangerous affair with a general, she sees how tenuous her situation is at her own sister’s court. An epic story that resurrects ancient Egypt in vivid detail, Nefertiti: A Novel."

Review: 

And so you embark on a fascinating journey where the narrator is none other than Mutnodjmet, the sister of Queen Nefertiti.

Daughters of Vizier Ay, Mutnodjmet and Nefertiti grew up away from court in the city of Akhmim. But after the death of Pharaoh Amunhotep III, fifteen year old Nefertiti is thrust into court life as the royal wife of the new Pharaoh Amunhotep IV.

One of Ancient Egypt's most controversial rulers is known to be Amunhotep IV (later known as Akenaten). The Pharaoh who would rid Egypt of the gods they worshiped and provide them with one new god was not a popular man in his day. But, his wife is the one who has been remembered throughout history. The great Nefertiti.

Many have heard the basics of this story. Pharaoh Akenaten and Queen Nefertiti destroy Egypt as it was known and build an entirely new empire based on one god. But so few no any more than that.

Few know the struggle, the hardships, and what was given up to build the kingdom of Amarna. 

But Mutnodjmet knows and that is why she is the ideal person to tell the story of her sister.

Moran's sheer genius in using Mutnodjmet has been noted by many. Who better to tell the story of one of Egypt's greatest queens than her own sister? The one person who was with her for everything. Who better to know the truth that lay beyond the throne of Egypt? 

The thing I enjoyed the most about this book is that even though it is centered around the reign of Akenaten and Nefertiti, Mutny is clearly a main character as well.

Sometimes when a story is being told about one character from another, the one telling the story is lost among  their words. But we never forget that we are seeing this all through Mutny's eyes.

I cannot think of a better character to choose from to tell this story because Mutny knows Nefertiti so well that she can see through the facade. She knows what is really happening, despite the display that is put before the people of Egypt.

When I first read this book I immediately noticed similarities between it and "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. For example: both Mutny and Mary are sisters of famous queen's, both are often forgotten by history because their sisters outshine them, they are both kept at court to help their sisters keep their husbands interests, they both have a desire for a more common, less hectic life, and they both fall in love with someone who is considered "beneath them".

This shows that history does in fact repeat itself.

I rated this book Five Crowns because:

Excellent character choice. I will say it again, No one could have told Nefertiti's story better than Mutny. I don't even think that if Moran chose to write it through Akenaten's eyes it could have been better. Because who knows you better than a sister who you've spent your whole life around?

Because Mutny is such an inspiring female lead. She helps all those she meets from giving away her healing solutions to those in need to even helping her sister's enemy Kiya. She knows what is right in her heart and chooses to follow it, despite how hard it is.

Such wonderful details. Upon reading this book you just might find yourself actually in Egypt. Moran is fantastic with descriptions.

You will learn more about Ancient Egypt's culture and it's people than in any other historical novel. I have yet to read any other work of fiction about Ancient Egypt that has been so meticulously researched. Though Moran takes you on a wonderful journey through time, she also stays true to history. And that is where the worlds of history and fiction seamlessly meet.

Have fun on your journey Fictionettes,

Book Review: “The Flower Reader" by Elizabeth Loupas

Hello Fellow Historical Fictionettes,

I decided to start this blog off with my review of one of my favorite books thus far.

Book Title: The Flower Reader

Author: Elizabeth Loupas

Genre: Historical Fiction

Year Published: 2012

Rating: 5 Crowns - This book was an example to all authors. This is how books should be written. 

Buy it from Amazon

Synopsis: "In the sweeping new novel from the author of The Second Duchess, dangerous secrets lead a passionate young woman into a maze of murder and conspiracy as Mary, Queen of Scots, comes home to reign in a treacherously divided Scotland….

With her dying breath, Mary of Guise entrusts a silver casket to Rinette Leslie of Granmuir, who possesses the ancient gift of floromancy. Inside the casket, and meant only for the young Mary, Queen of Scots, are papers the old queen has painstakingly collected—the darkest secrets of every Scottish lord and explosive private prophecies prepared by Nostradamus. Rinette risks her life to keep the casket safe, but she makes a fatal mistake: she shows it to her beloved young husband. On the very day the young queen comes home, Rinette’s husband is brutally assassinated.

Devastated, Rinette demands justice from the queen before she will surrender the casket. Amid glittering masques and opulent weddings, courtly intrigues and Highland rebellions, the queen’s agents and Rinette herself search for the shadowy assassin. They are surrounded by ruthless men from all over Europe who will do anything to force Rinette to give up the casket—threatening her life, stripping her of her beloved castle by the sea, forcing her to marry a man she hates, and driving her from the man she has reluctantly grown to love. In the end, the flowers are all she can trust—and only the flowers will lead her safely home to Granmuir."

Review:

Set in the mid-sixteenth century, The Flower Reader will take you back to the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, and introduce a new character by the name of Rinette Leslie.

This book is one of those rare books that successfully blends both history and fiction. Most authors struggle with adding fictional characters to history, while keeping the story believable. Ms. Loupas however, seems to be an exception.

Though Rinette may not be a real historical figure, once you begin reading this enthralling story you'll wish she was.

She is not your typical damsel in distress. She lives in a court full of secrets, surrounded by enemies. Each and every person in the court wants to know where the casket is and how to get to it. Rinette is threatened, coerced, kidnapped, has her daughter taken away from her, and is torn away from everyone she loves. Yet, she does not give in. She knows what is right and fights for it until the end.

Rinette also possesses the gift of floromancy or flower-reading and thus associates most of the people she meets with a certain flower that she believes has the same traits. This is yet another fun part of the story and a great way to add more description to a character without overdoing it. 

Each and every character in this book is very well described. By the end you'll feel as if you know them all and lived this story.

A very interesting part of the book is Loupas characterization of the young Mary, Queen of Scots. Seemingly selfish and spoiled, she also carries a trait not seen in many books about her later life: lightheartedness. She is more concerned about enjoying life and creating masques and plays than ruling a country. It is a welcome change because it makes her seem more human. Young and carefree.

If you enjoy books that whisk you away into another time add The Flower Reader to your book list.

I rated this book Five Crowns because:

It was well written. Each character was described in a way that made you feel as if they were standing in front of you. Every place was easily conjured up in your minds eye after reading the words.

How well fiction was seamlessly bound to fact. As mentioned before, Rinette Leslie is a work of fiction. But Loupas did an excellent job making Rinette a believable character.

For using a different view and perspective. Also as I mentioned above, Mary, Queen of Scots was given a completely different characterization than we're used to reading about. I found Loupas idea of Mary's young, more human side entirely refreshing.

For Rinette's character. In a world where females were dumbed down and considered to be good for nothing except for marrying and having children, someone like Rinette would have been a rare thing indeed. Even though she is a work of fiction, I think she is still a character that many should aspire to be like.