Genre: YA, historical fiction
Published on January 29, 2008
Published by HarperCollins
Pages: 214
Read From: 9.28.12 - 9.30.12
Final Rating: 4/5 strawberries
SYNOPSIS
Growing up, Elizabeth fears she can never be Queen. Although she is the King's daughter, no woman can ever hope to rule over men in England, especially when her mother has been executed for treason.
For all her royal blood, Elizabeth's life has fraught with danger and uncertainty. Sometimes she is welcome in the royal court; other times she is cast out into the countryside. With her position constantly changing, the Princess must navigate a sea of shifting loyalties and dangerous affections. At stake is her life - for beheading is not uncommon among the factions that war for the Crown.
Review
Cover Blurb: I don't mind the person on the cover of this book because it's a side profile, she's not staring at me, and it's done in the style of a portrait.
What I Liked: Rinaldi has always been good at breathing new life into historical figures. I think that it must be harder to do so with famous historical figures - such as Queen Elizabeth I. But she did a remarkable job. She paints a very interesting and entirely believable picture of a young Elizabeth: mature for her age, but flawed, and regal. A young girl who learned the meaning of treachery very early on, and a young girl who was very clever. And Elizabeth had to have been clever in order to literally keep her head through the turmoils of her time - and to be able to dodge marriage proposals and her own sister.
What I Disliked: The relationship between Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour was just creepy. I don't think it was supposed to be romantic, and I'm not saying the Author should have left it out. But I had a very difficult time sympathizing with Elizabeth on this matter.
Believability: As with all of her books, The Redheaded Princess is very well researched, and I have nothing to complain about.
Writing Style: As always, it's good. She gives Elizabeth a convincing narrative voice, as she does with all of her protagonists.
Content: The Author handles Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour's very short affair without undue detail, though the purpose behind their morning game was made clear without being graphic.
Conclusion: This was a very pleasant historical-fictional summary of Elizabeth's early life before she became queen. It was enjoyable; not at all disappointing.
Recommended Audience: Historical fiction fans, Rinaldi fans, girl-read, fourteen and up.
What I Liked: Rinaldi has always been good at breathing new life into historical figures. I think that it must be harder to do so with famous historical figures - such as Queen Elizabeth I. But she did a remarkable job. She paints a very interesting and entirely believable picture of a young Elizabeth: mature for her age, but flawed, and regal. A young girl who learned the meaning of treachery very early on, and a young girl who was very clever. And Elizabeth had to have been clever in order to literally keep her head through the turmoils of her time - and to be able to dodge marriage proposals and her own sister.
What I Disliked: The relationship between Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour was just creepy. I don't think it was supposed to be romantic, and I'm not saying the Author should have left it out. But I had a very difficult time sympathizing with Elizabeth on this matter.
Believability: As with all of her books, The Redheaded Princess is very well researched, and I have nothing to complain about.
Writing Style: As always, it's good. She gives Elizabeth a convincing narrative voice, as she does with all of her protagonists.
Content: The Author handles Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour's very short affair without undue detail, though the purpose behind their morning game was made clear without being graphic.
Conclusion: This was a very pleasant historical-fictional summary of Elizabeth's early life before she became queen. It was enjoyable; not at all disappointing.
Recommended Audience: Historical fiction fans, Rinaldi fans, girl-read, fourteen and up.
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