[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Is it wrong to find a book about death so funny? Maybe, but the authors have really got a knack for the hilarious and the ridiculous, writing with such dry humour that you forget that the facts they are sharing are about actual people who suffered dreadful fates. It’s a very interesting book, as well as being entertaining, including enough historical context to really assist understanding of the times in which the often ingenious methods of causing death were developed and carried out. There is also information on the legal basis for some of the more ridiculous situations, including those involving the trial of rats. The Tudor period has been written about so much but this book has tapped new veins of rich information and done so in a way which is both amusing and informative.
NetGalley, Louise Gray

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars A well-researched in-depth analysis of the various facets related to Anne Boleyn’s life. This narrative addresses the royal biases around Anne and the way media has rewritten pivotal facts. This is a deep dive into the truest accounts to this date that we know of related to Anne. A narrative that demystifies centuries of rumors and a King’s attempt to write Anne out of history. Genuinely interesting read for those interested in the Tudors. Each essay focuses on a central aspect related to Annes life or the way Anne’s life has been portrayed through various medias. Considerations are made for missing information, cultural context, and the current artifacts that remain from Anne’s reign as Queen. This is a great example of a non-fiction narrative that pulls the passion from their fingertips in riveting essays.
NetGalley, Mariah F.

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars I could not put this down. There is so much interesting information and the author presents it in a way which is extremely engaging and entertaining. The sub-text of societal expectations of women at the time adds depth to the analysis of some of the practicalities and even logistics of becoming a mother. I particularly enjoyed the detailed exploration of early ideas about the “humours” and the mobility of the womb - very interesting to see how strongly these ideas informed medical care at the time.
NetGalley, Louise Gray

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars The author here had found something new to say about the Tudors, which you would not think possible given the saturation of the market with books on the subject. Her subjects are Edward Seymour, Catherine Filliol and Anne Stanhope., hitherto overlooked characters who played key roles in Tudor England. They are fascinating characters and this account is illuminating, she reveals scandals I knew nothing about and painstakingly pieces together the lives of the two women involved, from very little evidence. It is not light reading or historical fluff, this is a very scholarly account, with detailed source analysis and tight research. Her referencing is sound and she uses numerous primary sources, referring to those over secondary material. Given this I would hazard a guess that the author is well schooled and a formally educated historian, which is refreshing to find. This is an excellent and very proper historical biography.
NetGalley, Beth Miller

Very well laid out and fascinating book! As a Tudor fanatic, I learned quite a lot of new information and found the illustrations to be lovely
NetGalley, Margot Daniels