[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Admittedly, details of the life of Honor Lisle seemed to have passed me by in all of my Tudor readings and education so far, so this book was a gem! The author sets the scene by introducing us to the Tudor era, with how the times were starting to change in Honor’s youth to the changing of kings and queens and to her subsequent position in Calais. Through her experiences and correspondences, we see how the Tudor Court changed, what life was like for her and gained further insight into the period. The storytelling was great in this and I had absolutely no problem getting hooked. Which for a non-fiction read, I always appreciate! The research that must have gone into this, I could imagine was immense. It certainly payed off for how all encompassing and well written this was and I really enjoyed reading it. Kudos to Amy License for giving Honor her well deserved space in the pages and to bring her to literary light. I really enjoyed!
NetGalley, Nicola Wilton

[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 Power couples is the Tudor era? Yes please. What a great focus for a book and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Today’s news is all the ‘power couples’ of modern day, but the power couples of Tudor times paved the way for more than just drama and gossip, they could shape history! The research the author put into this book was plain to see and made reading this book super enjoyable and easily immersible. I absolutely love reading about this period of history and reading from a new angle and perspective is one I always welcome. And from the fresh vantage point of power relationships, from kings and queens, to advisors and more, I definitely felt I came away all the richer in learning about this. A fantastic read!
NetGalley, Nicola Wilton