[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars An interesting and in-depth look at Elizabeth Tudor’s heirs and the man who won the race to succeed her - James I.
NetGalley, Caroline Palmer

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Despite watching movies and reading a light amount about Marie Antoinette, I’ve always wanted to learn more and this book was amazing. It covered her entire life and everything was so well explained. This is not just a bland history, but a vivid and colorful literary education on who she was, what she did, and how she met the end that she did. I truly enjoyed this book and have retained so much from it.
NetGalley, Ellen Ross

[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

I like how the author covers events from a different perspective and with different interpretations from others I’ve read. After going through the life events of each king, the author then covers each king’s legacy through the centuries, starting with shortly after their deaths, through the Reformation and Victorian Era, up until recent times in books and films. It’s fascinating to see how the kings’ reputations and legacies have changed as the times have changed.
NetGalley, Carren Joye

As the title suggests, this volume offers a sketch of the first thirty years of Charles II's life. A wonderful benefit of limiting the scope of the subject is that readers are offered a chance to more fully immerse themselves in the details surrounding the monarch’s childhood and early adult life. The book also works as a quick overview of the English Civil War and really allows the reader to get a sense of what motivated this conflict, how and why Charles I erred, and how the young Charles II navigated those precarious times. My favorite anecdote was perhaps the exploration of Charles’ early affinity for a piece of wood who became his constant companion and the resulting musings over what this might signify. Another highlight was the discussion of Christabella Wyndham. I think in my other reading about Charles II, she has somehow been overshadowed by some of his later relationships, but the information presented about her was very interesting! Hobson’s writing is concise and accessible,.. Read more
NetGalley, Nicholas Artrip