Just when historical fiction fans were beginning to feel the dearth of new works, Fremantle fills the void with this outstanding debut novel that follows twice-widowed Katherine Parr as she falls in love with courtier Thomas Seymour but is compelled to marry King Henry VIII. The author manages to do something that few authors of historical fiction can: delve into the hopes, dreams, and desires of one of Henry's wives. Although not viewed as "ill-fated" by history because she survived her tempestuous royal marriage, Parr was a woman who struggled to live for herself and to make her mark on the world. The latter she hoped to accomplish by furthering church reforms, a dream that died when she almost found herself prisoner in the tower.
VERDICT This guaranteed best seller will appeal not only to your die-hard Tudor buffs but also to readers who enjoy Hilary Mantel's novels about Thomas Cromwell (Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies). Be sure to include this on your summer must-read list. [See Prepub Alert, 12/2/12.]
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