Rating: 
Summary: Riveting story from beginning to end....
Review: Well, I couldn't put it down, once I started in earnest. The characters are rich and well drawn. The historical perspectives leaves a bit to be desired. Ms Gregory does miss out on some of the dialogue of the time, playing up on some of the "rumors" instead of facts. A few of the characters are not historically accurate. If you can ignore the inaccuracies, this is a definite page turner and is excellently told. I can forgive a little license for a good story.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't want this book to end...
Review: Amazon recommended this book to me based on other purchases, and I'm so glad they did! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read this book immediately after finishing "I, Elizabeth," and thought that going from that point of view into a new one would be jarring, but I fell smoothly into Mary's story and loved every minute of it.The book could easily have romanticized the story of Mary Boleyn and her affair with the king, but instead shows a very realistic picture---there is love there, but there is also deceit, manipulation, and betrayal. Anne Boleyn is not just a {prostitue} who displaced a queen, but a real person who in the end falls prey to her own overpowering ambitions. Even Henry has his gentle side, and isn't portrayed solely as a tyrant who likes shedding wives. There are tender moments, and then there are scenes that will make you shudder and be very glad you're not a woman living during the reign of Henry VIII. I did find the ending to be a little abrupt; Mary is at court with her husband and children, trying in her own way to help Anne. She witnesses Anne's execution (thinking all the while that Henry will pardon her at the last, dramatic moment), leaves with her husband and children to go home, and there the book ends. After getting to know Mary so intimately through out the rest of the book, I would have liked more of a reaction to Anne's death and the aftermath. Since most people are familiar with Anne rather than Mary, though, I suppose it made sense to end the book there. I was so immersed in the story, though, that I could have happily read about Mary's adventures for the rest of her life, even if she never went near royalty again.
Rating:
Summary: had to change my review!
Review: I have previously written a review on this book and have decided to include more information. This book was wonderful. It really made you think about how cruelly women were used in the past. Mary was treated like an animal, a person without feelings, like an object. She was used as something to further her family's importance. The king's mistress at 13! And Mary really had no one's shoulder to cry on. Her sister Anne was jealous of her, her brother was nice but would have told their father or uncle. I was happy at the end where she married someone she loved, I was angry when her sister banished her from court, I felt happy when Anne finally got what she deserved. Mary didn't want much. All she wanted was to be with her children and husband...
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its purely entertainment value. I agree with the other reviewers that this book contains some glaringly inaccurate historical details, but if you are looking for true historical fact, then reading historical fiction is probably not the route you should pursue. I do not know for sure if the inaccuracies were intentional or not, but my feeling is (from the author interview at the end of the book) that the author attempted to write this story as accurately as possible. Unfortunately, that attempt was not successful. I do have some reservations about the characterization that Anne Bolyen received. The author appears to have used all the ugly and malicious rumours that swirled around Anne during her "show" trial as a basis for her character. While it is true that Anne was a strong, ambitious and tempetous woman, I feel her treatment in this book almost makes her look insanely self-centered and power-seeking. BUT! This does make for an fun read! All together, the story is entertaining and well written. You are able to get a true feel for court life and the machinations behind the throne. The characters are well defined and the plot line is clean. I recommend this book - just don't get distracted by the inaccuracies. This is fiction and fun fiction at that.
Rating:
Summary: Get lost in the past......
Review: I LOVED this book! I don't really like reading historical novels, but this book was amazing. I could not put it down and would read well into the night because I could not get enough. The author does such a wonderful job with the characters, you feel sorry for Mary and how horrible her family was to her, but at the same time, you quickly begin to despise Anne and how awful a woman she was, especially to her sister. I found myself surfing the internet reading up on Henry VIII because I didnt know much about that time in history. Before reading this book, I would never have been that interested in the English monarchy. If I could rate this book a 10 I would. I would rank this up there with "Memoirs of a Geisha". Buy this book, you will love it!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: The best book I have read in a long, long time. It was interesting from beginning to end. A must for historical novel lovers!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read
Review: I will tell you what everyone who read this book told me...I am not a history buff, I have never been into historical fiction and especially history about the European kings, queens and thier courts. But, I loved this book and had the most difficult time putting it down. It is excellently written, the characters are amazing, and the book is by far one of the best books I have ever read. Don't miss out on this book. I am researching to see what books I can read that are like this one! I just can't think of anyone who would not enjoy this book. Because I loved it, and I hated learning about that genre, then anyone would love it!
Rating:
Summary: a good book, the author could have researched more though
Review: I really did like The Other Boleyn Girl. Most books are on the more well-known sister, Anne. This book, however, was historically inaccurate(I know, I sound like an idiot). Mary was the older sister. George was the youngest(child, of course!!) P.S. if any historical fiction authors are reading this, many of us Tudor-Crazed geeks would appreciate it if you researched your novels more carefully.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: Usually I am not into historical reads but this book was passed on to me. For those of us who dislike being bogged down with history this is a must read. It was a very contemporary read and the characters seemed very real to me.
It did take me a chapter or two to get me hooked but once I got going I was unable to put it down.
Thanks to Philippa Gregory who has taught me a bit more about history, she is a fantastic author!
Rating:
Summary: Excellecent
Review: A Very good read. Kept me interested and entertained. If you like historical fiction as much as I do, than this is one of many that you'll enjoy.
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