Although The Constant Princess isn't the first book that Philippa Gregory wrote in The Tudor Court series, it's the first in chronological order so I thought this would be a good one to start with. I've struggled with a few books just lately finding it hard to get into them, I'd already resigned myself to the fact that this would be the same but it wasn't like that at all, I was absolutely hooked from the very first page.
This novel tells the life of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife, right from her childhood in Spain, through to her marriage to Henry's older brother, Arthur, and finally to her life as Queen of England. It's a real page turner and I found myself unable to put it down. I enjoyed the author's style of writing, I found it easy to read, and I enjoyed how the book is written from Catherine's point of view.
This is another book I'd recommend and I shall definitely be reading the next in the series.
If you want to know what else I've been reading lately, you can find a list in the sidebar. This shows all the books I've read this year and there's also lists of the books I've read right back to 2012.
That sounds just the sort of book I would go for. If it's still 99p I'll give it a go.
ReplyDeleteI've just checked and it's still 99p at the moment. I've since downloaded Three Sisters, Three Queens by the same author for 99p so I'm looking forward to reading that.
DeleteIt was The Other Boleyn Girl that got me into PG books, and i've read everything she has done since then, I really enjoy history reads and she blends fact with fiction very well. If you haven't read The Other Boleyn Girl i highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI've just found a new-to-me author, Erin Kelly, if you haven't read anything by her I recently finished He Said/ She Said and really enjoyed it, it's sort of a mystery thriller and has a lot of twists.
Have a good week x
I've seen the film of The Other Boleyn Girl, I think it's the third book in the series chronologically. I've never heard of Erin Kelly, I shall have to look her up. I'm always pleased of a recommendation.
DeleteThe Other Boleyn Girl is a much better read than the TV version/film. I've tried to watch it and just can't, there are so many things wrong with it I just had to turn it off. Erin Kelly wrote a series of books to read alongside the Broardchurch TV series when it was on TV. The 2 books of hers that i have read are very much along the same lines, tension building with a lot of twists.
DeleteI find it's very rare that a film is better than the book, it's usually the other way around. The Erin Kelly books sound good, I shall definitely put them on my list of books to read.
DeleteI am undecided with her, I have read a few of her's and enjoyed, but then a couple I really could not get into.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, I shall have to see what I think as I read more of her books.
DeleteGood to see that you found a book you enjoyed, and at a bargain price. Happy reading. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's one of those books which I couldn't put down, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
DeleteI've read one or two of Philippa Gregory's novels, not just the history ones and found them interesting. At the moment I have 'Three Sisters, Three Queens' on my pile of library books. It's also about Katherine of Aragon when she comes to the Tudor court where she encounters Henry VIII's sisters, Margaret and Mary. It seems to be written in the first person, which might make it more immediate and a page turner. I shall look out for The Constant Princess although I think I'll take a break from historical novels before I start another one.
ReplyDeleteI've also got Three Sisters, Three Queens waiting to be read, though I've got a few other books to read too so I'm not sure when I'll get round to it. I enjoy finding a good series so that I've got a few books to go at by the same author.
DeleteI love her books. Some are more engaging than others, to me, but generally, they're very good. This one was one of my personal favorites. Glad you liked it too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was much better than I was expecting, though exactly what I was expecting, I'm not sure. I'm looking forward to reading more from Philippa Gregory now.
DeleteBrilliant. I've just finished the White Princess and once I got going, I couldn't put it down either! Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI think The White Princess is in a different series but I'm looking forward to reading them all now that I've discovered Philippa Gregory.
DeleteI'be read quite a few Philippa Gregory books and enjoyed them. I didn't like history when I was at school but I think that was die to the boring way it was taught. Strangely I started to enjoy it when I started teaching it.
ReplyDeleteI took History as one of my options at school but I can't say I was overly interested in the subject, it's only as I've got older that I've come to enjoy it more. I suppose it's got something to do with the fact that you can pick and choose which parts you want to learn about.
DeletePG's Wild Acre was my first. Kind of disturbing but engrossing in a weird way
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this book, I shall have to look out for it.
DeleteI read her novel about the Tradescants many years ago, but nothing since then. Maybe I should try her books again, Jo.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
I know the Tudor Court series has been very popular, these are the ones which piqued my interest and I'm glad now that I gave one a try.
DeleteOh I am glad that you really enjoyed this book Jo. I've just finished reading her latest novel 'The Last Tudor' which I got from the local library. I've been fascinated by the Tudors since my long ago school days. If you are getting into historical novels you might also enjoy books by Alison Weir.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite interested in The Tudors too so I think this was a good book to start with. I've seen some Alison Weir books doing the rounds too so I shall look out for one of hers to try. Thanks for the recommendation.
DeleteI really enjoy Philippa Gregory books, and I do enjoy history too. I think the Tudors were fascinating xx
ReplyDeleteI think the Tudors were fascinating too, especially the court of Henry VIII and his six wives. I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of the books in this series.
DeleteNot read any of her books as yet but this book as been recomemnded by a few people. One to put on the list.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely glad I gave it a try, I'm looking forward to reading another of her books now.
DeleteNow this is a very good recommendation Jo, and I think I will be adding this book to my must read list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
All the best Jan
I certainly enjoyed it, I hope you do too if you do decide to read it.
DeleteAs you know I love books based on history (although most if not all were fiction intermingled with known facts) so this one sounds right up my alley. I recall many years ago (30+) reading a similar style of book revolving around Queen Elizabeth I and one of her ladies in waiting, I believe, & enjoying it quite a lot.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading about kings and queens and Henry VIII and his court definitely stirs my imagination so this book was perfect for me, I'm looking forward to reading more in the Tudor Court series.
DeleteI have read a lot of her books and always enjoyed them, somehow I've missed this one.
ReplyDeleteThis is the only Philippa Gregory book I've read so I have nothing to compare it to, but I certainly enjoyed it. I just hope the rest of her books are as good.
DeleteShe's very popular at our library.
ReplyDeleteI've read quite a few good reviews of her books and I certainly agree in this case, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
DeleteYou can't go wrong for that price. Sounds interesting.xxx
ReplyDeleteI pick up some really good bargains on Kindle.
DeleteI love PG books about the Tudors, I'm glad you enjoyed this one too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bargain this one was too which was a plus!
Lisa x
I've managed to pick up Three Sisters, Three Queens on Kindle for 99p too so I'm really pleased about that. I'm back to having restless nights at the moment so my Kindle is getting plenty of use.
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