Boleyn Deceit, The: A Novel (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
This is one of my favorite trilogies of all time. I finally got around to rereading The Boleyn King so I could read the last two books. SO good!! All I can think of while reading these books is how I want to be with the Holy Quartet, trying to stay careful amidst court intrigue, wearing gowns dripping with gems and everything! But onto the actual content of the book.-SPOILERS-I love Dominic and Minuette together so much. I think he's the perfect foil to her: She's fiery and passionate, shining wherever she goes, while he's The King's Shadow, always trying to blend in. He is the conscience of the four, and she is the spirit. He keeps her grounded while she keeps him from taking himself too seriously. I just don't want to ever leave this pairing. Don't get me wrong, I love Minuette and Will together as well. But just as friends. They're so wonderful as friends! And there wasn't enough of his perspective in this book for me to justify his love of Minuette. At this point, it seems more like he's sticking to this love because people are suspicious and they tell him to stay away. I really wanted more of his perspective where she was concerned. As a result, I was partially hoping he would die at the end because then, all the problems would be solved. Dom and Min could be together, Elizabeth would be queen, and all would be happy. Will just didn't stand out for me in this book. Elizabeth is so amazing, you guys. She needed more time in this book. Hopefully her role grows in the last installment. I really hurt for her throughout this book, and it killed me when Robert turned out to be more bad than good. But also, I was happy to see it because for girls like Elizabeth, this is what cuts off the love. She ends the book no longer blinded by his charms and her desires. And I cannot wait to see what she does next and how she becomes queen (if she does in this alterna-history?) I just need so much more Elizabeth in my life. I told myself I was going to chase this trilogy down with a contemporary read, but I don't know if that's going to happen because I NEED MORE ELIZABETH. Last but not least, I love Minuette! I just love everyone. She's so fiery and spirited. She knows how to flirt and spy, but it seems she's starting to get in over her head and I really want to see if she learns to swim in the deeper waters, if someone dives in to save her, or if she drowns. I know that she's kind of a slut-shamer, but I think if she lived in modern times, she wouldn't be. She mentions several times that it's unfair for men to be able to have mistresses, but women are not given the same freedoms. Back then, a woman's virginity was serious business and I understand Minuette (and everyone in the time period) being wary of women that were more promiscuous. One thing I really love about this series is that it's not just the romance, we get the politics. I understand Tudor politics WAY MORE than current day politics. Offshore drilling? I have no clue. Protestant vs Catholic? I can help. These books are very much like the show The Tudors in that while the love stories take the forefront, we get to see the business side of running a kingdom. I love that!! Okay, I've rambled enough. I love this book. I can't wait to read the next/last book. I can't wait for a time machine to go dance at Tudor Court. To carry this alternate history further on is tricky. Henry IX can't really alter too much. Just leaving Mary I out of the line gets us away from the bloodshed of her reign, but since the trail leads to Elizabeth I, poor William can't reproduce, but as king he must go through the marriage dance. I'm not sure if the two men in love with the same woman really works here. Trying to position an Englishwoman as his wife, her lavishes titles and property on her, as his father did on his mother, but it doesn't sit quite right.
What do You think about Boleyn Deceit, The: A Novel (2014)?
I was captivated! A remarkable novel by Laura Andersen!
—kmtaylor804
A new and fresh take on Tudor history "what ifs".
—aly
