What do You think about The King's Daughter (2009)?
Depois de ter lido “A Aia da Rainha” fiquei à espera que surgisse a oportunidade de comprar e ler o segundo volume.Tal como no livro anterior, o título poderá ser algo enganador, pois julgamos que a história gira em torno da Rainha Maria, no entanto, serve apenas como pano de fundo.Acompanhamos Isabel Tornleigh, filha das personagens principais do livro anterior, e que, sem saber o passado dos seus pais, também tenta ajudar os hereges, paralelamente, Isabel tenta também salvar o seu pai, com a ajuda de Carlos Valverde.Apesar de nos apresentar os principais momentos de rebelião de Thomas Wyatt, a religiosidade de Maria, o ambiente que se vivia em Londres, não consegui sentir muita empatia por Isabel Tornleigh e achei que a história custava a desenrolar. Só nas últimas 150/200 páginas, é que achei que melhorava.Não sei se terei escolhido mal a altura para o ler, se está efectivamente abaixo d’ “A Aia da Rainha”, mas foi um livro que não me “encheu as medidas”.
—Patricia Rodrigues
With a title of "The King's Daughter" and a synopsis that states this novel is set in the reign of Mary Tudor, I of course expected the novel to be predominately about Mary herself. This was not at all the case. The novel's protagonist is in fact a fictional character named Isabel Thornleigh; a girl who is loyal to the rebel cause that initiated the Wyatt rebellion of 1554. She finds herself battling to save her father's life from an eneny who has the ear of the Queen herself. Aiding Isabel in her quest is a Spanish mercenary who has lived his life offering services to anybody with enough money to pay...until he meets Isabel. She soon begins to give him a lesson in loyalty, and in love.Considering this novel was not at all what I had expected it to be, I loved every second of it. The storyline was gripping and it kept my anticipation levels high throughout. There was never a dull moment. Isabel's involvement in Wyatt's rebellion was interesting, and the relationship between her and Carlos made for a very entertaining read also. However this is by no means an overly romantic tale, rather it shows how two people can find companionship in the most unexpected of places--and at the most inappropriate of times.This novel is for anyone with a love of British historical fiction who wishes for a change from the normal portrayal of life from the point of view of the Royal Court. Here is a novel that will take you to the poorer parts of London, through it's many jails, and into the camp of a rebel army. Through Isabel's eyes the reader is shown the fear many people shared at the start of Mary's reign. Whether due to xenophobia, or for fear of religious persecution, many were afraid of what her reign would bring. It was a turbulent time of British history, and this historical mystery utilises every aspect of that.
—Jennifer
Inappropriate title for this book. The heroine is Isabel Thornleigh, therefore the title of the book should be based on her.It is an engaging novel with exciting events, however I was disappointed in the outcome of one particular character: Edward Sydenham! Yes, yes I know that I am acting like a spoilt child but I feel I am entitled to roll my eyes in disbelief and curl my lips up in defiance. Barbara Kyle took to long to deal with that despicable man and when she did punish him, there was not enough juicy wrath. There were other characters that the story could have progressed with, without Edward Sydenham, for example Carlos Valverde. A ruthless mercenary who turned out to he a handsome caring man.The first chapters of the novels was delicious, the scenery and people so aptly described. However, a particular incident involving Isabella left a sour taste in my stomach that I could not raise above that wave to enjoy how the plot thicken. Plus, Edward... yes I just do not like that man!So, my low rating is based on my taste. It had nothing to do with the flow of the plot, the dialogue, the appeal to the five senses because that was well written. It has to do one traitor testing my patience.Lovely end though...the novel would make a great film.
—Noirfifre
