Vanora Bennett

Read under the title "Blood Royal", rather than the alternative title of "The Queen's lover" this is the fictionalised story of French Catherine, her marriage to English King Henry V and her long term friendship with Owain Tudor. It's is the offspring of the latter marriage that ultimately become the Tudor family, producing Henry VIII.

Other reviewers complain about the apparent falsehoods in this story - I have no idea whether the plot lines are true or not. But it can be certain that in a male dominated world, where women (even Queens) have little power and only that be granted to them by even inferior status men, then some of the plot devices here are likely to have some grain of truth. Then again, this is classed as fiction, not fact!

There are some things that dont quite ring true - was Owain and Catherine's friendship allowed to flourish that easily, and once found out, allowed to continue? But then again, they did marry in real life, so if not this way, then how? [return][return]On the whole an enjoyable book… (más)

This is a very forgettable book.
I know that I read it when it came out, I remember buying it, I remember reading it, I dare say, I even remember what the weather was like. Yet, I didn't remember a single thing from it when I reread it now. I am not saying that I remember every book I've ever read in its fullest, but normally some snippets do come up when the memory gets juggled, but here nothing.

It starts out ok, a solid history story, we are getting to know the characters, have a little drama, a little romance, and then, there is a huge secret that gets revealed and the story turns south.

I don't mind if a historical novel isn't 100% accurate, Ms Bennett wanted to make Clement into a prince ok, fine, but she told it so awkwardly that it is just a lot of confusion and head shaking.
Meg who started out as a strong character turned in the end into a 21st century vindictive housewife only to change her again 180 degree on the last ten pages.
I guess I don't understand that when you have a historical figure that was known for being smart and well educated, that you make her into a lovesick puppy who all of a sudden can't reason anymore?

There were just too many story lines that got entangled and enmeshed and made everything into a big mess where at the end Ms Bennett did not see a good way to fix it and waved her author wand and puff, all lifelines are in tune again.

The writing of the characters itself was also at times way too modern, the thought processes and the way the characters acted, which made everything even more unbelievable and less enjoyable to read.

(And even though I said I don't mind inaccuracy that much, if a story gets praised for being well researched and that puts in crocheted lace into the 16th century ... makes me wonder if it was really well researched or not.)… (más)