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Supposedly there isn’t as much historical information available about Katherine Parr as about Henry VIII’s other Queens. I read all of Weir’s other books about the Queens; this one felt like she was glad to be finishing the series at last, as wasn’t as engaging as most of the other books in the series ( )

I have read the first two books in this series and had a difficult time getting through both. When I started the third book, I was hoping for a better experience, but I was unable to proceed. I am terribly disappointed but feel that others would be able to give a fairer report on the book than I. I will not be reading the remainder of the series.

When Katharine is married for the first time her husband is young and unsure. She loves him but her marriage is not blessed with children. When he dies Katharine is an eligible widow and she remarries to a bluff, older nobleman. She dotes on her stepchildren but longs to be a mother herself. When he dies Katharine feels that she can choose her next husband and she falls hard for a powerful man but a more powerful man has his sights on Katharine and she must tread a fine line - duty and her convictions.
This series has been a joy from beginning to end and Weir continues to show her eminent historical scholarship as she writes a fictionalised biography of Henry VIII's final wife. The knowledge of historical fact is woven through with imagined feelings and dialogues so seamlessly and the image of Katharine as little more that a nursemaid is laid to rest. I will miss these novels and look forward to the next challenge. ( )

The Six Tudor Queens series by Alison Weir has finally come to an end with the release of Katharine Parr - The Sixth Wife. I've been following this historical fiction series since book two (Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession) and they've all been 5 star reading experiences.

Each book is about the life of the queen in the title, and I was looking forward to Weir's representation of twice widowed Katharine Parr. The novel starts in 1517 when Katharine is just 5 years of age, and the excellent writing, research and storytelling in evidence throughout the series is definitely on show here. These historical figures are expertly brought to life, and I don't recall where I first heard it (it could have been from one of many Tudor inspired documentaries, movies, TV shows or books) but I enjoyed seeing this quote from King Henry VIII in the book:

"He has no idea what I really think of him. That's my method, Kate. Play off one against the other. Divide and rule, and keep your hand close. Believe me, if I thought my cap knew what I was thinking, I would throw it in the fire!" Page 346

I enjoyed learning more about Katharine Parr, especially since the novel covers many of the same events as The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory. Another favourite historical fiction author, In The Taming of the Queen, Gregory tells Kateryn (note different spelling) Parr's story in the first person. The fact that I read it when it was released back in 2015 provided enough distance to appreciate the similarities but also space to notice the differences between the two books. The painting that featured so prominently in Philippa Gregory's novel doesn't take up much time in this story and I can't help feeling a little disappointed by that; given how much I adore the portrait and the story behind it.

The slightly different take on Katharine's religious leanings, her achievement in bringing King Henry VIII's children Prince Edward, Mary and Elizabeth to court and convincing the King to change the Act of Succession made for fascinating reading. The deplorable behaviour by Prince Edward's uncle after the death of Henry VIII was just as frustrating to read here as it must have been to endure, but I could relate to Katharine's internal struggle about whether to fight the fact that the King wanted her to be Regent or let it go and focus on her own happiness instead.

Reading Katharine Parr - The Sixth Wife was a refresher on the scandals of the Tudor court, the political influences and of course the Reformation and changes in religious doctrine at the time. Weir takes us right up to Katharine Parr's death in 1548 from childbed fever at Sudely Castle. She was only 38 at the time of her death, and passed away just 1 year and 8 months after Henry VIII.

As with the rest of the series, the passing of the main character at the end of the book was a very moving scene. I found myself doing a lot of Googling after the last page to remind myself how things ended for the other characters and to get a better sense of Sudeley Castle. It's an amazing castle and I'd love to visit there one day, but it was a shock to find out that historians disagree about what eventually became of Katharine's daughter with Thomas Seymour.

Katharine Parr - The Sixth Wife by Alison Weir can easily be read as a stand alone and is recommended for historical fiction fans with an interest in the Tudor period. I'm sorry to have reached the end of this magnificent series, and the only thing left for me to do now is go back and read the first book, Katherine of Aragón: The True Queen.

* Copy courtesy of Hachette Australia * ( )