The Queen's Fool

The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory

By the author of The Other Boleyn Girl, comes this book, which takes place after Henry the VIII.  His daughters......Mary from his first wife, Kathrine of Aragon, and Elizabeth from his sordid mistress and second wife, Anne Boleyn, are at battle over the crown and fighting over the religious tone the country should take.

The story is told through the fictional character of Hannah Greene.  Hannah is a young Jewish girl, chased from her Spanish homeland when her mother was burned for being a Jew.  Hannah and her father finally end their terrible flee from persecution, in London.  Hannah's father is a book printer/seller.  When it is discovered by Sir Robert Dudley (vying for position for religious freedom) that Hannah has the 'sight', Hannah is begged as Queen Mary's fool.  She is pulled between the sad and stoic Queen Mary and her beautiful and dangerous half sister, Princess Elizabeth as they value Hannah's ability to see the future. 
Hannah is living the dangerous life as one of 'The People' in hiding.  She must not forget the old ways, while living the life of a Christian in a court where she could be slaughtered for her beliefs.  Hannah is betrothed to Daniel Carpenter, another Jew.  She must grow up and decide whether Daniel's faithful love and her heritage are more important than her girlish desire for Robert Dudley and her allegiance to a queen that is destined to fail miserably.

I loved the historical aspect, the religious themes, and the romance.  The book does open with a rather descriptive sexual scene but really tames after that.

Rating 4
Rating PG 13  sexual scenes

The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

*This is a fictitious account of historical events...........very fictitious.*
The story of the rise and fall (crash) of the Boleyn/Howard family written through the eyes of Mary, sister of Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII is married to Katherine of Aragon. His every thought is either consumed with creating a male heir or adulterating with a member of the court. The three Boleyn children, Mary, Anne and George were birthed and bread to come to court and climb the ladder, dragging their scheming family with them.
Mary is taken as Henry's mistress at the tender age of 14. She is already married to a courtier, but once the king has his eye on her, nothing else matters to her family. Mary is able to give birth to a daughter and son for the king. As she is pregnant and birthing their son, the kings eye is turned to the darker (physically and emotionally) sister, Anne.
The Boleyn/Howard family along with Anne hatch a historically diabolical scheme to have Katherine dethroned as the queen and subplant her with Anne. Anne must use all of her energy, feminine wiles, intrigue, even incest and sorcery to keep the king and give him a male heir.
I was completely captivated by the story. I loved the historical setting and the juxtapose of the scheming Anne and the contrary and sweet Mary.
Rating 4.5
Rating R The court is wild and sexual. Sexual themes and descriptions.