I have read a few of historian Alison Weir's non-fiction books and thoroughly enjoyed her debut fiction novel, Innocent Traitor, which wove its tale around the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey. When I glimpsed a second Alison Weir novel in the library last week, The Lady Elizabeth, I knew I wanted to read it straight away. I am not the quickest reader in the world, but I found this novel so interesting and enthralling that I managed to get through this thick 483 page hardback in just under a week. I found myself dipping into it when I had a few minutes to spare, I read long and hard through the night and took it into the bath with me. I couldn't seem to put ...  Read the complete review

Despite reading at least two books a week on my commute to and from work, I don't often write book reviews as I don't feel I can do these beautiful books any justice. However I decided to give myself a challenge and write a book review about one of my favourite topics, by one of my favourite authors. Alison Weir is a historian who mainly writes biographical accounts of British royalty. After reading a number of her non-fiction books, I decided to read her novels, one of which was The Lady Elizabeth, based on the life of Elizabeth I before her ascension to the throne. === Elizabeth I === Elizabeth I is one of the most well known and interesting ...  Read the complete review

Browsing the W.H Smiths at Heathrow airport I came across an Alison Weir novel that I hadn't read. I am a huge fan of her books and had thought I had read them all but The Lady Elizabeth was one I had missed! I normally buy my books, so was a bit shocked at having to pay the cover price of £ 6.99! So was it money well spent? Before I tell you my opinion let me give you a brief outline of the plot. Elizabeth Tudor was the daughter of King Henry V111 and Anne Boleyn. The story begins in 1536 when Elizabeth was just 3 years old. This was the year in which Anne Boleyn was beheaded for so called treason. The Kings oldest daughter, Mary, is introduced in the early ...  Read the complete review

I have recently finished reading The Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir and thought it was extremely hence the reason why I sought out to get The Lady Elizabeth. Sadly I feel that I am a little disappointed with it. I've always been interested in the tudors so naturally Elizabeth I has always been a keen figure to read up on. This book features her life from that of her Mothers (Anne Boleyn) execution, to the death of her elder step sister Mary and onto her becoming Queen of England. The book initially starts in 1536, where Anne Boleyn was beheaded. At the time Elizabeth was only 3 years old and has suddenly been renounced as a bastard ...  Read the complete review

I'm a huge fan of history - both factual books and historical fiction, but somehow Alison Weir passed under my radar somewhat. It wasn't until I saw this book, 'The Lady Elizabeth' on my mums coffee table and decided to borrow it that I'd read any of her works. Having done a little research into her (love wikipedia!) I cans see that she has published numerous factual accounts of historical events, and that this book is her second foray into historical fiction . This book covers Elizabeth's life from when she is three, and informed of her mothers execution by beheading on the charge of adultery, until the moment she learns that she is Queen . We ...  Read the complete review