I love historical fiction set in the Tudor times so when I saw this book was available to me on this month's Amazon Vine newsletter, I jumped at the chance to get it. People have asked me about Amazon Vine in the past, more information can be found at this link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/vine/help
But basically, once a month a newsletter comes out with products I can receive for free, all I need to do is write a review on Amazon about them.



~~ We all know how this one ends... ~~

Stories of Henry VIII's wives are quite common place, each one depicting them differently. Katherine Howard was a young, teenage girl, and my image of her has always been one of a young, giggling girl, obsessed with clothes and boys and not realising the consequences of her actions. This book isn't actually written from the point of view of Katherine, but the whole book is told from the first person view of Catherine Tilney who is the childhood friend and maid-in-waiting to Katherine Howard.

From the start we are thrown into the very days before Katherine Howard's downfall, which did seem unusual at first to jump right in, however it only touches the beginnings before it suddenly switches back to when our Catherine Tilney first goes to the Duchess of Norfolk's house, where her and Katherine Howard are brought up. I loved Catherine Tilney's character, although she does come across as a very naive and innocent person, and later on this did irritate me slightly. The time spent growing up in the Duchess' household takes up most of the book, and includes when Katherine Howard arrives, and her romances with Henry Manox and Francis Dereham.



~~ My Opinion ~~

This was when I met a different type of Katherine Howard than the one I have imagined. In this book she doesn't say much, but does like to make remarks about people quietly, however doesn't get involved in girlish conversations or heated arguments. She seems very knowing and controlled, and this is put across when she turns the head of Henry Manox. It doesn't dip into too much of what happened between Katherine and Henry, because it's told from the view of Catherine it's only what she sees or hears that we learn about. The romance with Francis Dereham is very different and we follow this loved up couple from start until end, when Katherine Howard is called to court to become a lady in waiting to the Queen.

The book switches back from live at the Duchess' to events in the present time as they unfold at court. Francis is called away for questioning by Archbishop Cranmer and Catherine knows something big is about to happen, however she likes to think everything will brush over. I loved the way this book was set out, the switches between past and present weren't frequent and it told enough of the history at the Duchess' home to understand what was happening with Katherine's fall from grace.

This isn't too big of a book, however I could not put it down, and I was sorry when it ended. I would have liked to have read more of Katherine's time at court before her downfall; however it seems this part of the book is missed out. Another part which confused me was a romance Catherine has, it takes a big jump without any explanation, and so I feel something is really missing there. It goes from innocent hand holding to sharing a bed so suddenly, and considering the huge build up throughout the book I would have expected more on this part.

If you love historical fiction involving the Tudor times then this is a must read. I was clued to the pages, despite knowing how it would all end, the in-between part was told brilliantly, and it give me a different view of Katherine Howard that I've never imagined before.

The Confession of Katherine Howard will be available to buy at the end of May in Hardback, you can pre-order form Amazon at the moment for £7.99.