This book covers the first two years of Elizabeth I's reign, 1558-1560. The young queen is portrayed as being frightened, and in need of emotional as well as practical counselling. While reading this account I began to wonder who was her most important advisor William Cecil (The First Minister) or Robert Dudley (The Master of Horse)? Although the Master of Horse was a prestigious position, his advice shouldn't have been the most significant on a wide range of subjects. As well as the problems concerning her relationship with Robert Dudley, she struggles with decisions affecting her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, and the threat of invasion from ...  Read the complete review

As any of you will know that have read some of my previous book reviews I'm a huge fan of Philippa Gregory and her novels on the Tudor period. I've read all of her Tudor novels now and have to say that I'm disappointed that there's no more in the series really! The Author Philippa Gregory was born in Kenya and moved to England at an early age. She has quite a selection of novels under her belt, including both adult's and children's books as well as several travel publications. Her novels fall into one of four series which include The Wideacre Trilogy, Historical Novels, Modern Novels and The Tudor Court Novels. The Virgin's Lover was published back ...  Read the complete review

I am a very interested in the Tudor and Elizabethan periods of history and have read widely, both fiction and non-fiction on the subject. I recently read the other Boleyn girl by Phillipa Gregory and really loved it, so the Virgins lover by the same author was a natural choice as part of my holiday reading this summer. The plot ******** As this novel is about events that have already happened I don't think I can be accused of spoiling the plot! The novel contains 496 pages but only covers the first two years of Elizabeth 1's reign. It is well documented that Elizabeth was very fond of Lord Robert Dudley, just how fond nobody will ever really know. ...  Read the complete review

This is a review of the 2007 book "The Virgin's Lover" by Philippa Gregogy who is a historical fictional novelist probably best known for her book "The Other Boleyn Girl" which was made into a big blockbuster film a few years ago. The Virgin's Lover is a good book to read from the Tudor series of books as it follows Anne Boleyn's daughter Elizabeth from the moment she becomes Queen of England. You probably already know a bit of detail from school and TV I am sure about Queen Elizabeth or Good Queen Bess as she was known, following a rather strict Queen Mary's rule, in 1558 Mary died and Elizabeth took to the throne. Elizabeth is known as ...  Read the complete review

The Virgin's Lover is another of the offer from Philippa Gregory set in a intricately detailed and highly researched Tudor setting. This story is a fictionalization of the infamous love affair that is rumored to have taken place between Queen Elizabeth and one of her courtiers Robert Dudley. I've become quite a fan of Philippa Gregory over the past few months. Her writing style does take a little getting used to as she does not write in chapters but rather in small diary like entries set out into seasons or years. This is a bit confusing to begin with, particularly if you like reading a chapter before bed but it doesn't take long to get used ...  Read the complete review