The Virgin's Lover - Philippa Gregory

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 the last in the series of tudor period books by Philippa Gregory. I started off reading The Other Bolyen Girl, as my mum bought it for me for my birthday, then read the Bolyen Inheritance. Unfortunately being a student, I have had to borrow these books from the local library instead of buying the whole series and reading them in the right order. They only have a few in at a time as they seem to be very popular, so now Im on the last one in the series, having missed out a few Im sure. The book is about Queen Elizabeth taking the throne when her sister Mary dies. She is presented as being a bit naive and is quite young. I always thought that ...  Read the complete review

In yet another superb historical novel Gregory again does not disappoint. A captivating story in which she deals with the time after Henry's reign, during Elizabeth I's first year as queen. She deals with the politics, love and love of the Virgin Queen. It is well researched and beautifully delivered. A must read for any fan of historical fiction. As with most Philippa Gregory books it looks at the history from a new perspective, one that is rarely considered, her we see elizabeth as a woman more than Queen, we see her as a person with emotions and female desire. It is really very interesting. It is focused on the love triangle between Elizabeth, Robert ...  Read the complete review