Beware, Princess Elizabeth

Author: Carolyn Meyer
My Description: A lot less depressing than Mary, Bloody Mary (both books are in the Young Royals series), but just as interesting, fast paced and enjoyable. I rather liked the heroine of this book... she is tough, witty and charming (though she does have a bit of a temper!), and it wasn't hard to like Elizabeth or sympathize with her situation. I don't agree with her image of marriage (she swore she would never marry) but I might have the same convictions if my father had my mother executed Still, the book was well written and I rather liked it. It was especially nice that the story was written in first person, so I could really feel her anger, sorrow and joy throughout the whole book. It was a little weird, however, to go from Mary being the heroine (from Mary, Bloody Mary), to Mary being the villain, as she was in this book.
I was a little disappointed in the ending, as near the end of Mary's rein as queen the entire kingdom was in turmoil and poverty, I was hoping to read about how Elizabeth would fix things up... still, if didn't end there, there wouldn't have been a place for that beautiful last paragraph, and that magnificent ending line:

Today I am Elizabeth, Queen of England.

Back-of-the-Book Description: As the title suggests, this gripping historical drama tells of the danger Elizabeth Tudor faced on her way to the throne of England. The novel is not meant to portray Elizabeth's whole life; rather, set within a story frame of her coronation, the narrative relays the hardships, ill treatment, and tragedies that occurred between the death of King Henry VIII and the death of Elizabeth's half sister, Queen Mary. Because the story is told in first person, readers have a sense of being with Elizabeth and feeling the uncertainty, apprehension, and determination she feels. The author does not pull any punches when it comes to telling about Elizabeth's feelings for Tom Seymour, her religious convictions, or the bloodshed caused at the behest of Queen Mary. The political intrigue and changing alliances could be confusing, but a family tree at the front of the book helps readers keep most of the relatives straight. If only there were a chart of court advisors, foreign dignitaries, and servants! Reading Jane Yolen's The Queen's Own Fool (Philomel, 2000), about Elizabeth's cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, would be an interesting comparison/contrast study with this novel because both women faced similar types of opposition. Elizabeth was a unique person in her own time, and her intelligence, drive, and independence will appeal to today's readers.
Starting Date: Unknown
Ending Date: Unknown
Reading Time: I don't really know... I interrupted the reading of this book to read one of the Percy Jackson books (the previous review)
Pages: 211
Recommendations: To those who would enjoy learning about England in it's earlier years, and also simply to those who wouldn't mind a good drama.
Writing Rating: 7
Story Rating: 7
Overall Rating: 7

Book #40 of '08