Name: The Boleyn King
ISBN: 9780345534095

Laura Andersen

Struggling to prove himself as the French threaten battle and the Catholics plot at home, 17-year-old King Henry IX, known as William, relies on his best friend and Loyal counselor, Dominic, until they both fall in love with the same woman--a romantic obsession that threatens a new generation of Tudors. Original.

A Novel

The Boleyn King

Melissa Palmer

Book #45 Read in 2013
The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen

This was a great historical fiction read. I love reading about the Tudors. This book focused more on William as King, but also had his sister Elizabeth at the forefront. In this book, William will soon be of age to take over the throne and he is beginning to really play the political chess game of what country to go to war against and what woman would be most beneficial as a wife. 

I enjoyed the writing style of this book and would recommend it, especially to fans of Phillipa Gregory. These historical figures were brought to life in this book and were larger than life. The whole way life was lived at that time was fascinating to read about, especially when it came to the role of women.

I received this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a review.

http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

A follow-up to The Boleyn King imagines an alternate Tudor era in which Anne Boleyn gives birth to a healthy son who grows up to become Henry IX and forges strategic alliances on the battlefield and in the bedroom while preparing for an imminent war and consulting with his older sister, Elizabeth. Original.

The Boleyn Deceit

Book #84 Read in 2013
The Boleyn Deceit by Lauran Andersen

This is the second book of a three book historical fiction series. In this book, William is King and has fallen in love with Minuette, his childhood friend. Elizabeth, William's sister, is still in her complicated relationship with Robert Dudley. John Dee, a seer of the stars, reads the fortunes of William and Elizabeth. The usual power plays in this time period are detailed and alliances can change quickly. 

I love this author's writing. Her style shows good research and her writing fleshes out historical figures. This book has romance, action and mystery...all based on fact. I enjoyed both books in this series so far and cannot wait to read the third. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a review.

http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

Nicki

I liked everything but the whole triangle situation. I can predict it though Dom and Minuette get married, William dies and Elizabeth is queen.

Rachel Benton

First of all I started this trilogy because I want to read a whole series and I have yet to read this trilogy and was curious about it. I have gotten a lot of mix reviews on this from other people. Either some people really liked it or they didn't like it all. Let me just say that I super excited to be half-way done with my challenge. SO I wanted to read for myself and see how it was. I gave this book three stars. I liked it, but I was not over the top about it. I do have some problems with the plot. Let me just start off the plot of the story is what if Anne Boleyn was never executed? She succeeded in giving Henry VIII a healthy son? In this au world Henry VIII is already dead, he died years earlier, and Anne Boleyn is still alive. (Spoilers for the rest, if don't like being spoiled don't read further) Though you don't see much of Anne in this, and by the end of the story she is dead. I kind of thought that was a missed opportunity on the Arthurs part, I think that Anne if she had lived would have been more involved in her sons reign. I liked that George Boleyn was Lord Protector. Though I don't see any difference between him and Edward Seymour really? That is another thing, where was the Seymour's? Given how close they came to the crown. You would think that they would be mentioned? I think that they mentioned Edward once, but it was nothing to memorable. I guess the biggest problems for me in the book was the Catholic bashing and Mary vilification. I am just tired of the whole Protestants good and Catholic bad thing going in the book. People seemed to overlook that Protestants were just as fanatical in their beliefs as Catholics. Another aspect of the story that I couldn't get over was the complete vilification of Mary. I found this Mary very OC. I doubt that Mary would risk her own life and position close to the crown to get involved in a plot with the Howards to bring down her brother? Though I do like Minuette? I find it contrived that she is the one to discover all this? I guess the saving grace of the book is the love triangle for me. I find Minuette to be a likeable character. I love the chemistry between her and Dominic. Though I have to admit that I liked her and William as well. Now that she realizes that she loves Dom? Looking forward to reading how everything is going to be resolved with William.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY RT BOOK REVIEWS Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Showtime’s The Tudors, The Boleyn King is the first book in an enthralling trilogy that dares to imagine: What if Anne Boleyn had actually given Henry VIII a son who grew up to be king? Just seventeen years old, Henry IX, known as William, is a king bound by the restraints of the regency yet anxious to prove himself. With the French threatening battle and the Catholics sowing the seeds of rebellion at home, William trusts only three people: his older sister Elizabeth; his best friend and loyal counselor, Dominic; and Minuette, a young orphan raised as a royal ward by William’s mother, Anne Boleyn. Against a tide of secrets, betrayal, and murder, William finds himself fighting for the very soul of his kingdom. Then, when he and Dominic both fall in love with Minuette, romantic obsession looms over a new generation of Tudors. One among them will pay the price for a king’s desire, as a shocking twist of fate changes England’s fortunes forever. Includes a preview of Laura Andersen’s The Boleyn Deceit Praise for The Boleyn King “Imaginative . . . Andersen focuses on creating an exciting, action-driven plot containing strong doses of both intrigue and romance. Tudor-era historical fiction fans who are willing to accept the unusual premise will be rewarded with an original and entertaining read that’s reminiscent of the best of Philippa Gregory.”—Library Journal (starred review) “Gripping . . . Andersen delves into an alternative Tudor England geared to rivet period fans and newcomers alike. . . . Perfect for Philippa Gregory fans.”—Booklist (starred review) “A surprising gem and a thoroughly enjoyable read.”—Historical Novels Review “Andersen’s novel, alive with historical flair and drama, satisfies both curious and imaginative Tudor aficionados. . . . Her multidimensional characters are so real that readers will wish it was history and eagerly await the next in the trilogy.”—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick) “A wonderfully imaginative and well-written tale of intrigue, high court politics and desperate love.”—Deseret News “ ‘What if . . .’ With these tantalizing words, Laura Andersen creates a fresh and vividly realized alternative world where Anne Boleyn not only lives, but also gives birth to a healthy son who will become King. With the introduction of Minuette, Princess Elizabeth’s lady-in-waiting, we meet an extraordinary young woman who embodies love and loyalty, and who fights to find the humanity at the heart of the most glamorous—and dangerous—court in Europe.”—Susan Elia MacNeal, author of Mr. Churchill’s Secretary “Full of intrigue, conspiracies, and the accurate details so essential to good historical fiction . . . Anyone who has even the slightest fascination with the Tudors will want to devour this delectable novel in a single sitting.”—Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of Death in the Floating City Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.

Roos Kuijper 

What if... Anne Boleyn didn't had a miscarriage
What if... Anne Boleyn got a son
What if... Henry VIII didn't get rid of her and he only got two wives

What if history can be dangerous. It must be very good te believe it. And it was really good.
I started to believe in this world, a world where Annes son became king after Henry VIII died. 
I loved the story and I really want to read more. I love Lord Rocheford, who is he?
I love Minuette and Elisabeth. I love the world that Andersen created. The only thing I didn't liked was the Anne Boleyns part. I wanted to know more about her. More about what happenend after she got a son and her life with Henry. But maybe thats what gonna happen in the next books(I hope)

http://sterrenboek.wordpress.com/2015...

Een heerlijk vervolg op deel één! Een stuk meer actie, meer verdieping in de personages en nog meer combinatie van historische feiten met fictie!

De volledige recensie staat op:
http://sterrenboek.wordpress.com/2015...

A conclusion to the series that began with The Boleyn King and The Boleyn Deceit follows the efforts of Elizabeth Tudor to assemble a shadow court to safeguard the country from her smallpox-scarred younger brother. Original. 30,000 first printing.

The Boleyn Reckoning

Ik denk dat ik dit deel het beste deel van de serie vond. Alles komt samen. Het verhaal is goed uitgewerkt, net zoals de personages. Het mag dan complete fictie zijn, Andersen heeft goed onderzoek gedaan naar de tijd. Zowel het hofleven als de politiek, binnenlandse- en buitenlandse politiek, komen goed aan bod. Wat ik het leuke vind aan Andersen is dat ze echte gebeurtenissen mengt met haar verhaal. Bijvoorbeeld, de manier waarop een bepaald personage sterft. In het echt gebeurde het weliswaar een paar jaar eerder maar wel op precies dezelfde manier. Dat vind ik erg leuk bedacht.

De volledige recensie kan je lezen op:
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The Boleyn King A Novel