The Boleyn deceit : a novel

Format:

Book

Title:

The Boleyn deceit : a novel

Author:

Andersen, Laura author

ISBN:

9780345534118

Publication:

New York : Ballantine Books Trade Paperback, [2013]

Physical Description:

403 pages ; 21 cm.

Series title(s):

Reader's circle (Random House (Firm))

General Note:

"A Ballantine Books Trade Paperback Original."

Summary:

"Henry IX, known as William, is the son of Anne Boleyn and now the leader of England, his regency period finally at an end. His newfound power, however, comes with the looming specter of war with the other major powers of Europe, with strategic alliances that must be forged on both the battlefield and in the bedroom, and with a court, severed by religion, rife with plots to take over the throne. Will 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 Anne Boleyn. But as the pressure rises alongside the threat to his life, even they William must begin to question--and to fear ..."-- Provided by publisher.

Personal Subject:

Anne Boleyn, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, 1507-1536-Fiction.

Anne Boleyn, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, 1507-1536. (OCoLC)fst00037203

Subject(s):

Inheritance and succession -- England -- Fiction.

Deception -- England -- Fiction.

Secrets -- Fiction.

Fathers and sons -- Fiction.

War -- Fiction.

Religion -- Fiction.

Best friends -- Fiction.

Friendship -- Fiction.

Counselors -- Fiction.

Great Britain -- Kings and rulers -- Succession -- Fiction.

Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603 -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

Great Britain -- Kings and rulers -- Succession -- Fiction.

Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603 -- Fiction.

England.

Great Britain.

Genre:

Alternative histories.

Alternative histories (Fiction)

Electronic Access:

http://www.lauraandersenbooks.com

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Silver Falls Library	FIC ANDERSEN	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Showtime's The Tudors, The Boleyn Deceit is the captivating new novel set in the imagined Tudor court of King Henry IX, son of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who must navigate a terrain rife with palace intrigue, impending war, and unbridled passions.

The regency period is over and William Tudor, now King Henry IX, sits alone on the throne. But England must still contend with those who doubt his legitimacy, both in faraway lands and within his own family. To diffuse tensions and appease the Catholics, William is betrothed to a young princess from France, but still he has eyes for only his childhood friend Minuette, and court tongues are wagging.

Even more scandalous--and dangerous, if discovered--is that Minuette's heart and soul belong to Dominic, William's best friend and trusted advisor. Minuette must walk a delicate balance between her two suitors, unable to confide in anyone, not even her friend Elizabeth, William's sister, who must contend with her own cleaved heart. In this irresistible tale, the secrets that everyone keeps are enough to change the course of an empire.

Includes a preview of Laura Andersen's The Boleyn Reckoning

Praise for The Boleyn Deceit

"Detailed and quick-paced, [ The Boleyn Deceit ] will have series fans devouring it and emerging eager for the last book. An excellent recommendation for Phillippa Gregory fans." -- Booklist (starred review)

"This entertaining work of alternative history offers plenty to savor for both fans of historical romance and those whose passion is political intrigue. . . . Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, Andersen's novel admirably takes artistic license with history while remaining true to many aspects of real-world history. . . . [Foreshadows] a mesmerizing conclusion to the trilogy." -- Publishers Weekly

"An intriguing re-imagining of Tudor England and the treacheries of court life." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Laura Andersen's The Boleyn King

"A sumptuous, vividly imagined novel of a Boleyn king's fateful rise to power amid the treacherous glamour of the Tudor court." --C. W. Gortner, author of The Queen's Vow

"Fans of both Stephenie Meyer and Philippa Gregory will find much to love in this evocative and well-written debut." --Francine Mathews, author of Jack 1939

Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader's Circle for author chats and more.

Author Notes

Laura Andersen is married with four children, and possesses a constant sense of having forgotten something important. She has a BA in English (with an emphasis in British history), which she puts to use by reading everything she can lay her hands on.

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

The second part of a trilogy that began with The Boleyn King, this entertaining work of alternative history offers plenty to savor for both fans of historical romance and those whose passion is political intrigue. The premise: rather than leaving Henry VIII without a male heir, thereby permitting Elizabeth to ascend the throne, Anne Boleyn actually bore Henry a son, named William, who, at the novel's opening, has recently become king. William has also been promised in marriage to the much younger princess of France, a move calculated to appease England's Catholics. Secretly, however, William hopes to marry Minuette, Elizabeth's confidante who has been raised alongside the Boleyn children. Romantic complications-Minuette's heart belongs to William's closest friend, Dominic-arise alongside political scandal, as Minuette researches the cause of the bloody events that closed the previous title in the series and William struggles to retain control of the throne, despite those who would challenge the authority of the young but self-assured Protestant king. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Allison Weir, Andersen's novel admirably takes artistic license with history while remaining true to many aspects of real-world history. The romance plot builds gradually, while the political one comes to a more rapid (and, for those who have not read the first volume, perhaps confusing) head-but both seem to foreshadow a mesmerizing conclusion to the trilogy. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review

What might have happened if Anne Boleyn had indeed borne a son to King Henry VIII? Just 18 years old, William has ascended to the throne, taking the title Henry IX. Publically, he faces the threat of war, as well as the challenge of placating Protestant-Catholic tensions, prompting him to keep his older half sister Mary under house arrest. Privately, he is torn between a betrothal to the young princess of France, an alliance that might ease religious tensions at home, and his love for Minuette, a young woman taken in as a royal ward but without political capital. Elaborately threaded with historical details--including astrological charts by John Dee, intrigues orchestrated within his own court, and political maneuvers betwixt England, France and Spain--the second in Andersen's (The Boleyn King, 2013) Boleyn family saga will appeal to fans of historical fiction. Yet, the romances suffer from implausible dialogue and flat characterization. Tempted by the very married Robert Dudley, as well as the hints of power suggested by John Dee's private astrological reading, Elizabeth is reduced to a woman blinded by her own tightly tamped-down emotions. Speaking like 21st-century high school students, William and Dominic vie for Minuette's affections. Exuberant William pursues Minuette despite his advisers' cautions. Serious Dominic serves as William's closest adviser, the only man who will speak the unvarnished truth to an unpredictable sovereign. He and Minuette despair of betraying their best friend yet cannot deny their true love, stealing kisses and spare moments behind William's back. Meanwhile, Minuette plays amateur sleuth, dangerously toying with ambitious men as she tries to discover who murdered Alyce de Clare. Tensions rise as the love triangle becomes increasingly untenable and evidence points toward a traitor in the court. Although the romance rings hollow, this is an intriguing re-imagining of Tudor England and the treacheries of court life.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Picking up immediately after where trilogy opener The Boleyn King (2013) left off, this speculative foray into Tudor England resumes Andersen's plausible reimagining of an England ruled by young King Henry IX, aka William, son of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Bolstered by the unshakable loyalties of his sister; his confidante, Dominic; and his childhood friend, Minuette, William faces further entangling intrigues as he juggles an impending, politically motivated betrothal to a 10-year-old Catholic French princess, betrayals and possibly even treason by some at court, and the reckless depth of feelings he has for Minuette. Dominic and Minuette continue their love affair, resolutely hiding it from everyone, but especially from William, whose reaction would likely be a monstrous personal hurt or even a kingly decrying. Elizabeth struggles with the realization that she can never marry for love and also with the possibility that she might grace the throne herself as queen. Minuette draws danger closer to her as she insists on investigating a death from the series opener that haunts her still, despite escalating warnings to back off. Dominic battles with his loyalty to his king and his attraction to the one woman the king wants. Detailed and quick paced, this will have series fans devouring it and emerging eager for the final book. An excellent recommendation for Phillipa Gregory fans.--Trevelyan, Julie Copyright 2010 Booklist