Review: 'The Last Tudor' by Philippa Gregory

"Learn you to die"...

Step back in time into a little known part of Tudor royalty!

Synopsis:

Jane Grey was Queen of England for nine days before Mary Tudor mustered an army to dispose her. When Jane refused to betray her Protestant faith, Mary sent her to the executioners block.

"Learn you to die" is the advice Jane leaves in a letter to her younger sister Katherine, who has no intention of dying. She intends to enjoy her beauty and fall in love, but Queen Mary and then Queen Elizabeth have no interest in letting their heir marry or produce a Tudor son. When Katherine`s pregnancy betrays her secret wedding, she faces imprisonment in the Tower, only yards from her sister`s scaffold.

"Farewell, my sister" writes Katherine to the youngest Grey sister, Mary. A beautiful little person disregarded by the court, Mary keeps family secrets, especially her own. What will happen when the last Tudor defies her ruthless and unforgiving cousin Queen Elizabeth?

Overview:

Yet another great book by Philippa Gregory! Although I am so sad that this is probably her last book on the Tudors! (I guess the name kind of gives that away!)

The Last Tudor follows three sisters - the Greys - through the tumultuous Tudor period. Each of the characters is superbly written, and their lives equally tragic.

Jane, the eldest, became known as the nine day Queen. She ruled England briefly until her Lords abandoned her and supported Mary. Refusing to deny her religion, Jane found herself executed in the Tower of London.

Katherine, the middle sister, was the life of the family. She's an animal lover - with a pet monkey, puppy and kitten. She falls in love with a man who she doesn't have permission to marry, but this doesn't stop the young couple who wed in secret. Months later her pregnancy can no longer be hidden, and in disgrace she finds herself and her husband locked up in the same Tower where her sister spent her last days.

Mary, the youngest, is determined not to let her sisters downfalls destroy her. She does her best in the Queen's court, but she to falls in love and marries without permission. Sent away from the Queen's grace, she is determined to survive, and outlive the Queen who tore her family apart.

What I love about this book is the unique way it portrays Queen Elizabeth. I had always envisioned her as a strong and determined Queen, unwilling to bow to a man but determined to stay alive and rule. From the Grey`s view however, Elizabeth is indecisive, cruel and weak. She refuses to marry which would protect England, she won`t allow her Ladies a good marriage for jealousy of their happiness, she won`t name and heir, which would provide stability for all of Europe and she fears Mary of Scotland yet constantly fails to send an army when it's needed.

Overall:

If you love historical fiction then you will definitely enjoy this! It gives you an insight into the lives of three woman who most people know little about, and it is set in one of England`s most tumultuous time periods! If your a fan of Philippa`s books then get reading, and if you've never read one - what have you been doing!?