An enjoyable read that focuses on the relationship between Henry Percy and Anne Boleyn before she caught the eye of Henry VIII. There is much of Henry Percy's adolescence and failed marriage to Mary Talbot and some of Anne's early life at the French Court. Parts of the story are told through the eyes of Will Chatton, a fictional character, which adds colour to an otherwise fairly plain novel. All the usual characters are here but somehow they lack a bit of spark and the end, dealing with Anne's fall and execution, feels a bit rushed. Overall though I liked the book and most fans of Tudor novels will too. ( )

Anne Boleyn - and the man who loved her before she became queen. From the moment Henry Percy, the future Earl of Northumberland, first glimpses the beautiful Anne Boleyn he is captivated and quickly proposes marriage. Anne has been taught to use her charms to her advantage and to secure her family's position of power at court. She sees that Henry Percy's affection is sincere and agrees to marry him. But a match of the heart has no place in a world where marriage is a political manoeuvre. Torn apart, the lovers are exiled to separate ends of the kingdom. For Henry a lifetime of duty awaits, while he remains true to the only woman he will ever love. But he is not the only man to be bewitched by Anne. And when King Henry VIII determines to make her his queen, the course of history is changed for ever...

My Thoughts:

If there is a new book about either about the Tudors or Anne Boleyn I cannot resist in ordering it for my local library.

I was quite surprised with this book because Anne wasn’t center stage. This book was mainly about Henry Percy from his early life, when he met Anne and when then they were made to go their separate and fatal ways. It was a refreshing change to read about another part of Anne’s life.

I was told by a fellow book group member that they didn’t think that this book would be meaty enough for me. Well it wasn’t, there is no bodice ripping and it was quite plain reading. However the story was quite good and all the facts were there, so no surprises.

My only niggle is that the book told a lot of the early life of Henry Percy and Anne’s leading up to her fianl marriage to the king. Then the book was quickly finished and seemed to skip very fast to her trail and execution in a matter of a few chapters. As I say it’s ony a niggle.

I would recommend this book if you like the Tudors but it’s no Philippa Gregory, but it’s still a good historical read. ( )