'This novel takes us into a very plausible and frightening 16th-century world... Can Elizabeth survive? Well, you know the answer but this Tudor thriller is so exciting that you find yourself amazed that she did.''The author lends a refreshing perspective to well-known characters and events... [An] entertaining look into the rarely explored life of one of England's most fascinating characters.'
'[A] compelling, even irresistible read... Weir offers an exceptionally perceptive as well as imaginative interpretation of the most significant monarch in English history.'
`It seems we can never get enough of the first Elizabeth, but in this book Alison Weir brings her to life and captures the young girl's passions and sense of self-determination'
The new novel from the author of the Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling Innocent Traitor.
Alison Weir was already one of Britain's most popular historians when she wrote her first novel, "Innocent Traitor", which hit the "Sunday Times" bestseller list to a chorus of praise. Now, in her second novel, Alison Weir goes to the heart of Tudor England at its most dangerous and faction-riven in telling the story of Elizabeth I before she became queen. The towering capricious figure of Henry VIII dominates her childhood, but others play powerful roles: Mary, first a loving sister, then as queen a lethal threat; Edward, the rigid and sad little King; Thomas Seymour, the Lord High Admiral, whose ambitions, both political and sexual, are unbridled. And, an ever-present ghost, the enigmatic, seductive figure of her mother Anne Boleyn, executed by Henry, whose story Elizabeth must unravel. Elizabeth learns early that the adult world contains many threats that have to be negotiated if she is to keep her heart and her head.
Alison Weir was already one of Britain’s most popular historians when she wrote her first novel, Innocent Traitor, which hit the Sunday Times bestseller list to a chorus of praise.
Now, in her second novel, Alison Weir goes to the heart of Tudor England at its most dangerous and faction-riven in telling the story of Elizabeth I before she became queen. The towering capricious figure of Henry VIII dominates her childhood, but others play powerful roles: Mary, first a loving sister, then as queen a lethal threat; Edward, the rigid and sad little King; Thomas Seymour, the Lord High Admiral, whose ambitions, both political and sexual, are unbridled. And, an ever-present ghost, the enigmatic, seductive figure of her mother Anne Boleyn, executed by Henry, whose story Elizabeth must unravel.
Elizabeth learns early that the adult world contains many threats that have to be negotiated if she is to keep her heart and her head.
As Alison Weir writes: ‘It has been a joy to write once more about Elizabeth. Her story has all the elements of high drama: suspense, tragedy, intrigue and the dynamics that exist between strong and vivid characters. And for good measure, I have added one or two supernatural elements as well… Above all, I have tried to remain true to Elizabeth, the greatest of all queens, and to portray her in character, from early childhood onwards.’
Praise for
Innocent Traitor
‘If you don’t cry at the end, you have a heart of stone.’ Kate Saunders, The Times
‘Weir manages her heroine’s voice brilliantly, respecting the past’s distance while conjuring a dignified and fiercely modern spirit.’ Daily Mail
‘This is an impressive debut… We can look forward to seeing what subject she’ll tackle next.’ Lesley McDowell, Independent on Sunday
‘This is a novel that will grip readers and give great pleasure.’ Allan Massie, Scotsman
Alison Weir lives and works in Surrey. Her books include Britain’s Royal Families, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Children of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry VIII: King and Court, Mary, Queen of Scots, Isabella: She-Wolf of France, Queen of England, Katherine Swynford: The Story of John of Gaunt and His Scandalous Duchess and the novel, Innocent Traitor.
