In the past I have found Alison Weir’s nonfiction powerfully compelling – much more so than her novels. Her biographies sing – but her stories can sink when she takes greater liberties with the facts and/or makes bad choices. In this case, I appreciated them (and especially loved the Author’s Note!). Obviously this is a highly personal take – so I will provide some specifics. (Spoilers follow - though it's hard to call them spoilers when basic story is so well known...). She made a mind-blowing connection between Anne and Charles at Margaret’s court (I didn’t love the actual interaction, but it had never occurred to me that Anne would have met Charles so she gets a full pass on that count). She didn’t create an Anne who adored Henry. She gave an alternative excuse for Mary’s reputation. She didn’t try to rehabilitate Jane Rochford. My biggest issue: she created a guilty penchant between Anne and Norris (I forgive her this one, though it still made me cringe). ( )

Fictional life of Anne Boleyn from the age of 11 to her death.

Interesting about her early life in the courts of Burgundy and France, a more difficult read once she arrives at Henry VIII's court, simply because the story is so well known and it wasn't enough to overcome the bias in Katherine of Aragon's favour from having read [The True Queen] earlier. ( )

This is the second in the author's six novel series tracing the lives of Henry VIII's six wives. Anne Boleyn, along with Katherine of Aragon, were by far the most significant of Henry's wives, their relationships with him having huge political and religious significance. Anne is a fascinating character. Initially repelled by the King after he has used and discarded her older sister Mary, he pursues her relentlessly, but she learns from her sister's experiences and holds him at bay, refusing to become his lover and yet another to-be-discarded mistress.....anyway, the story is too well known to be recounted here. My view of Anne Boleyn is mixed. She was undoubtedly innocent of the absurd and vile charges which led to her show trial and execution in May 1536 alongside five men, including her own brother, and the last few chapters of the novel covering these events is almost unbearably gripping and suspenseful, even though the reader knows the outcome. And yet, Anne was also manipulative and once she'd decided to use the King's obsession with her to ride to supreme power as Queen, she became increasingly mean and nasty, eventually wishing the deaths of Katherine and the latter's daughter Mary, still a child or very young woman at this time. She was a victim of her own hubris, eventually betrayed not only by her husband, but also by her uncle, who presided at her trial, and her father, who was one of her judges who voted for her guilt. Eventually, ironically, it was her sister Mary who came out of it the best, happily married to a Calais garrison soldier William Stafford. A wonderful, colourful novel, this has everything in terms of highs and lows, as per its subject life. ( )

Alison Weir has done a great deal of research on the Tudor queens, and this novel about Anne Boleyn shows it. The author presents Anne as a multi-faceted person. Anne is not only ambitious but also compassionate at times. She cares about her family while pursuing the power she craved. Weir writes an author's note at the end that explains why she portrayed Anne as she did. I am impressed with the historical accuracy of much of the story. I got a good feel for the Tudor court at the time and can only conclude that I'm glad I wasn't there. ( )

3.5 stars ( )