The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Sun August 4th, 2013, 9:52 pm

The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen

I've been pretty much Tudored out and do not read many Tudor novels anymore, but this one is a bit different. It is an alternate history novel based on the premise that Anne Boleyn did not miscarry a son, was not beheaded, and so remained married to Henry VIII. Henry and Anne's son has succeeded his father and is one of the main characters along with his sister Elizabeth and two fictional characters. Lots of historical people are in the novel: Robert Dudley, Jane Grey, Mary Tudor, George Boleyn, Duke of Norfolk, Duke of Northumberland, and Henri II of France among others. The author creates a plausible Tudor world, but because it is alternate history, the reader is not quite sure what is going to happen and that's what I like about it. I did catch a couple of errors which I am pretty sure are errors and not alternate history: (1) The wife of Henri II of France was Catherine de'Medici not Marie de'Medici (she was married to Henri IV of France) (2) There is mention of Richard VI being murdered in the Tower and it was Henry VI. This is the first book of a trilogy and I am engaged enough to be eagerly awaiting the second book.

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » Mon August 5th, 2013, 9:04 am

Thanks for the review, I'm so curious about this one. Sounds like it is worth a read

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Mon August 5th, 2013, 9:20 am

I thought this was a fun read, nicely imagined alternate world of what-if.

JaneConsumer · Post by **JaneConsumer** » Mon August 5th, 2013, 11:45 am

[quote=""Susan""]The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen

I've been pretty much Tudored out and do not read many Tudor novels anymore, but this one is a bit different. It is an alternate history novel based on the premise that Anne Boleyn did not miscarry a son, was not beheaded, and so remained married to Henry VIII. Henry and Anne's son has succeeded his father and is one of the main characters along with his sister Elizabeth and two fictional characters. Lots of historical people are in the novel: Robert Dudley, Jane Grey, Mary Tudor, George Boleyn, Duke of Norfolk, Duke of Northumberland, and Henri II of France among others. The author creates a plausible Tudor world, but because it is alternate history, the reader is not quite sure what is going to happen and that's what I like about it. I did catch a couple of errors which I am pretty sure are errors and not alternate history: (1) The wife of Henri II of France was Catherine de'Medici not Marie de'Medici (she was married to Henri IV of France) (2) There is mention of Richard VI being murdered in the Tower and it was Henry VI. This is the first book of a trilogy and I am engaged enough to be eagerly awaiting the second book.[/quote]
I'm not a fan of alternate history, and when there are mistakes over simple facts such as the ones you point out, it makes me even more leery. But if I'm understanding you correctly, you thought the plot plausible, yes?

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Mon August 5th, 2013, 12:51 pm

[quote=""JaneConsumer""]I'm not a fan of alternate history, and when there are mistakes over simple facts such as the ones you point out, it makes me even more leery. But if I'm understanding you correctly, you thought the plot plausible, yes?[/quote]

Yes, the plot is quite plausible, and I am not sure how those errors remained in there!

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Mon August 5th, 2013, 3:04 pm

[quote=""Susan""]Yes, the plot is quite plausible, and I am not sure how those errors remained in there![/quote]

I missed those completely.

@JC, it's worth a go if the library has copies. It was so much fun to see how so many lives could have been so different (Elizabeth was fun, and I can't wait for more of Robert Dudley

), and fun having such a young, virile king on the throne too. Nice little mystery, and quite a bomb dropped at the end. I'll be picking up book #2 when it's out (November I think it is).

DanielAWillis · Post by **DanielAWillis** » Tue August 6th, 2013, 2:39 am

This is next on my reading list! Great concept. When I get out of my Mage series, next is also an alternative history, but not so far back. I'm only going to Queen Victoria.

DanielAWillis · Post by **DanielAWillis** » Wed August 7th, 2013, 1:35 pm

I'm now a few chapters in. I'm enjoying it. The multi-point of view and lighter tone is refreshing after swimming through so many deep cauldrons of boiling emotions that we often see in Tudor period books.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Wed August 7th, 2013, 3:50 pm

[quote=""DanielAWillis""]This is next on my reading list! Great concept. When I get out of my Mage series, next is also an alternative history, but not so far back. I'm only going to Queen Victoria.[/quote]

Daniel, an alternative history involving Queen Victoria? Title and author please?

DanielAWillis · Post by **DanielAWillis** » Wed August 7th, 2013, 6:40 pm

[quote=""Susan""]Daniel, an alternative history involving Queen Victoria? Title and author please?[/quote]

I will be the author, but I have not started writing it save a basic outline so far.

The general premise and history change will be she insists on changing the succession to allow first born regardless of gender. This will make Pss Vicky her heiress-apparent and that has profound rippling effects on world history. Hint: no Kaiser Bill.

Historical Fiction Online

The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen

The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen

You sold me.

Fun read so far.