'Rival to the Queen' - Book Review

What I do know about Lettice Knollys was that she had a few marriages and one was with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. She had similar features like a younger Queen Elizabeth I so she could have been Elizabeth’s double gagger.  She was the daughter of Catherine Knollys, daughter of Mary Boleyn so Elizabeth and Letticia were actually cousins. She was banned from court when Elizabeth found out that she married Elizabeth’s favorite. She also had a wantonness behavior that attracted the men at court (other than her beauty).

When I noticed that Carolly Erickson wrote a historical fiction about Lettice, I couldn’t help ordering the book. In my previous blog, I read ‘I, Elizabeth’ so I guess it was fitting that my next book for the Tudor challenge would be about Lettice Knollys.

I do wonder if Lettice thought herself to be part of the royal family. In the early chapter, Lettice mentions that her mother told her that Catherine may have been rumored to be a child of King Henry VIII. It was definitely rumored that Catherine Carey could have been King Henry VIII’s natural daughter. Too bad we can’t do DNA testing to put that rumor to rest.

Some of the early chapters place Lettice in Flanders during the reign of Queen Mary I. You don’t have too many chapters specifically during this part of her life and you’ll be back in Tudor England when Queen Elizabeth I is on the throne. In this book, it seems that Catherine Knollys and Queen Elizabeth I were not exactly friends while in other books I’ve read, it seems that they were. True to Elizabeth’s character, Carolly Erickson displays that famous Tudor temper at the maids of honor. It was interesting to read from Lettice’s point of view of being a maid of honor for Elizabeth. I don’t think I could be able to handle the abuse that Elizabeth would bring when she’s upset. Lettice’s description of Elizabeth is more of a woman with a temper, changes her mind too often and in love with Robert Dudley. After reading ‘I, Elizabeth’, I have a different view of Elizabeth as a lady and a Queen.

In the early days, she admires Robert Dudley especially when she was being courted by her first husband, Walter Devereux. Walter seemed more like a bore compared to Robert any day. Her admiring Robert would eventually become friends in the book.

There are some things that seem farfetched to me such as the story about Elizabeth not really having monthly bleedings and only using other people’s blood to disguise her barrenness. Especially during this timeframe, Elizabeth would have been in her late twenties. Still, with Elizabeth refusing to marry anyone, it would be an interesting rumor. Another farfetched scene was Elizabeth wanting bed curtains that once belonged to Amy Robsart to decorate Elizabeth’s room. Again, an interesting rumor to spread since it was widely known that Elizabeth favored Robert and there were already rumors that he would marry the queen or already has married Elizabeth.

An interesting view that I’ve never read so far is about the inquest about the sudden death of Amy Robsart. Lettice tells about the witness’s accounts up to that deadly afternoon from the doctor to Amy’s servant Pirto.  It gives the reader an idea of the inquest and how they came to their conclusion. Also her account during the time Elizabeth was feared to die from the pox and leaving England in the hands of Robert Dudley.  As to him having a priest to marry them at her so called death bed seems farfetched as well but a good reason for her to claim him as Lord Protector if she passed away. It’s these types of historical fiction I like to read when it’s in another person’s view point at court, even though the author places the character in their story when historically, that character may not have been there. Through all these places that the author places Lettice, Lettice continues to grow fond of Robert Dudley while despising Walter Devereux. There is also her account of the bear baiting, which was very barbaric. However for people that loved blood sports back in those days, this was their entertainment.

Carolly Erickson gives the impression that Lettice wasn’t as forward as other historical fiction books depict her. In her version, it’s only through a despised younger sister that her reputation is ruined. Even at the Tudor court, rumors are very powerful tools.

During her marriage, Lettice proved to be fertile (even though it was only daughters early in their marriage) and learned how to manage her husband’s estates. However, eventually Lord Robert would take notice of Lettice even if it was just to make the queen jealous. Still, this short love affair was wonderful for Lettice since her marriage to Walter made her very unhappy and her secret dreams revolved around Robert Dudley.  Undoubtedly, she would love Robert but there is always that nagging feeling that there was more to him then she already knew. Eventually, Lettice will bring Robert Devereux into the world. Remember his name later because he will become one of Elizabeth’s favorite in the later years of her reign.

The passage of time goes quickly in this book. One minute, the queen is in her late twenties and the next, the queen is in her forties. By the time that Elizabeth is nearing forty, Lettice and Robert have grown fond of one another, which as Lettice saw it, loved one another. It’s interesting to see a different side of Robert like how he referred Elizabeth as a ‘sour, hateful old thing’ to Lettice. You would think that Robert Dudley truly loved the queen since historically those two are linked.

After her first husband died, not sure of how much time had passed before Robert and Lettice were married. I assumed it’s after a year or two of mourning since that was the tradition. It’s at this time that Lettice acknowledges that she was Elizabeth’s rival and begins her banishment from Elizabeth’s court. Lettice will get the nickname She-Wolf. Still, Lettice doesn’t cower at Elizabeth’s fury because by this time she understood why Elizabeth hated her.

It seems that Lettice had a good marriage with Robert Dudley (much to my surprise). By this time, Lettice is in her forties and has given Robert the son he looked for. Robert no longer in disgrace is back at court with Queen Elizabeth I while Lettice is still out in the country. Still, Elizabeth would make sure that Robert was still at her side but Lettice, being a good wife, tried not to complain. Despite his love for his queen, it seemed like Robert was actually a very devoted husband (another surprise since he wasn’t as devoted with his first wife Amy Robsart).

This is the second book that I encountered None Such Palace. Not enough description as in ‘I, Elizabeth’ but just a brief mention. I was grief stricken at the lost of Lettice’s son with Robert Dudley who was only three years old. As a mother, I don’t know how I would be able to go on if I lost my little guy. Dashed are Robert’s dreams of having a son to carry the Dudley name.

The later chapters told about Elizabeth’s later years of her reign with the war against Spain, Robert Dudley in the Dutch provinces and famine. You are also introduced to Christopher Blount, who in time would be Lettice’s third and last husband. What a scandal that might have been since Chris was a much younger husband. Her son, Robert Devereux, is an interesting character and a big upstart. He seemed to truly believe as Elizabeth’s favorite and ‘royalty’ (thanks to Lettice’s blood), he was the ideal choice to rule England. As to why Elizabeth favored him, only she would know. Lettice was right to worry about her son. Thanks to her son, Lettice returns to court as Mother of the Maids but an underlying reason from Elizabeth is the true reason Lettice is able to return to court.

The story ends when Lettice says good-bye to her only son, Robert Devereux. At the epilogue, Lettice is in her nineties. She had an extraordinary life, full of dreams, love and heartache. Thanks to Carolly Erickson, I have a different view of Lettice Knollys. To me, she was just an ordinary girl (possibly had royal blood), trying to make her way at the Tudor court. Lettice was a good daughter to her parents Francis and Catherine Knollys even though she was overly criticized by her father. Despite rumors of her wantonness, she married first by her father’s match then married for love twice. She was just as hot headed as her cousin Elizabeth but she was also cautious. Lettice is a much more relatable character than what other historical fiction books portray her.

'I, Elizabeth' - Book Review

So, it's been awhile since I've blogged. Recently, I just finished 'I, Elizabeth' by Rosalind Miles. I realize that this book has been out for awhile now so you've may have read it already. If you haven't, hope my review of the book would entice you to read it.

I don’t have many books that looked into the life of Queen Elizabeth I. I have Philippa Gregory’s ‘The Virgin Queen’ and Barbara Kyle’s ‘The Queen’s Captive’ that have portions of Elizabeth’s life but what I wanted was a book that tells her side of the story that I knew from other historical fiction. I bought ‘I, Elizabeth’ sometime ago and finally I have a chance to read. I admit it took me longer than normal to finish the book but I’m very glad that I finished it. As a historical fiction novel, it gave me a better understand of Queen Elizabeth I as a person.

The book is in five chapters, each depicting the different stages of Elizabeth’s life. 

·         Book of One (Bastard) –Elizabeth focuses on her life as a young girl during the time of her father’s marriage to his last wife, Queen Katherine Parr. However, the word ‘bastard’ seems to follow her around, even when she was not yet conceived. At a young age, she learns who her enemies and friends are, especially with danger looming around between those for the Old Faith (Catholics) and the New Faith (Protestants).  As a smart girl, she comes to realize problems rather quickly. Through all this, she must learn to be on guard – her famous cautious nature had to begin somewhere. She notes the changes in her father during this marriage, which is a good description of the drastic change from his golden boy years to the ill-tempered old man. Ever wonder how she met her future advisor William Cecil? I’ve always wondered and in this novel, he gives her the truth about her mother, Anne Boleyn’s death.

·         Book of Two (Virgin) – This chapter is fairly long so it took me some time to get through it. This includes King Edward VI reign, a little of Queen Jane’s 9 -day reign, Queen Mary I’s reign and when Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen Elizabeth. Questions like, what went through Elizabeth’s mind when Thomas Seymour pursued her and did she really disliked her cousin Jane Grey, came through my head as I was reading. I’ve read ‘Innocent Traitor’ and their relationship seems quite different.  You see King Edward VI’s transformation from the boy that Elizabeth knew to a man who is overzealous about the Protestant religion. Despite that, Elizabeth’s happy moment when she was queen all but name since their sister Mary wasn’t allowed at court. Her happy time becomes shattered once Edward dies and Mary takes the throne. Her fears returning in Mary’s reign as being proclaimed as a Wyatt co-conspirator and being in the Tower itself. You can almost see the condition Elizabeth experienced when you went to the Tower. Her loss of people she knew to the burnings. I was kind of disappointed when there wasn’t too much about her relationship with King Philip other than the tool of using his lust for her own needs. I have read other books that mention this so I’m not overly disappointed. Towards the end of the chapter, you feel Elizabeth’s anticipation and waiting for the passing of Mary. You also hear the triumph in her voice when she at last was finally Queen of England.

·         Book of Three (Queen) – Elizabeth’s big day has finally come. It was nice to ‘see through’ Elizabeth’s eyes during her coronation day. However all good things must come to an end. The trouble country that Mary left behind and the ever present marriage issue would plague Elizabeth. Along with her headache is the issue of Mary, Queen of Scots. Her joy this time was when Robert Dudley proclaims his love for her. Sometimes it makes me wonder if he truly loved Elizabeth or it was all a ploy to gain more power. Maybe it was a mixture of both. Oh young love between Robert and Elizabeth yet they could not truly be lovers. Still, Amy Robsart still lingered in the background. Her love triangle would be known in the kingdom and abroad while she waited for poor Amy to die from her malady.  However, when the news of Amy’s tragic death reaches Elizabeth’s ears, Elizabeth can only wonder ‘who done it?”. Plaguing her in this chapter like a steel drum after Amy’s untimely death was marriage and an heir but in her heart, all it could say was ‘Robin’. I also did wonder if Elizabeth and Robert were more than lovers and she may not have been a virgin as she claimed during her reign. A scene suggests it when she had to choose between England and Robert. As a hopeless romantic, I would want them together but like Elizabeth would ponder, did she want to lose what she had as England’s Queen to her husband. After what she has witness with her sister Mary, why would she give it up.

·         Book of Fourth (Bellona) – Rightfully named, this is when Elizabeth becomes the Queen of War. The war against her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, war against the Catholics plotting to take her life to put Mary Queen of Scots on the English throne and ultimately, war with her brother-in-law King Philip of Spain. Despite the ongoing war in the surrounding countries, Elizabeth breaks down when she learns of Robert’s marriage to Lettice Knollys. Poor Elizabeth, to endure such heartache. But like a true Tudor, she made sure that Lettice never stepped foot in her court again. I still believe he still loved Elizabeth till his dying breath. Wish I could read that precious letter he gave her before he died. Elizabeth now in her forties is still playing the marriage game only to lose her one chance of marriage and bear a child with the young French heir.  What a good actress she was to pretend she knew nothing about her ships taking King Philip’s gold.  That was one way to get on his bad side yet enrich her coffers. Here in this chapter comes Sir Frances Drake (the sea-faring captain), Sir Walter Raleigh (one of her favorites) and Thomas Walsingham (spy master). As Elizabeth reaches fifty, the more makeup she must use to hide her imperfections and love it when young courtiers profess their love just play with her vanity. Along with raging wars and trying to keep the peace, Elizabeth must go through death threats upon her life.  The most notable plot is from the Babington papers, which would incriminate Mary Queen of Scots. Once that war was over, here comes the Spanish Armada knocking at her door. I couldn’t stop reading during this time of Elizabeth’s reign. Even though I know she triumphed, just reading her experience makes her fear and triumph real.

·         Book of Fifth and Last (Gloriana) – The final chapter of Elizabeth’s reign and life. A kingdom to govern in her old age yet many of her old courtiers start to pass on. Elizabeth’s court is now full of young blood and the question rises of who will be truthful to her. Her new love in her old age would be Robert Devereux, Earl of Sussex. If it sounds like a repeat of her attitude toward Robert Dudley, it probably is. But what she couldn’t do with Robert, she did with Devereux by sending him to the Tower when she learned of his secret marriage. Despite the Earl of Sussex taking advantage of her love, she always forgave him until it was a time where she could no longer forgive. You would think things would get better for Elizabeth with peace for England. During the end of her reign, there were bad harvests, proclamations against her church and war with Ireland. You are also introduced to Shakespeare in this final chapter. I’ve read somewhere that Elizabeth would nurse her beloved William Cecil during his last days and cried when he passed on but in this book, she was just informed of his passing, which is disappointing. In this chapter, this is the first I’ve read about None Such palace, which King Henry VIII built. I’ve heard about a painting recently but never seen it mentioned before. It must have been a wonderful palace. Here’s an article about a replica of this magnificent palace: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2050919/Henry-VIIIs-lost-Nonsuch-Palace-recreated-300-years-destroyed.html. When Elizabeth feared for her life from enemies abroad, she now has to fear for her throne and life by one of her own subjects.

Overall, even though this is historical fiction, I enjoyed reading ‘I, Elizabeth’. It gave me a rare glimpse of what Queen Elizabeth I was really like. By watching her father and others before her, she became the Queen that England needed. She had to sacrifice love for the love of her country, even when she would blow up with the famous Tudor temper. But she was also a young lady that only wanted to survive during the torturous times of her life. The astrologers were right that King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn would have a great prince to rule England…it just happened to be a great princess instead.

'The Favored Queen' - Book Review

I have a collection of Tudor historical fiction but in my collection, I don’t have much about Jane Seymour. You see her in passing in other books so when I saw Carolly Erickson’s ‘The Favored Queen’, I didn’t hesitate to add this to my Tudor collection.

‘The Favored Queen’ gives you the Tudor world in Jane Seymour’s eyes. She is the devoted maid of honor to Queen Catherine of Aragon and is special to the Queen because of Jane’s calming effects. This calming effect seems to be one of the factor why Henry VIII chose her.

The story begins as Queen Catherine loses another baby. After unable to produce another heir, King Henry names his bastard son, Henry Fitzroy as heir. During Jane’s storytelling, she witnesses the fall of Queen Catherine of Aragon, the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, the destruction of the monasteries, her rise to becoming Queen Jane and finally the birth of Prince Edward.

Throughout the book, Jane mentions the mystery surrounding Jane Popyngcort’s sudden departure to Flanders (with a chest full of coins) only to suddenly die. Jane Seymour learns the truth from Queen Catherine of Aragon.  Not much is known about the real Jane Popyngocort but this is an interesting scenario to her departure of King Henry VIII’s court (with the king’s blessing).

·         If you want a different story line about Jane Popyngcort, I suggest you read author Kate Emerson’s ‘Secrets of the Tudor Court: Pleasure Palace’.

Carolly Erickson told a great story about Jane Seymour but there were a few inconsistencies that I noticed as I was reading. Maybe it’s because I’ve read so many historical fiction and went online to read more details that I think, “That didn’t happen”. Also, author Carolly Erickson didn’t include at the end of the book of any historical notes or what she changed to go along with the story (like some of the books I’ve read). She does give a note to the reader that true and imaginative events occurred in writing the book but I always like to read about the real events in the historical notes by the author. It makes the historical individuals much more real.

Here are some inconsistencies that I found:

1.       Jane mentions that Anne Boleyn entering the Queen’s room at the palace in Greenwich during the sweating sickness. To my recollection, Anne Boleyn escaped to her family estate (Hever Castle).

2.       Jane describes King Henry VIII having leg pain during his courtship with Anne Boleyn. I thought that during this time, he was still a robust man and didn’t have an injured leg till after his accident during his marriage with Anne.

3.       King Henry VIII asks Jane to ask Queen Catherine on her death bed to agree to enter a convent (so that when his marriage to Anne Boleyn was dissolved, there wouldn’t be any hindrance of an earlier marriage when he married again). To my recollection, I’ve never heard of him asking this to the Queen before she died but it may be possible.

4.       There is no mention of Jane’s other brother Thomas Seymour. It makes you think that there was only the two of them.

5.       As Will Dormer writes the last entry, he mentions that King Henry VIII started sending ambassadors to find him a new wife (a week after Jane’s passing). To my recollection, he mourned her death with great sadness and wasn’t looking for a wife till after a few years.

Despite the inconsistencies, ‘The Favored Queen’ gives you a different perspective about plain Jane Seymour. Maybe there was more to her then meets the eye. After being a maid of honor for Queen Catherine of Aragon and Queen Anne Boleyn, she had an idea of what she was getting into when she married King Henry VIII.

This is what I found interesting as I was reading ‘The Favored Queen’:

1.       When Jane tries to convince King Henry VIII to spare St. Agnes church, she is yelled at for meddling. I later learned that she may have had opinions for political issues but due to King Henry VIII’s experience with Anne Boleyn, he would remind Jane of Anne’s fate. Who would want to argue after that?

2.       I thought that the Seymour clan helped Jane to catch the King’s eye when Anne Boleyn was going out of favored. In the book however, it didn’t seem that way. Being the person that you can trust helps a great deal plus being the total opposite of Anne Boleyn. In the book, King Henry VIII didn’t propose to Jane Seymour till after he couldn’t have Madge Shelton.

3.       Jane was ridiculed for not being pregnant right away. It’s interesting to read how this disturbed her, especially when King Henry VIII’s mood is darkened and the question about his manhood true. You can imagine the relief of everyone, including Jane, when it was announced that she was pregnant.

4.       Earning her the name of Good Queen Jane, Queen Jane Seymour gave alms to the poor and downtrodden.

5.       Even though King Henry VIII mourned her death severely, he didn’t do much in caring for Jane Seymour after the birth of Prince Edward. Even when she was dying, King Henry VIII didn’t stay by her bedside till the end. His fear of death and illness always plagued him. You would think that after finally giving the son that the king most wanted, the king would have done anything to get her well.

As an interesting side note, I follow the blog ‘On The Tudor Trail’ and there’s an interesting article this month about why Jane Seymour should get a second look. You can read the article through the link below:

http://onthetudortrail.com/Blog/resources/the-six-wives-of-henry-viii/why-plain-jane-deserves-a-second-look/

Overall, I thought that the book was good to read. Considering that there isn’t much known about Jane Seymour’s life, author Carolly Erickson did a good job in telling Jane’s story. The book is only 25 chapters so you can probably read it in a day or two. I hope to find more books about Jane Seymour. With Carolly Erickson’s ‘The Favored Queen’, this is a good start.

'Daughters of Rome' - Book Review

I finally finished ‘Daughters of Rome’, which has been an interesting historical fiction to read. It took me longer than normal to finish since put the book aside for two days while I was reading ‘The Hunger Games’ and between work and spending time with my toddler.

‘Daughters of Rome’ is the second book by Kate Quinn and it focuses on the Year of Four Emperors (which is after the death of Nero). This period is prior to her first book, ‘Mistress of Rome’ so if you wanted, you can read ‘Daughters of Rome’ first before you read ‘Mistress of Rome’. Prior to reading, I knew nothing about the Year of Four Emperors. I can only imagine how the Romans felt during that time as four different Emperors took the throne when allegiances were made and broken.

The book is focused on the lives of the four Cornelias of the house of the Cornelii. The four Cornelias were Cornelia Prima, Cornelia Secunda (aka Marcella), Cornelia Tertia (aka Lollia) and Cornelia Quatra (aka Diana). As Nessus says in the book, Romans didn’t have much imagination in naming their daughters.  Imagine naming your daughters and nieces this way. Yikes! The two older Cornelias were sisters and if you’ve read ‘Mistress of Rome’, Marcella is Domitia (Domitian’s wife). The last two Cornelias are cousins (who are fictional).

In the prologue, Nessus reads the fortunes of the four Cornelii as young girls. He was a charlatan but he actually read real fortunes from these young girls (which surprises him).  The fortune is that among the girls, there would be marriages, widowhood and a number of children. But the one that surprises Nessus the most is the girl with blood on her hands.

The book is separated by the four emperors’ reigns – Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian. During each of these reigns, the four Cornelii go through different lifestyles. However, being close as they are, they always have each other.

·         Cornelia loses her beloved husband Pico during the reign of Galba. This will fuel her hatred of Otho, which she will help bring down. She gets another chance in love with an unexpected character during the last two reigns.

·         Marcella is the most complex character. She loves to write histories and after witnessing Otho’s fall, she realizes that she can write her own history. She learns that she can be very persuasive to see what the outcome would be. You kind of want to hate her.

·         Lollia keeps getting married depending on the allegiances her grandfather makes. When Rome is going through different emperors, you need to make the right allegiances. Poor Lollia goes through marriage and divorce before she is even 20 but despite it all, she finds a way to amuse herself.

·         Diana is a fun character. All she cares about are the Red team. She loves watching the charioteer’s games and dreams of becoming a charioteer. She does get her chance during Vitellius’ reign, which is a good description of the races. If you have a good imagination like I do, you can almost feel the wind as Diana's horses (named the four Anemoi) run. It would get your heart pumping to find out whether she wins or not.

You will also find similar characters from ‘Mistress of Rome’ so it’s interesting how they became the way they did in the first book.  Such as Marcus Norbanus getting a limp and a messed up shoulder during his imprisonment. Also, little Flavia (Lollia’s daughter) becoming a Christian.

Like I said, this has been an interesting historical fiction to read. If you like Ancient Rome or just looking for something to read, this is a good choice to read during these rainy April weather. I do look forward to reading Kate Quinn's third book, 'Empress of the Seven Hills' sometime this year.

'The Hunger Games' - Book vs. Movie

I watched ‘The Hunger Games’ the weekend after opening weekend. I was looking forward to the movie because of all the hype and I had just finished the book in two days. Literally, if you haven’t read the book, it only takes you a day (or two days at the most) to finish the book. The first two chapters are slow but it gets exciting after that.

I never knew about ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy until the trailer. Since I kept hearing about it, my brother bought the trilogy set two weeks prior to the movie coming out. I think I shouldn’t have read the book before the movie and I probably would have liked it much more. My friend didn’t read the book and she enjoyed the movie.

It’s probably little details comparing the book to the movie but I also know that the director can’t possibly put in every detail (and they change things to fit their vision). I’m not really going to do a review on either the book or movie. Instead, here are some things my brother, my cousin and I thought about while comparing the book to the movie.

1. In the book, Katniss gets the mockingjay pin from District 12’s mayor’s daughter prior to Katniss leaving on the train to go to the Capitol. In the movie, she finds it in a bunch of junk while she was buying something. Now you wouldn’t know from the movie but the mockingjay has significance during the rebellion. Maybe it will come up in the sequel.
2. 2.     In the book, Haymitch falls during the reaping but in the movie, you don’t meet him till both Katniss and Peeta are on the train. I would have thought that scene should be in the movie. Comic relief during a horrific time. Minor detail though which can be overlooked because of the mood during the reaping.
3. My cousin pictured it differently of Rue dying. In the book, Rue is stuck in the net and the spear goes through her little body. In the movie, the scene is there but Rue is out of the net and is standing when she is pierced by the spear. Again, minor detail and probably made it suitable for those 13 and up. When you have good imagination, you picture things different while you’re reading, I guess.
4. In the book, different scenes happen during the day and night. So when you see the same scenes (or sequence) in the movie, it’s not entirely the same. Again, minor detail.
5. In the book when Katniss and Peeta are reunited, Katniss gives Peeta  a sleeping syrup so that she could go to the Cornucopia to get Peeta’s medicine. In the movie, she just watches him as he is sleeping before she makes the decision to go. At least with this scene, you can see the betrayal in his eyes as he falls asleep and Haymitch helping her by sending another parachute.
6. In the book, Katniss realizes that the genetically altered werewolves are the tributes that died. In the movie, you don’t know that and they looked like big dogs. My vision of the werewolves was like the ones in the ‘Twilight’ movies. 
7. In the same sequence, the book has Cato running away from the werewolves as he passes Katniss and Peeta. Also, he’s wearing body armor. You don’t see that in the movie other than him reappearing on top of the Cornucopia and head locking Peeta. I guess more dramatic for Cato to appear suddenly.
8. At the end, Peeta realizes that Katniss doesn’t feel the same way and he goes along with the ‘lovers’ theme one more time when they reach home. In the movie, it’s not there.  Another minor detail but what from I know about ‘Catching Fire’, Peeta continues to help her with the ‘lovers’ theme since she’s in a whole mess of trouble. In the movie, you don’t get the sense of Katniss’s mixed feelings for Peeta, which would go along with this theme since in the book, Katniss is afraid of losing him forever.
9. At the end of the movie, I didn’t really feel that there was going to be a sequel. Then again, maybe with President Snow being mad at her was enough.

I guess that’s what I get for comparing the book to the movie. At least in the movie, you saw how the Gamekeepers manipulate the scenario for the tributes (bunch of meanies!), the Districts watching the game, Gale’s reaction to Katniss kissing Peeta (which was a amusing), the Capitol’s mayor’s conversation with the Gamekeeper and Haymitch trying to get sponsors which you couldn’t get in the book since you’re seeing the world through Katniss’s perspective.

Regardless of my mix feelings about the movie, I would look forward to watching when Hollywood makes ‘Catching Fire’. In the meantime, I’ll read the book (once my brother finishes it).

Mistress of Rome - Book Review

So I took a break from reading my next Tudor book and decided to head to my local library. I wanted to read Kate Quinn's 'Mistress of Rome', which was a part of my book list. I do love Ancient Rome. After all, my son's middle name is after a Roman barbarian king.

The book follows three characters: Thea (a Jewish slave girl with a Roman name), Lepida Pollia (Thea's mistress) and Arius the Barbarian (gladiator) during the time of Emperor Domitian (the last of the Flavian dynasty).


The story begins with Thea as a slave girl. She was basically bought to serve Lepida Pollia, who is a beautiful, yet a selfish girl. Her father organizes the events at the Colosseum, which is famous for the gladiators. I came to dislike Lepida's character since she expects everything to fall into her lap. Also her character just makes you want to hate her. During the slave executions (there are other events before the gladiators), a slave from Brigantia decides to kill the Romans in the arena. Thus Arius the Barbarian was born. Kate Quinn brings to life of the gladiator games through the eyes of Arius the Barbarian.

Arius the Barbarian just wants to drown himself in wine but that's the appeal of his character to the Romans. He becomes desirable that even Lepida wants to claim him. She even sends Thea to bring letters to Arius the Barbarian. What she doesn't expect is that Thea and Arius would fall in love. Of course Thea has to keep this silent but during one of Arius's matches, Thea sort of gives herself away.

By this time, Lepida figures this out and is in a jealous rage. After all, she thinks herself to be the most beautiful in Rome and to have the Barbarian want an ordinary slave girl drives her mad. So mad that she sells Thea to become a prostitute in Brundisium. Still, Thea holds a surprise in her womb.

Several years later, Thea is still a slave but this time for a musician. She performs for clients under the name of Athena and has a son. As for Lepida, she is now married to Senator Marcus Norbanus and has a daughter named Vabia Sabina (who is an epileptic). You would think that being a mother would soften her but that's not in her case. Basically she is still so young, she prefers to go out to parties. When Senator Marcus Norbanus is called back to Rome, he leaves his wife and daughter in Brundisium. This displeases Lepida and she is watched/escorted by her step son Paulinus.

Athena and Lepida would meet during one of the parties that Athena was performing. In order to get back at her husband, Lepida seduces Paulinus. She does a very good job that he still goes back for more even though he is so guilty and is no longer interested in Athena. They are finally caught when Senator Marcus Norbanus comes home for a visit and strategically witnesses Lepida with Paulinus. Senator Marcus Norbanus would divorce her but Lepida is very persuasive. 

Soon Athena becomes Domitian's mistress, much to Lepida's dislike. She hangs onto this for five years but there's nothing happy about it. He hates Jews but for some reason, he keeps Athena. He is also very abusive towards her. Yet through it all, she never lets on that she is afraid of him. Athena's new found friend is Domitian's niece, Flavia Domitilla, where Vix stays until Athena is able to visit. Arius and Athena will finally meet during one of Athena's visits. By this point, Arius has an alias.

Things suddenly gets worse for Athena when Domitian almost kills Athena publicly when he suspects her of having another lover. Vix tries to save her by striking the Emperor. In the end, Vix becomes Domitian's slave. Thea finds Arius to explain what has happened. Now Thea and Arius must join forces with Empress Domitia Longina (Domitian's cast off wife), Senator Marcus Norbanus and Paulinus to bring down Emperor Domitian. By bringing the Emperor down, then only Thea and Arius and Vix can be finally free.

This has been a great book to read. I wanted to find out what happened to Thea and her little family so I couldn't put the book down. I was actually happy what happened to Lepida in the end. You probably would be surprised in Domitian's behavior throughout the book but Kate Quinn stays true to his character. Hopefully this is enough for you to read it if you already haven't. 

If you want to learn more about Kate Quinn and her books, here is her website.
http://www.katequinnauthor.com/index.htm
 

'The Queen's Captive' Book Review

This is the third book in the Thornleigh series by Barbara Kyle. The book is set after the failed Wyatt rebellion. Lady Elizabeth is deadly frightened that her sister, Queen Mary would kill her. Queen Mary on the other hand, is in love with her husband, King Philip. Her mission is to bring England back to the Catholic faith.


Honor Thornleigh and her family are living in exile at Antwerp after they escaped from the executions after the failed Wyatt rebellion in 'The King's Daughter'. Their daughter, Isabel Thornleigh and her husband Carlos Valverde are heading to the New World because the Thornleigh family are broke. No one wants to do business with the Thornleigh's anymore. Even Adam Thornleigh has to work for someone else even though his is capable of being captain of his own ship.


The Thornleigh family's financial troubles soon change when William Cecil asks Honor to advise the Lady Elizabeth on how to survive. With the help of Cecil and an unknowing Queen Mary (who is so in love to know what she's signing), Richard Thornleigh gets a royal pardon and the family is able to get their lives back in England once more.


Being advisor to the Lady Elizabeth would be hard for Honor, especially with the type of security watching her every move. Posing as a washerwoman, Honor is able to talk to the Lady Elizabeth and gaining some type of respect.


You would think that Honor and Richard's problems were over but their neighbors, the Greenvilles, have not forgotten what Richard had done to their father. However, it wasn't expected that Frances Greenville would fall in love with Adam Thornleigh. There is a feud between the families and a love match would be most unexpected.


When the Lady Elizabeth is set free and living in Hatfield, the Thornleighs are favored by the Lady Elizabeth when Adam saves her from an assassin's arrow. Between the two young people, there is gratitude and even love. Of course this would be highly impossible for Adam to be with the princess but you can always hope.


There is still unrest in the kingdom and an Exile's Bill threatens Protestants both living in exile and even at home. They could lose their livelihood to the Queen. Richard joins Parliament to bring down the Exile's Bill. For his actions, he is also favored by the Lady Elizabeth. The burnings during Queen Mary's reign is hard to witness, especially when one is your friend.


Honor's past (from 'The Queen's Lady') would haunt her when Frances learns about it from a disgruntled clergyman. I thought that he was finally dead in 'The Queen's Lady' so you can imagine my surprise when he is close to death in this book. However, Frances is in love with Adam and would not do anything to harm him. But she will use this knowledge to trap Adam. I like that Frances would keep Honor's secret but hate her as well for what she did to Adam. I felt so sorry for Adam.


All in all, the Thornleighs can't get away from John Greenville (Frances's brother) and his hatred for Richard. When their lives are turned upside down, Honor could only turn to the one person that can save them all. If only the Lady Elizabeth would become Queen.


I really enjoyed reading this book and I hope you would too when you read this book. I look forward to reading the fourth installment in the Thornleigh series, 'The Queen's Gamble'. I've also including Barbara Kyle's website for you to learn more about her books.


http://www.barbarakyle.com/