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My Royal Story
Anne Boleyn and Me: The Diary of Elinor Valjean, London, 1525-1536
When the King came riding in on his big, black horse, a murmer went up, because his tunic was stitched with the words, DECLARE I DARE NOT. All the ladies were giggling behind their hands, and I asked Mama what it meant. Her face had turned quite pink and she said, ..Never mind.., so I asked Rosanna later. She told me the words meant the King has a new love, but he dares not say her name.But everyone knows her name, of course. It is Anne Boleyn.
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 13, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 16, 2018
As much as I enjoyed the story, I am also feel sad and devastated with the flow of the plot. I don't know what to explain about my feelings right now. I still feel sad.
April 12, 2021
Royals.
In 1491 an English Prince was born to the first Tudor king, Henry VII. He was also named Henry. When the child was 10, his older brother Arthur married Catherine of Aragon. But the year after, Arthur passed away. When Henry was 18, his father King Henry VII himself died, so he was crowned King Henry VIII and married his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon. They had a daughter named Mary.
King Henry VIII, like all kings, wanted to have a son which Catherine of Aragon failed to give him. His wayward eyes fell on one of the ladies-in-waiting serving his wife named Anne Boleyn. The latter was not particularly pretty, pale with a pointed chin, but the King was smitten and wanted to have Anne Boleyn as his new queen.
The trouble is, he couldn’t marry Anne because he was already married to Catherine of Aragon. So he sent emissaries to Rome to have papal dispensation by way of having his married to Catherine declared null and void so he could marry his new love. But the pope dithered and refused to give judgement for fear of offending Catherine’s nephew, the Emperor Charles who controlled most of Europe. Henry VIII would none of this, however, so he proceeded to marry Anne and when the pope threatened to excommunicate him for this, Henry VIII initiated a break from Rome which led to the founding of the Protestant Church of England.
Catherine of Aragon was a well-loved queen. The people considered Anne Boleyn close to a harlot who had bewitched the King. Many also opposed the divorce decreed by the new Church of England and among those who denounced it was Henry VIII’s childhood friend and lifetime adviser Sir Thomas More (now a saint). Henry had him imprisoned and later beheaded.
Anne Boleyn, however, failed to give the king a son. Her pregnancies were all unsuccessful except for one, but she had a daughter, not a son, who was named Elizabeth. Henry thereafter got tired of her and his amorous eyes now rested upon another lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour. To get rid of Anne Boleyn, he manufactured false evidences of Anne’s alleged infidelities and had her sentenced to death together with her own brother (whom she also allegedly fucked). She was beheaded, dying with all the other innocent victims of Henry VIII sexual adventures.
Jane Seymour gave him a son (finally!) who was named Edward. But she died at childbirth. So King Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves but divorced her only after a year to marry Catherine Howard. The following year, he had Catherine Howard beheaded and then married Catherine Parr. Five years after that, Henry VIII died. His son by Jane Seymour was crowned King Edward VI. He was at this time only 9 years old. He died when he was 15, so King Henry VIII’s daughter by Catherine of Aragon was crowned Queen Mary I but she also died after reigning for only 5 years.
So who was next? It was Henry VIII’s daughter by the beheaded Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth. She—Queen Elizabeth I—ruled for 45 long years and never married. She was perhaps the greatest queen of England. She passed away in 1603 ending the Tudor dynasty.
This is a semi-fictional diary of a lady-in-waiting in the Tudor court which is accurately based on historical facts. Royal gossips abound and you’ll be entertained with tidbits like when Anne Boleyn, all decked with her majestic attire during her coronation as the new queen while already heavily pregnant with her child Elizabeth, would feel the need to pee—
“…It was something of a trial for Anne herself. She sat on a high dais in full view of the revellers, but her pregnancy is putting pressure on her bladder and she needs to relieve herself frequently. Two women were hidden beneath the sumptuous cloth, and when the need arose, they lifted the Queen’s skirts for her and provided a receptacle. I would not have been in their place for anything.”
In 1491 an English Prince was born to the first Tudor king, Henry VII. He was also named Henry. When the child was 10, his older brother Arthur married Catherine of Aragon. But the year after, Arthur passed away. When Henry was 18, his father King Henry VII himself died, so he was crowned King Henry VIII and married his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon. They had a daughter named Mary.
King Henry VIII, like all kings, wanted to have a son which Catherine of Aragon failed to give him. His wayward eyes fell on one of the ladies-in-waiting serving his wife named Anne Boleyn. The latter was not particularly pretty, pale with a pointed chin, but the King was smitten and wanted to have Anne Boleyn as his new queen.
The trouble is, he couldn’t marry Anne because he was already married to Catherine of Aragon. So he sent emissaries to Rome to have papal dispensation by way of having his married to Catherine declared null and void so he could marry his new love. But the pope dithered and refused to give judgement for fear of offending Catherine’s nephew, the Emperor Charles who controlled most of Europe. Henry VIII would none of this, however, so he proceeded to marry Anne and when the pope threatened to excommunicate him for this, Henry VIII initiated a break from Rome which led to the founding of the Protestant Church of England.
Catherine of Aragon was a well-loved queen. The people considered Anne Boleyn close to a harlot who had bewitched the King. Many also opposed the divorce decreed by the new Church of England and among those who denounced it was Henry VIII’s childhood friend and lifetime adviser Sir Thomas More (now a saint). Henry had him imprisoned and later beheaded.
Anne Boleyn, however, failed to give the king a son. Her pregnancies were all unsuccessful except for one, but she had a daughter, not a son, who was named Elizabeth. Henry thereafter got tired of her and his amorous eyes now rested upon another lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour. To get rid of Anne Boleyn, he manufactured false evidences of Anne’s alleged infidelities and had her sentenced to death together with her own brother (whom she also allegedly fucked). She was beheaded, dying with all the other innocent victims of Henry VIII sexual adventures.
Jane Seymour gave him a son (finally!) who was named Edward. But she died at childbirth. So King Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves but divorced her only after a year to marry Catherine Howard. The following year, he had Catherine Howard beheaded and then married Catherine Parr. Five years after that, Henry VIII died. His son by Jane Seymour was crowned King Edward VI. He was at this time only 9 years old. He died when he was 15, so King Henry VIII’s daughter by Catherine of Aragon was crowned Queen Mary I but she also died after reigning for only 5 years.
So who was next? It was Henry VIII’s daughter by the beheaded Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth. She—Queen Elizabeth I—ruled for 45 long years and never married. She was perhaps the greatest queen of England. She passed away in 1603 ending the Tudor dynasty.
This is a semi-fictional diary of a lady-in-waiting in the Tudor court which is accurately based on historical facts. Royal gossips abound and you’ll be entertained with tidbits like when Anne Boleyn, all decked with her majestic attire during her coronation as the new queen while already heavily pregnant with her child Elizabeth, would feel the need to pee—
“…It was something of a trial for Anne herself. She sat on a high dais in full view of the revellers, but her pregnancy is putting pressure on her bladder and she needs to relieve herself frequently. Two women were hidden beneath the sumptuous cloth, and when the need arose, they lifted the Queen’s skirts for her and provided a receptacle. I would not have been in their place for anything.”
March 1, 2010
This book is one in the My Story series. The books in this series are fictional diaries of young girls living during different periods of British, Scottish, and Irish history.
Elinor Valjean begins her diary in 1525, when she is eleven. As the daughter of a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of England, she has grown up at court. Over the next few years, Elinor describes her daily life living among royalty, and how she eventually becomes a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn. Elinor and her family sympathize with Queen Catherine because of their ties to her. But Anne Boleyn is determined to be queen, and King Henry VIII is determined to divorce Catherine, because she has failed to provide him with a son and is now too old to have any more children. But as Elinor's life becomes happy, as she grows up, falls in love, marries, and has children, Anne's only becomes worse, as she ends up disappointing Henry by failing to provide a living son.
This is my favorite book from the My Story series, and I highly recommend it to readers who are interested in the Tudor era or who enjoy historical fiction in diary form. I loved the setting, the historical detail was fascination, and Elinor was a likeable narrator.
Elinor Valjean begins her diary in 1525, when she is eleven. As the daughter of a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of England, she has grown up at court. Over the next few years, Elinor describes her daily life living among royalty, and how she eventually becomes a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn. Elinor and her family sympathize with Queen Catherine because of their ties to her. But Anne Boleyn is determined to be queen, and King Henry VIII is determined to divorce Catherine, because she has failed to provide him with a son and is now too old to have any more children. But as Elinor's life becomes happy, as she grows up, falls in love, marries, and has children, Anne's only becomes worse, as she ends up disappointing Henry by failing to provide a living son.
This is my favorite book from the My Story series, and I highly recommend it to readers who are interested in the Tudor era or who enjoy historical fiction in diary form. I loved the setting, the historical detail was fascination, and Elinor was a likeable narrator.
December 1, 2010
You're sure to love this book. Elinor Valjean is a young lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon and later on in the book, Anne Boleyn. It is an extremely accurate read, with all the dates correct and the names. Not only is it about the queens, but you also see Elinor falling in love, marrying a handsome man and having two children, Maria and Michael. Also you can read Elinor's mother's diary earlier on in the series which is good. Highly good for a wet Sunday afternoon. Loved it
December 14, 2022
This was.... so far off my normal reading pattern. Historical books of any trope / subject are just not my cup of tea typically..... and because of that, I definitely had a harder time getting through this book and rating it. So please take my review and rating with a grain of salt.
Anne Boleyn and Me is a historical fiction book based on the tudor period and Anne Boleyn.. ;x
It's told through the POV of a girl named Elinor Valjean in the 1525-1536 time period. Elinor is a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn. Her diary starts at the age of 11 and continues on. Elinor's mother was a lady-in-waiting as well, so Elinor grew up among the royals. Her diary entries discuss her life experiences with that and onwards to when she herself becomes a lady-in-waiting. Her experiences with Anne Boleyn are entertaining to read as well. Elinor goes on to live a happy life with a family and child, while Anne's life becomes anything but due to her failing to provide the King with a son.
Although this isn't my favorite trope / genre by any means, I did enjoy the flow of the writing and the general storyline. I'm not sure if I'd read it again, but I may try to read others in the "my story" series.
Anne Boleyn and Me is a historical fiction book based on the tudor period and Anne Boleyn.. ;x
It's told through the POV of a girl named Elinor Valjean in the 1525-1536 time period. Elinor is a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn. Her diary starts at the age of 11 and continues on. Elinor's mother was a lady-in-waiting as well, so Elinor grew up among the royals. Her diary entries discuss her life experiences with that and onwards to when she herself becomes a lady-in-waiting. Her experiences with Anne Boleyn are entertaining to read as well. Elinor goes on to live a happy life with a family and child, while Anne's life becomes anything but due to her failing to provide the King with a son.
Although this isn't my favorite trope / genre by any means, I did enjoy the flow of the writing and the general storyline. I'm not sure if I'd read it again, but I may try to read others in the "my story" series.
April 4, 2022
I actually liked this one better than the previous although it isn't completely historically accurate
May 19, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. Having worked with children in various capacities for many years I find reading young people books a great was to engage with them. These days I think there is a greater crossover between books written for young people and adults (Rowling and Pullman are further examples of this)
This book leads on from 'My Tudor Queen' which is the diary of Elinor's mother Eva and Queen Katherine of Aragon. Although of course there wasn't the depth that you would find in a Philippa Gregory novel (which is of course written for the adult market) you do get a sense of the times and how difficult life was for everyone with such a fickle King on the throne.
This book leads on from 'My Tudor Queen' which is the diary of Elinor's mother Eva and Queen Katherine of Aragon. Although of course there wasn't the depth that you would find in a Philippa Gregory novel (which is of course written for the adult market) you do get a sense of the times and how difficult life was for everyone with such a fickle King on the throne.
January 31, 2011
This reminded me a lot of the Dear America books I loved as a child. It was a very short, and kind of juvenile, diary format of a fictional girl living in Henry VIII's court as Anne Boleyn rises to being queen. I never really got a feel for our narrator, Elinor, even when she got married and had children. It could have been anyone writing down these events, you just didn't care about the narrator at all.
It wasn't terrible, and as a kid I probably would have loved it. But reading it now, it just fell flat.
It wasn't terrible, and as a kid I probably would have loved it. But reading it now, it just fell flat.
February 1, 2010
I really enjoy the 'My Story' series and this is one of my favourites. Narrated by Elinor, a young serving girl in the household of Henry VII, it is a really great read.
May 13, 2018
I am not sure what I feel about this book. I was horrified by all the wrongdoings and early marriages that took place. King Henry was surely a piece of work.
Just a stark reminder that one's actions will succeed you for generations to come.
At the same time, I am wondering whether middle-grade kids will be able to handle this book....hmmm
Just a stark reminder that one's actions will succeed you for generations to come.
At the same time, I am wondering whether middle-grade kids will be able to handle this book....hmmm
February 18, 2024
Unfortunately not for me
October 3, 2016
The My Story series were the first books that I was really interested in and recently I have gone back to read some of them. I have always had an interest in the Tudor era and Anne Boleyn and Me gives a great new perspective on the history.
The characters whose journal format this book is written in is not what you read the story for. The character Elinor has enough of a storyline but the main focus is on the Royal history. I didn't mind though as the pace of the story was really good and kept you interested the whole time.
I originally started this book with only a little bit of general knowledge on Anne Boleyn. I was greatly informed by the end though, it was educational but in a light matter.
I never really knew what the character of Anne Boleyn was like but after reading this I feel a little more enlightened. Anne is such a puzzling person. Initially I thought she was an evil, manipulative women trying to win the crown. But towards the end when she lost everything I couldn't help but feel sad for her.
The sick ways of the Tudors shocked me at every page. I can never imagine a time like that but sadly it makes for interesting reading.
The characters whose journal format this book is written in is not what you read the story for. The character Elinor has enough of a storyline but the main focus is on the Royal history. I didn't mind though as the pace of the story was really good and kept you interested the whole time.
I originally started this book with only a little bit of general knowledge on Anne Boleyn. I was greatly informed by the end though, it was educational but in a light matter.
I never really knew what the character of Anne Boleyn was like but after reading this I feel a little more enlightened. Anne is such a puzzling person. Initially I thought she was an evil, manipulative women trying to win the crown. But towards the end when she lost everything I couldn't help but feel sad for her.
The sick ways of the Tudors shocked me at every page. I can never imagine a time like that but sadly it makes for interesting reading.
March 3, 2017
Prince manages to pack a lot of historical information into this novel in the form of a diary. Elinor, the narrator, a minstrel (and daughter of a court jester) who entertains Anne Boleyn but who dislikes her considerably is rather too modern a girl to be quite believed. Nevertheless, the book does make the details of Henry's court accessible if not quite compelling. Recommended for girls 13+.
October 7, 2022
I remember reading this in seventh grade and staunchly hating Anne which was fair enough as this book was my very first introduction to the Tudors. It was written in the perspective of someone who doted on Catherine and despised Anne for usurping her place.
May 30, 2012
Pretty pedestrian. Not really a huge waste of my time, but about what I'd get watching Anne of the Thousand Days.
November 12, 2013
Held my interest, but was too anti-Anne up until the end, when the main character felt a little sympathy for her. I did enjoy the repeated description of "pig-faced" Cromwell. :)
November 13, 2016
very historic and boring
February 12, 2025
I enjoyed reading it but i did not enjoy reading the book (this probably doesnt make sense to any of yous but it makes sense to me)
June 6, 2023
It's been a rough few days, so I needed something quick and simple that I could read in very small chunks if necessary, so I turned to one of my favourite childhood series; the 'My Story' diaries, and a book I've read before (albeit quite some time ago). This particular book focuses on the story of Elinor, a lady-in-waiting at the Court of Henry VIII, and her view of the King's 'Great Matter'; his separation from Catherine of Aragon and his marriage to Anne Boleyn.
The reason I loved these as a kid and still do now is that they take well known events of history and bring them right down to earth. The diary format is a great way of personalising these milestones, and drawing the focus away from the main players to imagine how an 'ordinary' person may have viewed events in the context of their own lives. It's a very clever balance that's struck between involving these fictional young girls in real events, while also staying true to history and giving the reader a glimpse into their 'normal' lives.
Where this one falls down slightly is that the diary format doesn't really work, as it covers such an extended period of time. As a result, Elinor's diary entries have been spaced quite a long way apart. I appreciate that if it had been done with entries for every few days, the book would be huge, but when you're looking at an average of one entry every two to three months, it just doesn't feel like you get the depth you would expect from a person recording their intimate thoughts. It really is jst an overview of the main plot points of this moment in history - the pace is very quick as you bounce from one recognisable moment to another, with very little in between. There are some personal touches, but just not enough to make it feel as 'real' as many of the other books in the series. However, the fact that it doesn't go into a lot of depth means that it is an engaging read for someone with a short attention span (me at the moment!).
If I were a child learning about the Tudors for the first time, and thus a member of the target demographic for this book, I'd learn an awful lot very quickly. This series is a great way into history for the uninitiated, and I love the fact that they also include some additional material such as a timeline, images that relate to the story etc. in the back of each book so that children can be guided to further reading and understand where the story fits within history. I know I certainly made use of the information I found in there on more than one occasion (even as an adult!).
Usually, these books are pretty good at sticking with established fact, right down to the little things. But, there is one absolute clanger of a historical inaccuracy right at the end, which really annoys me - Anne Boleyn did not have a block at her execution! In light of this and the big gaps in the narrative, it does make me wonder if the author of this particular book was given a subject to write on that she only had limited knowledge of? It feels like perhaps she mainlined a couple of the major works of non-fiction on this period and fairly quickly rehashed them into a fictional narrative.
I'll always enjoy a book on the Tudors, and this one certainly did what I needed it to in this particular set of circumstances, but there are definitely better books in the series.
The reason I loved these as a kid and still do now is that they take well known events of history and bring them right down to earth. The diary format is a great way of personalising these milestones, and drawing the focus away from the main players to imagine how an 'ordinary' person may have viewed events in the context of their own lives. It's a very clever balance that's struck between involving these fictional young girls in real events, while also staying true to history and giving the reader a glimpse into their 'normal' lives.
Where this one falls down slightly is that the diary format doesn't really work, as it covers such an extended period of time. As a result, Elinor's diary entries have been spaced quite a long way apart. I appreciate that if it had been done with entries for every few days, the book would be huge, but when you're looking at an average of one entry every two to three months, it just doesn't feel like you get the depth you would expect from a person recording their intimate thoughts. It really is jst an overview of the main plot points of this moment in history - the pace is very quick as you bounce from one recognisable moment to another, with very little in between. There are some personal touches, but just not enough to make it feel as 'real' as many of the other books in the series. However, the fact that it doesn't go into a lot of depth means that it is an engaging read for someone with a short attention span (me at the moment!).
If I were a child learning about the Tudors for the first time, and thus a member of the target demographic for this book, I'd learn an awful lot very quickly. This series is a great way into history for the uninitiated, and I love the fact that they also include some additional material such as a timeline, images that relate to the story etc. in the back of each book so that children can be guided to further reading and understand where the story fits within history. I know I certainly made use of the information I found in there on more than one occasion (even as an adult!).
Usually, these books are pretty good at sticking with established fact, right down to the little things. But, there is one absolute clanger of a historical inaccuracy right at the end, which really annoys me - Anne Boleyn did not have a block at her execution! In light of this and the big gaps in the narrative, it does make me wonder if the author of this particular book was given a subject to write on that she only had limited knowledge of? It feels like perhaps she mainlined a couple of the major works of non-fiction on this period and fairly quickly rehashed them into a fictional narrative.
I'll always enjoy a book on the Tudors, and this one certainly did what I needed it to in this particular set of circumstances, but there are definitely better books in the series.
January 16, 2021
Review originally posted on Melaniesmuses.com
This book is written in the form of journal entries from a servant. It starts with the writer being only 11, but there are very few entries for this age, and it quickly moves on.
I love to read alternative perspectives, and although from the title I expected a more favorable account of life with Anne, it s clear early on that the writer strongly sides with Queen Katherine, having been raised for her early life as part of her court.
The general history included appears to be accurate (based on what I have read / watched before), which is always a good sign, and this new perspective made for a very interesting read. Many shows have taken the angle of showing things from the servants’ point of view with great success, and this for me was no different. Although supposedly written as the girl in question aged, the only issue really was that the language didn't change. As most people age, even just with speech, the phrasing would be different, but this stayed the same from beginning to end.
I am not sure if this would be a book that many would enjoy, unless they already had an interest in that period in history. A lot of what is written I know I interpreted with a bias based on what I already knew, which wasn't an issue, but I am not sure how well it would work as a cold read. Especially as the general age it is supposed to be aimed for would be 11-16 (based on normal Scholastic book tendencies). That being said, I am thrilled to have this as a part of my collection. I can honestly say I enjoyed this unique take.
A solid 4 stars - with a note that this probably wouldn't be a general recommendation for every reader, just my personal enjoyment.
This book is written in the form of journal entries from a servant. It starts with the writer being only 11, but there are very few entries for this age, and it quickly moves on.
I love to read alternative perspectives, and although from the title I expected a more favorable account of life with Anne, it s clear early on that the writer strongly sides with Queen Katherine, having been raised for her early life as part of her court.
The general history included appears to be accurate (based on what I have read / watched before), which is always a good sign, and this new perspective made for a very interesting read. Many shows have taken the angle of showing things from the servants’ point of view with great success, and this for me was no different. Although supposedly written as the girl in question aged, the only issue really was that the language didn't change. As most people age, even just with speech, the phrasing would be different, but this stayed the same from beginning to end.
I am not sure if this would be a book that many would enjoy, unless they already had an interest in that period in history. A lot of what is written I know I interpreted with a bias based on what I already knew, which wasn't an issue, but I am not sure how well it would work as a cold read. Especially as the general age it is supposed to be aimed for would be 11-16 (based on normal Scholastic book tendencies). That being said, I am thrilled to have this as a part of my collection. I can honestly say I enjoyed this unique take.
A solid 4 stars - with a note that this probably wouldn't be a general recommendation for every reader, just my personal enjoyment.
March 27, 2024
Firstly, not a super favorable view of Anne in this imagining. The main character is Elinor Valjean, and her diary starts out when she is eleven years old. It is not favorable towards Anne because Elinor is the daughter of one of Catherine's ladies-in-waiting. So there is a born bias there. The book starts out pretty quickly aging the character up with the shorter entries of her much younger years. It shows her sympathies with Catherine through her wording and more attention to her then to Anne. There is of course some adult themes that are glossed over without any in depth explanation (childbirth, how to become with child ect) which is of course to be expected in a book towards younger children. I did enjoy this "blast from the past" as I had desperately wanted to read this as a child but they did not have it in our libraries. Would recommend for younger readers who are interested in The Tudors but are not quite ready for all that happens.
April 24, 2025
Elinor Valjean is a young girl in the court of Henry VIII serving Katherine of Aragon and then Anne Boleyn. She sees the drama unfold as Henry wants Anne for his wife, her rise and then fall.
This was a wondeful little read from The My Story collection. I think it's a great way for children to learn about history. Although it is a book aimed at the younger person as an adult I enjoyed it.
Elinor tells what she sees over a decade or so watching the goings on around her. In the meantime she grows up, gets married and has children. Along side Anne Boleyn whose marriage is not happy and she can't give Henry the family he wants, where as Elinor has a happy marriage.
This story is a quick read about Anne Boleyn and covers all the main points. Elinor has a chatty narrative and she doesn't like Anne Boleyn, with her version making Anne guilty where as some accounts Anne is innocent.
I really enjoyed this quick read and will read more of the My Story collection.
This was a wondeful little read from The My Story collection. I think it's a great way for children to learn about history. Although it is a book aimed at the younger person as an adult I enjoyed it.
Elinor tells what she sees over a decade or so watching the goings on around her. In the meantime she grows up, gets married and has children. Along side Anne Boleyn whose marriage is not happy and she can't give Henry the family he wants, where as Elinor has a happy marriage.
This story is a quick read about Anne Boleyn and covers all the main points. Elinor has a chatty narrative and she doesn't like Anne Boleyn, with her version making Anne guilty where as some accounts Anne is innocent.
I really enjoyed this quick read and will read more of the My Story collection.
September 16, 2018
A sequel to Alison Prince's 'My Tudor Queen,' this instalment in the My Story series details the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, as told by Elinor, daughter of Eva and lady-in-waiting to Lady Anne.
My critique of the novel is the same as 'My Tudor Queen,' - that a teenage lady-in-waiting has far too much political insight to be realistic. I probably am being too harsh on what are actually children's novels, written to get young readers interested in history, but still, it makes the novel a little unbelievable.
Unlike other novels in the My Story series, I probably wouldn't recommend this novel for readers under the age of 12. Given the nature of Anne Boleyn's execution, there are mentions of sex and incest, which may provoke difficult conversations in younger readers.
My critique of the novel is the same as 'My Tudor Queen,' - that a teenage lady-in-waiting has far too much political insight to be realistic. I probably am being too harsh on what are actually children's novels, written to get young readers interested in history, but still, it makes the novel a little unbelievable.
Unlike other novels in the My Story series, I probably wouldn't recommend this novel for readers under the age of 12. Given the nature of Anne Boleyn's execution, there are mentions of sex and incest, which may provoke difficult conversations in younger readers.
December 16, 2019
This book has reminded me how much I love that period in British history and how much I love reading about Anne Boleyn. Her position in history has been misunderstood in the past but it is books like this that help to give her some innocents to her character and show how much of a victim of time and family connections she was.
Well written diary. This writing form helps to bring authenticity to those times, although if anyone was to find such a diary in those days I dread to think what would have been done to the author.
Well written diary. This writing form helps to bring authenticity to those times, although if anyone was to find such a diary in those days I dread to think what would have been done to the author.
March 14, 2023
What I enjoyed about this follow on by Prince in this engaging narrative nonfiction series, is that it does just that, follows on nicely through generations of those in waiting to the royal Tudor court and those whose dramatic, tragic and exhausting lives are constantly unfolding. The ultimate demise of Anne Boleyn, wife #2 of Henry VIII, is balanced beautifully through the Tudor girl, Ellie's diary entries. Recommended for mature tweens and middle school lovers of history and European monarchies.
January 6, 2020
The book is ok at most for me, but the thing that bugged me the most was that there were historical details that are wrong in this book, the biggest one for me was that Alison Prince wrote that Anne was blindfolded and her head was on the block, these details are absolutely wrong. Anne wasn’t blindfolded nor did she have her head chopped off on the block. If little things like these details were correct I might have enjoyed the book more .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2020
This is part of the My Story scholastic series in which characters live in different time periods and offer the reader a glimpse at a place in time.
I enjoyed this book and was immersed in the Tudor period. This book closely follows the History of England during the English reformation and Henry VIII.
The protagonist's life also spans almost 10 years in this book.
The characters are interesting and the plot was enjoyable, although, as a History teacher I knew how it would end
I enjoyed this book and was immersed in the Tudor period. This book closely follows the History of England during the English reformation and Henry VIII.
The protagonist's life also spans almost 10 years in this book.
The characters are interesting and the plot was enjoyable, although, as a History teacher I knew how it would end
January 17, 2025
I think I received this book for Christmas when i was around 13 and read it within the day. I then proceeded to bring it on every road, plane and train trip for about 6 years. I could read this book over and over and over again without ever getting bored. I think it’s because the book doesn’t just tell anne’s story but also a tudors as-well, which adds another level of depth to it and we see this famous story from a perspective that isn’t from a royal figure.
June 22, 2022
This book is about when Henry 8th divorced Catherine for Anne Boleyn. It goes through to when Jane Seymour and the king were married and gave her a son. I liked this book because it was history but the thing I will touch on as it got confusing when in court. Also, I learnt lots of things from this book too.
By Louis
By Louis
January 29, 2026
This wasn't quite as good as I expected it to be, but very educational.
It took me a while to get into and then by the time I was the book finished!
It was interesting to read about Elinor's personal life, but the bits about the court hearings dragged on a bit.
Still a very good book.
Alison Prince is very talented.
It takes a lot of work to get a book as good as this.
A lot of research!!!
It took me a while to get into and then by the time I was the book finished!
It was interesting to read about Elinor's personal life, but the bits about the court hearings dragged on a bit.
Still a very good book.
Alison Prince is very talented.
It takes a lot of work to get a book as good as this.
A lot of research!!!
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