Helpful Score: 6
Set in 1450 this is the story of Anne, a young servant girl who has a way with healing herbs. She is beautiful but kind and while caring for her mistress she becomes well known for her healing powers. When the Queen takes ill, Anne is summoned to the palace, where she becomes a body servant to Queen Elizabeth, wife of Edward IV. When he casts his roaming eye on Anne, a set of circumstances is set into motion that threatens to destroy the fragile new Kingship.
This story is filled with secrets, treachery, intrigue and murder. Although the language was not as authentic to the times as it could have been, that actually made the story easier to read. I also needed to check my dictionary a number of times, because the descriptions of medieval clothing sparked my interest. My major complaint is that at times the story was a bit too romancy for my tastes.
Be warned that this book is the first in a trilogy. Although the story has an ending, the many loose threads are not tied up, and that can prove a little frustrating. However I already have The Exiled, book #2 on my TBR pile, so after a short break I will be back to find out how some of those issues are resolved.
If you are a fan of Philippa Gregory you will enjoy this book.
This story is filled with secrets, treachery, intrigue and murder. Although the language was not as authentic to the times as it could have been, that actually made the story easier to read. I also needed to check my dictionary a number of times, because the descriptions of medieval clothing sparked my interest. My major complaint is that at times the story was a bit too romancy for my tastes.
Be warned that this book is the first in a trilogy. Although the story has an ending, the many loose threads are not tied up, and that can prove a little frustrating. However I already have The Exiled, book #2 on my TBR pile, so after a short break I will be back to find out how some of those issues are resolved.
If you are a fan of Philippa Gregory you will enjoy this book.
Helpful Score: 4
Absolutely great book. Graeme-Evans is an incredible writer. Her characters are rich and vivid. The storyline has lots of twists and turns. This book will not end the way you expect it to. It is not predictable. There is some explicit sexual content in the book, so if you are not one for reading that type of literature, don't request this book.
Helpful Score: 3
Very good book about a young girl named Anne who catches the eye of King Edward IV in the year 1450 in England. This is a great book and I highly recommend it. Took me about a week to read it, though I wanted to pay attention to every little detail.
Helpful Score: 2
A great historical novel-the first of a trilogy about Anne de Bohun. Beginning with her birth in poverty and ultimately (as the other books continue) leading to her love affair with King Edward IV
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Helpful Score: 1
First and foremost, don't read this book expecting historical accuracy, for if you do, you'll be sorely disappointed. That being said, THE INNOCENT is a twisting, bosom-heaving, emotional, gasping historical fiction read! The author gorgeously places us into the heads of all the characters, however minor, so that we are able to get a sense of their thoughts and feelings, their conflicts and uncertainties. I don't know much at all about Medieval England, but I am far from disappointed here: our closeness to the characters makes for an extremely believable court intrigue, a space full of secrets, hidden desires, backstabbing, and political unrest...delicious!
However, I was most bothered by some of the characters and their relationships with one another. The protagonist, Anne, was just too perfect, the perfectly helpless damsel in distress whose occasional bursts of confidence and assuredness seemed fake in light of her more consistent ability to not have a spine. Similarly, I found the romance between Anne and King Edward unrealistic. I got no inkling of the chemistry between them, just an unfathomable draw of "something" driving them together in spite of everything.
Despite those issues I have with the book, I'd still recommend THE INNOCENT to a variety of readers. Even if you don't know or often read books about Medieval England, Posie Graeme-Evans' writing ability is still something to take note of. You will be sucked into the characters' stories, and only unwillingly will you put the book down.
However, I was most bothered by some of the characters and their relationships with one another. The protagonist, Anne, was just too perfect, the perfectly helpless damsel in distress whose occasional bursts of confidence and assuredness seemed fake in light of her more consistent ability to not have a spine. Similarly, I found the romance between Anne and King Edward unrealistic. I got no inkling of the chemistry between them, just an unfathomable draw of "something" driving them together in spite of everything.
Despite those issues I have with the book, I'd still recommend THE INNOCENT to a variety of readers. Even if you don't know or often read books about Medieval England, Posie Graeme-Evans' writing ability is still something to take note of. You will be sucked into the characters' stories, and only unwillingly will you put the book down.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Helpful Score: 1
First and foremost, don't read this book expecting historical accuracy, for if you do, you'll be sorely disappointed. That being said, THE INNOCENT is a twisting, bosom-heaving, emotional, gasping historical fiction read! The author gorgeously places us into the heads of all the characters, however minor, so that we are able to get a sense of their thoughts and feelings, their conflicts and uncertainties. I don't know much at all about Medieval England, but I am far from disappointed here: our closeness to the characters makes for an extremely believable court intrigue, a space full of secrets, hidden desires, backstabbing, and political unrest...delicious!
However, I was most bothered by some of the characters and their relationships with one another. The protagonist, Anne, was just too perfect, the perfectly helpless damsel in distress whose occasional bursts of confidence and assuredness seemed fake in light of her more consistent ability to not have a spine. Similarly, I found the romance between Anne and King Edward unrealistic. I got no inkling of the chemistry between them, just an unfathomable draw of "something" driving them together in spite of everything.
Despite those issues I have with the book, I'd still recommend THE INNOCENT to a variety of readers. Even if you don't know or often read books about Medieval England, Posie Graeme-Evans' writing ability is still something to take note of. You will be sucked into the characters' stories, and only unwillingly will you put the book down.
However, I was most bothered by some of the characters and their relationships with one another. The protagonist, Anne, was just too perfect, the perfectly helpless damsel in distress whose occasional bursts of confidence and assuredness seemed fake in light of her more consistent ability to not have a spine. Similarly, I found the romance between Anne and King Edward unrealistic. I got no inkling of the chemistry between them, just an unfathomable draw of "something" driving them together in spite of everything.
Despite those issues I have with the book, I'd still recommend THE INNOCENT to a variety of readers. Even if you don't know or often read books about Medieval England, Posie Graeme-Evans' writing ability is still something to take note of. You will be sucked into the characters' stories, and only unwillingly will you put the book down.
Elizabeth B. (Cattriona) -
Helpful Score: 1
I quite liked the majority of this story -- well developed characters and a strong heroine who, despite her apparently humble beginnings, can take care of herself brought new life to a not-so-new storyline. In the end, I felt certain events were less likable, but I will look for the sequel all the same. Recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
Before I even start I will say that this is heavy on the fiction side. You read minimal about the big events that happened and mainly about the love story of Edward and Anne. That is okay, it was a decent story. A little tough to get into it but after the first few chapters the story unraveled rather well.
Anne's knowledge of healing herbs brings her to the attention of Queen Elizabeth. Dame Jehanne is in charge of the queen's body servants. Jehanne does not know at this time that Anne is the child that she helped bring into this world (won't spoil who Anne's parents are for you). Queen Elizabeth is portrayed as a cold and mean woman to her servants (first time that I have read a description about her that is unfavorable) but very devoted and loving to her husband. King Edward finds himself in love with Anne but after Anne finds out who her parents were she knows that it can never be. But of course, eventually she gives in but then has to flee for her own safety. Edward and Anne's relationship is like an yo-yo. I did get wrapped up in it wondering when they would finally give in to temptation. So many times it was SO close! The ending leaves it wide open for the next book and I won't give away the reason why...:)
Nothing too exciting in this book but is a good story. Book is not a keeper on my historical fiction shelf but I will read the next one.
Anne's knowledge of healing herbs brings her to the attention of Queen Elizabeth. Dame Jehanne is in charge of the queen's body servants. Jehanne does not know at this time that Anne is the child that she helped bring into this world (won't spoil who Anne's parents are for you). Queen Elizabeth is portrayed as a cold and mean woman to her servants (first time that I have read a description about her that is unfavorable) but very devoted and loving to her husband. King Edward finds himself in love with Anne but after Anne finds out who her parents were she knows that it can never be. But of course, eventually she gives in but then has to flee for her own safety. Edward and Anne's relationship is like an yo-yo. I did get wrapped up in it wondering when they would finally give in to temptation. So many times it was SO close! The ending leaves it wide open for the next book and I won't give away the reason why...:)
Nothing too exciting in this book but is a good story. Book is not a keeper on my historical fiction shelf but I will read the next one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel. Usually the authors tend to have too many characters and use their titles instead the the names in this type of book but this one used mostly first names and an easy to follow plot. There were certain things in this book that made me wince in pain for the women of the time. It could not have been easy to not have a say in your own life no matter who you were from the highest born Queen to the lowest peasant.
I loved this book as well as the other 2 in the trilogy. In fact, this is the series that got me hooked on the history of English monarchy. Highly recommended.
Very good read!
Brought history to life.
I really enjoyed this book- if you are interested in medieval England, you probably will, too. For another side of King Edward's story, try "The Sunne In Splendor" by Sharon Kay Pennman
Great start to an epic story with a wonderful heroine!
