Customer Reviews
Great book, fantastic location - By: M. DILLEY, 30 Oct 2007 
I'm very intrestedin history dating from the Roman period & i'm seriously considering history for GCSE. This book is one of the best i've ever read it's informative & very addictive. My Grandad lives near Bradgate park where Lady Jane grew up. I've walked round the ruins so many times wondereing what it looked likein it's glory days. After reading this book i could really imagine it. Bradgate is a Beautiful place & a perfect place to grow up in, the deer & the park around it is spectacular. I hope other people find this book interesting.
Excellent teen novel about Lady Jane Grey. - By: Rebecca Herman, 20 Jan 2005 Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for nine days at the age of fifteen before being executed for treason, narrates her story beginning at age nine. Unloved by her parents, young Jane had an unhappy & lonely childhood. Sent to court at age nine, she finally gained happiness as a maid of honor to Queen Katharine, wife of King Henry VIII. Even after the king dies, Jane remains a member of Katharine's household, but even that happiness is lost when Katharine diesin childbirth after remarrying. Returning home, Jane must once again endure her parents' cruelty, as they scheme to arrange a marriage for her that will bring them wealth & power. But when the young King Edward, Jane's beloved cousin, dies, Jane is unprepared for how far they will go. Staunch Protestants, Jane's parents are determined that Edward's Catholic half-sister Mary will not become queen -- & so they force their daughter to accept the crown of Englandin a plot that is doomed to failure.
This was an excellent historical novel for teens that tells the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey. I was really looking forward to reading this book, because I love historical novels about royalty, & Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors. I am happy to say I am not disappointed at all. Ann Rinaldi brings Jane to life as an intelligent girl, observant & wise beyond her years, who against her will became a pawnin a power struggle she wanted no part in. This makes the inevitably sad ending even more tragic. Teen readers who are interestedin historical fiction about royalty should definitely read this book.
