The Lady Elizabeth

March 31, 2008
Weir (Innocent Traitor) lends her considerable historical knowledge to the early years of England's famous queen in this absorbing second novel. The tale chronicles the life of Elizabeth I from her early childhood to her coronation, through the final years of her father, Henry VIII, and the brief reigns of her siblings, Edward VI and Queen Mary. Renowned for her "mercurial temperament" and "formidable intelligence," in Weir's account Elizabeth spends her childhood shuttling between royal estates and preparing for life as a "great lady" after she is stripped of her position as successor to the British throne following the execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn. As Elizabeth grows, her progressive views on women's roles, religion, and politics take shape-including her legendary vow never to marry, forged through observation of others' relationships as well as a painful first-hand brush with romance at age fourteen. Weir's Elizabeth is nuanced and enchanting, and the author lends a refreshing perspective to well-known characters and events in British history, such as the fates of her father's six wives and the brief reign of Lady Jane Grey, the subject of her first historical novel. History buffs will enjoy this entertaining look into the rarely explored early life of one of England's most fascinating characters.

Starred review from April 15, 2008
The experiences of Elizabeth I make for the ultimate royal bedtime story, and Weir's sophomore fiction offering (after last year's "New York Times" best-selling "Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey") about the life of Elizabeth before she ascended to the throne is the finest of these to date. From the time of her mother's death when she was three to her inheritance of the throne in her twenties, danger always came at Elizabeth from some corner. Early in her life, she was stripped of her title of princess; later, she had to defend her virtue from the roving eyes and hands of her stepfather; and, finally, she had to navigate the deadly waters between her Protestant faith and her sister's fanatical Catholicism. Several times Elizabeth barely escaped alive; hers was not a life that could be borne by the average person. Weir successfully depicts this extraordinary young woman who beat the odds to become one of the world's greatest rulers, once again delivering a solid, gripping historical novel chock-full of detail. Highly recommended for all fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 1/08.]Anna M. Nelson, Naples Regional Lib., FL

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2008
Adult/High School-This novel offers a glimpse at the motherless childhood and adolescence of the Virgin Queen. A straightforward chronological narrative, her story is told by an omniscient narrator and divided into three parts. "The King's Daughter" describes her early years, including her "demotion" from Princess to Lady at age three, after the beheading of her mother, Anne Boleyn. "The King's Sister" covers the time after Henry VIII's death, when Elizabeth's younger brother, King Edward, is on the throne. Imagining Elizabeth's adolescence, Weir writes convincingly of the struggles to focus on studies and stay true to her vow of celibacy when confronted with the overwhelming emotions of a teenage crush. The final section, "The Queen's Sister," relates the tale of political intrigue that finally led Elizabeth to succeed her sister Mary to the throne. Weir's writing is clear and engaging, and although readers know that the protagonist will eventually rule, the story remains suspenseful. The main characters are well drawn, and the historical figures are recognizable, although sometimes the multitude of minor figures becomes confusing. A genealogy at the novel's beginning, and vivid descriptions of the British Court, royal attire, and the Tower of London orient readers to the story's setting. Recurring political and religious repercussions of Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church also permeate the novel. "The Lady Elizabeth" will appeal to teens interested in British history and orphaned-princess stories."Sondra VanderPloeg, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 15, 2008
Popular historian Weirs second fictionalized foray into Englands Tudor period, which has been her nonfiction mainstayallalong, follows the impressive Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey (2007). She now tells the story of Queen Elizabeth Is early life, most specificallyher perilous, even, at times, life-threatening, path to the throne. Daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth was bastardized upon her mothers downfall; later recognized as an heir to her father in order of succession afterher brother and older sister, Elizabethnevertheless remained officially illegitimate. Victim in her early teens of the sexual advances of her stepfather, Thomas Seymour, Elizabeth also endured rough treatment from the hands of her sister Queen Mary I, because of her Protestantism and the threat sheposedto Queen Marys obsessive Catholicism.As Weir so painstakingly creates her, within the precocious young Elizabeth are seen the seeds of the wise, successful adult queen. When understanding of a character reaches a level of identity with her or him, especially in historical fiction, the result is a compelling, even irresistible, read. Having established that identity here, Weir offers an exceptionally perceptive as well as imaginative interpretation of the most significant monarch in English history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)