Title: The Other Queen

Author: Philippa Gregory

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Touchstone

Format: Paperback

Pages: 438

Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis:

Two women competing for a man’s heart.

Two queens fighting to the death for dominance.

The untold story of Mary, Queen of Scots.

This dazzling novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory presents a new and unique view of one of history’s most intriguing, romantic, and maddening heroines. Biographers often neglect the captive years of Mary, Queen of Scots, who trusted Queen Elizabeth’s promise of sanctuary when she fled from rebels in Scotland and then found herself imprisoned as the “guest” of George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his indomitable wife, Bess of Hardwick.

The newly married couple welcome the doomed queen into their home, certain that serving as her hosts and jailers will bring them an advantage in the cutthroat world of the Elizabethan court. To their horror, they find that the task will bankrupt them, and as their home becomes the epicenter of intrigue and rebellion against Elizabeth, their loyalty to each other and to their sovereign comes into question. If Mary succeeds in seducing the earl into her own web of treachery and treason, or if the great spymaster William Cecil links them to the growing conspiracy to free Mary from her illegal imprisonment, they will all face the headsman.

Philippa Gregory uses new research and her passion for historical accuracy to place a well-known heroine in a completely new tale full of suspense, passion, and political intrigue. For years, readers have clamored for Gregory to tell Mary’s story, and The Other Queen is the result of her determination to present a novel worthy of this extraordinary heroine.

Review:

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again! I absolutely love the way Philippa Gregory portrays her characters of history and the story! She takes one aspect and just runs with it, and this was no different in the Other Queen. The book focuses on 3 main characters: the Count and Countess of Shrewsbury, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary is seen as a cunning young queen who is being imprisoned by Elizabeth against her will, and Elizabeth is seen as foolish for trusting her adviser, William Cecil, and not restoring Mary to her throne in Scotland. The Count can’t help to fall in love with her, and the Countess resents how much she costs to house, as they are being forced to be her prison guards pretty much. Bess (the countess) despises her for the ruin she has brought her house, and she longed to be rid of her! I think I felt the most compassion for Bess. She just wanted to run her household, and grow her lands, and live a happy and peaceful life. She did not want to get wrapped up in political schemes, nor did she want to feel jealous that her husband might prefer another woman. She worked hard for what she had, and she slowly saw it all fall away. One thing I liked about Bess’ character is we do not normally get glimpses into the common lives that the politics of the time affected, so it was great to see what someone might have felt during the rivalry between the two queens. The Other Queen takes a look into what Mary’s prison might have looked like, and how it affected many people!

If you have any thoughts or questions, please leave a comment! Happy Reading!