Historian Alison Weir traces Anne’s journey to the block, from her childhood spent in European royal households through her courtship with and marriage to King Henry VIII, and her painful downfall in this novelization of true events.

I’ve been a longtime fan of Weir’s historical works, particularly her Six Wives of Henry VIII. Though this new novel is a piece of historical fiction, Weir’s depiction of Anne’s childhood years in Europe begins in matter-of-fact prose as if she were composing a work of straight history. I think Weir hits her narrative stride in the latter parts of the book, where we get swept up in the careening games of love and power that Anne enters – at first tentatively – upon her return to the English court. In that vein, Weir’s portrayal of Anne and Henry’s relationship as less of a love match, at least on Anne’s part. This is not a romance, but rather a story of a woman taken up by a king who was driven by unreciprocated amorous and sexual obsession, as Weir’s title suggests. Indeed, Weir emphasizes particularly in her exploration of Mary Boleyn and some of the Continental queens themes of sexual violence and domination that kings exercised upon unwilling female subjects, laying bare uneven sexual power dynamics and the deeply sad consequences they produced. These explorations bolster Anne’s reluctance to enter into a relationship with Henry, further supported by Weir’s depiction of Anne’s dedication to Katherine of Aragon, Henry’s first wife whom the King eventually will put aside for Anne. However, following her sudden epiphany that the crown is within her grasp, Anne begins to yearn for power as much as Henry yearns for her, ultimately reciprocating his attentions and setting down a path that will ultimately prove fatal.

As their relationship progresses from flirtation to affair, and the couple’s plans to marry unfold, Weir successfully conveys the agonizingly long wait for a dispensation from Rome to annul the King’s first marriage, emphasizing how drawn out the process was before thoughts of church reformation began to bubble up. Finally, when Henry breaks from Rome and plans for the marriage are fulfilled, I felt fascinated to witness Anne’s euphoria in her early queenship, especially knowing what fate has in store for her. It’s almost like reading a howdunnit as opposed to a whodunnit. We know the end, but it’s remarkable how Anne gets there. In this respect, Weir is adroit at capturing Anne’s mounting fear and paranoia, reflected in a more stream-of-consciousness narrative style, as the Queen loses Henry’s favor after the delivery of a princess instead of a hoped-for male heir, and a series of miscarriages and marital fights that strain the royal couple’s relationship. In that style, we keenly feel how quickly Anne’s downfall comes to pass in the latter two parts of the book, as opposed to the former parts’ emphasis on protraction, delay, and uncertainty. Weir deftly conveys the swiftness of the fall, and the agony and increasing frenzy following Anne’s arrest and imprisonment, especially when those around her leave her in the dark as to the important details of her case. And she successfully conveys how Anne’s trial was a travesty of justice. The ending, capturing Anne’s final days, was tragic in the epic sense of the word – we see a woman literally lose everything she had worked towards, piece by piece, the result not only (in part) of her own hubris, but also the machinations of political forces far greater than herself. It is an undoing on a massive and complete scale. The final pages of Weir’s book which depict the morning of her execution up to the blow of the sword are truly haunting – they may even be viscerally upsetting to some readers (as it was for me).

For all the book’s strengths, there were some aspects that I found less enthralling. From the elevation of Anne’s potential romance with Henry Norris – one of the men convicted of adultery with the queen and executed just days before Anne – to her brother George’s involvement in an improbable and sensationalized murder plot, there were some elements of the story that felt like too much of a stretch. These plot points eliminate some of the poignancy of actual, historical events, and work against the idea of futility and arbitrariness of the divorces and deaths that marked this portion of Henry’s reign. Yet, Weir’s authorial note at the end of the book make clear her motivations for some instances of artistic license, and convey the depth of her research.

All things considered, Weir’s book was hard to put down, and I’d recommend it to anyone curious about Anne Boleyn, a fascinating and sometimes mysterious character who played an integral part in a captivating and dramatic portion of English history.

First Line: Her skin was rather sallow, Anne thought as she studied herself in the silver mirror, and she had too many moles, but at least her face was a fashionable oval.

Summary: Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, spent her early years in the courts of Burgundy and France. She learned from duchesses and queens on how to be a lady but it is a king that truly changes her life. When the King Henry VIII notices her and wants her to be his mistress Anne decides that she is not going to be used like other women of her time. She tries to discourage the king but to no avail. But when Henry proposes marriage to her, even though he is already married, she sets her sights on the ultimate power. After years of legal and religious battles she finally is crowned queen but it turns out to not be all that was promised.

Highlights: The descriptions are very detailed. I could feel the frustration with the Great Matter as much as Anne and Henry. Anne is a smart and passionate woman who knows what she wants and is willing to do whatever she can to achieve it. There is so much in this novel about a woman that very little is known. The author takes you all the way back to Anne's childhood which most books do not do.

Lowlights: I have read many books about Anne Boleyn. And a book that is written by a historian like Alison Weir, I was expecting more. There were things that I did not agree with in her descriptions of Anne such as the sixth finger. Plus she makes Anne seem more like a child at times when she was a powerful woman with strong beliefs.

FYI: Some of this is written for a more dramatic and fictional account than most historians have been able to back up. Great for a fun and interesting book about the life of Anne Boleyn, the unfortunate second wife of Henry VIII.

This is the second installment in Ms. Weir's Six Tudor Queens series, featuring King Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. The book can be read as a standalone. The book title refers to a King's Obsession, but that wasn't the only obsession portrayed in the book. Anne herself also developed some unexpected and rather unhealthy obsessions. This was the first book I read that told the story of Anne's evolution from just pursuing Henry to get her hands on the throne as queen to ultimately falling in love with him in the unique way that Ms. Weir did. She also focused on the lack of a sisterly bond between Anne and her sister Mary. Being a fan of historical fiction, I actually have a handful of Ms. Weir's books on my Kindle that I had yet to crack open, so this was my first introduction to this author. I thought she did a good job of balancing the romance, politics, and historical background in telling the story. It was apparent to me that she did her research. The pace was a little inconsistent, but nothing too surprising considering the attention to historical detail. Overall, good story about an infamous important historical figure from the Tudor era.

Alison Weir is a new favorite. I am loving this series. In Anne Boleyn, A King's Obsession, she is able to weave together an amazing account of Anne's life. I love the detail and the way it is written. Weir is able to tell the story and make the reader feel as if they are there. The novel grips you from the beginning and holds your attention until you are done. This is a must read for everyone. I look forward to her next book in the series.

If you're as passionate about the story of King Henry Tudor and his Six Wives as I am, reading strictly historical accounts can get repetitive and a bit boring. I have been collecting and reading books over the decades on this subject, many of which are by the same esteemed author who wrote this book. While works of historical fiction take poetic license with some details, they can often open up a whole new way to enjoy history. This was the case when I read a book called "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" by Robin Maxwell, and also "The Boleyn Inheritance" by famed British author Phillipa Gregory. This same method is employed here with this series of novels on each of Henry Tudor's Six Wives. I have only had the privilege to read this one on second wife Anne Boleyn, who just happens to be my favorite Tudor Queen to read about. I admire first wife Queen Katherine of Aragon the most, but find Anne far more interesting, beguiling and intriguing. Her story inspires so many emotions, from hating her, to a grudging respect for her nerve, to pitying her for her miscarriages and her probable trumped up charges that led to her execution.

Reading this book renewed my passion for experiencing one of the most dramatic and tragic moments in British history. Anne narrates the story and as a reader you can get inside her feelings, perceptions, motives...and even her bedroom. This was a most enchanting, engaging and fresh way to enjoy this history anew. What was most riveting was Anne's experience of her own beheading. My heart was in my mouth as I read it...tears welling up and the rest of the world had gone away. I was so wrapped up in this Tudor history after reading this book that it led me to purchase Alison Weir's first book in this series about Queen Katherine of Aragon. I can't wait to read it and experience this history through Katherine's point of view. The first two Tudor Wives are the only books out in this series at the moment, but I will definitely delve into all of them after such an enjoyable experience reading Anne Boleyn's.

Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession is a fictional telling of Anne Boleyn's life that reads (to me) like a biography from her point of view. It details her life from 1512 to her death in 1536.
Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession is as captivating and fascinating as her life was. As this is my first Alison Weir novel I have nothing to compare it to and will be rectifying that oversight in the near future.
I wholly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in Tudor history.

No better source than the author herself can perfectly describe the content of this historical novel and the story of Anne Boleyn: “I have tried to reconcile conflicting views of her, and to portray her as a flawed but very human heroine, a woman of great ambition, idealism and courage who found herself in an increasingly frightening situation.” I believe that Alison Weir successfully achieved this goal.

This second book in the Six Tudor Queens series is an insightful study of Anne Boleyn, the young girl who would see the path she could take and eventually become the Queen of England. Ms. Weir’s historical depiction of Henry VIII’s court provides an educational background, and her depiction of Henry’s second wife fits with my previous knowledge of Anne Boleyn. As there is little in Boleyn’s own words that has survived, the character traits Ms. Weir has wrapped around Anne seem appropriate.

The “Author’s Note” at the end of the book should not be skipped. Ms. Weir describes how the novel came together, identifying the issues that might arise in this sort of undertaking. Where evidence is lacking and there are scant clues to indicate what happened, the author informs us of the times when she interpreted facts or statements and inserted what she thinks happened in the book. This balance of being both an author and a good historian at the same time is delicate, especially since an author has more leeway to stretch truth into fiction. However, I feel Ms. Weir has performed admirably, adding only items that could be supported by what we do know to be factual.

Those readers who haven’t read the first book need not worry. Even though Katherine of Aragon is mentioned in this book, she is treated as a minor character as the focus is on Anne Boleyn. It will not matter if you read about Henry’s second wife before returning to the first.

Ms. Weir paints Anne Boleyn with fairness, exposing both her good and bad qualities. Her ruthless ambition and sometimes reckless behavior might be damaging character traits, or may be viewed as merely a reflection of the times she lived in. Highly recommended. Five stars.

A great historical fiction take on the story of Anne Boleyn and her relationship with Henry VIII.

Book received from Net Galley.

I have been a fan of this author's non-fiction books for years, but I wasn't sure about her switch to historical fiction. Sometimes, though an author excellent in one genre, trying to write in another doesn't go so well. So I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. She did really well in combining the fictional elements with the historical to flesh out the part of Queen Anne Boleyn's life that we don't know much about, especially her childhood. It made her a bit more human, rather than just a part of history, for me. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

Nowadays there is/has been so many books about Henry the 8th's wives. I have read a few of them. I will continue to read them. What is it that draws us to the sad story of Henry's ill-fated Queens?!

If you do not know, Anne is the second wife of Henry the 8th and she had to supplant a married Katherine of Aragon to grab the Queen's title. Henry's Great Matter, aka, having a son to carry the line, drives him to divorce his wife, excommunicate with Rome, and marry Anne. It is painful to read the long wait for Henry and Anne to be able to marry, Katherine's non acceptance of it, and Anne's distrust and wishes for the deaths of many people. Many were founded concerns! However, Anne's intellect assisted her in gaining a regal position, transforming a country's religious and gender views, and succinctly speaking to her innocence once she is doomed to death.

This is a historical fiction book but it was nice to read a few new twists to Anne's story. Weir's Author's Notes are a wonderful insight how she theorizes on some of these differences which was interesting to read. I did some quick research after reading the book and I don't think I agree with her on these possible theories but that is just my opinion.

Reading the first book in the Six Tudor Queens series, Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen is not a prerequisite. I will be going back to read Katherine of Aragon #1, and continue the rest of the series as they are published.

The second in Weir's historical fiction series about the wives of Henry VIII. Like the first book, I thought this one was too long for its own good at times. However, I enjoyed the depictions of Anne's early years in European courts as that's a period often glossed over in favor of her involvement with Henry and her downfall. I also appreciated Weir's characterization of Anne not as a cunning temptress, but rather as a woman trapped in a world in which power, duty, and social mores mattered more than love and personal happiness. I'm undecided on ("spoiler alert" even though it's history) the portrayal of Anne's very final moments -- although I'm aware of (and fascinated by) the medical implications of beheading, the final passage just didn't sit right with me.

This was the first book I have read of Allison Weir. I have always been fascinated with stories about the wives of Henry VIII . So the title captured my attention. Most of the books I have read about Anne Boleyn start with her being courted by the king. This one took the reader back to her childhood and gave a glimpse of the mind of a young Anne Boleyn. This read as both a novel and nonfiction. While I learned some interesting facts about Anne, this book moved a little slow for me .
It is obvious that an extensive amount of research was spent on writing this book.. I appreciate the attention to detail. While this definitely won’t be a favorite, Alison Weir’s writing style has my attention and I will definitely be reading more of her books. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

As much as I love historical fiction, this happens to be the first novel by Alison Weir that I have ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am now a fan! She writes English historical fiction and in this tome, she explores the life of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. As the title says, this is the second installment in her Six Tudor Queens series. She follows Anne’s life from a young child until she “loses” her head over the king.

Ms. Weir tells the story in the first person by Anne. This brought Anne to life for me. I felt like she was talking directly to me and I could understand her transformation. She morphs from a young naïve girl, pursued relentlessly by the king to a conniving queen who lets no one stand in her way. She insures her family and children benefit from her rise. You feel her bewilderment as the king and the few friends that she has, turn against her and she forfeits her life. Because you glimpse both sides of the woman, the author is unbiased in
her presentation of Anne.

This book was filled with history but was entertaining and kept you turning pages. I will definitely be reading more books by this author. Although the only thing that would be disturbing to young readers is the end, I would recommend this for teen to adult readers. Even if you don’t have a huge interest in English history, give this story a try, it is very entertaining and worth reading.

I requested and reviewed this book for NetGalley.

Better than the first book in the series on Katherine of Aragon, but this one moved just as slowly. Alison Weir details Anne's life beginning with her visit to the court of Margaret of Austria as a minor. She develops a strong sense of independence here that places her in direct contrast to obedient Katherine later on.

Weir presents Anne as an ambitious woman who never wanted the affections of Henry VIII, but longed for the powerful status of Queen. This is an interesting theory, and one which I think she argues well. Weir admits in her afterword that we don't know much about Anne because few contemporary documents exist, and most surviving records come from a hostile source, Eustace Chapuys.

My main gripe is that there was a lot of explaining in this novel. Henry often details to Anne the legal implications of his actions, like indicting Wolsey for praemunire, or what happens to those accused of treason. In many instances, it doesn't sound convincing. Many areas of this book feel like a nonfiction account with some dialogue thrown in...while other areas are so impassioned, I thought I was reading the transcript for a Lifetime movie.

While Weir's writing style grates on me, I'll keep reading her novels because I do think she continues to bring a unique perspective on the Tudors and what they may have thought or said.

Publisher's Description:
In this second novel of Alison Weir’s epic Six Tudor Queens series, the acclaimed author and historian weaves exciting new research into the story of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s most infamous wife, a woman ahead of her time whose very life—and death—forever changed a nation.

Born into a noble English family, Anne is barely a teenager when she is sent from her family’s Hever Castle to serve at the royal court of the Netherlands. Yet what seems a strategic move on the part of her opportunistic father is actually a chance for the girl to grow and discover herself. There, and later in France, Anne thrives, preferring to absorb the works of progressive writers rather than participate in courtly flirtations. She also begins to understand the inequalities and indignities suffered by her gender.

Anne isn’t completely inured to the longings of the heart, but her powerful family has ambitious plans for her future that override any wishes of her own. When the King of England himself, Henry VIII, asks Anne to be his mistress, she spurns his advances—reminding him that he is a married man who has already conducted an affair with her sister, Mary. Anne’s rejection only intensifies Henry’s pursuit, but in the absence of a male heir—and given an aging Queen Katherine—the opportunity to elevate and protect the Boleyn family, and to exact vengeance on her envious detractors, is too tempting for Anne to resist, even as it proves to be her undoing.

While history tells of how Anne Boleyn died, this compelling new novel shows just how she lived.

My Thoughts:
I have read other historical fiction accounts of the life of Anne Boleyn but none have gone into the details of her life before she came to Henry's court like this one.
This covers all of her life from age e!even until her tragic death.
She never wanted to marry actually, but could not avoid the state of matrimony in the times which she lived. The scheming of her father to gain more from the crown eventually puts Anne on a path to her demise.
Anne was not totally innocent but she was unjustly accused and had been manipulated into her situation.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and character development. It is after all about real life historical figures and the research into the subject is impeccable.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book via NetGalley from the publisher to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I have voluntarily reviewed.

I received this book through Netgalley.

The beginning of Anne's story fascinated me. The author didn't make Anne out to be a conniving bitch from day one. Instead, she was down to Earth, intelligent, and likable. This was the best part of the book itself. Once Anne met the King, she morphed into a shrew and, as I've read several historical fictional accounts on Anne, I got bored. I had heard this part before in any number of the other novels out there about Henry's Great Matter. So, while this was a well-written story, I felt like most of it I had read before.

It's a good read, although it gets a little repetitive towards the end-- the events, or non-events, leading up to the creation of the Church are focused on heavily. It makes for good fiction as this is often neglected in other novels about Anne-- but it does bog the storyline down a bit. However, like any classic Weir novel, there's excellent description and characterization.

I received this as an ARC through Netgalley. As is no surprise, I was highly looking forward to this book when I heard it was being published. I have always been a fan of Alison Weir as a historian and a writer. I will counter that excitement with the fact that I was very nervous about reading Weir's take on Anne Boleyn. I remembered from reading her account on Katharine of Aragon and how important Katharine was to her, there was a remark about Anne that relayed a bit of what I perceived as Weir's own distaste for Anne. I should not have been worried. I found Weir's take on Anne and Henry's relationship refreshing. Many times, Anne and Henry's courtship is portrayed as Anne and Henry both being very much in love with each other. Weir's take was different from any I had ever read and seemed truer to Anne's character (or what we know of it). I also found the ending very well written. The end of Anne's life is heartbreaking as it is; I feel Weir captured the emotion of it beautifully. Overall, I devoured this book and am very much looking forward to any Weir publishes in the future!