Cover Image: Elizabeth, the Witch's Daughter

Elizabeth, the Witch's Daughter

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I had been looking forward to reading this one for ages and when I finally did was honestly a bit disappointed. I didn't think the book had an engaging narrative at all, but almost just lists events. There was no connection to character and some of the language was quite inaccessible.
I have not reviewed this one elsewhere.

Was this review helpful?

The prologue is written in a story style but then the rest of the book is more like a history book. It is quite dry and factual with hardly any real emotion, though I don't know how much is based on true events. The prologue is set after the rest of the book which is a bit confusing.
From the title I thought there would actually be a little witchiness in the book but that's probably my own fault for not realising the story.

Was this review helpful?

I generally really enjoy historical novels about the Tudor era, and especially those about Elizabeth I and her mother. Unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me. It gave a rather quick overview over Elizabeth's childhood up until her coronation and the people closest to her, but it does not go into any detail. It reads less like a novel than a factual account with some embellishments.

Overall, there are many novels that are more interesting to read and many biographies more detailed than this weird mixture of the two.

Was this review helpful?

Is this fiction or nonfiction? I can't tell, and I'm not sure I want to.

Was this review helpful?

Elizabeth, the Witch’s Daughter is the first part of Elizabeth I’s story so should really be read before The Tudor Heritage. I did things backwards, but it didn’t matter as I’m already familiar with the period of history – if you’re not, I would recommend reading them in order! This one begins with Elizabeth as a little girl, then takes us through her teenage years and the reigns of her half-brother Edward VI and half-sister Mary I, to end with Elizabeth herself being crowned Queen of England.

Again, this is a short book, but it covers a shorter period of history than The Tudor Heritage and this time there is no fictional family to share the pages with Elizabeth. Even so, the novel still doesn’t go into a great amount of depth and there is very little in the way of character development – although I did like the portrayal of Elizabeth’s relationship with her governess and friend Kat Ashley. Elizabeth’s feelings for her mother, Anne Boleyn, are explored, but I thought more could have been made of this – the title of the book had led me to assume that Anne and her legacy would have formed a bigger part of the story.

I think both of these novels would be worth reading if you knew very little about Elizabeth I and wanted to add to your knowledge without committing to anything longer and more challenging. If you’ve read about Elizabeth many times before, as I have, there’s nothing very new or different here. The other two reissues by Canelo are The White Lion of Norfolk, about Thomas Howard (uncle of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard) and The Danish Queen, about Anne of Denmark – as I know much less about both of those people, maybe I would have enjoyed those books more than the two I read.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book about Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of Anne Boylen, who was considered by many a witch. This takes a look at the life of one of England's most famous Queens. I would recommend it for fans the Tudor dynasty and Queen Elizabeth I.

Was this review helpful?

A fascinating interpretation of Elizabeth's early years. Engaging characters make this a delightful read - I read this through in one go & then went back again! Brilliant.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed hearing about the childhood of Elizabeth Tudor from the perspective of her governess. This showed Elizabeth's limited knowledge of the circumstances of her mother's death and her growing awareness of the politics of Court life although she had limited access to it. Her education and keen mind were shown to help her survive many pitfalls and youthful errors. Overall it was well done and worth reading to gain another look at this Queen's amazing resilience.

Was this review helpful?

An excellent work of historical fiction. I loved it. I am hoping for a part two. I will be looking for more books from the author.

Was this review helpful?

"May God forgive you, Henry Tudor," she thought savagely, "for I never shall."

Elizabeth is, in this book, presented as a strong child, and later an adult, who never gives up the claim to the throne of England. She endures all from losing her mother at a young age, rarely seeing her father and the changes that are thrown at her, all the while thinking whom to trust and who is just there for their personal benefit.
It gives a glimpse into the relationship between Elizabeth and (Bloody) Mary, as well as Mary's change towards Elizabeth when they are both grown up.

The book is nice, but it occasionally feels a bit rushed, with Henry dying, then Edward, as if the sole objective is to get through the monarch until one can read about Elizabeth, and there is not much of that either. I would love to read more about her coronation and, eventually, her reign, yet the book stops just before that.

Was this review helpful?

I read it like a history book with some dialogue. It didn't feel like a historical fiction novel. Easy, quick read with good informations about Elizabeth Tudor.

Was this review helpful?