Another amazing book by Alison Weir. Like the others from the Six Queens series, this one does not disappoint!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

A fitting conclusion to a well-researched series. Katharine Parr is often a forgotten member of the infamous group of women who were married to Henry VIII. More remembered as the "survivor" this novel captures the essence of her character and how much she lived and witnessed before her ultimate marriage for what she is forever associated with. I learned a lot about this part of Tudorian history that is often glossed over by others.

My only slight criticism would be the immense numbers of characters where things might get a little confused if not reading too closely.

But overall, would recommend everyone read this series and I cannot wait to see what Allison Weir tackles next.

I'd like to thank Net Galley for the ARC of Alison Weir's Katherine Parr, the Sixth Wife

First it must be said that Alison Weir writes truly masterful historical fiction. She manages to bring the historical figures that she writes about to life without sacrificing historical accuracy and without venturing into the sphere of inaccessibility. Her latest work Katharine Parr, The Sixth Wife concludes her six part series on the wives Henry VIII. In the famous rhyme about the six wives of Henry VIII ( Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived) the titular character, Katharine Parr is the wife who survived her husband. Yet Katharine Parr deserves to be remembered as much more than just a survivor. This novel shows the she was a devoted mother, well-educated, a writer, and an advocate for religious reform in England. Weir's novel brings to light these multi-faceted parts of personality, that can be so easily forgotten in the shadow of Henry VIII's infamous reputation.

In the novel, the reader follows Katharine from her life as minor noble in Tudor England to her eventual rise as Queen of Englands. This dramatic ascendency is all set against the tumultuous background of the English Reformation. In Weir's portrait of Katharine we are introduced to a woman who compassionate, intellectual gifted and utterly committed to her religious views. Weir's novel does a good job setting up the fact that in the wake of Henry VIII schism from the Catholic Church, there was still a lot of uncertainty about the way religion should be practiced. Through this novel we see that his breaking from the church was more than just a theological debate. It was more than just a political conflict, rather it had serious repercussion for both the English nobility and the common people who they governed. Given her extensive (for the period) education and natural intelligence, Katharine developed firm views on this matter and ultimately viewed her union with the aging Henry VIII as way to maintain the theological integrity of the fledgling Church of England and bring spiritual peace to population that was ailing. She is, thus, another example of the many women throughout history who have put duty before personal happiness and comfort in order to service a higher goal .

My criticisms of the novel are small and should by no means deter a future reader. First the cast of characters in expansive and at times it can get bit confusing if you are just reading casually. Sometimes it seems that characters just pop up and the recede into the background as swiftly as they were introduced. Beyond this, the pacing felt a bit slow in the first half of the book. It takes a while before Katharine gets to the Tudor court and overall I wish we could have seen more of time there. Finally just a point of curiosity, it would have been nice to see some epilogue space devoted to the fates of her daughter Mary and her final husband.

Again these are minor quibbles, anyone who regularly reads works of Tudor historical fiction should be very satisfied with this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Katharine Parr: The Sixth Wife.

I was looking for a break from reading the typical thrillers/domestic dramas so I was pleased when my request was approved. Every once in a while, I like to immerse myself in a historical novel.

The last book in Ms. Weir's series fit the bill.

Most people are familiar with the king's first two wives, the sophisticated Catherine of Aragon and the ambitious Anne Boleyn, who are also mothers to the most famous Queens in English history, Mary, Queen of Scots and the illustrious Queen Elizabeth.

Katharine Parr is much less well known. I only know of her name and that she's one of two wives who survived marriage to Henry.

I knew nothing of her background and how she came to be his last wife so it was fascinating to learn she had a happy childhood, a wonderful relationship with her mother who believed women should receive a fine education just as men do, that she was a closet Protestant, she wrote spiritual guides and Henry valued her friendship, her intellect and her wit.

She was not ambitious, in that she did not want to go to court and climb the ranks, but she was savvy. She counseled two husbands, was watchful and careful of her actions and words, and knew enough that gossip and devious and malicious acts were the ways of the court.

Ms. Weir has done copious research and it shines through in her writing; descriptions of the castles and countryside, outbreaks of plague (how apt to read this during a pandemic), the roles of women (breeders of babies, preferably boys) and the state of religion and the monarchy.

I was sad that after all Katharine Parr had lived through, survived, learned, and accomplished, her death was the result of an infection after childbirth. I'm always shocked at how many women survived childbearing in ye olden days.

I was curious to know what happened to Katharine's daughter and husband and wished the author had mentioned them in her afterword.

I recommend this well written book of an interesting woman who should better acknowledged in history.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII series is a historical fiction retelling of the women who found themselves tied to the Tudor king. Katherine Parr was Henry’s last wife, surviving his death. I’m well-versed in this time period and found the Weir’s version of the events very accurate and entertaining. Katherine’s story is longer than Catherine Howard’s obviously, but no less enthralling. I wonder what characters Weir will explore next!