I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook.
I am a huge Tudor history fan. I will say I have never been a fan of Mary. I think she is a sad figure but she is completely insane and I just don't agree with her beliefs in God and it was horrible what she did to Protestants. But if you are into Tudor history this is perfect for you.

This book is so good! Whenever I picked up "In Her Own Right", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this story.

As soon as I heard that this book tells the story of Mary I, I just knew I needed to read it!

Amanda Schiavo is a phenomenal author! I can only imagine the amount of research she must have done, as her storytelling of The Tudor Era jumps right off of the page from the first moment to the last.

This novel tells the story of Mary I in a well-rounded way, starting when she is very young through when she becomes Queen of England. Mary experiences so much in her early life: from happiness to extreme heartbreak from such a young age, and this is also shown in how it affects her later in her life as well. Mary was determined to stand for what she believed to be right, and this book truly has so much in it: gripping moments, heartbreak, and so much more.

I wish that this book had continued longer into Mary's story once she is queen too!

If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the ARC of this book! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I didn't realize until reading this novel that, while I've read lots of Tudor historical fiction, I've never read something written from Mary Tudor's perspective. This very well-researched novel made me reconsider my views on Mary as a queen and especially as a young woman. It's very simply written (occasionally to its detriment) and definitely a quick read. I will be very excited to see if the author does a follow-up about Mary's later years.

In most Tudor set historical fiction the men are the main characters and the women simply pawns to be played with. This book puts Mary as the main character from a small child straight through to her coronation. It focuses on strong female characters, and is a refreshing take on this period of history. Mary is frequently portrayed as third string to her siblings, with her being portrayed as overly religious and dour, but her character is developed in a much deeper manner in this retelling of history.

A fantastic read giving a wider view of the life and trials of the much maligned Mary first.

We'll researched and written in a style which is easy to read and follow.

A must read and must have for any Tudor enthusiasts books shelf.

Warning: The following review may be considered to contain spoilers if you have little to no familiarity with Mary I and Tudor history.

A lot of the historical fiction I read is set in Tudor England; it’s one of my favorite time periods to read about. I couldn’t even tell you how many books I’ve read in this genre. Most of them have to do with Henry VIII and his six wives or his second daughter, Elizabeth I. Few of the ones I come across deal with Henry’s firstborn, Mary I, and I don’t know why as she’s a fascinating person. Often written off as “Bloody Mary” (even though she sent far fewer people to their death than her father), she was a devout Catholic who tried to bring the practice back to the forefront of English life during her reign. The daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, Mary was the only one of her parents’ children to survive to adulthood. This was quite the problem for Henry as he needed a son to carry on the family line and inherit the throne – he was completely against the idea of a woman doing so.

"In Her Own Right: A Novel of Lady Mary Tudor" tells Mary’s story from the time she was two years old until the day she is crowned Queen of England. At two years of age, she is betrothed to the Dauphin of France and already acts like a little queen. This marriage contract falls through three years later however, and she is eventually betrothed again at the age of six to her 22-year-old cousin, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. This engagement was also broken off (by Charles) and yet a third marriage treaty was proposed by Cardinal Wolsey to either Francis I of France or his second son, Henri, Duke of Orleans. Just like the two previous marriage contracts, this one falls through as well.

Mary loses her status as princess once her father decides that his marriage to Catherine should be annulled, stating that their marriage was a sin, quoting bible passages as his proof since Catherine was the widow of his brother, Arthur. After much legal debate, the marriage between Henry and Catherine is considered invalid and mother and daughter are separated as Henry essentially banishes Catherine from court. Mary is now called “Lady Mary” as her father pursues a new marriage with Anne Boelyn, resulting in the birth of the future Elizabeth I. Mary adamantly refuses to acknowledge her stepmother as queen, emphatically stating that her mother, Catherine, is the true queen of England, that her parents’ marriage was valid, and therefore she is still a princess of the realm. Henry is not happy with his daughter’s stance and their once close relationship becomes strained.

This battle of wills between father and daughter is a constant theme through the novel and their relationship continues to change as successive wives march down the aisle with Henry VIII. In fact, one of the stronger themes of the novel seems to be Mary’s relationships with others around her and how that affects her status both personally and royally. Once Henry finally passes away, Mary’s position in the line of succession again comes into question as her younger brother, Edward VI, a strict Protestant, takes the crown. With her being a Catholic, Edward doesn’t want his sister taking the throne in the event of his death and Mary must again fight for her position once he does pass. Cue the entrance of the “nine days queen,” Jane Grey and her tragic story (but we’ll have to save that for another day).

This novel does take large jumps forward in the historical timeline to be able to cover most of her life in such a short book (only 231 pages) which can be a little jarring if you have knowledge of Tudor history and know what to expect next. It’s a good general overview for a newbie to the subject matter but for someone who is a little more experienced with the material, it’s hard to get engrossed in the storyline and not wish for more. While well written, the incredibly short length does a disservice to Mary I feel. With its stopping point as she takes the crown in July 1553, it skips over her entire marriage to Philip of Spain, her fervor for religious policy, and her false pregnancies, the last of which led to her death (most likely due to ovarian cysts or uterine cancer). I wish the author would have just continued her story up until her death. As an experienced Tudor era reader, I didn’t really care for this book but if you’re totally new to the subject matter, it should be enjoyable.

This is a good book for someone just learning about Mary Tudor. The storyline was very fast paced, I wish some more time was given to the more significant times in her life. There was so much more that could have been written about, but was left out. I did enjoy how the author did go into the complex relationship between Mary and Elizabeth when they were younger.

I am a huge fan of the Tudor dynasty, and I've read many books - both fiction & nonfiction - about them. Some were great, some not so great. Amanda Schiavo's "In Her Own Right" falls into the great category. A fictionalized account of Mary I's life from young girlhood up to her coronation as queen, I found it to be thoroughly engrossing and a whirlwind with regard to Mary's emotions. And so much is addressed in the book that it would take an in-depth report to cover it all.

However, one major conclusion I've come to regarding Mary I: her anger and resentment over how she & her mother were treated by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn colored her life from the moment Anne appeared until the day she, Mary, died. This is understandable, but only up to a point. Anne did not bewitch Henry, despite what many at the time said and thought. Henry made a conscious choice to get involved with Anne - though he misused the Bible to justify it, something that neither Mary or her mother ever truly believed or accepted. Laying all the blame at Anne Boleyn's feet is wrong, because as the saying goes, it takes two to tango.

In the end, Schiavo wrote an excellent book. She does a stellar job painting a more nuanced portrait of Mary I, rather than the usual portrayal of her being fanatically Catholic, the executioner of Protestants (hence the nickname 'Bloody Mary'), the one who lost Calais, and the poor woman who had 2 phantom pregnancies, while bearing unrequited love for her husband Philip II of Spain. While all this may be true, Schiavo proved that so much of what happened to Mary were due to events happening around her. Like all humans, she did the best she knew how to, while striving to stay true to herself and to her mother.

A winner of a read for any Tudor history fan. Thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for this arc, which I voluntarily reviewed.

We all know the story of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth, but who was Mary Tudor, often called Bloody Mary. In the stories of these people people, Mary is portrayed as the villain; a blood-thirsty, power-hungry, conniving woman. Who was the real Mary, the oldest surviving child of Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon?

This is the novelization of the life of Mary from 2 years until her coronation, and you learn so much of the tragedy of her life through this personal lens, as well as her heart for the women in her life including her mother, Elizabeth, and Jane Grey. You see the political mechinations behind the theological strife in her life, and men who are still well-respected in Anglicanism like Thomas Cranmer are seen from a new point-of-view in how they dealt with Mary.

While I do think the embellishments made the lurch to "kill all non-Catholics in the ruling class and royal family" feel more drastic, I did enjoy the pacing of getting to know Mary at so many different stages of her life. Great if you've ever been interested in this period of history!

A thoughtful and highly-researched work of historical fiction, In Her Own Right by Amanda Schiavo portrays Mary Tudor in a refreshingly human light. So often, Mary Tudor is known only by her later years, and the reputation she earned as Bloody Mary. However, Schiavo delves into the early years for the young royal, giving light to the traumas Mary would have experienced and the lessons she was forced to learn at young ages in the way of courtly politics.

In all, In Her Own Right was a fascinating and quick read, a great option for any lover of historical fiction with a particular interest in Tudor England!

I greatly enjoyed this historical fiction novel about Mary Tutor “In Her Own Right”, but Amanda Schiavo. It’s very obvious that this author did a lot of research, and included a lot of historically relevant information from characters to dress to attitudes toward male/female individuals. A couple of examples of this might include Mary being promised in marriage at just 2 years old to advance her fathers standing; her mother being blamed and degraded for not providing a living son for the throne, and the general way each character dresses complete with the amazing descriptions. I felt like I was experiencing this renaissance era first hand. This is an author I will be watching for in the future!

Thank you, Netgalley and a Black Rose Writing, for this privilege to read this advance copy.

Amanda Schiavo brings the daughter of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII to life in this new historical fiction novel. Mary Tudor gets the spotlight in this latest book covering her childhood to her ascension of the English throne. Schiavo’s take makes this an excellent introductory book for a YA audience, and she successfully integrates a lot of historical information into the novel. The characters are mostly established before the book begins, though Mary Tudor does experience a lot of personal growth and development across the novel. Schiavo, in some ways (also in a good way), makes this a “Greatest Hits of Tudor England” interacting with Mary Tudor, and her handling of these other historical figures and events is well done and furthers the larger narrative plot. The settings do not feature heavily in this novel, the emphasis being on Mary Tudor and her relationships, but the characters are strong enough to stand on their own and carry the book and the plot. Schiavo’s retelling of this fascinating historical narrative provides readers with an excellent fictional retelling of an overshadowed Tudor and a powerful, intelligent woman in her own right -- an excellent introduction to the period.

“Princess Mary stood before the envoys from France looking elegant beyond her few years in a dress of cloth of gold and a black velvet cap.” Visiting ambassadors “were at her father’s court to discuss a treaty between the two nations, which would be sealed with Mary’s betrothal to the dauphin.”

Princess Mary was two years old.

The status of women in the Renaissance era is very much a theme in this novel. A reader will see Mary Tudor and women in general used as tokens in a game of comparative male status. Much loved by her father as a child, Mary’s situation changes drastically as King Henry’s mental state morphs, twisted by his insatiable greed for power and admiration.

Denied by her father and his adherents when the marriage of her mother to the king is deemed invalid, Mary’s own world view hardens. In private and public dealings, she presses the acknowledgment of Roman Catholicism as the one true religion, while stamping out Protestantism, even as her father insists on her submission and her life is in jeopardy.

The author mirrors this disunion in descriptions of Mary’s mode of dress. Having studied historic costuming, attended workshops and participated in costuming events, I found this informative and particularly enjoyable. For example, readers see Mary required to appear in the garb of a “proper Protestant woman,” but on another occasion, “wearing a gown of green and white velvet, with an assortment of large, precious jewels.”

When in King Henry’s disfavor, Mary is forced from her home to assume the position of nurse to her young half-sister, Elizabeth. Mary, who is highly educated, sees this as an opportunity to both tutor the girl and assert her stance regarding the “one true religion.” Elizabeth quietly expresses her belief that religion should be a private thing. The reader asks, is that the character of religion? And what are the differences between religion and faith?

Considered in depth, I perceive this historical novel as a cautionary tale about the intermingling of, and tension between, the edicts of religious and secular law, the parsing of which will long engage my mind.

Indeed, the subject era was a time very different from ours. Or was it?

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. My review is voluntary and honest.

If you’re a Tudor history aficionado, a historical fiction fan, or — like me — both, you can’t miss In Her Own Right by Amanda Schiavo. Superbly researched and skillfully written, this novel features both the devastating trials and delightful triumphs of most of Mary Tudor’s life — from her perspective. Schiavo’s version of Mary feels so real that some lines of dialogue can only be described as breathtaking in their fidelity to history. This is no less true for other characters in Mary’s orbit, both the historic — such as her formidable parents, Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon — and the fictional, such as her servant and devoted friend Margaret. I cannot recommend Amanda Schiavo’s In Her Own Right enough.

So nice to read about Mary Tudor in a fiction book pre coronation. It is told from her own point of view and is very entertaining. I enjoyed being taken back to that period of time and it was written so well that I could have been there

I have read many historical fiction books that were set during the life of Henry VIII and Mary I, but this was my first historical fiction book featuring a member of the Tudor family. I will say that some of the conversations and situations in this book could have taken place in real life. I love how a book can take you right to that time period. This one can. From the beginning, you are transported to a day when Mary was the apple of her father's eye. He wanted a boy, yes, but he loved his Mary and even her mother. Once the narcissistic king realized Katherine would never bore him a son and Mary was not suitable to lead England, his eye starts wandering and lands on the captivating Anne Boleyn. Anne is different than other women, she won't sleep with the King until he weds her. Henry will uproot everything, including the religion of a country to have this woman. And this is just the start of this book!!! Henry will win this woman, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and finally the last one. Mary's father can shed wives as we do soiled clothes. All the while Mary is unsure where her fate lies. Sometimes she is cast aside, sometimes she is welcome, but always she is called "illegitimate". She has siblings that she cares about, and her faith in God is steadfast. She practices a secret religion that is banned in her country and tries to plan for a future that sometimes has little hope. The Mary we see here is just existing, trying to be faithful to God and her father, whom she does love.

In Her Own Right, to me, is the book I've been waiting for and desperately wanting! This is the backstory of Lady Mary Tudor, the woman the world knows as Queen Mary I of England. By backstory, I mean that this is the story of the trials and tribulations of Lady Mary Tudor's life - from being princess to her various demotions and the vexations that became her life. We see how all these developments affect Mary's life and their outcomes upon the end when she becomes queen!

A breathtaking story from beginning to end and told in rich detail, "In Her Own Right" is absolutely worth reading - especially if interested both in the Tudor Dynasty and in hearing a story about a girl that seems to get lost with all the to do of her father's wives and much loved and popular younger sister, Elizabeth.

I love history. I love the Tudors. I loved that this book focused on Mary in a fictionalized way and from her viewpoint. For some reason, most books I have read on Mary are History heavy and dry. This book, though I will reiterate, fictional account, makes her more human. I would definitely recommend to those who love historical fiction and anyone who would like to know more about her without every detail of her life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for my honest opinion.

This was a brilliant peak into the past, although with a fictional twist. Normally, books around this time period focus on Mary's father, Henry (the one with all those wives that there's a rhyme about). This one focuses on Mary - and not on how history portrays her, as bloodthirsty and mad. Getting to see another side of Mary, and have her be the star of her own story, was refreshing in a way. While it isn't necessarily completely historically accurate, it's clearly based in the author's extensive research. The story was engaging, and moved along smoothly. If you're looking for a new view on the Tudors, and enjoy historical fiction, then I'd recommend grabbing this one.

This was such an interesting read. We have all heard the story of "Bloody Mary". Her reign was not a happy one for her people many of whom were burned at the stake as heretics. But have you ever wondered what made Mary who she was?

In this book Amanda Schiavo tries to answer that question. It starts with Mary's childhood and goes as far as her accession to the thrown of England. It gives an insite into Marys thoughts and feelings and tells her story in a sympathetic way. A story most other historical novels skip over. It tries to show Mary the person rather than just Mary the "evil" Queen.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Tudor history or anyone who likes historical fiction. It is important to point out that In Her Own Right is in no way a historical textbook. It is a historical novel based on fact. As such some characters have been made up to help the flow of the story.

Thank you to netgalley and Amanda Schiavo for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.