What a fascinating account of the relationship between King HenryVIII and Thomas Wolsey. Alison Weir has written a well-researched account of Wolsey’s rise to power second only to the King and also his fall from grace. She has humanized great historical figures who are known by modern readers by their historical facts. Fleshing out the details of Henry, Thomas, and Katherine, she allows the reader to sympathize with the situation they found themselves in. She does not romanticize any of the characters or the time in which they lived, but allows the readers to sees the flaws and humanity of each. This is a 5-star read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this fine novel.

Interesting book and definitely more detailed than another I've read on the topic. (That one cut off just as Wolsey was becoming cardinal. Too soon, in my opinion!) Most of all, I appreciate the return of his mind again and again to his lover Joan and the wish that things could've gone differently between them. It's been a few years since I've read the other book, but it seems like that one gave Joan short shrift.

Thoroughly enjoyed this; I am a fan of anything-Tudor and Wolsey is such an enigmatic figure in many ways. Weir's book told entirely from Wolsey's perspective is a fresh take on a well-trod topic and it was fresh and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the early chapters that started with Wolsey's childhood and family life. It was well-researched and moved a comfortable pace; it was never boring or bogged down.

This is the first Alison Weir book that I have read and received and ARC through NetGalley. I enjoyed this book more and more as I read further in the book. There is a lot of history and names that are a little hard to keep track of. I enjoyed this book and will look forward to reading more of Weir's books.

As an avowed Tutor fan I try to consume all things Tutor… including books, movies, theater, and TV.
I have read the Allison Weir series on the Tutor Queens and so I was excited to read a book focusing on Thomas Wolsey …the Cardinal who helped create both Henry the VIII and Thomas Cromwell . Maybe part of the issues I may have had with this book is that the Cromwell Wolf Hall trilogy is one of my favorites of all the Tutor series… the writing and story telling is unmatched.
Therefore I felt the writing in The Cardinal was plodding. As a character, Wolsey comes off as needy, greedy, selfish, ambitious and dare I say whiney? The romance aspect became redundant … and if Joan referred to Wolsey as Thomas Wolsey … when she was talking to him one more time!
The tone reflected the precarious position one has when living in the shadow of Henry. Wolsey referring to Anne Boleyn as the night crow was enjoyable. Other than that the writing was without any humor or wit.
Since Weir writes both fiction and nonfiction about the tutor era … the writing skews closer to nonfiction than fiction.
I rate this book as a 2.5 rounded up to a 3.
Thanks you to net galley for the opportunity to provide me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Had high hopes for this one but was just boring and reads like a textbook not a novel
Thanks for letting me review this book Netgalley

Alison Weir always delivers first-rate works of historical fiction. The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power, her exploration of Thomas Wolsey’s rise to and fall from grace during the reign of Henry VIII, is another case in point.
This fascinating novel drew me in from the start, beautifully weaving known facts with plausible possibilities to flesh out the story of this intriguing man who became a close friend and chief adviser of the king. It examines the complex inner workings of the Tudor court and Cardinal Wolsey’s controversial private life, as well as the power-seeking political forces that ultimately took him down.
I always look forward to new books by Weir and highly recommend this one to anyone who is interested in British history and historical fiction.

464 pages

5 stars

Ms. Weir has crafted a comprehensive and well written telling about the life of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.

Thomas rose from relatively obscure origins to become not only a Cardinal in the Catholic Church, the the person whose hands ostensibly controlled the very pulse of England by 1515. He became very close to the then King Henry VIII who left the affairs of State to Thomas. Henry was not interested in statecraft. His ambitions lied closer to sports, music and the like. Henry was content to let Thomas handle all facets of state issues. At the same time, Thomas became fabulously wealthy. He also fell in love.

Joan was very important in Thomas’ life and she had children with him. Henry, however, did not like the situation and ordered Joan to marry another man and leave Thomas.

There was grumbling amongst the nobles who resented Thomas’ humble beginnings, but nothing that he could not handle.

However, that all changed when Thomas ran headlong into conflict with the woman whom Henry decided to pursue. Henry wanted to separate from his longtime wife, Katherine of Aragon in favor of Anne Boleyn. Anne disliked Thomas immensely and set about to destroy him, both personally and politically. She has a great deal of influence over Henry and as his seemingly unsolvable “Great Matter’ went on for nearly seven years, the situation became explosive.

Thomas’ downfall came soon after his “failure” in resolving the Great Matter. The Pope, the political situation and other obstacles fell in the way of its resolution. Primarily, it was Anne and her cronies.

Thomas did his best to do what he felt was right - perhaps with the exception of his relationship with Joan. He was set against Henry's suggestion that England should split with the Catholic Church.

Thomas’ end was very sad - at least to me. I’ve never been a Wolsey fan based on the documentaries and television series I’ve watched, but this book gave me a new perspective on him. For that, I am grateful to Ms. Weir.

She writes a very human story of Thomas Wolsey. The writing is excellent and moves along quickly. It hits all the high points of Thomas’ life. It is a moving well-told story of a man who was caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Ballantine for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

2.5 roinded to 3

Points entirely for the research. The writing is simplistic and unfocused. Who is the audience? It seemed to be aimed at elementary school readers from the prose, but the content is not for kids. The marketing language made it seem more in the line of Hilary Mantel, but such is profoundly not the case. Again, good research, though.

I’ve had a Wolf Hall sized hole in my heart for months and I hoped this would at least attempt to fill it. Alas, no.

I think this would’ve been better off as a proper non-fiction biography rather than a fictionalized account. The prose was choppy, the dialogue was stilted, and the characterization of the titular character was childish.

Thank you to the publisher for this free advance copy.

THE CARDINAL: A NOVEL OF LOVE AND POWER – Allison Weir
This was the first book by Ms. Weir that I have read, and I must say I was pleasantly impressed. I expected the book to be staid, steeped in facts and historic events. It was, but more importantly, Weir wove a rich tapestry of the Cardinal’s life with all his faults and accomplishments, a man who loved deeply and loved power.
I received a digital copy from the publisher, Random House Publishing Group and its affiliates and I am so happy I did. I will post my review to GR and Amazon accounts.
I enjoyed reading about the life story of Cardinal Thomas Wolseley. He was a driven boy, determined to leave the trappings of his low birth behind and became a driven man who worked hard to gain prestige and power. He served his King in various roles with love and diligence and was well rewarded. The court of Henry VIII pulsed with intrigue as many men and women vied to be in the King’s good graces. It was not a place for the faint of heart.
Cardinal Thomas Wolseley came to life on these pages, and I must admit in the final few pages I shed some tears. He was a great man, a flawed man but he devoutly believed in what he was doing.
I highly recommend this novel, even if you're not interested in history or the Tudor period. It is that good!

Another 5 stars for Alison Weir. When we read about the Tudors we often think of King HenryVIII and his six wives.
This is a book about Thomas Wolsley and how he came from a humble background to rise to be Cardinal.
It is also about his rise to fame and his fall from Grace. He was a man that loved power and the finer things in life.
We all are familiar with his negotiations to obtain an annulment for King Henry from his marriage so that he could marry Anne Boleyn.
But this book is much more.
Alison Weir does an amazing job of bringing this story to life. She brings a fresh perspective of Thomas Wolsley.
You almost felt sorry for him when he couldn’t please the king and Anne didn’t like him either.
This is a compelling story . If you are a fan of the Tudors you will enjoy this book.
I received this advanced readers copy from Random House and NetGalley.

A fresh perspective on the Tudor era, Alison Weir's new historical fiction novel, The Cardinal, details Thomas Wolsey's rise from humble beginnings as a tradesman's son to the highest levels of Tudor society. With meticulous detail, Weir details Wolsey's rise to power then his fall from grace over Henry VIII's divorce of Katherine of Aragón and subsequent marriage to Anne Boylen. Along the way, the author brights alive the sights, sounds and political atmosphere of Tudor England, along with the professional and personal life of Cardinal Wolsey, who pursued political power and a forbidden personal life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine Books for the advance reader copy. A long and interesting read I'm happy to recommend The Cardinal to historical fiction fans of the Tudor Era.

Book Review: The Cardinal by Alison Weir
(Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley)
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Alison Weir’s The Cardinal offers a fresh perspective on the Tudor era, specifically focusing on Thomas Wolsey, a historical figure often overshadowed by the drama surrounding Henry VIII and his wives. The novel traces Wolsey’s rise from his humble beginnings as the son of a tradesman to becoming one of the most influential figures in England, serving both King Henry VII and, later, his son, Henry VIII.
While many may know Wolsey for his attempts to secure the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Katherine of Aragon, Weir’s book highlights just how much power and influence Wolsey held in many other aspects of the realm. The novel sheds light on his early reluctance to enter the priesthood, his brilliant intellect, and his realization that aligning himself with the crown would bring immense power and wealth. Through Wolsey’s story, Weir paints a portrait of a man who understood the workings of both the church and the state, rising to a level of prominence that made him one of the wealthiest and most trusted men in England.
The book intricately follows Wolsey’s personal and professional journey, capturing his ambition, intelligence, and the often ruthless nature of his climb to power. His relationship with Henry VIII, especially the young king’s preference for the prestige of the throne over the responsibilities of ruling, made Wolsey a key figure in the Tudor dynasty for a time. His fall from grace, however, is as compelling as his rise, demonstrating the dangers of unchecked ambition in a world where the king’s favor could be just as fleeting as it was influential.
Weir also delves into Wolsey’s personal life, particularly his long-standing love for Joan Larke, despite his vows of celibacy. This relationship adds depth to his character, showing his internal conflict between love, ambition, and the overwhelming desire for power. Wolsey’s failure to balance these elements ultimately leads to the loss of his family, his mistress, and his moral compass, further illustrating how his own choices led to his downfall.
While I initially thought the book was nearing its conclusion when Wolsey had already risen to the rank of Cardinal, I was surprised to find myself only halfway through the story. I feared the narrative would lose momentum, but instead, the book became even more engaging. The later chapters, particularly those following the king’s personal losses and his infatuation with Anne Boleyn, add complexity to Wolsey’s character and his turbulent relationship with the monarchy.
There were moments where I almost felt sympathy for Wolsey, but each time, his choices served as a reminder that his downfall was of his own making. Despite his attempts to shift towards a more priestly life, his longing for the luxuries and power he had once enjoyed never truly faded.
Final Thoughts:
The Cardinal is a captivating exploration of a man whose ambition shaped both his rise and fall. Alison Weir’s rich portrayal of Thomas Wolsey makes this a must-read for fans of Tudor history, offering a detailed and personal look at a key figure often lost in the shadow of Henry VIII. While the book may feel slow at times, especially for those less familiar with the historical context, the depth of Wolsey’s character and the events surrounding his life make it a worthwhile read. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the complexities of power, politics, and personal ambition during one of history’s most fascinating periods.

If I've read anything by Alison Weir, I don't recall. I really enjoy Tudor era stories and this sounded like a good one. Although the author lays of the big events in Thomas Wolsey's life, it feels a bit on the empty side when it comes to a deep dive into his thoughts, demons, drives and desires. He just comes across as an average guy doing his job. I'd rather imagined that for anyone to stay on the top of his game at King Henry's court, they would have to be a real cutthroat schemer, one without a conscious. Still, I found it interesting. 3 1/2 stars rounding up to 4.

The Cardinal by Alison Weir is excellent. It covers the rise and fall of Cardinal Wosley during the reign of Henry VIII. Well done

The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power by Alison Weir is an excellent historical fiction that gives a a glance into the life of the infamous Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.

I devour anything Ms Weir writes, and I have read a lot of nonfiction and historical fiction involving English history and the Tudors, but I have not read anything that Wolsey was the heart of the story.

I really, really loved this book. I already knew the “history” and the “story from the other guys”, but this is the first time I have been able to experience Cardinal Wolsey’s point of view. His hopes, fears, his admissions of his faults and his weaknesses. The reasoning for his passions and actions. Ms. Weir delivers this and so much more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it, especially if you enjoy Tudor history.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/27/25.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. This book is so well written that it breezes through the life of Thomas Mosley while keeping my attention. There really were no boring parts of the story as the author does such an amazing job of making everything sound interesting. It was amazing to read how Mosley ascended and all of the various offices he attained (and ignored) in pursuit of his lofty goals. During the book, it was hard not to feel sorry for him a little bit, but in retrospect, he definitely made his choices and thus had to live with the results.

Much has been written about Henry VIII ; Anne Boylen, and the court surrounding them; including Cromwell and Wolsey. This book includes the story but as told by Cardinal Wolsey. It shows his life and rise and eventual fall. It humanizes him with his ambition, accomplishments, and personal life. Excellent telling.

This is another excellent book by Alison Weir. As always she has mastered the storytelling while still providing meticulously detailed research to bring this historical fiction to life. This book was truly about Cardinal Wolsey and his rise to fame and power and I was happy to see that she did not delve into the Anne Boleyn story too deeply but provided enough to show how she led to Wolsey’s downfall. This was such a violent and dirty time and this book offers the reader with the sights and sounds to fully understand how difficult life was, even for those who were wealthy. I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley and appreciate the opportunity to read this exceptional book.