I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This novel was one I looked forward to, as Alison Weir is such an exceptional author. However, I was disappointed in the quality of the writing and the less than captivating nature of the story of Cardinal Wolsely. He was a pivotal figure in the Tudor court of Henry VIII, but much of the novel feels like a report on the governmental nuances of the Tudor court, rather than a character study of a powerful man.

Alison Weir is one of my favorite historical fiction and nonfiction authors, but this subject clearly wasn't as dramatic as her usual fare. I'd have rather had more interesting details on the Cardinal, developments around his children or the ways in which he interacted with other parties in the court -- rather than so much governmental minutia. While I am sure the Cardinal was precise, thorough, and keen for all those types of activities, the readers may not be as fascinated by the details of such governmental decisions. For example, the Field of Gold diplomatic activities were an interesting interaction with the Tudor court -- with lots of memorable characters, but in this novel we end up with an inventory of the items shipped to France and a summary of the event that includes an incident of wrestling between the two monarchs, but little else. I am glad I have read this novel, but I don't feel as if I have learned a lot more about the man who ruled England from behind Henry VIII's throne.

If you were enraptured by last year’s movie “Conclave” and the more recent real-life papal drama, this book needs to go on your list. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was Henry VIII’s most trusted adviser, up until Cardinal Wolsey couldn’t convince the pope to allow Henry to get a divorce. It’s an exciting historical fiction account about a dramatic moment that European history buffs know well. (Recommendation sent to readers of WordSmarts.com email newsletter)

I find myself disappointed by this offering from Alison Weir, a voice of the Tudors that has always been strong. It has been a while since I've read one of her books, but this one felt like a slog, and given the rich history of Wolsey and the time, that was disappointing.

This felt only surface deep, and read more like each chapter was just giving the reader a list of facts that had happened, with a lot of repetition thrown in. I understand and love that Weir has always been more on the historical side of historical fiction than some other authors, but the story felt limp and tedious at times.

I am a big fan of novels set during the Tudor dynasty and have never liked Cardinal Wolsey. He seemed to be a stereotypical corrupt, self-centered, pompous politician. However, I am a huge fan of Weir so I decided to visit Wolsey through her research. And I'm glad I did. Yes, Wolsey is corrupt and pompous (most men were in those days) but he also created several schools and colleges, reformed multiple government and church areas, and was an architectural trend-setter in England.

He was born into the merchant class but rose to be the 2nd most powerful man in England in both religious and secular arenas. Some of his administrative/logistical feats were astonishing - the Field of the Cloth of Gold, the Perpetual Peace Treaty. The man knew how to organize and manage grand scale projects successfully. His "professional" life was an unrivaled triumph.

His personal life, alas, was not. His fell in love and had children but, as a member of the church, he was forbidden to marry so he had to hide his family. This led to the children being raised by other families and his lover eventually marrying another man.

Thanks to Weir's incredible story-telling ability, even though we all know the ending to his story it's heart-breaking to watch his downfall. Once Henry set his sights on Anne, Wolsey's decline began. In his arrogance, he believed he was invincible. After achieving greatness and creating a lasting legacy, he failed to do one thing the King wanted and lost everything.

This is an incredible story of a man who jumped social classes and put the nobility on notice.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I find this period in history so fascinating with the different power house countries and the dissolution of the Catholic Church as the only way. Thomas Wolsey is an interesting character and I like the way Alison Weir makes even the most dry and difficult negotiations easier to understand and intriguing. There was a lot I didn’t know about his personal life and this was eye-opening. Overall, Weir has done a fantastic job making Wolsey accesible and comprehensible and I found myself, at times, feeling sorry for the mess he was trapped him. This was a very long book but it held my interest the entire time.

As a long time fan of Ms. Weir’s historical fiction, it is not a surprise that I devoured this book in a few nights. The historical saga of Thomas Wolsey, commoner, who rises to become advisor to King Henry VIII and gains the title of Cardinal Wolsey is a fascinating tale, fraught with challenges and a glimmer of romance.
What surprised me most, was a fresh perspective on Henry VIII which is tough based on all the historical takes on him. Perhaps it’s only me, but this book gave me the historical context of time - specifically how long Henry is married to Queen Catherine of Aragon before Anne Boleyn is in the picture. That specific challenge for Wolsey is brought into full color in Weir’s story showing the strain and stress of the rise to success and power from both sides—and the facets of love that can change lives.

Luscious smooth writing and a twisty tale that lingers in memory because of Ms. Weir’s masterful storytelling.

3.75 stars rounded up. A captivating look at the life of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. If you are interested in anything about the Tudors, this books takes a look at the man behind the scenes. As always, Weir's writing is exceptional and makes the reader feel like they are transported back in time.

Thank you to the publisher for inviting me to read early and to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[NetGalley Read #28]
4.5 ⭐️

"What he wanted was power—and everything that went with it."

William Faulkner's "the only thing worth writing about is the human heart in conflict with itself" fits perfectly here.

A story of power, love, war with France, religion, politics, peace with France, heartbreak, war with France again!, right, and wrong with one man at the center of it all: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. It depcits the rise and fall of an Innkeeper's son who rose too high in a world of royalty that wanted nothing to do with... well, an innkeeper's son.

It's like 'There Will be Blood' set in 1500s England. There are similar themes of the want for power, station and more and even more power until you've overreached and now you have to take the inevitable fall.

It's a long (400+ pages) and slow paced book divided into 6 parts. Really well written. The architectural descriptions are almost as good as George R. R. Martin's food descriptions.

Part ONE felt a bit disjointed like we were hurrying up in the story to reach the part where Thomas becomes a priest.
Part TWO felt a bit repetitive.
Part THREE to SIX are really well written. The conflict, the moral dilemma, giving up love for power, the rise and then the inevitable fall.

Don't Google/Wikipedia any of the characters before/during reading if you don't know anything of the historical events that take place in these books. It would be better to read the story as it unfolds. And even if you're familiar with history and you know what's going to happen, it's still a good fictionalized version that's worthy of a read.

Recommended (if you're okay with the slightly slow paced nature of the story).

A new and winning novel for Tudor Fans!

In THE CARDINAL: A NOVEL OF LOVE AND POWER noted historian Alison Weir provides another example of her skill in writing historical fiction - first demonstrated in her series SIX TUDOR QUEENS. This time she provides a back story for the brilliant advisor to England’s King Henry VIII, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.

As a long-time Tudor lover, Wolsey has always fascinated me. In a country ruled by class, how did a low-born boy, even one with considerable abilities, manage to rise to hold king-like power? And then lose it all in a spectacular final fall from grace?

This is the story author Weir fleshes out: How was Wolsey influenced by his humble early years? How did he manage to secure an education more befitting an aristocrat? Who first recognized his skills? What brought him to the attention of two kings? How did he balance the conflict between ambition and love? Why was he so willing to take on the work of a young king more interested in glamour and show? How did that willingness create a foundation for both power and wealth? And, of course, how did one monumental failure bring it all tumbling down?

There is also a love story. Based on a few historical facts, and embellished by Weir’s imagination, the author has crafted a compelling story of Wolsey’s long lasting love with a woman little known to history. As well as the conflicts that arose as a result.

Not surprisingly, as the protagonist, Wolsey comes off as a sympathetic and hard-working figure who genuinely loves King Henry VIII. The way a father loves a son. That alone makes this a novel worth reading since Wolsey is so often portrayed as a villain caring only for his own glory. And if you’re thinking that Henry VIII must then come off as the chief bad guy, it’s not that simple. Weir’s Henry is complex: intelligent and eager, talented but spoiled, obsessed with getting what he wants but also easily swayed.

Of particular interest to me has always been Wolsey’s physical decline after he lost power. In most accounts I’ve read, it seems to have happened quickly with little detail. But Weir’s account is much richer, examining the ups and downs of this period in a way that makes Wolsey face an unrelenting cycle of fear and hope.

Weir has done a masterful job creating two complex characters both dependent on and envious of one another. I recommend THE CARDINAL to all Tudor fans, especially those who share my interest in the historical figure of Wolsey. If you sense the detail becoming plodding, or the pace slows, my advice is to keep going.

Another stellar addition to the Tudor Era novels by Alison Weir! Cardinal Wolsey is a powerhouse figure during this period of history and Ms. Weir did an amazing job bringing his story to life.

Thomas rose from very humble beginnings to become the richest, most powerful man in King Henry's court. Then just a fast as he rose, he fell. He fought hard to keep his lavish lifestyle and the ear of the King but someone else wanted that designation and Queen Anne was grabbing for power too.. It is hard not to feel sorry for the Cardinal but then it is hard to understand how he was allowed so much power in the first place. Anyone familiar with the time period knows Cardinal Wolsey but this is the first novel told from his perspective. As usual. Ms. Weir has another masterpiece on her hands!

I loved this thrilling historical account of Thomas Wolsey. Alison. Weir is an auto-buy author for me. Loved learning Korean about the Cardinal in an expertly plotted and brilliantly written novel.

The multi-talented fiction and nonfiction writer, Alison Weir’s latest novel is about a non-royal yet nonetheless powerful man in the Tudor court — Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who rose from average working background to become Henry VIII’s most trusted advisor and mentor.

I was drawn immediately by Weir’s personal approach to her protagonists. Many intimate scenes explore the interpersonal relationship between Tom (Cardinal Thomas Wolsey) and Harry (King Henry VIII of England.) Simply using Tom and Harry, while supporting characters are referred to by surname or honorific – Cromwell; Suffolk; Norfolk – allows readers to participate in the dynamics of what was a loving and lifelong friendship, until Tom’s downfall. Weir’s presentation is subtle and we can choose for ourselves the reason(s) for this unusual friendship and trust and what ultimately drove the two apart.

The novel takes readers from Wolsey’s youth to his death in 1530, exploring less well-known aspects of his life. Harry is young, new to kingship, eager to run amok with his less than stellar friends, whilst leaving the governing of the country to the older, more experienced Tom. But Tom’s rise is too fast, too high, too excessive --- amassing huge wealth which he pridefully displayed on the political and religious stage.

This novel takes a close look at this vital cog in the Tudor court, and I hope Weir will explore more influential non-royals. Politically astute and superbly researched, I highly recommend this for every Tudor fan. For me it filled many gaps in what I already knew from other reading which makes it a fine and very welcome piece of literature.

Alison Weir who is known for her extraordinary Tudor Historical Fiction returns with a new novel this time focusing on the rise and fall of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey a very influential advisor in the court of Henry VIII.
This novel covers the early life of Thomas Wolsey who was born into a working class family but manages to enroll at college at the age of 11 and get a very extensive education. He manages to ontain the position of chaplain to various noble families before getting a a spot in the court of Henry VII. After the death of the later he rises in the court of his successor Henry VIII.
However, with all this newfound accomplishment and greatness doesn't stop those who envy Wolsey from plotting to destroy him. When Henry VIII decides to put aside Katherine of Aragon he puts Wolsey in charge of all the work. Wolsey knows that no good can come out of this situation and when it comes all crashing down Wolsey loses everything that he had worked to hard to obtain.
I overall enjoyed this book because I was not very familiar with the story of Wolsey as most tv adaptations portray him as some kind of villain but really he is just a simple man who is trying to do his job. The fact that he was able to make it this far was a massive achievement had he served under a different King he could have done so much more.
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley but all options are of my own

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I've read multiple other books by Alison Weir and this fits the bill. It's a pretty accurate representation of Wolsley's life, but told with a rich background of the early Tudor court. Weir does a really nice job covering a few side plots that all wind together into Wolsley's story and ultimate downfall. I also appreciated that she didn't turn this into another story about Anne Boleyn - she really kept her as a fringe character in the book. An easy one to pick up too if you're newer to this time period - the story line picks up right away. If you've ready the Wolf Hall series by Hilary Mantel this is a nice complement to that series since it pick up just before her story begins.

It’s hard to resist reading a piece of work by Alison Weir, especially if you are intrigued by England’s history during the times of King Henry VII and King Henry VIII. Her books are loaded with historical information that is easily readable and engrossing. After residing in England for a number of years, I was quite familiar with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. However, if you have little to no recognition of who he is, reading Weir’s newest work is a great way to slip back in time and learn all about this complex man. Furthermore, I particularly enjoyed her characterization of both King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, two figures of English history that continue to capture our attention.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for providing an advanced copy via NetGalley. It’s a long read, but Wolsey lived a full and busy life, so there’s a fair bit to cover. These pages will pair well with a goblet full of your favorite beverage while sitting in a garden or by a roaring fire, so you can escape to a time long, long ago.

As someone who’s long been fascinated by Tudor history, I picked up The Cardinal by Alison Weir with high expectations—and I wasn’t disappointed. Weir takes on the towering, often misunderstood figure of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and breathes life into him in a way that genuinely surprised me. Rather than the usual scheming clergyman trope, this Wolsey is ambitious, yes—but also deeply human. He’s driven by love and loyalty, and ultimately undone by the very power he sought to serve.

What really stood out for me was the emotional depth. Wolsey’s secret romantic life added a layer I didn’t expect—bittersweet and tender, contrasting with the cold political maneuverings of Henry VIII’s court. I found myself caring for him in a way I hadn’t anticipated. His relationship with Henry was particularly compelling—almost a tragic friendship, doomed by the roles they had to play.

Alison Weir’s writing is, as always, rich in historical detail. The Tudor world felt vivid and immersive—from the opulence of the court to the quiet, stolen moments in Wolsey’s private life. Occasionally the prose leaned a bit stiff, but honestly, it suited the setting and never pulled me out of the story.

The Cardinal reads almost like a Shakespearean tragedy more than a straight historical novel. If you’re into Tudor history—or just enjoy stories of ambition, downfall, and complex humanity—I highly recommend it. This one lingered with me long after the final page.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
When I heard that Alison Weir’s next Tudor novel would be about Thomas Wolsey, I had mixed feelings. He’s never been my favorite figures of the era, and I was always mainly interested in the politics of the era in terms of how it intersected with domestic issues (given my gateway to loving the era was courtesy of the Six Wives). But I was surprised by how much I enjoyed The Cardinal, and I love that Weir is really showing the breadth of her knowledge of the era by exploring it from an angle outside of Henry and his wives.
Giving Wolsey (referred to in-text as Tom throughout to distinguish from the myriad other Thomases at court) enough dimension to be sympathetic is a tough task, but Weir accomplishes this. While there are myriad times when I find what he’s doing rather awful, his strong motivations of obtaining political power and remaining in Henry’s good graces remain consistent throughout. These motivations are so strong that he literally fights for them to the end, even when he’s charged with treason and is on his deathbed. His hypocrisy and contradictions are particularly stark, especially with overlaps and parallels in Wolsey and Henry’s respective indiscretions where their illegitimate sons were concerned. However, this was one aspect that connected them and showed how, in spite of the occasional challenges in their relationship, Wolsey had built his reputation on loyalty, making the fall from grace all the more devastating.
And while I knew quite a bit about Wolsey the flawed churchman and statesman (and aspects of this, like his name being put forward as a contender to be pope at one point, were quite fun to read and reflect on given the recent passing of Pope Francis and the start of conclave), I was also intrigued by his private life and how it conflicted with his political ambitions. I didn’t necessarily approve of how he conducted his liaison with Joan, given he couldn’t offer her marriage (and the marriage he later arranged for her was to a man who slut shamed her), but it’s very much in keeping with both his vocation and what was common for the era. And despite the imbalance of power, I liked that she did attempt to assert herself and set boundaries on occasion, like when she was first married, although even then things weren’t over and remained complicated between them.
Weir’s anti-Anne Boleyn bias is fairly well-known, and has tainted various works where she prominently features. However, while there are aspects of that here, as while Wolsey is never explicitly anti-Anne, her issues with him for breaking up her betrothal to Henry Percy are legendary at this point, and while he almost never explicitly goes one way or the other, trying to remain objective, Anne is widely disliked by the Court, and this bleeds through in the opinions from other characters.
Given that my reading experience with Weir was incredibly slow-paced, I did worry this would be more of the same. However, I found most of this book very engaging, and fairly fast paced. I enjoyed seeing a lot of familiar events from Wolsey’s perspective and his impact on them (my favorite being his intervention on behalf of Henry’s sister Mary and Charles Brandon after their secret marriage). Ironically, in spite of this being so pivotal to his story and downfall, I found the chapters concerning the Great Matter, especially in 1528-30, to be a slog at times. I did feel a sense of dread knowing what would come, but this was the part where I also felt the least invested, so the last 20-ish% was almost a slog in comparison to the rest of the book. Maybe some of it was purely psychological, because of what I knew was coming, but it felt like that portion dragged way more for me than any other section.
This was an unexpected surprise for me, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy the Tudors and want a different perspective on the era.

The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power by Alison Weir was a captivating read that I just couldn’t put down. From the very first page, I was drawn into the rich historical setting and the complex characters, especially the central figure whose journey is both powerful and deeply human.

Weir does an incredible job weaving together the politics, romance, and intrigue of the time, making the historical backdrop come to life. I found myself completely invested in the story, eager to see how everything would unfold. The tension, the emotional stakes, and the intricate relationships kept me turning pages long into the night.

Cardinal Wolsey is one of the most famous cardinals in all of history. His actions in regards to The Great Matter shaped much of Western civilization. He was the favored advisor of the English King Henry VIII who was unable to give the monarch the annulment he so desired. Despite dying in disgrace, he was not lost to history. Here is a story of what the powerful man might have thought, the internal demons he fought, and the goals he strove to obtain. 
I have to admit that the only viewpoint I had really viewed The Great Matter was through the eyes of either the king himself or the wives impacted by it. (In case you don't know, The Great Matter is the annulment of Henry's marriage to Kathrine of Aragon and his desire to marry Anne Boleyn.) This was a great opportunity to look at it through the Cardinal's eyes and see his life through the view of a man who longed for power and riches and everything a man of God shouldn't. 
Starting with his life as a young boy, the reader is taken from his humble home to the top of the social status in England. We get insight into this thoughts as he considers the church and the dreams he has for his future as well as his conflict when he falls in love. In researching a few key events and people, I found the author did a very good job in following along historically while giving the reader a glimpse into the fictional thoughts the cardinal might have had that kept with the personality revealed in his paperwork and those who interacted with him. I learned quite a few new things I was unaware of until I began researching the history myself. This didn't detract from the story itself. In fact, I think it helped it as I saw the historical foundation the author worked from. 
Cardinal Wolsey was a very complicated man, not entirely good nor evil. He did what he could for the king he loved, but he could never do enough to keep all his power and riches. 
A great read for all historical fiction lovers. You'll find yourself looking for more info on the man and those around him in the nonfiction sections after you read this book.

An interesting historical read about Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. I didn't know much about that era or the political scene in the 40s and 50s. This book is all about Thomas. The book begins when he is only 11 years old. He was ambitious and very intelligent. The book depicted his life from early years with a humble background to his rise in a powerful position, where he can live his life in luxury and gained prominent influence in political matters at the time. His life is divided into parts, showing different milestones in his life. I found the book slow paced and some situations over fictionalized. The writing style is very understandable and easy-to-read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.