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.

4.3. A very interesting historical novel about Cardinal Wolsey, of fame during the Henry VIII area and probably best known for his attempts to annul the marriage of Katherine of Aragon and Henry VIII, although he also was a confidant and highly placed at the pinnacle of power during the early parts of Henry’s reign. A very different and fresh perspective on the Cardinal, from his humble upbringing as a tradesman’s son, to highly intelligent scholar and priest, to rising to the highest strata of the Tudor dynasty as a trusted advisor to Henry VII, and then his randy but seemingly intelligent son, Henry VIII. An extremely well researched tome on the rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey, not only from his professional pursuits but also his personal life, including his ambition and ruthless pursuit of power to his “family” life. Although focused on Cardinal Wolsey, this novel also is an excellent book on the political events of the time A long book but I could not put it down Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased and candid review.

“Absurd! he thought. What could that chit of a girl do to him?”

Ooo boy if only you knew Cardinal! Alison Weir is a fantastic writer, her work is always so excellent and this is no different. I’ve read so many of her books, so while I knew I’d enjoy this one simply because of her writing and attention to detail, she has really blown me away with ‘The Cardinal’! I never imagined I’d be so compelled by Cardinal Wolsey, every paragraph is filled with detail. I found myself unable to stop reading, I couldn’t put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

While most Tudor fiction focus on the six wives, here we see events from the point of view of Cardinal Wolsey - someone who always shows up but we rarely get his take on things. I loved getting in his head here as Weir speculates about how he would have felt about events. Here she shows a man who loved deeply, if not wisely, as the saying goes, seeing Henry VIII like a son, and never fully realizing how far their relationship is from that. My favorite touch was when he has a real moment of irritation, thinking 'doesn't Henry remember <i>my</i> pain?' as Henry bemoans his own lot in life. I also loved how much Anne Boleyn was very much not on his radar until it was too late, which strikes as both very accurate and a deserved blow to Anne's usual attitude of I'm-the-center-of-the-world. An excellent portrayal of this fascinating historical figure.

Greatly enjoyed reading about Thomas and his life as a Cardinal and in Tudor court. If you are a fan of SIX, this is a book that you want to read! This book will give you all the feelings! Hope, love, despair, elation, all the feels!!! Such a wonderful book! Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

Amazing as always. I love Ms. Weir's historical storytelling and having a story from Cardinal Wolsey's point of view has been a breath of fresh air from the Tudors.

You can never go wrong with a book by this great author. Cardinal Wolsey is just a man you love to hate, however, Alison Weir finds a way to make him more understandable. I'm still not a fan of his though lol! She writes with such passion and brings both the characters and story to life. What I enjoy alot about her books is that she concentrates on the people and events and less on what is on people's plates or the extreme details of clothing. A great story and perfect book - not just for Tudor fans - because this Ricardian loved it! Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝘼𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙏𝙪𝙙𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 & 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨/𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙨𝙚𝙮. 𝙃𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 & 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚.
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 + 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨!

The Cardinal follows the rise and fall of Thomas Wolsey, who was the Cardinal during the reign of Henry VIII. While it is a fictional account, it feels like it could be part of history itself, owing to Alison Weir's extensive research on the 6 Queens. A perfect blend of historical facts and embellishment makes The Cardinal burst into life.

I am almost convinced that she wrote a non-fiction.

Starting with his school life, Thomas Wolsey rises power, then watches it as it falls away. Here, Alison paints him as a man with flaws and needs, rather than an imposing figure worthy of fear and awe.
If you like historical fiction, that focuses on someone who's always been a supporting character, this change in point of view is pretty fun to read.