"Uhgg, why are royals like this?" I say as I read yet another book about European monarchs. ( )

I didn't expect this book to be so filled with facts, and so wonderfully pulled together with each Young Adult writer carefully examining the life of the Queen they wrote about. I've read many books about Henry's fated queens, and this one, though a novel, is very good.

Henry VIII had six wives, and many mistresses. His drive to have a son to pass on his Crown was successful for a short amount of time until his sickly heir died of what today is believed as TB.

Wife #1 Catherine Katharine of Aragon, was brought to England to meld the powers of Spain and England, hers is a sad tale. She married Edward, brother of Henry. While younger Henry was robust, physically strong, his scrawny son was too weak to consummate the marriage and did not live long after the marriage.

Catherine was kept in England, husbandless while Henry's father continually called for more funding from Catherine's Spanish parents, Queen and King of Aaron. She married Henry, bore a string of sickly, babies that could not thrive, then gave Henry his daughter Mary.

When Henry became infatuated with Anne Boleyn, a long legal battle occurred.
Stating that it was non moral to marry the wife of a brother, Henry tore apart his life and religion to marry Anne. Sickly, old, Catherine was sent to a castle, away from her beloved daughter.

Wife #2 The taunting, cunning Anne was given many jewels and stole Henry's heart. When she also had many babies who did not live, Henry continuously became less enamored. When finally, she became pregnant again, it was a girl, Elizabeth.

In order to get rid of her false accusations were made that were sexually scandalous. Anne's head was severed at the sharp cut of a French swordsman.

Wife #3 Finally, Jane Seymour, plain and young, gave Henry his son. While the son lived, then died later in life, Jane died shortly after birth of Edward

Wife #4 Anne of Cleves, by court standards, ugly, plain and not capable of learning the ways of court, she was painted as pretty by a portrait by court painter Hals Holbein. When Henry noted the large amount of differences between the painting and reality, he made Anne i his "dear sister." She survived and sent to live in her own homes given by Henry.

Wife #5 Cousin of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard was a flitty, unwisely simply lovely young lady. When Henry learned that she was not a virgin when she came to him, and while a wife to him, had various meetings with court men. When indiscretions were discovered, she too lost her pretty little head.

Wife #6 Katherine Parr, the final wife of Henry who outlived him and married shortly after his death. Old, fat, puss flowing from a suppurating wound, Henry was no handsome king when he set eyes of the previously widowed Katherine Parr,. She nearly lost her head when members in his court convinced Henry she was too brazen in her religious, protestant leanings. She was able to discover the plot, and got to Henry in time to remind him that only he knew the correct biblical ways, and that she was merely a woman not capable of being as smart as Henry.

Well written, with each author writing about a specific wife, this was fascinating. ( )

This is an ambitious and intriguing project, where each of Henry VIII's wives tells her story. The strength in this collection lies in six women authors narrating each queen; the weakness is Henry's version of the events. This us no fault in MT Anderson's writing, but rather in the idea itself. I would also have liked to have heard from all of Henry's children and not just Elizabeth, but this quibble is minor. The Anne of Cleves chapter ended up being my favorite. Overall, this captures the House of Tudor intrigue well and moves far more briskly than either of Hilary Mantel's books. ( )

I'm not sure why I'm such a sucker for Tudor era history and fiction. I've read more pages on Henry VIII and his wives than any other historical figures. I think it's a mix of things....shock at so much power in the hands of one man and how misguided that sort of power can make even the strongest person....the sheer political grasping and manipulating of upper class men and women in that time...and the role of English women in the 1500s. Six women destined to be queen.....six women finding out that being the queen was the highest rank in the country, but not the safest or most secure spot. Was the reward worth the cost? I think not. Divorced, Beheaded, Died. Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.

So much drama. So much manipulation. So much sorrow. And death. And betrayal. And lies. The whole situation so F'd up that people still talk about it more than 450 years later.

When I saw the blurb for this book, I had to read it! Seven YA authors coming together to write a book from the POV of each wife and Henry VIII. The emotions, the behind-the-scenes manipulation, the realizations, the reasons why.....

Although some changes were made (for instance a couple names are spelled differently in the book to avoid confusing people with similar names. It's fiction, not a non-fiction narrative of events, so I didn't mind the switch.) and the events are toned down a bit, this was a very interesting and enjoyable take on events. I liked the fact that this was written by several different authors. The changing styles between each chapter was fitting. All of Henry's wives were very different people, so the style changes really brought that concept home. My favorite chapter was the one about Anne of Cleves. In my opinion, she fared better than any of Henry's other wives -- divorced, but very wealthy.

This book definitely illustrates the fact that women were often used in bargaining for political power, riches and place at court. These women had little or no choice....if Henry showed interest in them at all, their families wanted to capitalize on it. Women had no power outside of manipulation....even when married to the King. In his quest to have an heir to carry on the Tudor line, Henry positioned himself so that he could do as he wished with his wives.....divorce, execution.....all for that heir. Sad. And he bankrupted the country. Worst. King. Ever. Worst. Husband. Ever.

I enjoyed this book! The stories are well-written, emotional and engaging. Each chapter is followed by commentary from Henry VIII's point of view. At the very back of the book is a timeline for the Henry's life and reign.

I wouldn't recommend this book for children under 14. There are some very adult situations and a little bit of sex. Nothing graphic. Just Henry trying to get his heir. Ugh. There is also a little bit of description of why this proved impossible or incredibly gross......nothing graphic, but it's impossible to tell the story without discussing impotence, morbid obesity, festering leg sores, etc.

This is the first book I've read by any of these YA authors. I'm definitely looking into their other books. Very enjoyable reading experience, despite the heaviness of the subject. ( )

Seven authors join together to tell the stories of King Henry VIII and his six wives from a first-person perspective. They have stayed very close to the known historical record, while imagining personalities, thoughts, and dialogue. Very well done.

-King Henry VIII and Elizabeth I: M.T. Anderson
-Katharine of Aragon: Candace Fleming
-Anne Boleyn: Stephanie Hemphill
-Jane Seymour: Lisa Ann Sandell
-Anna of Cleves: Jennifer Donnelly
-Catherine Howard: Linda Sue Park
-Kateryn Parr: Deborah Hopkinson

Back matter includes Tudor Timeline, Who's Who in the Court, Acknowledgments, Bibliographic Afterword, About the Authors

Quotes

Being granted time when you are prepared to die is not a blessing. (Anne, 73)

"Henry and his court prefer a good myth to a boring truth." (Anne, 91)

But for you a woman was either a mistress or a Queen. One you loved and flattered, the other you ordered about, expecting her to obey. Anne, 99)

Henry wants always the rose and never the thorn. (Anne, 108)

But I wonder...does the hurt that comes from knowing one has been mistreated and betrayed ever heal? (Jane, 151)

How, when I am holding your flesh so tight, can the soul escape it? (Henry re: Jane, 195)

One's body is one's fate. (Anna, 216)

"There is no privacy and little quiet. The only time you are alone is at prayer. Which is why so many queens are pious." (Anna, 225)

"You were a pawn, Anna of Cleves, but you played like a queen." (Cromwell to Anna, 243)

It's impossible to tell what's true and what's not, and sometimes I think no one even cares so long as it's exciting. (Catherine, 277)

When someone says "You wouldn't understand," what they really mean is "We don't want you to know." (Catherine, 279)

They expect me to act like a woman with the King, but they treat me like a child. (Catherine, 280)

This is what being at court does to you: I'm starting to hear things that haven't been said, and see things that might not be there. (Catherine, 291)

How convenient to be able to change the law whenever you feel like it. (Catherine, 310)

"Henry doesn't like good-byes of any kind. And once he turns against someone, he puts that person out of his mind completely." (Nan to Kateryn, 331)

Women help one another survive much in this world. (Kateryn, 361) ( )