Review - Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain by Margaret Irwin

TITLE:    Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain
AUTHOR:    Margaret Irwin
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 336 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:    Young Elizabeth, half-sister of Queen Mary has a hazardous path ahead of her. Reports of her as a heretic, a rebel and a potential enemy with 'a spirit full of enchantment' have reached the queen's reluctant bridegroom, Prince of Spain. Elizabeth must advance warily towards her destiny, amid courtly machinations, running the gauntlet between Bloody Mary's jealousy and Philip's uneasy adoration.

This is the final volume installment of the evocative trilogy charting young Elizabeth's precarious path to the throne.

MY TAKE:    This was an enjoyable conclusion to the three part trilogy by famed author Margaret Irwin.  The book can be read as a stand alone, but I am looking forward to reading the first two in the series: Young Bess: The Girl Who Would Be Queen and Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne.

These books were originally published in the 40s and 50s. Sourcebooks is continuing their grand tradition of reintroducing fantastic books to readers of today.  The books come across a bit more reserved than many of the modern stories about the Tudors that we're used to reading.  I felt it was a refreshing change to see these characters in a different light.  Obviously the historical facts can't be altered, but the author's own inspirations and influences reflect in her writing.  It was also nice to see a lot of the sexual content toned down and not becoming the central theme or focus of the story. 

I found it interesting that Margaret Irwin was able to tell us Philip's story while still being true to Elizabeth and her glory.  So many of these characters that played such important roles in Elizabeth's life don't usually get a chance to share in the spotlight.  She was such a larger-than-life individual that others faded into the background when she was near.

I definitely recommend this book to fans of the Tudor stories and good historical fiction.  It was a quick read and I know I will be re-reading it after I'm done with the first two installments.  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

 WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

   

 
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