In Her Own Right

This is the story of Mary Tudor's early years - up to her coronation. It does not appear that there will be a continuation of the story. It is well written historical fiction and told from Mary's pov - rather than her just being a character in someone else's story. The author writes in Mary's voice very much as we have come to know her throughout other historical facts. Very entertaining and doesn't drag out those events that all Tudor fans know like the back of their hands. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Interesting and well-written. I always found Mary's life fascinating, especially before her reign. The pain, turmoil, and uncertainty she suffered was unimaginable during her father's lifetime, but likewise she caused the same to others later when crowned queen.

I have read many historical fiction books that were set during the life of Henry VIII and Mary I, but this was my first historical fiction book featuring a member of the Tudor family. I will say that some of the conversations and situations in this book could have taken place in real life. I love how a book can take you right to that time period. This one can. From the beginning, you are transported to a day when Mary was the apple of her father's eye. He wanted a boy, yes, but he loved his Mary and even her mother. Once the narcissistic king realized Katherine would never bore him a son and Mary was not suitable to lead England, his eye starts wandering and lands on the captivating Anne Boleyn. Anne is different than other women, she won't sleep with the King until he weds her. Henry will uproot everything, including the religion of a country to have this woman. And this is just the start of this book!!! Henry will win this woman, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and finally the last one. Mary's father can shed wives as we do soiled clothes. All the while Mary is unsure where her fate lies. Sometimes she is cast aside, sometimes she is welcome, but always she is called "illegitimate". She has siblings that she cares about, and her faith in God is steadfast. She practices a secret religion that is banned in her country and tries to plan for a future that sometimes has little hope. The Mary we see here is just existing, trying to be faithful to God and her father, whom she does love.

“Princess Mary stood before the envoys from France looking elegant beyond her few years in a dress of cloth of gold and a black velvet cap.” Visiting ambassadors “were at her father’s court to discuss a treaty between the two nations, which would be sealed with Mary’s betrothal to the dauphin.”

Princess Mary was two years old.

The status of women in the Renaissance era is very much a theme in this novel. A reader will see Mary Tudor and women in general used as tokens in a game of comparative male status. Much loved by her father as a child, Mary’s situation changes drastically as King Henry’s mental state morphs, twisted by his insatiable greed for power and admiration.

Denied by her father and his adherents when the marriage of her mother to the king is deemed invalid, Mary’s own world view hardens. In private and public dealings, she presses the acknowledgment of Roman Catholicism as the one true religion, while stamping out Protestantism, even as her father insists on her submission and her life is in jeopardy.

The author mirrors this disunion in descriptions of Mary’s mode of dress. Having studied historic costuming, attended workshops and participated in costuming events, I found this informative and particularly enjoyable. For example, readers see Mary required to appear in the garb of a “proper Protestant woman,” but on another occasion, “wearing a gown of green and white velvet, with an assortment of large, precious jewels.”

When in King Henry’s disfavor, Mary is forced from her home to assume the position of nurse to her young half-sister, Elizabeth. Mary, who is highly educated, sees this as an opportunity to both tutor the girl and assert her stance regarding the “one true religion.” Elizabeth quietly expresses her belief that religion should be a private thing. The reader asks, is that the character of religion? And what are the differences between religion and faith?

Considered in depth, I perceive this historical novel as a cautionary tale about the intermingling of, and tension between, the edicts of religious and secular law, the parsing of which will long engage my mind.

Indeed, the subject era was a time very different from ours. Or was it?

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. My review is voluntary and honest.

A thoughtful and highly-researched work of historical fiction, In Her Own Right by Amanda Schiavo portrays Mary Tudor in a refreshingly human light. So often, Mary Tudor is known only by her later years, and the reputation she earned as Bloody Mary. However, Schiavo delves into the early years for the young royal, giving light to the traumas Mary would have experienced and the lessons she was forced to learn at young ages in the way of courtly politics.

In all, In Her Own Right was a fascinating and quick read, a great option for any lover of historical fiction with a particular interest in Tudor England!

We all know the story of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth, but who was Mary Tudor, often called Bloody Mary. In the stories of these people people, Mary is portrayed as the villain; a blood-thirsty, power-hungry, conniving woman. Who was the real Mary, the oldest surviving child of Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon?

This is the novelization of the life of Mary from 2 years until her coronation, and you learn so much of the tragedy of her life through this personal lens, as well as her heart for the women in her life including her mother, Elizabeth, and Jane Grey. You see the political mechinations behind the theological strife in her life, and men who are still well-respected in Anglicanism like Thomas Cranmer are seen from a new point-of-view in how they dealt with Mary.

While I do think the embellishments made the lurch to "kill all non-Catholics in the ruling class and royal family" feel more drastic, I did enjoy the pacing of getting to know Mary at so many different stages of her life. Great if you've ever been interested in this period of history!

In most Tudor set historical fiction the men are the main characters and the women simply pawns to be played with. This book puts Mary as the main character from a small child straight through to her coronation. It focuses on strong female characters, and is a refreshing take on this period of history. Mary is frequently portrayed as third string to her siblings, with her being portrayed as overly religious and dour, but her character is developed in a much deeper manner in this retelling of history.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook.
I am a huge Tudor history fan. I will say I have never been a fan of Mary. I think she is a sad figure but she is completely insane and I just don't agree with her beliefs in God and it was horrible what she did to Protestants. But if you are into Tudor history this is perfect for you.