The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl
Author: Philippa Gregory
Series: Tudor Series (#2)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
How Received: borrowed

Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king.

When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her familys ambitious plots as the kings interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands.

First of all, a shout out to Megan for lending me this when I've been dying to read this for ages!

I really did enjoy The Other Boleyn Girl, regardless of the constant references to 'adult' matters (though that was what the whole book was about, being the king's mistress and all). I was able to sympathize with Mary and her goals and root for her, and able to despise Anne at times and, at other times, want to give her a hug.

The ending kind of disappointed me. I was looking forward to Mary rushing off to save her sister, but something else entirely happened that I didn't quite like. But as it's a historical fiction, and is based off true facts - well, we can't exactly change it.

When the movie comes out, from the way the previews have been going, I think they're going to change the ending to the one I sort of wanted. The Other Boleyn Girl movie comes out this Friday.

[EDIT] They did. *grin*

Overall Rating: Nine out of ten.
The Other Boleyn Girl or A Countess Below Stairs?: If you want a happily-ever-after, read A Countess Below Stairs, because The Other Boleyn Girl doesn't necessarily have a 'happy' ending.

Happy reading!

~Nicole