June 7th, 2025
Home | Log in!

On Top Shelf
Katherine LyonsKatherine Lyons
Fresh Pick
THE TAPESTRY OF TIME
THE TAPESTRY OF TIME

New Books This Week

Reader Games

🌸 Summer Kick-Off Giveaways


Sunshine, secrets, and swoon-worthy stories—June's featured reads are your perfect summer escape.

Slideshow image


Since your web browser does not support JavaScript, here is a non-JavaScript version of the image slideshow:

slideshow image
He doesn�t need a woman in his life; she knows he can�t live without her.


slideshow image
A promise rekindled. A secret revealed. A second chance at the family they never had.


slideshow image
A cowboy with a second chance. A waitress with a hidden gift. And a small town where love paints a brand-new beginning.


slideshow image
She�s racing for a prize. He�s dodging romance. Together, they might just cross the finish line to love.


slideshow image
She steals from the mob for justice. He�s the FBI agent who could take her down�or fall for her instead.


slideshow image

He�s her only protection. She�s carrying his child. Together, they must outwit a killer before time runs out.


Her Highness, The Traitor

Her Highness, The Traitor, June 2012
by Susan Higginbotham

Sourcebooks
Featuring: Frances Grey; Jane Grey; Jane Dudley
368 pages
ISBN: 1402265581
EAN: 9781402265587
Kindle: B007VEQ88Q
Paperback / e-Book
Add to Wish List


Purchase



"The story of Lady Jane Grey through the eyes of her mother and mother-in-law"

Fresh Fiction Review

Her Highness, The Traitor
Susan Higginbotham

Reviewed by Elizabeth Crowley
Posted May 28, 2012

Historical | Women's Fiction Historical

Susan Higginbotham transforms the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey into a seductive tale of cutthroat sixteenth-century politics in her latest novel about the tragic nine day Queen. HER HIGHNESS, THE TRAITOR is narrated by Frances Grey, Lady Jane's mother and Jane Dudley, Jane's future mother-in-law. Higginbotham magnificently weaves together the events leading up to the disinheritance of two royal princesses and the coronation of a young girl more to devoted to books and prayer. The novel begins shortly after the death of Henry VIII. Since the new king is still a boy, the country is under the control of King Edward's uncle, Edward Seymour. The Protector's influence over the boy king soon creates unrest among the English nobles as rumors begin to circulate that the Protector plans to kill the king and take the throne for himself. When the young king unexpectedly dies, he names Lady Jane Grey, the boy king's cousin, as his heir to the throne. Higginbotham's novel is the story of Frances Grey and Jane Dudley, as each family ruthlessly plots to put their children on the throne of England. Frances Grey is the niece of Henry VIII through her mother, Mary, Henry VIII's sister. Frances is considered of the purest royal blood. The Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth are the late king's daughters by Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, but both daughters were declared bastards by the king. The Lady Mary, however, has never forgotten the heartache her mother suffered when lost her husband to Anne Boleyn. When Frances Grey and Jane Dudley triumphantly place Jane on the throne, they will find that the Lady Mary can prove just as dangerous as her father. I loved how Susan Higginbotham narrated the story of lady Jane Grey through the eyes of her mother and mother-in-law. HER HIGHNESS, THE TRAITOR reveals the dangerous politics operating behind the scenes as Edward VI lingered between life and death. While the new twist on the nine day queen was an interesting change, I found the portrayal of Lady Jane unrealistic. Jane is depicted as a haughty, spoiled brat. Ironically, Frances Grey is written as a sympathetic mother who is inconsolable when her daughter's reign as Queen of England is brought to a tragic end by the Lady Mary. Higginbotham claims her portrayal of Jane and Frances are based on recent research, but her arguments and portrayals of both characters failed to convince me. I was also disappointed to find the tiresome old slander about the Lady Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour in this novel. I appreciated how the author decided to have Frances Grey and Jane Dudley narrate the book, but there were also many aspects of this novel I disagreed with.

Learn more about Her Highness, The Traitor

SUMMARY

When Henry VIII dies, leaving behind his nine-year-old son as his heir, a deadly series of power struggles begins, transforming the lives of two women.

A daughter can be a dangerous weapon in the battle for the throne of England

Frances Grey harbored no dream of her children taking the throne. Cousin of the king, she knew the pitfalls of royalty and privilege. Better to marry them off, marry them well, perhaps to a clan like the Dudleys. Jane Dudley knew her husband was creeping closer to the throne, but someone had to take charge, for the good of the country. She couldn't see the twisted path they all would follow.

The never–before–told story of the women behind the crowning of Jane Grey, this novel is a captivating peek at ambition gone awry, and the damage left in its wake.


What do you think about this review?

Comments

No comments posted.

Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!

 

 

 

© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net  all rights reserved Privacy Policy