Viking Juvenile
Featuring: Henry Fitzroy; Mary Howard
528 pages ISBN: 067001401X EAN: 9780670014019 Kindle: B00G3L6LHQ Hardcover / e-Book Add to Wish List
As a teenager Mary Howard married the king's illegitimate
son Henry Fitzroy, and becomes a duchess, and a lady's maid
to queen Anne Boleyn. Not wanting a loveless marriage like
her parents, Mary sets out to get to know her young husband
and hopes for a better life. Just as she starts falling in
love, Anne Boleyn falls out of favor and Mary's world is
turned upside down. Soon Mary's loyalties will be tested
between her father, her husband, and her queen, and Mary
must choose wisely for her life depends on it.
BRAZEN is a wonderfully written and creative young adult
historical fiction. Set in the infamous Tudor court
Katherine Longshore weaves her story around Mary Howard,
cousin of Anne Boleyn, who marries the king's illegitimate
son, Henry Fitzroy. The unique point of view of this story
is what makes BRAZEN so much fun to read. The story revolves
around a teenage Mary who is like any other teen, except
she's married and a duchess. Young Adult readers will find
Mary relatable, as she and her friends, Margaret and Madge
partake in the usual teenage mischief.
Mary is a compassionate character who wants to do what is
right, but sometimes is unsure of the right choice. She
obeys her father, and is loyal to her queen and friends, and
at times her loyalty is put to the test when she must chose
between her friends secrets and her queen's trust. As she
gets to know her young husband Fitz, a young love blossoms,
but when Anne Boleyn's reign comes to an end, Mary's life is
turned upside down and her morals are put to the test.
Longshore's use of a teenager's perspective during the reign
of Anne Boleyn is creative and readers will see the court
through Mary's naïve and sweet natured eyes. BRAZEN is
filled with intrigue and secrets and reads much like a
Philippa Gregory novel, just a more watered down version for
a young adult audience. Adults will enjoy this story as
well, and will find Mary Fitzroy a complex, yet often
forgotten character. BRAZEN is a must read for any Tudor
fan, and will keep readers wondering if young love can
survive the Tudor court.
Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful
family. But when she's married off to Henry Fitzroy, King
Henry VIII's illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor
court's inner circle.
Mary and "Fitz" join a tight clique of
rebels who test the boundaries of court's strict rules with
their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to
know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden
from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be
pushed-but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true
love worth dying for?