I recently finished my NetGalley copy of Alison Weir's fabulous new novel JANE SEYMOUR: THE HAUNTED QUEEN. Wow, what a fantastic story. I've always thought of Jane Seymour as a mousy, quiet woman. A woman who was the antithesis of Anne Boleyn. The calm after the storm. Well, this book throws all my preconceived ideas out the window. I have no doubt she was the calm after the storm that was Anne Boleyn, but she was no shrinking violet, either. The Jane Seymour portrayed by Alison Weir (one of THE BEST historical novelist I've ever read), is a calm, but highly intelligent young woman. One who happened to catch the eye of Henry. The only woman who was able to give him the son and heir he required and craved. She was full of life and joy, but the title tells it all. She was haunted. There is an element of the supernatural in this book. She is haunted by a dark figure; she feels partly responsible for the death of ...
Publication Date: May 10, 2016
Lake Union PublishingeBook & Paperback;
Genre: Historical Fiction
about the book:
With divine beauty comes dangerous power.
Helen believed she could escape her destiny and save her people from utter destruction. After defying her family and betraying her intended husband, she found peace with her beloved Theseus, the king of Athens and son of Poseidon
But peace did not last long. Cruelly separated from Theseus by the gods, and uncertain whether he will live or die, Helen is forced to return to Sparta. In order to avoid marriage to Menelaus, a powerful prince unhinged by desire, Helen assembles an array of suitors to compete for her hand. As the men circle like vultures, Helen dreams again of war—and of a strange prince, meant to steal her away. Every step she takes to protect herself and her people seems to bring destruction nearer. Without Theseus’s strength to support her, can Helen thwart the gods and stop her nightmare from coming to pass?
My thoughts:
What a fabulous version of what might have happened to Helen.
I love the Iliad. Love everything about the classic novel. Amalia Carosella
has taken everything good about Helen's tale and enhanced it. She's brought
the characters to life. Helen is no squirming little twit, as she's been portrayed
in film, but a strong lead character. I must admit, I see Paris in a different light
after reading this book. I've always thought him a bit of a coward. Well,
thoughts can change.
Amalia gives a voice to those who may have lived so long ago.
I can't subscribe to the idea that THE ILIAD is just a story. For me, it's a real
event. Actual people lived and died in Troy. Crazy, maniacal Agamemnon and
his equally crazy brother Menelaus were real people, in my mind. Ms. Carosella
has brought them to life! She has 'filled in the blanks' left by Homer. I love
the way each character is allowed to speak, we are allowed into the minds
of each character. We see their strengths and weaknesses.
Does everything turn out well for Helen? I'm not going to say. What I will say
is that I really enjoyed this book. Everything fits together. Just don't forget
to read HELEN of SPARTA first!
about the author
Amalia Carosella graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelors degree in Classical Studies and English. An avid reader and former bookseller, she writes about old heroes and older gods. She lives with her husband in upstate New York and dreams of the day she will own goats (and maybe even a horse, too). For more information, visit her blog atwww.amaliacarosella.com. She also writes fantasy and paranormal romance as Amalia Dillin.
Giveaway
To win a $40 Amazon Gift Card, sponsored by Amalia Carosella, please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below.
Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on June 24th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Enter the giveaway here
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