The Last Tudor

Mary Grey is The Last Tudor. She is a dwarf, but she knows even this does not keep her safe from the jealousy and madness of Queen Elizabeth. Mary has already witnessed the death of her sister, Jane, who was put on the throne against her will and then executed for it when Queen Mary took it back. When Queen Mary died, it did not mean that the Grey family was safe. Mary also had to watch as her sister Katherine was imprisoned in the Tower of London for marrying for love since Queen Elizabeth could not marry hers. Mary Grey has now also defied her Queen in marrying her love without the Queen’s permission. She, too, faces possible imprisonment for life based on one woman’s whims and jealousies because the Greys are heirs to her throne and Elizabeth will do whatever it takes to stay in power.

I think the first Philippa Gregory book I ever read was The Other Boleyn Girl, and I was immediately hooked. I have always been fascinated with that period in history, and Ms. Gregory brings those characters to life. You can’t help but be completely immersed. The author shows you how it was a blessing and a curse to be born into the royal family. If you were in favor, you enjoyed immense pleasure and wealth. But the faintest whisper of disdain for your royal family could mean death for treason. You also had to worry about others plotting against you or for you–either one could end in your death. Not to mention just having to worry about dying from consumption or the plague.

Ms. Gregory’s books tend to be a bit on the long side, but she does cover a lot of ground, and once you are in it, you hardly notice. If you are a fan of Philippa’s books or of the Elizabethan period, I would highly recommend that you read this lastest installment in her Tudor series.