Category: Book Critic

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The White Princess (The Cousins’ War #5) by Philippa Gregory

by The Lit Bitch6 Comments on Review: The White Princess (The Cousins’ War #5) by Philippa Gregory

Red rose. White rose. Lancaster. York. The War of the Roses is a widely known period in history.

The war ended with the marriage of Henry Tudor to his York bride, Elizabeth of York….the Union Rose bloomed in England as a new symbol of unity, but there were still a number of subjects who wished to see a White Rose on the throne.

Elizabeth of York was not in love with Henry Tudor…not in the least. In fact she was in love with Richard III and has been his lover for a number of years.

After his death, she learned she was to marry Henry instead to ensure a symbolic union between an old house and a new monarchy.

She vows to do her duty to her family, but when she meets Henry for the first time, he has other designs. He intends to get her with child first before they marry and he refuses to crown her his queen until she had produced a male heir.

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Never List by Koethi Zan

by The Lit Bitch4 Comments on Review: The Never List by Koethi Zan

Every girl has a list of ‘nevers’ that they follow to keep themselves safe.

Never walk to your car alone late at night. Never accept an open drink from a men you don’t know. Never get into cars with strangers. Never, never, never.

Everyone’s never list is bound to be different. For me the cardinal rule is never get into a car with strangers and that is the same rule that best friends Sarah and Jennifer violate one fateful night.

Sarah and Jennifer have a lengthy list of ‘nevers’ that range from avoiding natural disasters, to avoiding rape and kidnapping. Their never list has served them well all the way up into college until one night they decide to take a cab.

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Queen’s Rivals by Brandy Purdy

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What can I say about Lady Jane Grey that hasn’t already been said?  Everyone knows the story of Lady Jane Grey. If you don’t know her story, she is known in history as the Nine Days Queen.

If you aren’t familiar with this woman’s story then you should really read up on it. The Tudor era is filled with all kinds of fascinating women, Lady Jane Grey being one of them.

Jane did have two sisters, Katherine and Mary Grey who don’t live on in history as infamously as Jane does though which is why this book really appealed to me.

Told through the eyes of the youngest sister, Mary, we learn all about the early lives and difficulties of the Grey sisters. I felt bad for the Grey sisters, they were simply born into the wrong family so to speak.

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Review: The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton

by The Lit Bitch4 Comments on Review: The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton

The exotic flavor of the east is resonating and glowing off every page of this novel!

In sixth century Constantinople there is a woman who will change history.

A woman who comes from nothing, rising above numerous struggles to become one of the most powerful women in the Roman Empire.

Theodora’s family isn’t exactly wealthy. Her father trains bears and her mother is an actress and dancer.

Though they aren’t completely destitute, money isn’t exactly in abundance but they are managing.

That is until Theodora’s father dies. Next thing she knows, they are penniless. Soon, she is faced with starving on the street. Theodora vows to not let this happen. She will do whatever it takes to survive by any means possible.

If that means prostitution or taking to the stage–she will do it. Whatever it takes.

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann

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New York City has always been known for its diversity and innovation. It’s a city in a perpetual state of movement and change.

In a little shop in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, vintage clothing store owner, Amanda, finds her life in utter chaos.

She is about to turn thirty nine, no children and no husband….in fact she is actually having a long standing affair with a married man.

Not to mention she is on the brink of financial ruin. But rather than do anything about her sorry state, she is more or less ignoring it all together.

Amanda gets a call from an older woman who is dying of cancer and would like to sell some clothes on consignment. When Amanda arrives at the she finds some great merchandise to take back to her store, tons of clothes from a variety of modern decades but what she doesn’t bargain for is an Edwardian era trunk full of delicate antique clothing.

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