I sthis ok for a 13 yr old? how is it on sexual/violence/language content?thanks

It's been a few years since I read it but from what I remember the sex, while not as detailed and graphic as it could be, was more than I was comfortable with letting my daughter read at the time (she was 14).  I finally let her read it last year (at 16).  It may somewhat depend on the child as well.

My biggest concern would be more one of subject matter - these are pretty adult type themes we're dealing with here. There's heavy handed treatment of parents to their children; manipulation; flirting for selfish, self-centered purposes; jealousy; lots of sexual tension & innuendo, even if it's not real graphic & I believe there are some fairly explicit scenes. There is also a graphic scene given in far more detail than necessary about a miscarriage that Anne Boleyn has - and the fetus is deformed and grotesque - not good stuff. And then there's the implied incest and I believe some aspects of homosexual activity.

So, actually, probably not a book for a 13 year old ... :-\

Is the 13 year old in question interested in this book in particular or is it more of a general Tudor / English historical fiction interest?

Actually just general Tudor / English historical fiction interest-we have all the Alison Weir books for her and had heard about this book.

Kim,

You might investigate a book called The Queen's Handmaiden, by Jennifer Ashley. This is a book about Kat Ashley, a long-standing servant of Elizabeth's. As I recall, it is a nice story, full of the background of the court, a bit of the politics surrounding Elizabeth, and a good cast of supporting characters. Violence, sexual innuendo & descriptions are kept to a minimum and language is all fine. While it wasn't a favorite of mine, at the time I read it, I remember thinking, this could probably be appropriate for a teen-ager.

However, in following Daphne's point, these are decisions for parents to make based on their own child's experiences, personality, sensitivities, maturity level, etc.

Other authors you might explore are Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt (and one of her pseudonyms - Jean Plaidy). These are authors who launched my life-long love for historical fiction a b'zillion years ago (and my daughter's - just a mere 12 years ago). :-D

In fact, My Enemy the Queen (Victoria Holt) remains one of my daughter's all-time favorite books.

Has she read the Alison Weir books yet?

I recently read one called The Secret Diary of Anne Boelyn by Robin Maxell, and I don't recall it being graphic at all.

I agree, the Jean Plaidy books and another series of six books about each wife - I can see their covers in my head but I have no idea who wrote them, started my Historical Fiction thing, and I was younger than your daughter. Another idea is Margaret George's Autobiography of Henry VIII

Two excellent books about Anne Boleyn are The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy (in most bookstores) and The Concubine by Norah Lofts (available thru Amazon) and they are very G/PG rated.

thank you so much-wonderful suggestions and so helpful