Book Reviews of The Virgin's Lover

I probably should've read the "prequel", The Queen's Fool, prior to reading this since there were lots of references made. I couldn't really get into this book because quite frankly, the two main women, Elizabeth and Amy Dudley, annoyed me to no end. The book started to read as a broken record esp. with Elizabeth's dialog. Started to pick up at the end, though, as we read more into foreign policy and negotiation (well, I find that stuff interesting). The historic note at the end is really thought provoking.

A very different picture of Amy Dudley than was in the Queen's Fool. Also a very different picture of Queen Elizabeth than most biographies would show. Even so, this was a very enjoyable read and follows right along with Ms. Gregory's historical novels.

I've always heard good things about Gregory's books. This was my 1st one and I have to say I was a little underwhelmed. It was not a bad story, per se, but not the great story that I was expecting.

I was disappointed in the way Queen Elizabeth was portrayed. Gregory shows Elizabeth as an almost weak-willed, indecisive woman ruled by her love of a person she knows she can not not have. She can not make a firm decision about war with France. She's left scandal about her and Dudley to run amok, let her attention stray from matters of state and her safety, since early in her reign it was anything but secure, all for her love of Dudley.. except when Dudley is ready to be her King and not King-Consort, as Phillip was for Queen Mary. And then she was ready to scheme with Cecil to remove him as a love interest and remove any hope Dudley has of becoming her husband and King of England. The switch was too sudden for my taste. In a night's time, she is gone from not being able to function without Dudley to being able to put him aside.

Also, from the jacket cover, the story outline leads you to believe this book is about the issue of Amy's death and the impact it had on the Queen and her court, especially Dudley. This is not even really touched on. Amy didn't die until almost at the very end of the book (her death was on page 410 of about 438 pages of actual story material). The scandal of her death and Elizabeth and Cecil's seemingly forehand knowledge is barely mentioned. As a book that takes place during a period of history that I find very fascinating, I have to say it was not nearly as good as I would have hoped and didn't really explore the aftermath of the scandal in the depth I thought it would.

As always, Philippa Gregory does an oustanding job of showing strengths and weaknesses of the historical characters that, heretofore, one has not seen. I love that she does such a thorough job of researching the individuals, and yet, is able to approach the stories in such a novel light.

This is my first Phillipa Gregory novel and I enjoyed it. She interwines history, suspense, romance, and politics very well. I would recommend this book but I think the blurb at the back of the book is deceiving. It says "When Amy is found dead, Elizabeth and Dudley are suddenly plunged into a struggle for survival." Amy's death happens very late in the book, perhaps with less than 100 pages to go so the conflict between Dudley and Queen Elizabeth ends quite swiftly.

Philippa Gregory is a master at historical fiction from the Henry XIII era. The Virgin's Lover is not quite as good as the Other Boleyn Girl, but is worth the read. I recommend you read the Other Boleyn before the movie comes out this summer!

This is my sixth Gregory novel. It was probably my least favorite to date. It was hard to like the characters. Dudley, while likeable in The Queen's Fool, was not so endearing in this book. Elizabeth came across as a weak and selfish woman. William Cecil was a likeable character. Overall, I finished it and I'll throw out a book in the first few chapters if I don't like it. Gregory is a remarkable writer.

This is one of Gregory's better ones. I'm fascinated by the relationship between Elizabeth and Robert Dudley and she did a wonderful job with this historical fiction set in the English Tudor era. The writing isn't as repetitious as her other books, such as The Queen's Fool.

I enjoyed this book as I have all of Philippa Gregory's books. I know Elizabeth became queen at a very young age, but I have a hard time reconciling the the dithering lovesick fool of this book with the woman who ruled as long as she did and brought a country into prosperity from the brink of bankruptcy. I also think that she could be impulsive enough to promise marriage to Dudley in such an irrevokable way on a whim, but to allow him to order her around seems odd. I am ready to read something of the transformation to her adult power. Cecil could save her from folly only so long.

None of Gregory's books measure up to The Other Boleyn Girl. It took me a long time to finish this book and the only reason I did was because I knew a bit about Dudley's wife's death and I wanted to see how Gregory spun that. The aftermath of the death though is far more interesting than what came before it in Gregory's story however, and I fear that Gregory was trying to get two books out of what should have been one--and probably would have been as compelling as the Other Boleyn Girl if she written it all as one story. Apparently, Gregory is now in the same class as King and Gaboldon--no one has balls enough to actually edit them.

Another good P. Gregory book. The story revolved around Robert Dudley (same character from The Queen's Fool) and his love affair with Queen Elizabeth. I found Elizabeth to be more whimpy then I expected. Besot over Dudley, she seemed not to be the woman that we saw glimpses of in the other P. Gregory books leading up to this one. But P. Gregory did great with Amy's character, she made you want Amy, Dudley's wife, to triumph.

Of the books I've read in the series so far, this is my least favorite. It is more of a romance than a history, but it is good to read if you want to round out the series. Elizabeth, of course, is awe-inspiring. To read the series in chronological order, read as follows: TCP, TOBG, TBI, TQF, TVL, and TOQ (The Other Queen will be available in September, 2008).

This is my second Gregory and while this one is not as good as The Other Boleyn Girl, it is still very good. It covers a lot more of the political side than TOBG does, so if you are interested in that aspect, you will enjoy this. The story is intriguing and the last 200 pages or so are very gripping. The characterization of the three main characters leaves a little to be desired though. This is defintely one of those that you would have to read for youself to judge for yourself. I can't really say that you will either love it or hate it, but it will definitely make you think.

My first Gregory. Enjoyed it very much and it has led to the others...

One of Gregory's best. If you love Queen Elizabeth, you'll enjoy this saucy romp.

I truly truly loved this book, very well written and very enjoyable to read!

The story of England under the Tudors is fascinating, complex and confusing. The Virgin's Lover takes the story of young Queen Elizabeth I and untangles much of the web. It is the story of her relationship with Robert Dudley and all the intricate twists.

Another great book from Philippa Gregory!!

She's got the history down but man Gregory makes you want to strangle the queen!

I love this author, almost better than The Other Boleyn Girl

Forgettable is one word for this book. It is definitely overshadowed by it's sister books, 'The Othr Boleyn Girl' and 'The Constant Princess'.

Great for those who love historical fiction!

This historical novel is my favorite by Gregory because, as a historian, I resent the absence of political/military history in many of her historical novels. I read them all anyway, they're my guilty pleasure, but I felt no guilt when reading this book.

The Virgin's Love has a much darker tone than the rest of Gregory's work, but still has the same story elements -- good historical research, political intrigue, lively characters -- that make her novels so enjoyable. In fact, the dark tone is half the pleasure here... every character is pretty despicable and willing to do terrible things for personal and political gain. By the end, the reader is left asking themselves, "How far will they go!?"

Another great book by Gregory. Good indepth look at their relationship and how rocky it was.

For me, this was not as good as The Queen's Fool and The Other Boelyn Girl. I am reading these books in chronological order instead of the order in which they were written. I only have The Other Queen left to read. Philippa Gregory is very talented and can weave a masterful story built on sometimes scant historical facts. Just take a deep breath, remember it's fiction, and enjoy it for the taudry romp that it is!

It's so insane to read a about a time that women just couldn't do anything that they wished. As you read this, you realize that royalty, in order to remain royal had to do some crazy stuff. It makes you wonder what the world would be like today, if so many horrifying decisions weren't made in order to keep one person on a thrown...

Excellent, well written story.

Another winner from Philippa Gregory. Can't wait to finish the series.

Another great Phillippa Gragoy book.

I couldn't get into this one. Really enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl but gave up on this one a third of the way through.

I love Philippa Gregory, but this was one of my least favorites. Could be the abundance of Elizabeth I books/movies now. Entertaining, but forgettable.

I suppose that I read this book with great bias because I love history, and I love any story dealing with Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley. I could not put this book down. Philippa Gregory's story is well researched and paints a very colorful picture of life in the court of the young Queen and her struggle to gather respect and maintain power. I absolutely loved it! Genny

Great book if you like historical fiction. I typically don't like pre 1970 fiction but Philippa Gregory is an exceptional writer. A quick read but you might need a dictionary to understand some of the 16th century vocabulary that isn't in use today.

I love Philippa Gregory, but this one was my leat favorite of all the ones I have read so far.

wonderful reading. I couldn't put it down.

Another great read by Philippa Gregory! I suggest reading "Queen's Fool" prior to this book.

I loved this book! Though admittedly I'm already someone who thoroughly enjoys reading about Elizabethan history... I thought the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Dudley was a fascinating exploration of a power play during the 1500s. Especially like how Gregory weaves fact with fiction to create a believable story. My only problem with this book is that it was too short! It only covers the first few years of Elizabeth's reign, and I would have loved to read more about Dudley and Elizabeth in later years, after she decided not to marry anyone. Still, I have not been disappointed with this author yet. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

You don't even need to know too much about history to enjoy this one!

interesting take on history offers some insights into mindset of the time by portraying facts as they were popularly believed rather then as they actually occured.

Greaty author and great story.

Good read!

As Good or better that all of her other books!

A story of Elizabethan history with portraits of Elizabeth I, Sir Robert Dudley and all the machinations of the royal court.

Not as good as the previous 2 but still a page turner!

Queen Elizabeth rules England now, but what she wants she can't have. A married man, Robert Dudley.

Again Philipa Gregory does an extraordinary job are telling the story of Queen Elizabeth.

Great royal intrigue and drama. Philippa Gregory does indeed know how to make historical charcters jump to life.

If you like Elizabethan history this is a great piece of fiction with lots of facts woven into the story.

Not her best work (for me, The Other Boleyn Girl was far and away the best), but I still enjoyed reading it.

This book is interesting, and different. It brings you to another mysterious and unadventured world.

This historical romance captures the beginning days of Queen Elizabeths 1's reign. Colorful and romantic.

Great book if you're a history buff.

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