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 Anne and believes the dark figure might be Anne herself. We can't possibly know if Anne haunted Jane, but I personally believe Anne Boleyn to be enough of a scheming witch to be just the kind of person who would haunt her replacement.
This was a fantastic book to read. I am enjoying Alison Weir's series, and look forward to the next book. I anxiously await Anna of Kleve's story. While I loved reading about Jane Seymour, Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon, it's Anna of Kleve I can't wait to learn about!
5 + teacups
If you like Tudor history, you will love this story. I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of Jane's story. Don't forget Alison Weir's previous two books in the Six Tudor Queens series:
