To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn

Historically Anne Boleyn has been portrayed as a man-eating woman who manipulated a king.  But what if that is not all together true? This novel puts a more favorable light on Anne Boleyn and is based on the historical facts of this dramatic period of time.

I really enjoyed this book, which is told through a childhood friend of Anne's, Meg Wyatt. As Anne enters court and grabs the attention of King Henry XIII Meg follows and tells Anne's story, along side her own. The loyalty of their friendship is tested throughout the novel, in good times and in bad.

Meg and her first love also experience a romance throughout the book, which I thought was very sweet.

I loved the way this author intertwined fact and fiction. Her style of writing was also a treat to read and brought me right into the courts of 16th century England.

This period of time has always fascinated me. Especially the reformation which was going on in full strength during King Henry XIII's reign. I find  Anne Boleyn's part in it very interesting and have often wondered if she was sincere in her promotion of reform within the Church. Even after she was queen she continued to fight for the cause. Why would she do that and risk her life? I believe there is so much more to this story that we may never know, at least not in this lifetime.

This novel was very well done and if you are interested in this period of time and its history, I think you'll enjoy it too. At the end of the book the author gives some "principal works of reference" about the life of Anne Boleyn, which caught my attention and I'm definitely going to look into.

Also if you are interested in the reformers of this time, some of which Sandra Bryd includes in this novel, I would highly recommend a book called  "Foxe's Book of Martyrs." Each chapter is dedicated to a reformer of the faith and tells his or her story. Reformers like Martin Luther, William Tyndale and John Wycliffe. It was written by John Foxe in the 16th century.

Lastly I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series called "The Secret Keeper" which is about Katherine Parr, King Henry XIII's last wife, who had her own part in the reformation.