I'm adding this book because I adore most of Gregory's other books, but absolutely despised this one. It's rare, if ever, that I am unable to finish a book. I struggled through 3/4 of this before I finally said "that's it! I can't take this anymore!". Horrible writing, completely unsympathetic characters, plot holes galore. Hated it. ( )

Wow. This book was severely disappointing. I've read many of Gregory's more recent works (most of her Tudor series for instance) and found them very enjoyable, if a little fluffy.

This work however, has very few redeeming features. As many other reviews have noted, the main character in intensely unlikeable. I don't actually find this to be a problem; I'm quite happy for her to be as awful as she is. The problem is, Gregory never fills her out. Alys acts appallingly but there is never sufficent explanation or motivation and her behaviour throughout the book, particularly at the end, feels forced.

The dialogue in this book is terrible. Aside from the incredibly unhistorical phrasing (which I am willing to forgive if it aids comprehension for modern readers - though is it really necessary for the male lead to describe Alys as "hot"?) the interaction between the characters feels forced and unnatural. Characters frequently make non sequitur statements as if there was something Gregory needs them to say, but she couldn't work out how to turn the dialogue in that direction.

I must say that this book does not encourage me to go back and read more of Gregory's back catalogue. I don't mind my historical fiction being fluffy and generically written, but there's no excuse for such poor writing and a complete lack of understanding for your own characters! ( )

I love her "Other Boleyn Girl" and liked the other books in that series, so I thought I'd branch out to her other historical fiction.

I found this really disappointing. I have read other books with dislikable characters (eg "Talented Mr Ripley") and books with lots of sex (eg "The Reader") in the past and liked them, but this I just could not like. There are lots of very graphic sex scenes, all quite violent, reading them made me quite uncomfortable especially in so much detail. I didn't feel it was relevant to the plot either, for the most part - it could have been cut out or edited to just the women gossiping the next day, rather than leaving it as full erotica! The main character is pretty awful as well - very selfish. I was really disappointed with this book and it's not one I'd recommend. ( )

After Catholocism becomes outlawed under England's Henry VIII, a convent in northern England is looted and burned. Alys, a young nun, manages to escape undetected and flees to the decrepit home of Morach, the local wise woman who had once taken her in as an abandoned infant. Alys reluctantly resumes her training with Morach, and as their reputation for healing grows, Alys is summoned to heal the aging local lord, who decides to keep her on as his clerk upon discovering her education. Thus begins Alyns' ill-fated entanglement with the local ruling family.

Gregory's weakness in her earlier novels is clearly the unlikability of her heroines. While I felt some sympathy for Alys early on, by the book's midpoint I began to feel she deserved her misfortunes. ( )

Another gripping read by Philippa Gregory. The central character begins as a nun, but turns to witchcraft to secure her freedom. If found out she would be killed for being either due to the religious climate during the time the book is set.

She uses a combination of her feminine charms and witchcraft to seduce the young lord of the house and displace his wife. She wants the security of marrying him and never having to lack comfort again. However, it turns out it can never happen despite her being pregnant carrying his child.

Quite a graphic tale in places. There is a scene where the young lords wife is due to give birth, but all that comes out is wax because of a spell cast upon her. Disturbing, but I still enjoyed it and would read more by Gregory. ( )