Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey

Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for nine days at the age of fifteen before being executed for treason, narrates her story beginning at age nine. Unloved by her parents, young Jane had an unhappy and lonely childhood. Sent to court at age nine, she finally gained happiness as a maid of honor to Queen Katharine, wife of King Henry VIII. After the king dies, Jane remains a member of Katharine's household, but even that happiness is lost when Katharine dies in childbirth after remarrying.

Returning home, Jane must once again endure her parents' cruelty, as they scheme to arrange a marriage for her that will bring them wealth and power. But when the young King Edward, Jane's beloved cousin, dies, Jane is unprepared for how far they show more will go. Staunch Protestants, Jane's parents are determined that Edward's Catholic half-sister Mary will not become queen -- and so they force their daughter to accept the crown of England in a plot that is doomed to failure.

This was an excellent historical novel for teens that tells the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey. I was really looking forward to reading this book, because I love historical novels about royalty, and Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors. I am happy to say I am not disappointed at all. Ann Rinaldi brings Jane to life as an intelligent girl, observant and wise beyond her years, who against her will became a pawn in a power struggle she wanted no part in. This makes the inevitably sad ending even more tragic. Teen readers who are interested in the Tudor era, or who enjoy historical fiction, should definitley read this book. show less

I had freckles.

I had sandy hair. I was too short.

Would my feet even touch the ground if I sat on the throne?

These are the words of lady Jane Grey, as imagined by celebrated author Ann Rinaldi. Jane would become Queen of England for only nine days before being beheaded at the age of sixteen.

Here is a breathtaking story of English royalty with its pageantry, privilege, and surprising cruelty. As she did in her previous novel Mutiny's Daughter, Ms. Rinaldi uses powerful, evocative writing to bring to life a teenage girl caught in the grip of stirring times

A quick read regarding my favorite topic -- The Tudor period of England's history.

Lady Jane Grey is a figure to be admired and pitied. As a young child she was, by today's standards, emotionally and physically abused by her parents. The granddaughter of King Henry VIII's sister, Jane was fifth in line for the throne.

When Henry's sickly son Edward died, Edward's half sister Mary was the rightful successor. Tragically, Lady Jane was used as a political pawn by the powerful Dudley faction and was crowned instead of Mary.

Inheriting a title and role she did not covet, sadly, her 15 year life was ended when her cousin Mary was able to rightfully gain the throne.

Simplistically written with a lot of accurate historical detail, this is a book show more recommended for those who are not familiar with the Tudor period. show less

Related on her mother's side to the Tudors, Lady Jane Grey is nine years old when her parents begin using her to further their ambitions. She becomes lady-in-waiting and companion to Henry VIII's latest wife, Katherine Parr. When King Henry dies, Katherine marries the beau of the court and her long-time love, Sir Thomas Seymour - brother, and rival, of the Lord Protector of young Edward. They take her to live with them and to betroth her to a young nobleman. As the politics and powerplays change, Jane finds herself betrothed to different powerful families until she finally marries the spoiled Guildford Dudley.

Upon King Edward's early death, 16 year old Jane is once again subject to the machinations of her parents and her father-in-law show more who conspire to put her on the throne. She lasts a bare nine days before Queen Mary returns, and Jane suffers a traitor's fate in the Tower.

A good historical novel that focuses more on Jane's life of privilege, but as a pawn. Jane is in the thick of the politics and the important persons - friends to royals, ward of nobles, and related to royalty herself - of the time. She is a studious, intelligent girl who does not want the throne, but finds herself executed for the ambitions of others. It is simply told, and some prior knowledge of the history is necessary to really understand what's going on, but it is a good, relatable account of the life of a young girl caught up in the politics of the Tudors.

Good, though a little simple even for a young adult novel. It might be nice if the historical note set up the situation more and if there was some sort of explanation of how everyone was related. show less

An intelligently written young adult novel about the tragically short of Lady Jane Gray, who was thrust on the throne of England for nine days after the death of King Edward VI. She was undoubtedly a silly young girl, but she also didn't deserve to be beheaded.

The brief life of Lady Jane Grey, who came to the English throne at 15 years old, and reigned for a mere 9 days.

Rinaldi creates an innocent, sympathetic character in Lady Jane. Lady Jane's life is a romantic tale of misery and woe. Even until the moment of her death, the former queen never gives up believing in the best of people, especially her cousin, Queen Mary. Lady Jane's innocence is both irksome and endearing, and creates a tragic heroine whose death I mourn.

A quick read about the life of Lady Jane Grey--which, apart from the subject matter, would not have held my interest. Rinaldi does well in giving you an idea of how the life of a noble, particularly a child, could be far from her own control despite the powers she held. However the author did not successfully capture the voice or thoughts of a child or teenager. Readable...but probably not more than once.