In Case You Missed It - The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Published: May 2002

Publisher: Touchstone

Pages: 661

Summary:  Goodreads

Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots as the king's interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands.

A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart.

Ok history lovers, this one is for you.  The quinessential tale of Henry VIII 2nd wife, Anne Boleyn, written with a deft, hand.   Such a captivating, engrossing tale, that you won't even notice it's over 600 pages long.

Ms Gregory has a history degree and a PhD in Eighteenth Century Literature, so she knows her stuff.  She writes in a way that makes the reader fall into the story and feel as if they are a part of history.  Anne was still basically a teenager when she arrived at court and she was completely manipulated by her family, but she had a strong will and that character trait shows clearly in the story.  It's also a wonderful love story and with the main protagonist being so young, that helps make this title a perfect crossover novel for those teens who enjoy historical novels and are ready to branch out.  Try it, I'm sure you'll love it, and when you do, there's a second volume 'The Boleyn Inheritance', to keep you going.  Highly recommended.

And for those of you who recognise the title, it was the basis for the movie The Other Boleyn Girl with Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson.  The book is better than the movie, just in case you're wondering.