A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir: Book Review

A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir: Book Review

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Alison Weir seamlessly merges two tales of English royal turmoil and runs them side by side, even though they happened many years apart, in a way that shows you just how history seems to repeat itself. These were also some of the darker times in English history, as the youngest and most vulnerable – notably the boy princes Edward and Richard that were locked away never to be seen again.

As for historical accuracy – I can honestly say I don’t know much about the real-life story of these individuals other than the couple paragraphs I read in history class. 

The writing and characters really come to life, and I felt so mad about how the adults treated the younger generation – using them as pawns and political game pieces. It was common then, I know, but Alison Weir really showed me how it might have felt to be used that way. To fall in love and dream of being happy only to know that your life really isn’t your own.

The conflict surrounding the royalty of England is what draws me to the era. And there was definitely conflict here. But there were also softer moments where I really had a chance to enjoy life with the characters before things went crazy again.

I highly recommend Alison Weir’s books – they are always a pleasure to read.

*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*



Title: A Dangerous Inheritance
Author: Alison Weir
Genre: Historical Fiction
Content Rating: PG-13
England’s Tower of London was the terrifying last stop for generations of English political prisoners. A Dangerous Inheritance weaves together the lives and fates of four of its youngest and most blameless: Lady Katherine Grey, Lady Jane’s younger sister; Kate Plantagenet, an English princess who lived nearly a century before her; and Edward and Richard, the boy princes imprisoned by their ruthless uncle, Richard III, never to be heard from again. Across the years, these four young royals shared the same small rooms in their dark prison, as all four shared the unfortunate role of being perceived as threats to the reigning monarch.

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber: Book Review

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber: Book Review

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber

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About The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber

Title: The Crimson Petal and the White
Author: Michel Faber
Genre: Historical Fiction

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber

London, 1870s. At the heart of this panoramic narrative is a young woman’s struggle to lift her body and soul out of the gutter. Sugar, a nineteen-year-old whore in the brothel of the terrifying Mrs. Castaway, yearns for a better life. Her ascent through the strata of Victorian society begins with the egotistical perfume magnate William Rackham. Infatuated with Sugar, William’s patronage brings her into the circles of his family and milieu: his wife who barely overcomes chronic hysteria to make her appearances during “the Season”; his mysteriously hidden-away daughter, left to the care of minions; his pious brother, foiled in his devotional calling by his lust for the Widow Fox; as well as preening socialites, drunken journalists, untrustworthy servants, vile guttersnipes, and whores of all stripes and persuasions.

I picked up The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber after seeing that its form of storytelling debated on librarything.com. It is the story of Sugar the prostitute. Sugar is a reasonably famous specimen, well known for never saying no. And this is the story of how she works to pull herself out of the slums and make a better life for herself.

I was hooked to Sugar’s story within the first chapter and would have read non-stop the entire 900 pages or so if life had allowed me that luxury.

Sugar pulls many people into her life, and actually works to help them whether she realizes it or not. She is the primary “friend” of William Rackham, and she eases herself into his life. This is her first shot to leave her poor life behind her.

While there have been debates about the book and its sexuality and language used. I did not see any descriptions that I would consider to be unnecessarily repulsive. The language used is the language that was actually used in the time period instead of the flowery language that is used in fiction written during the era. I did not detect any scenes where the author used sex for the sake of writing about sex.

Each scene in the book was an important step in Sugar’s journey to her new life, for better or worse. Overall, it was a story that balanced the ups and downs and gave enough detail for the many places and people to bring the book to life.

However, this book should be reserved for a mature reader that can handle the subject matter of prostitutes and sex with respect and an adult attitude.

Pick up your copy today!

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