by Alison Weir
First published 2011
Mary Boleyn moves through the glittering yet dangerous world of Tudor court life. She catches the eye of King Henry VIII and becomes his mistress, possibly bearing him two children. Her influence extends beyond England's borders when rumors link her romantically to Francis I of France, Henry's powerful rival. Mary watches her sister Anne rise to become queen, knowing the precarious nature of royal favor. She must balance her own survival with her family's ambitions while navigating the deadly politics that surround the throne. The story reveals a woman who wielded considerable power behind the scenes, challenging the scandalous reputation that history has assigned to her. Mary's life unfolds as a complex tale of passion, politics, and the price of proximity to absolute power.
Genres: historical-fiction, historical-romance, biography-memoir, historical-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: court-intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-romance
Setting: Tudor England, France
Period: 16th Century
364 pages · Hardcover · Ballantine Books