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  • The Favored Queen

  • A Novel of Henry VIII's Third Wife
  • By: Carolly Erickson
  • Narrated by: Kate Reading
  • Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (27 ratings)
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The Favored Queen cover art

The Favored Queen

By: Carolly Erickson
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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Summary

From The New York Times bestselling author of The Last Wife of Henry VIII comes a powerful and moving novel about Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, who married him only days after the execution of Anne Boleyn and ultimately lost her own life in giving him the son he badly needed to guarantee the Tudor succession

Born into an ambitious noble family, young Jane Seymour is sent to Court as a Maid of Honor to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's aging queen. She is devoted to her mistress and watches with empathy as the calculating Anne Boleyn contrives to supplant her as queen. Anne's single-minded intriguing threatens all who stand in her way; she does not hesitate to arrange the murder of a woman who knows a secret so dark that, if revealed, would make it impossible for the king to marry Anne.

Once Anne becomes queen, no one at court is safe, and Jane herself becomes the victim of Anne's venomous rage when she suspects Jane has become the object of the king's lust. Henry, fearing that Anne's inability to give him a son is a sign of divine wrath, asks Jane to become his next queen. Deeply reluctant to embark on such a dangerous course, Jane must choose between her heart and her loyalty to the king.

Acclaimed biographer and bestselling novelist Carolly Erickson weaves another of her irresistible historical entertainments about the queen who finally gave Henry VIII his longed for heir, set against the excitement and danger of the Tudor Court.

©2011 Carolly Erickson (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A delectable serving of Tudor dish.” —Kirkus Reviews

What listeners say about The Favored Queen

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good book poor narration

The book itself was good however the narrator got on my nerves so much could not finish listening to it and bought the book to read myself.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A 'nice' story

Would you listen to The Favored Queen again? Why?

It wasn't an 'edge of your seat' sort of book, so I don't think I will listen to it again, but it was an interesting idea and well written so I am glad I listened to it once.

Which character – as performed by Kate Reading – was your favourite?

The main character and biggest voice in this book was Jane herself, and Kate Reading did a very good job capturing her essence.

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to read a book about Jane Seymour. She wasn't the most dramatic of Henry VIII's wives and so there are very little historical fiction books based on her. Listening to the book you can kind of see why - she doesn't make a stir or rock the boat, just sits in the background and observes some of the more exciting stories relating to Henry's queens.

From the little there was to work with, Carolly Erickson did a great job. The book was well written and I was interested by her interpretation of Jane's character and life. It was a 'nice' little tale but overall this book is not edge of your seat stuff, more middle of the road. However, it was interesting and performed well and so I am glad I listened to it.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Left me Dissapointed..

Nothing is favourite or favoured about jane Seymour in this book. I much prefer other versions where she was loved by henry. this paints her as a wanton woman. and all interactions between jane and henry are him scolding her or them arguing. The book does flow in places , but it also tripped up in other places, I just felt it was too jumpy missing too much out that is well known. in not putting in well-known history surrounding these two, it leaves it flat and non convincing. I didn't mind the reader at all and felt she did a good reading. The story just wasn't there for me, and im left feeling quite disappointed. I wouldn't recommend this much better books about Jane.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

twas good

Well I liked it, that is if you want to take but a humble strangers opinion

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very good

The story is interesting and well narrated. It's historically accurate enough to make it credible and with enough creativity to make it entertaining.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

A credit wasted.

Dreadful story. Inaccurate historically. Don't waste your money. Stick to the Philippa Gregory novels, at least they have been researched.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Waste of a credit

Very disappointing

Historically inaccurate which ruined book and was very disappointing. I'm aware authors have license to change details to aid story but cannot see point. Shame. Don't buy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

great story. entertaining.

Enjoyed this story and the twists put in it by the author's imagination.
The ending was very touching.

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