Take a photo of a barcode or cover
moonlunatik's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved how the relationship between Elizabeth and Dudley is portrayed. Their friendship as well as their love were beautiful and it made them feel very human.
jeniecegoellner's review against another edition
2.0
I received a ARC of this book as a giveaway from Goodreads.com.
The novel started off well. The story of Elizabeth and Lord Robert Dudley was very intriguing. As was seeing a psychological take on why Elizabeth wasn't keen on marriage.
But that is where my good words end. After the initial interest died, all that was left was repetitive story telling. I get it, she strung along all of her suitors and council on whether she was going to accept a proposal or not. At first I thought her craft of dragging it our was impressive, but then it got old and tiring. And that is all the book was about, her dancing around marriage, specifically with Lord Robert.
The flow of the novel just didn't feel right either. There were points where scene changes were not clearly defined. So unfortunately what started as a nice book, just fell flat and stale by the end.
The novel started off well. The story of Elizabeth and Lord Robert Dudley was very intriguing. As was seeing a psychological take on why Elizabeth wasn't keen on marriage.
But that is where my good words end. After the initial interest died, all that was left was repetitive story telling. I get it, she strung along all of her suitors and council on whether she was going to accept a proposal or not. At first I thought her craft of dragging it our was impressive, but then it got old and tiring. And that is all the book was about, her dancing around marriage, specifically with Lord Robert.
The flow of the novel just didn't feel right either. There were points where scene changes were not clearly defined. So unfortunately what started as a nice book, just fell flat and stale by the end.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth has ascended to the throne of England but she is not yet married. Her council and the country all feel that a woman cannot possibly rule on her own and that the succession needs to be guaranteed through marriage and the begetting of children. However Elizabeth nurses a secret from her young, abused and taken advantage of by her stepfather, and having seen two of her stepmothers die in childbirth she is terrified of sex and its consequences. In addition the only man she lusts after is already married and a choice of partner unacceptable to all, Robert Dudley. Whilst not keen on the idea of marriage Elizabeth allows the council and the courts of Europe to put forward suitors for her hand - this is the Marriage Game.
Alison Weir is an erudite scholar of the late middle ages and Tudor period and she has only relatively recently turned to writing fiction. This book is rich in period history, knowledge of life, politics and social mores is very much to the front. The imagined dialogue is less so and therefore although very good, this book was also a bit of a struggle!
Alison Weir is an erudite scholar of the late middle ages and Tudor period and she has only relatively recently turned to writing fiction. This book is rich in period history, knowledge of life, politics and social mores is very much to the front. The imagined dialogue is less so and therefore although very good, this book was also a bit of a struggle!
rulubear's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alexisdpatt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“The Marriage Game” by Alison Weir ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Marriage Game” follows the reign of Elizabeth I from her accession in 1558 to the death of her beloved Robin, the Earl of Leicester, in 1588 and all the personal and political drama that ensues along the way.
Having previously read her monograph on Elizabeth I, this was the first time I’ve read Weir’s fiction and I must say that she is a delight. Her characterization of Elizabeth in her adult years is absolutely brilliant and everything I’ve ever wanted. Cate Blanchett eat your heart out.
The political push and pull of the marriage game and the control for England during this period and the lack of knowing and understanding Elizabeth’s PTSD in regards to men as well her views on how marriage has lead to nothing but death and sorrow is such an interesting topic to explore from a modern perspective. Giving Elizabeth a voice in this regard really does the woman justice and I love Weir for it.
My only criticism of the novel is that I wish there was a bit more development for Robert Dudley, given that his and Elizabeth’s love affair is the central part of this narrative. That said, his inability to be empathetic and understanding her feelings towards marriage and sex does play into his strengths at the beginning of the novel but I wish there has been some more introspection on his part by the end. Either way, the whole last two chapters had me sobbing because I can’t help being a romantic and just wishing that these two kids could have been together. 😭😭
“The Marriage Game” is technically the second book in a duology about Elizabeth so you best bet that I will be listening to “The Lady Elizabeth” soon enough.
rinareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jsawyers1623's review against another edition
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - What I see as being the main strength of this novel is the characterisation, because it really gives a sense of the torture that Elizabeth suffered (assuming she did) in her complicated relationship with Robert Dudley, and the question of whether or not she should marry at all, whether it would be to the detriment of her country. The use of the surviving historical evidence is also well-handled, making use of what we know was said, and what we can surmise.
Genre? - Historical / Drama / Romance
Characters? - Elizabeth I / Mary, Queen of Scots / Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester / Lettice Dudley, Countess of Leicester / Katherine Knollys, Lady Knollys / Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex / Lord Darnley / William Cecil, Baron Burghley
Setting? - London, Hatfield and Kenilworth (England)
Series? - N/A
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 16/20
Genre? - Historical / Drama / Romance
Characters? - Elizabeth I / Mary, Queen of Scots / Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester / Lettice Dudley, Countess of Leicester / Katherine Knollys, Lady Knollys / Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex / Lord Darnley / William Cecil, Baron Burghley
Setting? - London, Hatfield and Kenilworth (England)
Series? - N/A
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 16/20
nrhayes16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0