The Last Boleyn by Karen Harper

Author: Karen Harper
ISBN: 0-307-23790-7
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Three River Press.

"She Survived Her Own Innocence, and the Treachery of Europe’ s Royal Courts Greed, lust for power, sex, lies, secret marriages, religious posturing, adultery, beheadings, international intrigue, jealousy, treachery, love, loyalty, and betrayal." The Last Boleyn" tells the story of the rise and fall of the Boleyns, one of England’ s most powerful families, through the eyes of the eldest daughter, Mary. Although her sister, Anne, the queen; her brother, George, executed alongside Anne; and her father, Thomas, are most remembered by history, Mary was the Boleyn who set into motion the chain of events that brought about the family’ s meteoric rise to power, as well as the one who managed to escape their equally remarkable fall. Sent away to France at an extraordinarily young age, Mary is quickly plunged into the dangerous world of court politics, where everything is beautiful but deceptive, and everyone she meets is watching and quietly manipulating the events and people around them. As she grows into a woman, Mary must navigate both the dangerous waters ruled by two kings and the powerful will of her own family in order to find a place for herself and the love she so deeply desires."

I was given this book by a good friend who had introduced me to Philippa Gregory. Having loved The other Boleyn Girl by Philippa, I soon found myself a fan of Historical fiction.
I was hoping that this book would be as good as TOBG, and I am happy to say I loved this book.

This novel is about Mary Carey's (Boleyn) life, it begins when she is a child sent of to live in the French court, how she is used there. She is then sent to live at the English court, and finds herself Mistress of the King while she is married to William Carey. While at court she finds true love with a William Stafford.

There are three main characters in this book, Mary, her father Thomas Boleyn and William Stafford. It is about her life, how she is used by her father and how William Stafford (Staff) is her one true love. So you don't get a good insight into Anne Boleyn's life. However, this didn't ruin the book for me, as I loved reading about Mary, and how she and Staff got together and how her life turned out. I have to say Karen Harper made Staff sound irresistible and sexy! I would love to see this book made into a movie.

I will definitely be looking for more books by this autthor.

My Verdict; A great book!