Book Review: Doomed Queen Anne

Though born without great beauty, wealth, or title, Anne Boleyn blossomed into a captivating woman. She used her wiles to win the heart of England's most powerful man, King Henry VIII, and persuade him to defy everyone--including his own wife--to make her his new queen. But Anne's ambition was her fatal flaw. This is the true story of the girl everyone loved to hate.


It's been almost two years now since I completed this Young Adult novel which first introduced me to Anne Boleyn, now probably my hero. Meant for younger audiences, only naturally the story could not capture every element of Anne's notoriously 'mature' tale, but otherwise from start to finish all important events of her life were either told or interpreted succinctly. I loved how the character Anne and the world around her were truly brought to life; as she matures, Anne becomes more and more but a pawn to her family. It is only when she captures the heart of Henry VIII that Anne can make decisions of her own, decisions that will make or break her.

Anne is portrayed as a sharp girl of wit, elegance, and eloquence, virtuous and yet willing to break the rules; she is adventurous and seductive yet perfectly chaste, and every minute of the story she tells is one enjoyed. I would highly recommend this to one with no idea whatsoever about Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII, the six wives or Tudor England in general: it's a great, simple place to start.

Statistics
Pages: 230
Publisher: Scholastic
Year Published: 2004
Kylie's Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛/♛♛♛♛♛ (5/5 stars)