Interestingly imagined tale which veers wildly from the recorded facts at times. I'm interested in Grace O'Malley now that I've read this fictionalized tale, and I'm planning to find other, more true-to-life biographies. ( )

I started out this book knowing virtually nothing about the history of Ireland – I knew there had been fights with the English, trying to take over Ireland as it tried to take over so much of this world – but beyond that, very little. This novel did a great job of pulling me in with the Tudor world we are all so familiar with, and then throws you right into the middle of the Irish rebellion and Grace’s story.

To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=1486 ( )

Sigh. I knew this one wasn't going to really please me when notorious pirate Grace O'Malley, en route to an audience with Gloriana, the Virgin Queen, thought of her as "the first Elizabeth." Right there on Page One. Klunk. How careless, I thought. Isn't the editor paying attention? How would Grace have known there would be another Elizabeth?

I also disliked the one night stand between Elizabeth and Essex. I knew I was reading a novel, but this ruined my suspension of disbelief. I thought 'twas yucky.

I have never yet encountered any description about Ireland and its troubles during the reign of Elizabeth I (okay, so I'm a lazy scholar and could have done so had I wished). I did manage to learn a thing or two about general Irish history. As the British themselves learned a thing or two about how to invade and colonize foreign territories, I suppose. They seemed to be quite genuinely shocked to discover it was't really a good idea to enlist locals as the local military force, terrorize the countryside and then be surprised to be answered by violent uprisings against the Crown. Reckon they did some better in India and America.

Anyway, reading about Grace was fun, even if the author seems confused about whether Elizabeth in later life was a "foolish old woman" or a devious and malicious mastermind. She appears as either as the plot demands.

Such a pity. I did find "Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" very touching.

bookshelves: read [edit]
recommended for: historical fiction enthusiasts

I got several chapters into this book before realizing that I'd read it a few months ago. I'm not sure whether that says more about me or the book. Stories of Grace O'Malley (the Irish pirate) are few and far between, which is why I gravitated towards this one (twice!). Sadly, Maxwell's version of the epic meeting between O'Malley and Elizabeth I struggles with accuracy. Whether Elizabeth and Essex really "got it on", I suppose is up for debate, but Grace would not have thought of the Queen as "the first Elizabeth", as she had no idea that there would be another. (Sheesh! Didn't Maxwell read Encyclopedia Brown?) So, seek out this book if you want to hear a story about two fascinating women (one of whom has very little recorded history), but don't expect historical fact, airtight accuracy, or even terrific writing. ( )

I have to admit that I just didn't like this book. None of the characters struck a chord with me or even seemed remotely sympathetic. I could admire Grace, but did not much care if she lived or died. I feel as though this was meant to be tragic - we are meant to lament Elizabeth's decision at the end - but I didn't care about Essex, either.

As for the writing, that failed me as well. Maxwell uses a reminiscence style that I find irritating and which kills the present-day tale completely. Things don't just happen - we skip forward several years and then are told what happened by whatever character the focus is currently on. This may work in general, but it does not work here. It saps the story of action and makes reading it more like drudgery, as I was anxious to get back to the actual story of the novel.

I also am extremely doubtful of Grace O'Malley's part in the relationship between Elizabeth and Essex, but as there are spoilers in my complaint and because I know little of the history, I will keep quiet and only say that I find some events described to be extremely unlikely, and even if I am reading fiction, I prefer the story to be plausible.

I will be avoiding this author's work in future. ( )