Decent story once I fully got into it. I like that the author embraces alternate history. I dislike that her historical knowledge is so limited. I read an interview she gave once saying alternate history work best if you have only passing knowledge of history. I don't agree. Still this trilogy is less of a leap than the first.
I dislike the unconventional romance angle she seems to stress so much. I like the characters the story is OK. ( )

Laura Andersen provides, a brilliant piece of alternate history fiction - the premise being, "What if Queen Elizabeth I had been divorced from the King of Spain and their daughter was now of marriageable age? How shall kingdoms be mated? And what about that pesky Ireland matter?"

This is the second installment in A Tudor Legacy series. Andersen crafts a believable story of the time of Queen Elizabeth I. With a fine command of the English language and sublime word-painting, one feels transported back to Tudor courtly life with all its intrigue and political posturing. One sees the richness of silk and heavy damask draping in crimson and azure along with kirtles, tunics and plaited hair. It is as if one could smell the blood on the battlefield or the less than pristine odors of a dungeon cell. To write well is a fine craft; to write as well as Laura Andersen does, is a gift.

I am grateful for having received a free ARC copy of this book through the Goodreads "First Reads" program. Their generosity did not, however, influence this review - the words of which are mine alone. (less) ( )

The Virgin's Spy by Laura Anderson is a continuation of the Tudor Legacy series where historical fiction is at it's best! This book and it's series is based on an alternate history of English monarchy ~ where Queen Anne gave King Henry a son and Queen Elizabeth married King Phillip of Spain for a bit. Can you just imagine what today would be like if those actual events had really happened?!!

Ms. Anderson is a wonderfully gifted writer and I've enjoyed all the books in this series. They're well written and have realistic, developed characters that spring to life off the written pages.

The only drawback with The Virgin's Spy is that it is a very busy book with almost too many plots and sub-plots. At times it was somewhat hard to follow all that was going on in the book. Still, The Virgin's Spy is definitely worth reading. If you love to read historical fiction, this book is right up your alley!

Thanks to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

*I received this book through GoodReads First Reads.*

This installment certainly left more open doors throughout the tale than the previous Virgin's Daughter. While enjoyable, it did feel like the story was somewhat disjointed, with Stephen dashing off to Ireland and the rest of the family visiting Spain at various intervals. Enjoyable reading, and while sometimes fun to play with the idea that Elizabeth I might have married and had a daughter, more often I crave more accurate historical fiction. ( )

Tried to read but gave up after third chapter...was just bored...didn't capture me in the slightest - a disappointment after reading the first Boleyn series by the same author... ( )