The Dark Rose by Cynthia Harrod Eagles (Terra's Review)

In Cynthia Harrod-Eagles's worldwide bestsellers, the majestic sweep of English history is richly and movingly portrayed through the fictional lives of the Morland family.

It is 1501, and Paul, great-grandson of Eleanor Morland, has inherited the estate and has a son to follow him. But he fathers an illegitimate boy by his beloved mistress, and bitter jealously between the half-brothers causes a destructive rift that threatens to destroy them all.

Paul's niece Nanette has her own passions, and becomes maid-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn. At the court of Henry VIII, she witnesses firsthand the events leading up to the rift with Rome, her mistress's execution, and the further efforts of the sad, ailing king to secure the male succession. And through all the turmoil of Henry VIII's reign-from drought to floods, from religious reform to court intrigue-the Morlands find new ways to come together while the world seems intent on tearing them apart.

(Terra's Thoughts) This is an amazing story of Henry Tudor aka. King Henry VIII with so much realism that you cannot help immerse yourself in the story right up to your pretty little eyes. Considering this is a work of fiction it has more than it's share of fact to give you a wonderful lesson into the life of royalty in England during the Tudor dynasty.

The focus of the story is not on the King so much himself but on the Morland's who were not the richest most powerful family but one of privilege and money in their own right. The main focus is on Lady Anne (Nanette) Morland as she goes from childhood through adulthood and all of the different aspects of this powerful period that affect her life in ever so many ways.

I honestly wish I had read the first book in the series before this one but will most certainly acquire it and read it later. You need not read the first one to read this one as this is in it's own right a book that can stand alone with the amount of detail throughout King Henry VIII's reign.

The author has given us a wonderfully rich story full of love and devotion, hate and conflict, pride and prejudicism that are vividly detailed to ensnare you right from the beginning and keep you hooked all the way to the very end. A story based on fact that is embellished just beautifully to not only give you a much needed lesson in history but to capture your emotions and wring them out like a wet rag. You will need a few tissues during this story as you cannot help yourself from becoming emotionally involved with the complex lives that are presented so artistically. It's like watching the best movie of your life especially if you are someone who gets more from the descriptive than the visual. This is a series not to be missed.

Paperback: 592 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (July 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402238169
ISBN-13: 978-1402238161