Review: Nothing Proved by Janet Wertman
Today, I'm delighted to welcome author Janet Wertman to Ruins & Reading. I'm reviewing her fabulous new release, Nothing Proved, about the young Elizabeth Tudor. It's well worth checking out. Read on!
Nothing Proved is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fascinating tour stops HERE!
Nothing Proved
Regina, Book #1
Janet Wertman
Nothing Proved is an exciting new release, shedding light on a young Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII of England and his ill-fated 2nd wife, Anne Boleyn. The story begins in 1544, when Elizabeth is just 11, introducing her younger half-brother, Edward, and an array of offspring by England's nobility in class. The novel ends in 1558, following her sister Queen Mary's death.
In the early scenes, we learn that Elizabeth was only recently allowed to return to court, on the influence of Henry's last wife, Katherine Parr. She is an intelligent child, keen on learning, with a wry sense of humour, yet always fully aware of her station as an illegitimate daughter. She embraces the reformation, though not with the same zeal as her brother would on his accession after their father's death. For in her mind, it had been her late mother who had influenced and brought forth those events that led to the famous break from Rome.
As she grows up, during her brother's reign, she had to realise that she'd become the focus point of powerful men who vie for her brother's attention, and who wield great influence. So she is always careful, always maintaining her innocence, as not to let the slightest accusation take root.
This intensifies during Jane Grey's brief stint as queen, followed by Mary's accession after successfully beating poor Jane's supporters. But whereas Edward's followers had been fellow protestants, Mary's were fiercely loyal Catholics, and Elizabeth found herself in a dangerous quandary. Forced to attend Mass – which went against all her convictions – she had to play along, to avoid being accused as a heretic and traitor. But Mary's ardent supporters clearly want her dead.
When rebellion breaks out, they see their chance at ridding themselves once and for all of Mary's stubborn sister – but Elizabeth's shrewd intelligence and her station as the Henry’s daughter, save her, with the loyal support of her followers.
But the threat was too close to home, and Elizabeth has to tread carefully, as Mary's health worsens, and her brutal persecution of protestant ’heretics’ takes hold.
How does Elizabeth manage to keep her head, and get through the quagmire of plots and intrigues? Well, read the novel!
Elizabeth Tudor was a formidable young woman, highly intelligent, but under constant guard due to her mother's legacy. Accused and executed for alleged adultery, Anne's reputation was in tatters, and as such was Elizabeth's too, as her daughter. From a young age, she was fully aware of the risks, and any hint at impropriety (such as nighttime visits to her bedchamber by Thomas Seymour, then husband of the dowager queen, Katherine Parr, whilst Elizabeth stayed in their care as a teenager) had to be dismissed fiercely. Those events were an early warning to the young woman of the threats she faced from her opponents in Mary's council. They stopped at nothing to bring her down, and she had to be prepared – and remain innocent and ignorant of any plots – at all times.
It also seems that a young Elizabeth had the intention never to marry, yet she could also be flirtatious and charming to men she felt drawn to. It was a dilemma that stayed with her throughout. Aware of her vulnerable position, she learnt early on not to trust everyone, and to be careful of the words she chose. This side of her is portrayed incredibly well.
Ms Wertman brings the young Elizabeth to life in a truly personal way: we see a young woman, growing up with constant threats of imprisonment and potential execution, but not cowed by them. On the contrary, Elizabeth's intelligence, her extensive learning, and shrewd assessment of people and situations, even early on, help her keep her head on her shoulders.
The author's Elizabeth is still a young girl at heart, with dreams, crushes (Robert Dudley's appearances show their affection towards each other), and with a thirst for life. She uses her words wisely and carefully – much to her advantage. 'Nothing proved', indeed.
She is plotting, yet innocent; aware, yet ignorant. Elizabeth's years as a young woman are a constant balancing act, and we are pulled into her dangerous world in a clever, fast-paced plot outlining major events in her life. We see her fears and her dreams, but also her ambition and determination.
What struck me most in this novel is her high intelligence, which makes Elizabeth a remarkable character, the best educated lady of her times, gifted with Tudor stubbornness, and fully aware of events and threats. Still, Elizabeth Tudor is no walkover.
In the young Elizabeth, Ms Wertman has created a true survivor. Vivat Regina!
Thrilling and unputdownable, Nothing Proved is an utterly compelling fictional account of Elizabeth's intriguing life as a teenager and young lady. I'm looking forward to the next book in this exciting new series.
Highly recommended!
~~~
Danger lined her path, but destiny led her to glory…
Elizabeth Tudor learned resilience young. Declared illegitimate after the execution of her mother Anne Boleyn, she bore her precarious position with unshakable grace. But upon the death of her father, King Henry VIII, the vulnerable fourteen-year-old must learn to navigate a world of shifting loyalties, power plays, and betrayal.
After narrowly escaping entanglement in Thomas Seymour’s treason, Elizabeth rebuilds her reputation as the perfect Protestant princess – which puts her in mortal danger when her half-sister Mary becomes Queen and imposes Catholicism on a reluctant land. Elizabeth escapes execution, clawing her way from a Tower cell to exoneration. But even a semblance of favor comes with attempts to exclude her from the throne or steal her rights to it through a forced marriage.
Elizabeth must outwit her enemies time and again to prove herself worthy of power. The making of one of history’s most iconic monarchs is a gripping tale of survival, fortune, and triumph.
~ Kirkus Reviews
Janet also runs a blog (www.janetwertman.com) where she posts interesting takes on the Tudors and what it’s like to write about them.
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