The Boleyn King

Boleyn Trilogy, Book 1

By: Laura Andersen

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Showtime’s The Tudors, The Boleyn King is the first book in an enthralling trilogy that dares to imagine: What if Anne Boleyn had actually given Henry VIII a son who grew up to be king?

Just seventeen years old, Henry IX, known as William, is a king bound by the restraints of the regency yet anxious to prove himself. With the French threatening battle and the Catholics sowing the seeds of rebellion at home, William trusts only three people: his older sister Elizabeth; his best friend and loyal counselor, Dominic; and Minuette, a young orphan raised as a royal ward by William’s mother, Anne Boleyn.

Against a tide of secrets, betrayal, and murder, William finds himself fighting for the very soul of his kingdom. Then, when he and Dominic both fall in love with Minuette, romantic obsession looms over a new generation of Tudors. One among them will pay the price for a king’s desire, as a shocking twist of fate changes England’s fortunes forever.

©2013 Laura Andersen (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Amazing What-If with a GREAT narration

This book is fantastic. Honestly, I’ve already read the entire series and was excited to see an audiobook of the series, though I’ll admit I was nervous about male narration at first. I always imagined it would be someone reading for Minuette as a narrator. But honestly this narrator was phenomenal and he did a wonderful job of catching the air of the series. Though the next two books get much darker, I am beyond ready for the narration!

As for the book, what better thing? Honestly, I LOVE retellings and alternate histories. The idea that Anne’s final baby lived and was a boy is intoxicating, isn’t it? I do wish we had seen more of Anne’s years with Henry after giving birth to William. If the author decided to write on that, possibly a reconciliation with Mary Stafford, her sister, or tales between Anne and Minuette’s mother, I’d adore that. So if you’re here looking for a tale of Anne if she’d not been executed, you won’t find one. But the tale that is told is incredibly intoxicating. Give it a go and have fun while doing so!

Great beginning!!

Very compelling alternate theory of history. I love speculating in "What if...." scenarios. Can't wait to read the next installment.

I would have preferred a female narrator

The narrator's female voices often sounded off to me. Generally like they were too old and Minuette had a weird accent. I think it was supposed to be French but that doesn't make a lot of sense because even though her mother was French, it didn't sound like Minuette spent much time with her. Elizabeth was the one exception. She sounded fine.

Was ok

Interesting concept, story was diverting but the narrator had a 'James T Kirk' quality to done of his sentences which I found distracting

pleasantly surprised

I absolutely enjoyed this book. As a huge fan of historical fiction it was nice to actually listen to a story about The Tudors that I had no idea what was going to happen next. The author of this book has created an astounding masterpiece in regards to creativity while still keeping the authenticity of the time period. She has taken creative liberties with some of the characters yet kept the personalities that have been established throughout history for those members that had existed before she made the turn of events. If you are a fan of historical fiction and a fan of the Tudor family line this will be an interesting twist to a story that seems to be as old as time. What If Anne Boleyn had a son that lived and became king?