As the subject suggests, I want to first remind you all to go enter the giveaway for The Goblin’s Puzzle, here.  It’s a lovely tale, with intrigue, satire, adventure, deduction, and of course, a dragon which has tangled with the wrong bunch of kids!  I highly recommend it.

Now, on to this week’s spotlight of The Counterfeit Princess!  I happen to be a long-standing fan of the Tudor-Stuart period, so when I saw this book, I snapped it up.

Set in the turbulent years of the early protestant reformation (whoa…that makes it sound dry…) this book picks up just before the boy king Edward died, when England held its breath to see who would take the throne after him.  It’s easy for casual students to forget that while Mary and Elizabeth were rivals for the throne, at this juncture they had a bigger common enemy–the Duke of Northumberland.  Both princesses were in danger as the greedy kingmaker attempted to lure them to London, where they would be quickly seized and their heads lopped off.  It was a dangerous time to stand close to the throne, as a whole host of people beginning with Anne Boleyn (unless we should start with Catherine of Aragon?) and trailing on down through poor Lady Jane Grey.

But you really don’t have to know the history to enjoy this book!  It’s told from the perspective of fictionalized young Iris, who is the fifteen-year-old daughter of an earl, and begins the night her parents are taken to the tower by the Duke’s men.  Before being arrested, they hid Iris in a secret cupboard, which saves her life.  She’s smuggled away and–as an orphan–agrees to become a spy for Princess Elizabeth, and in so doing take her revenge on the duke.

The transformation and maturing process that follows is fascinating, as Iris is reduced to being the lowest of the kitchen maids in a backwater inn, after having been the only child of very indulgent noble parents.  When her training and preparations are given the chance to pay off, though, her danger is real.  As she attempts to sneak by the duke’s men, she’s manhandled and intimidated in a way that is accurate, I’m sure, of the behavior of the time.  The threat to her skyrockets, however, when she’s persuaded to act the part of a counterfeit princess and pretend to be Elizabeth.

The plot twists and turns, much like the loyalties of the noble houses, and Iris must navigate her shifting roles with extreme care.  The irony is that her own healing process, as she learns to live for more than revenge, puts her in even greater jeopardy.  Really a lovely tale, and one I found riveting and refreshingly true to the times.

Now, let’s see what Apricot-kitty thought of it:

“Twists, turns, and backstabbing–and that’s just between the sisters.  I lost track of who to hate, aside from that Duke, and I never did sort out which folk were friends.  Haven’t you people ever heard of live and let live?”

Hmm, yes, you know it’s a twisty situation when the cat complains.  As she implies, this book might be a ‘meh’ from readers with no interest in this time period.  However, if they’d like to absorb a bit of history without knowing they’re picking it up, this is the book they want.  And of course, they’ll also gain a healthy respect for the soon-to-be-queen Elizabeth, as the book provides what I consider a spot-on portrayal of her.  That accuracy may come at a price for some readers, both in the casual mistreatment dished out by those with power over those without it, and of course the political intrigue of the day.  I’d guess it’s a better fit for the 10+ crowd, and even then younger kids would benefit from having an adult reader companion.

All the same…I hope you’ll give it a chance!  To see other spotlights, reviews, interviews and giveaways, stop by Shannon’s blog, and don’t forget to enter to win a copy of The Goblin’s Puzzle, which is open through December 11th–link to that here!

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