Dear My Lady Jane,
I fell in love with you right from the start. You charmed me in your prologue with your wit and humour- interjecting an authorial voice to tell us we were headed for an unconventional love story. I rarely laugh out loud at books, but you had me eating out the palm of your hand, devouring page after page of your alternative history.
I must say, the thought of a retelling of Lady Jane Grey filled me with some trepidation at first. Especially since I am somewhat well-versed in Tudor England (I blame the British school system that teaches it to us over and over). And yet you captured the spirit of the period, whilst turning it on its head and creating something totally different. The asides about what is real and not- for instance the mention of there being no such thing as a honeymoon at this point in time- makes it evident that your writers are aware this is a construct. I really appreciated you for your honesty there.
I also loved your magical element. I was enchanted by the cleverness of the world building and it made me hold you in even higher regard. It was quirky and hilarious to make Henry VIII a lion, but even more ingenious to make his mother Elizabeth a skunk, hinting at the Woodville ties with witchcraft.
I adored all your plot twists and the story itself kept me on the edge of my seat. I was virtually squealing (and whinnying) with delight the entire time. In particular, your midlogue, with the narrators interrupting the story, was hilarious.
All your characters were brilliant and distinct- I could happily tell the difference between all the different perspectives. Above all, you defied all the things I normally question and dislike. Highlight for spoilers: I could tell that Gifford was going to be Shakespeare and though I normally hate the whole “so and so was secretly Shakespeare” theories, this one was too funny for words! So you could say you are not my normal type, but I think it is a testament to how *awesome* you are that I adore you anyway. All I can do is appreciate how wonderful you are.
What’s brilliant about you is that you worked perfectly as a standalone- but there’s going to be sequel companion novels in a similar vein. I can’t wait to see what more you have to offer!
And finally you held a message I think we can all get behind: “We’ll fight so much less if everyone would just sit down and read.” Amen to that. You’ve made me one satisfied monkey after all…
All my bananas…
Sincerely, Orangutan Librarian
Oooh! I MUST READ THIS
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AWESOME!!! 😀
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That review/love letter was one of the most entertaining I have ever read. Now I want to go pick up the book and read it. It has been sitting on my shelf for months.
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Ah I’m so glad to hear that!! Fantastic!!
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Love this post! Recently, I’ve been seeing this series everywhere in the blogosphere. I really need to give it a shot.
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Thank you so much!! I’m really glad!!
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Awww you just said everything I felt while reading it, and what I’ve been feeling ever since I finished it. 🙂 This is definitely a book I’ll cherish for a long time and re-read it multiple times. 🙂 Beautifully written!
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Yay I’m really glad you felt the same way!! I definitely feel the same way about it 😀 Thank you!!
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Great review/love letter for this book, and I am so so glad you loved My Lady Jane as well. It’s an incredible read right (and are you really excited for My Plain Jane now?) I loved the humour the most but thought the magic was a great addition to Jane’s story. Plus I can’t deny I was a huge fan of how this books’ Lady Jane had a happier ending than history’s Jane Grey! 🙂
Again great post. 😀
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Thank you so much!! Ahh I really am!!! Definitely agree there!! And I’m super psyched for the next one!!
Thank you! ❤
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Now I am stoked to write love/hate letters to book on my blog as well. Thank you for igiting the idea. 🙂 And I absolutely loved the way you wrote here.
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Ah brilliant!! I’m glad to hear it!
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Hahaha so wise quote and perfect for a bookworm! I love this love letter/review!
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hehe I know right 😉 Thank you!
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I love it! A love letter to a book 🙂 I loved this book but I can’t wait to see what they do with Jane Eyre!
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Thank you!! me too!!
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5 full bananas!! I’ll definitely add this book to my summer reading list
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Yay I’m so glad!! 😀
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Ohhh I definitely have to add this to my TBR now. ❤ Great love letter. 😉
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Ah I’m so glad! Thank you!
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I really liked this book, too! I’m a little scared of My Plain Jane, though. Have you read it?
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Yay- glad you did! No I’ve not read it yet, but I am excited to!
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Amen to the last statement there! Great review🤘🏻
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Thank you!!
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I’m always eager to read funny books because they are so refreshing and remind us that reading should be enjoyed. This one is definitely on my list, as will be the sequel. I can’t wait to hear what you think of that one!
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Ah yes I really agree with you!! Thank you- looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one 🙂
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I love the message, too! Another read added, thanks to you!
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Brilliant- I’m so glad!!
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Oooh, the happy reviews are pouring in for this one. Will just have to add it to my list.
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Ah brilliant!! 😀
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It’s only 1.99 on kindle!! I got it. Not sure when I’ll get to it…But it’s there for me now. Lol
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I still haven’t read it 😶
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Lovely post! I’m currently reading this and loving it!
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Great review. I have heard good things about this book. Can’t wait to read it myself. 🙂
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Oooh I have this here! Bump! This review 💕 I thoroughly enjoyed reading your love letter 😉
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I know nothing about Lady Jane 😷, looking her up on Wikipedia first
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I own this book and am saving it for travelling as I hope it will be a great companion, can’t wait to read it. 😊 Great review!
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Haha this is a great way to review!! And I’m totally adding this book to my wishlist!
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High praise indeed! What a clever book review format. 🙂
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Aweee, this was such a sweet love letter to a book and such a deserving book at that! I adored My Lady Jane and already pre-ordered My Plain Jane. #noregrets
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This has been on my list forever! Must. Pick. Up. Soon.
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This love letter to a book just gave me a virtual injection of love!!!! Brilliant! 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤
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Brilliant way to write a review!
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I think everyone has read this but me and I’d started ignoring the reviews. But you make it sound so good!
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Such a warm review. 😊 Can’t wait to order for my copy of the book..
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Such a lovely love letter to the book! I adored this book so much! And I cannot wait to read their next book, My Plain Jane about Jane Eyre!! It comes out the end of the month, and I’ve got it pre-ordered. I think it will be hilarious… I’m so glad you loved My Lady Jane; I tell everyone to read it 🙂
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Awww, what a super cute review! And what an awesome sounding book! 💜
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Aww thank you!! It was! ❤
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I love your creativity with this review, somehow it just fits one of those books that you feel needs more than the standard 5 stars. 🙂
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Hehe this is so adorable! I loved this book so much, so I’m glad to see you loved it enough to write a love letter to it. 😉 Awesome review!!!
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Pretty high praise! I’m interested. I don’t always love retellings (real word? not sure, I’m going with it). But I think they are often best when people take something serious and make it funny. Thanks for the great review!
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Omg all book reviews should be written like this!
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This sounds really fun! It looks like a middle grade book based on the cover… is that accurate? (Not that I have anything against middle grade books, I just like to know what I’m getting into before I pick one up.)
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Ah it was! But no, surprisingly it was ya- the cover’s a bit misleading!
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Oh, okay! That’s interesting, usually they’re more careful with YA vs Middle Grade covers. Still sounds like an interesting book though!
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Yeah that’s true! It was 😊
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What an awesome love letter! You were spot on with your points. Too bad all history couldn’t be rewritten as such so we could understand the goings on! Loved the fantasy aspect and that it wasn’t a strict retelling. Love the humor and the authors talking through the 4th wall! Reading your review has plastered a big grin on my face!
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Aww thank you! I’m so glad you liked it! Me too!! 😊
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I love this book so I’m glad that you liked it! I can’t wait for My Plain Jane coming out later this month. ><
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Brilliant! Me too!
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Omg, so excited to read this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love all things historical, even better when it’s Tudor related. I’m conflicted as to how to feel about Elizabeth of York, she’s described to be mild but historical authors seem to not be a big fan of her.
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Did you read (are you going to read) My Plain Jane?
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