Title: Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey
Author: Ann Rinaldi
First published January 18, 2005
228 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060549251 (ISBN10: 0060549254)
Rating: 3.78
Overview
In Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey, Ann Rinaldi tells the captivating story of Lady Jane Grey, who at the age of sixteen was crowned Queen of England for a mere nine days before her tragic beheading. In her signature style, Rinaldi vividly captures the grandeur and cruelty of English royalty, taking readers on a breathtaking journey through the pageantry and privilege of the time.
With powerful, evocative prose, Rinaldi brings to life the teenage girl caught in the midst of stirring and dangerous times. This is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the history of English royalty and the remarkable life of Lady Jane Grey.
About the Author
Ann Rinaldi was born on August 27, 1934, in New York City, and is a well-known author of young adult fiction. She is famous for her historical fiction books, which include In My Father’s House, The Last Silk Dress, An Acquaintance with Darkness, A Break with Charity, and Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons.
In total, she has written forty novels, of which eight were deemed notable by the ALA. Wolf by the Ears was listed as one of the best novels of the last twenty-five and one hundred years in 2000.
Rinaldi is the most prolific writer for the Great Episode series, which is a historical fiction novel series set during the American Colonial era. She also writes for the Dear America series.
Currently, Rinaldi lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Before becoming an author, Rinaldi worked as a newspaper columnist, and she continued to write her column, called The Trentonian, for most of her writing career.
Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Rinaldi wrote four unpublished books before that, which she admits were “terrible.” She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi states that her love of history comes from her oldest son, who introduced her to reenactments. She admits to writing young adult books “because I like to write them.”
Editoral Review
Ann Rinaldi’s Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey takes readers on a historical journey through the life and reign of Lady Jane Grey, a young queen who ruled England for just nine days in 1553. This historical fiction novel, first published on January 18, 2005, is a unique blend of fact and fiction, aimed at young adult readers.
The novel is educational while remaining entertaining, providing readers with a glimpse of a critical moment in English history. Rinaldi is a well-known author of historical fiction, having written more than forty books for young readers, many of which explore significant moments in American and English history.
In this novel, she skillfully combines historical fact with fictional elements, producing a compelling tale of power, manipulation, and tragedy. The plot of Nine Days a Queen follows Lady Jane Grey’s rise to power and eventual downfall.
The story brings to life the characters of Queen Jane, King Edward VI, Lady Mary Tudor, and others, providing readers with a detailed look into their lives and motivations. As the novel progresses, the tension builds, leading to the final days of Lady Jane’s reign and her tragic execution.
One of the most striking aspects of this novel is Rinaldi’s vivid descriptions of the setting and the characters. The author offers readers a thorough understanding of the political, religious, and cultural landscape of England during the Tudor era.
The characters are well-developed, layered, and complex, with motivations and backstories that are both fascinating and heartbreaking. Rinaldi paints a rich, tangible picture of life during that time, making it one of the standout features of the book.
Moreover, Rinaldi’s exploration of gender roles, power dynamics, and the struggle for the throne is another noteworthy aspect of this novel. In Nine Days a Queen, Rinaldi has portrayed Lady Jane Grey as a strong, intelligent, and determined young woman, who is thrust into the role of a queen under extremely challenging circumstances.
Through Jane’s story, Rinaldi delves into the expectations placed on women during the era and the limited opportunities available to them. The author also highlights the often-shocking methods used to maintain power and control, even by members of the royal family.
However, the novel does have its flaws. The pacing of the story is slow, particularly in the early chapters, making it challenging to engage with the narrative.
Additionally, several of the characters feel underdeveloped, particularly Queen Mary Tudor and the Duke of Northumberland, who appear as one-dimensional villains. Despite these shortcomings, Nine Days a Queen is an excellent read, particularly for those interested in history and historical fiction.
The novel is beautifully written, with sophisticated and engaging storytelling that will appeal to readers of all ages. While it can be difficult to follow the convoluted family tree of the English monarchy, Rinaldi’s readable style makes it more accessible to those who may not have an in-depth knowledge of the Tudor period.
Overall, we recommend Nine Days a Queen to young adult readers interested in historical fiction, particularly those with an interest in English history. The book offers a compelling and educational portrayal of a significant moment in Tudor history, while also addressing issues that are still relevant today.
We give this book four stars out of five, recognizing that while it has its flaws, it remains an excellent read for anyone seeking a tale of power, ambition, and tragedy.
