The Taming of the Queen

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 18 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

By the number-one New York Times best-selling author behind the Starz original series The White Queen, a riveting new Tudor tale featuring King Henry VIII's sixth wife, Kateryn Parr, the first English queen to publish under her own name.

Why would a woman marry a serial killer?

Because she cannot refuse.

Kateryn Parr, a 30-year-old widow in a secret affair with a new lover, has no choice when a man old enough to be her father who has buried four wives - King Henry VIII - commands her to marry him.

Kateryn has no doubt about the danger she faces: the previous queen lasted 16 months, the one before barely half a year. But Henry adores his new bride, and Kateryn's trust in him grows as she unites the royal family, creates a radical study circle at the heart of the court, and rules the kingdom as regent.

But is this enough to keep her safe? A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn stands out as an independent woman with a mind of her own. But she cannot save the Protestants, under threat for their faith, and Henry's dangerous gaze turns on her. The traditional churchmen and rivals for power accuse her of heresy - the punishment is death by fire, and the king's name is on the warrant.

From an author who has described all of Henry's queens comes a deeply intimate portrayal of the last: a woman who longed for passion, power, and education at the court of a medieval killer.

©2015 Philippa Gregory (P)2015 Simon & Schuster

Classic Gregory

Some parts really drag, but it was overall interesting. Really highlights the problem of not having religious liberty.

Historical fiction at it's finest!

I enjoyed this book as much or more than the other books in this series. I had to remind myself at times that some of the most interesting scenes were fiction. I was motivated, as with the other novels, to read the actual history. I highly recommend!

Interesting angle on Henry VIII

What did you love best about The Taming of the Queen?

Philippa Gregory is definitely in my top 5 favorite authors. The Plantagenet and Tudor families /reigns, during the 14th & 15th centuries are especially interesting. This takes place during the end of Henry VIII reign. I enjoy English history, tweaked to make a really great story, though I have not loved every book in the Cousins war & Tudor series, I am definitely a re-listener on most her books.

wonderfully written and narrated

I was spellbound with both the story and the narrated version. I was not familiar with this queen nor how vicious this period was

Love this story!

Couldn't stop listening. Well written and well read. Going to find my next Phillipa Gregory book now!

Taking of a Queen. Phillips Gregory.

As always the author and the reader are perfect. Thank you Phillips Gregory.
Have loved all the books Ive read.

Philippe never disappoints

Another wonderful book full of rich details and creative touches. It's not a history book so don't let variance from fact annoy you. She brings the Tudor court to life in vivid clarity. Worth the read can't wait for the next book.

You won't be disappointed

If you've enjoyed other Phillipa Gregory books, you won't be disappointed by this one. It's full of life, death, and love. A bit repetitive and slow in the middle.

a very entertaining listen.

I love Bianca Amato's narration! I did myself a disservice, in a way, by reading a nonfiction account of Henry's wives before this, so the deviations from record history were more apparent to me. Still, though, a great book.

A love hate relationship

Philippa Gregory's story telling, weaving her imagination around history, is a home-run again. I learned to love Katherine Parr and hate Henry VIII in reading The Taming of the Queen. Another great novel!