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The Irish Princess
The prolific Karen Harper has written the perfect historical thriller to satisfy teen fans of the genre, in which a determined young Irish heroine finds herself navigating the intrigues of Henry VIII’s court.
I enjoyed the author’s historical page, especially the comparison between a possible portrait of her heroine, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, and the book’s cover image.
HARPER, Karen. The Irish Princess: A Novel. 416p. NAL. 2011. pap. $15. ISBN 978-0-451-23282-3. LC number unavailable.
Adult/High School–The story opens with Gera, knife in hand, ready to plunge it into the swollen, corpulent body of ailing King Henry VIII. It’s sweet revenge for the years of forced exile, the unjust beheading of her uncles and step-brother, and the removal of the Fitzgeralds–the uncrowned Royal Family–from their beloved Ireland. The Irish Princess follows the story of Elizabeth Fitzgerald–Gera–through the years of her exile, arranged marriage, unrequited love for Edward Clinton, Lord High Admiral, and her growing admiration, in spite of herself, for the young Princess Elizabeth. There is nothing better than a historical novel filled with revenge, court intrigue, and a truly great love story; and this novel delivers them all. When it’s based on true history, it’s even better. What brings this Irish rebel into the darkened back room with murder in mind, and will she follow through or will she get caught? Even if one knows how King Henry died, the story is fraught with anxiety for her safety. Gera is a strong-willed, rebellious, and stubborn woman with but one goal in mind: to return to her beloved Ireland and restore the Fitzgerald family to its rightful place. One can almost hear the hue and cry of “A Geraldine! A Geraldine!” as one closes this book at its satisfying end. Perfect for teens who like romance within a historical setting.–Connie Williams, Petaluma High School, CA
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Filed under: Historical Fiction
About Angela Carstensen
Angela Carstensen is Head Librarian and an Upper School Librarian at Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York City. Angela served on the Alex Awards committee for four years, chairing the 2008 committee, and chaired the first YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adult committee in 2009. Recently, she edited Outstanding Books for the College Bound: Titles and Programs for a New Generation (ALA Editions, 2011). Contact her via Twitter @AngeReads.
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