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Book Review: The King’s Mistress by Emma Campion & Giveaway

August 4, 2010 by Darlene


The King’s Mistress by Emma Campion is a historical fiction novel about Alice Perrers who was the notorious mistress of King Edward III. Alice had always been painted as a harlot of low birth who bewitched the King. Emma Campion looks further and gives Alice the life she might have had. Alice stayed with the King for fifteen years of her life enjoying the good times and nursing him through the bad.

Not much is known about Alice but Emma Campion portrays her as a woman caught up in a life where she never really had much control over her own future. Throughout the novel Alice will say, ‘When had I the choice to be other than I was?’ From the time Alice was born her life was being mapped out for her first by her parents and later by the men in her life.

At fourteen years old Alice is married to Janyn Perrers, a merchant chosen by her father of course to better improve his own business interests. Even though Janyn is much older than Alice and she misses her family and best friend Geoffrey terribly, they end up finding happiness with each other and soon enough have a daughter. However all is not as it seems and soon Alice learns that her husband is first and foremost answerable to Isabella, the Queen Mother. It seems his whole family is – there is some deeply buried secret that has drawn the Perrers family to the royal family.

Alice’s husband has been keeping many secrets from her, the biggest being that he’s been busy planning a life for her at King Edward III’s court in order to keep her and their child safe. When Janyn mysteriously disappears Alice’s life as one of Queen Philippa’s ladies begins. It doesn’t take long before Alice is noticed by the King and finds herself caught up in the whirlwind of life as his mistress and all it entails.

Alice is torn as she feels loyal to Queen Philippa but at the same time she is falling in love with the King. When she learns that her relationship with the King almost seems planned out by them she falls headlong into it. Alice is known for being intelligent; something her father instilled in her when she was a girl and this ends up being a detriment to her in the long run as many believed her to have used her intelligence to sway the King in many decisions.

I’ve never read anything on Alice Perrers before and I enjoyed this fictionalized account of her life. Emma Campion has done a lot of research to bring this story alive for readers. The details of court life, the gowns and generally just how life was for women back in this time period are excellently portrayed. The only complaint I had with this novel was that I found it slow going at times. I wouldn’t say boring but slow with detail of all that was going on during Edward III’s reign as King. This however didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the novel and I really look forward to reading more of Emma Campion’s work.

I read The King’s Mistress by Emma Campion as part of her book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can check out all the tour stops for The King’s Mistress here. Be sure to pop in and visit Emma Campion’s website as well. If you can’t wait to read the book you can buy your own copy here in the US and here in Canada or, for now, you can see below and enter to win yourself a copy.
My thanks… Lisa with TLC Book Tours and the publisher for my review copy of The King’s Mistress by Emma Campion.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 1 copy of The King’s Mistress by Emma Campion to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address. Those without are being deleted.
  • For 1 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I’ll be drawing for the winner on Sunday, August 29/10. Good luck everyone!

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Filed Under: 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010 Chunkster Challenge, 2010 Historical Fiction, 2010-100+ Challenge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Blodeuedd says

    August 4, 2010 at 8:57 am

    Nice review, I have seen some like this, and some not. Perhaps it's that slowness that does it. Still I'd like to read about her

  2. Page says

    August 4, 2010 at 10:58 am

    I enjoyed the book as well.

    http://asthepageturns-page.blogspot.com

  3. Beachreader says

    August 4, 2010 at 11:28 am

    I like historical fiction books that give a lot of detail on the background and events that make it historical, but that maybe the history teacher in me. 🙂 Thanks for the review. I've added it to my TBR list.

    please enter me.
    jgoffice(at)cox (dot)net

  4. Mystica says

    August 4, 2010 at 11:31 am

    Sounds good. Thank you for this review.

  5. Linda says

    August 4, 2010 at 11:33 am

    Like you said in the first paragraph, Alice is usually painted as the notorious mistress and that is the picture I've had from novels I read about Edward III. I would love to see another portrayal of her. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  6. Serena says

    August 4, 2010 at 12:36 pm

    sounds like an interesting novel about a little know historical figure. Good review.

    no need to enter me.

  7. Zibilee says

    August 4, 2010 at 12:49 pm

    No need to enter me, as I have a copy of this book and will be reviewing it shortly. It sounds like it's one that I am really going to like, but I will be reminded of your review and watch out for slowness!

  8. EmilyJoy says

    August 4, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Sounds like a good read. emilyjoymitchell at gmail dot com.

  9. ChristyJan says

    August 4, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    This sounds like an interesting read. Please enter me

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

  10. bermudaonion says

    August 4, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    I haven't read any "Tudor fiction," but you've made this one sound really good! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  11. Diane says

    August 4, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    Sounds interesting to learn more about that time.

    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

  12. Bethie says

    August 4, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  13. PoCoKat says

    August 4, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    I love historical fiction. Please enter me for the drawing.

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

  14. Nancy says

    August 4, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    I would love to read the King's Mistress.
    nancysoffice at gmail dot com

  15. Teresa says

    August 4, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    Please count me in.

    teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

  16. Linda Jacobs says

    August 4, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    I should like historical fiction better than I do, especially British ones since I teach British Literature! But, it's just not high on my list. Your review, however, makes me want to read this one!

    Thinking about Buddy and sending healing thought your way!

  17. Staci says

    August 4, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    I so love this cover and I have an ARC of this one…can't wait to get to it!

  18. Courtesan's Embrace says

    August 4, 2010 at 5:02 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to read this.

    courtesansembrace at gmail dot com

  19. Sherri says

    August 4, 2010 at 6:02 pm

    Love the review! Please count me in for the giveaway-this books is right up my reading alley! Thanks for having this giveaway!

    cmcdermitt1@carolina.rr.com

  20. Scorpio M. says

    August 4, 2010 at 6:50 pm

    I'd definitely like to read this one. The premise and style seem right up my alley. Thanks.

    jenma76 at hotmail dot com

  21. traveler says

    August 4, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    Thanks for this giveaway. It sounds fascinating. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  22. naida says

    August 4, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    Tt does sound really good, even if some parts were slow. The cover is very pretty.
    great review! I enjoy this time period also.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  23. My name is Patricia says

    August 5, 2010 at 1:07 am

    Great Review!

    Enter Please 🙂
    PelicanJL@hotmail.com

  24. Sandy Jay says

    August 5, 2010 at 3:41 am

    Love the review. Please enter me in the contest.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  25. Sandy Jay says

    August 5, 2010 at 3:43 am

    I tweeted this at http://twitter.com/ForWhlz/status/20358654690

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  26. S. Krishna says

    August 5, 2010 at 1:10 pm

    No need to enter me!

    I really enjoyed this one as well, I thought it was very creative. Great review.

  27. bepoia says

    August 5, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    I have never read any books on King Edward 111, so to win would be a nice surprise for me
    bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com

  28. Audra says

    August 5, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    I'd love to be entered in the giveaway — thank you! thesibylqueen at gmail.com.

  29. allisonsbj3 says

    August 5, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    Thanks for this giveaway!

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

  30. Kelly K. says

    August 5, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    Sounds like a great read!

    kellykonesheck at yahoo dot com

  31. JackieW says

    August 5, 2010 at 10:52 pm

    I would enjoy reading this book. Please enter me.
    JFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com

  32. Joye says

    August 5, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    Enjoyed reading your comments..would love to win it…..my kindda story.
    JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

  33. Robin K says

    August 5, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    Great cover! Please enter me too.

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/IntenseWhisper/status/20422062150

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

  34. Colleen Turner says

    August 6, 2010 at 1:25 am

    I absolutely love historical fiction so I would love a chance to win this one!
    Thanks,
    candc320@gmail.com

  35. Erika says

    August 6, 2010 at 10:55 am

    I'd like to read this book. Please enter me in the drawing. xxgamegrlxx(at)gmail(dot)com

  36. Jenny Girl says

    August 6, 2010 at 6:04 pm

    Good review Darlene. You hit all of the high points but didn't give it all away. I have never heard of Anne before or read anything about Edward III, so I am interested in this. Thanks for the contest.
    Jennygirl73(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  37. Jenny Girl says

    August 6, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    OMG…Alice! Alice! See I need to read this book!

  38. Rachel says

    August 6, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  39. Anonymous says

    August 7, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    Thanks for the great giveaways!! Would love to read this!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

  40. wisteria says

    August 9, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    I read The King's Mistress and have to agree that it was slow going at times. I liked it, I learned a lot about Alice..but it didn't knock me over. I still would recommend it, with caution to skip some of the slower moments.

  41. Beth says

    August 9, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    This looks great! Please enter me!

    bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com

  42. Anonymous says

    August 10, 2010 at 11:36 am

    Please enter me…
    Sounds like a book that I would love to read.
    RJB
    loki304[at]tds[dot]net

  43. Jo-Jo says

    August 16, 2010 at 6:03 pm

    I would love a chance to win this book.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  44. Jo-Jo says

    August 20, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    I blogged about the contest here.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  45. Anita Yancey says

    August 24, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    I really enjoyed the review. Sounds like a wonderful book, and I would enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  46. Debbie7875 says

    August 26, 2010 at 2:39 am

    I would like to read this book…it sound so romantic and I love that it is historical!

    debbielemaire@hotmail.com

  47. Debbie7875 says

    August 26, 2010 at 2:41 am

    http://twitter.com/debbie7875/status/22142893873

    debbielemaire@hotmail.com

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