Maid of the King's Court

Reviewed by: Kris Zuidema - retired school librarian, Standish, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 11, 2017

Review

The story begins with young Eliza Rose Camperdowne knowing that it is her duty to marry someone who can form an alliance with her noble family that has fallen on hard times. Eliza and her cousin, Katherine Howard, are sent to the court of Henry VIII to be maids of honor to the queen, Anne of Cleves. Katherine Howard eventually became the fifth wife of Henry VIII. Since the story is told from Eliza's point of view the reader is given an inside look at noble families and life at court. This is a dangerous time at court. There is treachery and romance. The author's note explains why she chose to write this version of Katherine Howard's story. Lucy Worsley is chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, a charity that runs several palaces in England including Hampton Court where most of this story takes place. She has written numerous non-fiction and fiction books for adults and children and has appeared in several documentaries. This is her first young adult novel. I highly recommend this well written and well researched work of historical fiction.

Overall Book Score: very good