Historical Fiction Annotation

Author: Alison Weir

Title: Innocent Traitor

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publication Date:  2007

Number of Pages: 407

Geographical Setting: London, England and Various Royal Castles in England

Time Period: 1537-1554

Series: N/A, but Weir has written numerous novels about the Tudor Family

Plot Summary:

Lady Jane Grey, the great niece of King Henry VIII, was born to scheming parents who were disappointed that Jane was not a boy.  However, her parents find a better solution to gaining more power; marrying Jane off to her cousin King Edward VI, thus making her Queen of England.  The plan does not pay off, but Jane’s parents will stop at nothing to make their daughter Queen when Edward dies young with no male heirs.  Passing over Henry’s oldest daughter, Mary, who was next in line for the throne, Jane is crowned Queen.  But Mary is still upset about the way that Henry treated her mother, Catherine of Aragon, does not take the rejection well and brings about Jane’s death, proclaiming her a traitor.

 

Subject Headings:

• Grey, Jane, Lady, 1537-1554
• Rulers – Great Britain
• Aristocracy – England – 16^th Century
• Greed
• Treason
• Men/Women Relations

 Appeal:

• Character-Driven
• Leisurely Paced
• Richly Detailed
• Dramatic
• Multiple Perspectives

 3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors (NoveList and LibraryThing):

• The Boleyn Inheritance: Philippa Gregory
• A Dangerous Inheritance: A Novel of Tudor Rivals and the Secret of the Tower: Alison Weir
• Bring up the Bodies: Hilary Mantel

 3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors (Amazon.com):

• Brief History of Henry VIII: Derek Wilson
• Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Mystery: Eric Ives
• England Under the Tudors: G.R. Elton

Fantasy Book Annotation

Author: Peter David

Title: Knight Life

Genre: Fantasy

Publication Date: 1987, updated and republished 2002

Number of Pages: 343

Geographical Setting: New York City and New Jersey

Time Period: The Present

Series: Two sequels: One Knight Only and Fall of Knight

Plot Summary:

King Arthur, the once and future King has returned…to modern day New York City.  Aided by a twelve year old Merlin (he ages backwards after all), Percival, former Knight of the Round Table who drank from the Holy Grail and is now immortal, and Gwen King, who is the essence of the first Guinevere, Arthur, going by Arthur Penn, has decided to run for Mayor of New York City.  However, Arthur’s evil half sister Morgan Le Frey, who is still around after all these centuries, still hates Arthur and with the help of their illegitimate son Modred (a.k.a. Moe), who is working for another Mayoral candidate, will stop at nothing to stop him from being elected Mayor and finally rid themselves of Arthur once and for all.

Subject Headings:

• Arthur, King
• Mayoral candidates – New York City
• Resurrection
• Knights and Knighthood
• Enemies
• Elections – New York City
• Arthurian romances - Adaptations

 Appeal:

• Funny
• Action-packed
• Engaging

 3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors (From LibraryThing and Goodreads):

• The Broken Sword: Warren Murphy and Molly Cochran
• Arthur returns in the present and searches for the Holy Grail and the sword Excalibur with the help of Merlin and the former Knights of the Round Table, now a motorcycle gang
• Arthur Rex: A Legendary Novel: Thomas Berger
• Retelling of classic King Arthur stories with humorous twists
• One Knight Only: Peter David
• This time Arthur Penn is taking his political aspirations one step further by running for President of the United States

 3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors (From Amazon.com):

• New York City Politics: Governing Gotham: Professor Bruce F. Berg
• King Arthur in Popular Culture: Elizabeth S. Sklar and Donald L. Hoffman
• The Discovery of King Arthur: Geoffrey Ashe