Beware, Princess Elizabeth: A Young Royals Book [Hardcover]

Carolyn Meyer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Young Royals | Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Imprisonment. Betrayal. Lost love. Murder. What more must a princess endure?
Elizabeth Tudor's teenage and young adult years during the turbulent reigns of Edward and then Mary Tudor are hardly those of a fairy-tale princess. Her mother has been beheaded by Elizabeth's own father, Henry VIII; her jealous half sister, Mary, has her locked away in the Tower of London; and her only love interest betrays her in his own quest for the throne.
Told in the voice of the young Elizabeth and ending when she is crowned queen, this second novel in the exciting series explores the relationship between two sisters who became mortal enemies. Carolyn Meyer has written an intriguing historical tale that reveals the deep-seated rivalry between a determined girl who became one of England's most powerful monarchs and the sister who tried everything to stop her.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This second title in the series of historical novels based on prominent women of the United Kingdom, begun with Mary, Bloody Mary, chronicles the first 25 years in the life of Queen Elizabeth I. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-As the title suggests, this gripping historical drama tells of the danger Elizabeth Tudor faced on her way to the throne of England. The novel is not meant to portray Elizabeth's whole life; rather, set within a story frame of her coronation, the narrative relays the hardships, ill treatment, and tragedies that occurred between the death of King Henry VIII and the death of Elizabeth's half sister, Queen Mary. Because the story is told in first person, readers have a sense of being with Elizabeth and feeling the uncertainty, apprehension, and determination she feels. The author does not pull any punches when it comes to telling about Elizabeth's feelings for Tom Seymour, her religious convictions, or the bloodshed caused at the behest of Queen Mary. The political intrigue and changing alliances could be confusing, but a family tree at the front of the book helps readers keep most of the relatives straight. If only there were a chart of court advisors, foreign dignitaries, and servants! Reading Jane Yolen's The Queen's Own Fool (Philomel, 2000), about Elizabeth's cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, would be an interesting comparison/contrast study with this novel because both women faced similar types of opposition. Elizabeth was a unique person in her own time, and her intelligence, drive, and independence will appeal to today's readers.-Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152026592
• ISBN-13: 978-0152026592
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,164,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My first book, MISS PATCH'S LEARN-TO-SEW BOOK, published more than forty years ago, was intended to teach young girls how to knot thread, make a neat stitch, and sew simple items. The main character of my next book, CLEOPATRA CONFESSES, coming in June 2011, is a far cry from the roundish, gray-haired lady with a needle in her hand and spectacles on her nose. Since the thrill of seeing that first book in print, I've written over fifty more books, non-fiction and novels (most recently, historical fiction). In the process I've learned more about writing and a lot about history, a subject that was not my favorite when I was a young student but has become my passion--a passion I love to share with readers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beware, Princess Elizabeth, June 4, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Beware, Princess Elizabeth: A Young Royals Book (Hardcover)

Spies everywhere, potential poisoning, being sent to rot in the tower, a Queen who's sure not to put you on the throne as a sister; that's the life of Princess Elizabeth for you.

Taking place right after the death of King Henry VII Beware, Princess Elizabeth tells the tale of how Elizabeth, Princess of Wales, survived the rein of not only her brother, whom she loved dearly, but the infamous rein of her sister, Princess Mary Tudor. Told by Princess Elizabeth herself, she tells you of how she lived day to day life in the royal court and what she thinks of the dukes, earls, and princes whom King Philip II, Queen Mary's husband, tries to marry them off to her. Being as steadfast as Elizabeth is on not marrying, she refuses all proposals and lives in fear of what the King and Queen, especially the Queen, might say or do about her defiance.

Having every one she loves either dead or taken away by the order of the Queen, Elizabeth feels totally and utterly alone. How will she survive this horrible torture and still hope to become Queen of England? Find out in the wonderful book entitled Beware, Princess Elizabeth and enjoy!

My personal opinion of the book was that it was quite entertaining. I do admit that it did have some parts where it was a little long-winded but those parts were few. For the most part I gave the book 5 whole stars for its great development of the characters and making history come alive and enjoyable to read.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating portrayal of the young Princess Elizabeth., April 24, 2001

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beware, Princess Elizabeth: A Young Royals Book (Hardcover)

As the daughter of King Henry the VIII and Anne Boleyn, the wife he had executed on false charges of adultery simply because she did not birth him a son, the young Princess Elizabeth was at various times pampered, scorned, or simply ignored by her father. She and her young half-brother Edward, the heir to the throne, were close. But Elizabeth and her half-sister Mary - daughter of the woman Henry divorced to marry Anne Boleyn - were barely civil to each other. Mary hated Elizabeth simply for her mother's identity. When the King dies and Edward is crowned, the two sisters manage an uneasy peace - until Edward dies and Mary becomes Queen. Now Elizabeth is in grave danger. There are many reasons her sister could want her out of the way. Elizabeth will need all of her wits if she is to survive the dangers of her sister's reign so that someday she can become Queen of England. This was a fascinating portrait of Elizabeth as a teenager and young woman. I highly reccomend this book.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elizabeth or Mary?, July 3, 2001

By 

Rebecca (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beware, Princess Elizabeth: A Young Royals Book (Hardcover)

Beware, Princess Elizabeth is an excellent book! Carolyn Meyer writes wonderful historical fiction and I couldn't put this book down. I have read Mary, Bloody Mary also and it is a great book as well. But my mind always comes back to the same question: Mary or Elizabeth? Which one is the greater, better sister? Was Mary really as horrible as Elizabeth made her out to be? In all I've read of this time period I've always liked Elizabeth better. But in Mary, Bloody Mary, Mary seems almost...kind. She went through a lot to come to the conclusion that she would never like Elizabeth. I think that Mary wasn't horrible when she was a young girl and a young lady as shown in Mary,Bloody Mary but that her hatred of Elizabeth and her horrid treatment of Protestants was a developed characteristic. I believe that I will always like Elizabeth more. However, I feel that one should read each book and come to ones own conclusion of this question: Mary or Elizabeth?