Have you ever held a book and wondered where it had been before you came to own it, or where it will end up once you have finished with it? Well, welcome to the world of bookcrossing.

It would make someones day if you add a journal entry to tell those who had the book before you where you found it. You can remain anonymous if you want to, though if you create a screen name you will be able to get notification each time someone else journals this book.

When you have finished please release the book (and make a journal entry stating where you left it) to let it continue on its journey.

Following this book on its travels can be very fun.

In the week before reading this I had read The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy which is the story of Anne Boleyn, and the Boleyn Inheritance which covered Ann of Cleaves and Katherine Howard. I do not usually read the so many of the same style in a row, but the latter two were being read to pass on. As this book covers Lady Jane Grey (and Katherine Parr)it was like reading different installments in one long continous story.All books are written in narrative so it was like getting different perspectives on the same events. You have got to feel sorry for Lady Jane; a pawn in a battle much bigger than herself. It did make me wonder how history would be different if she had kept hold of throne. This would have meant no Bloody Mary but also no Elizabeth I, what a different world it would have been.

I did enjoy reading this, but as far as I am concerned the Queen of historical novels is Jean Plaidy!

This arrived in my mailbox today! I am really looking forward to reading this one. Will start this once I get through my current book and then the bookray that also arrived today. Curious to see how she compares to Jean Plaidy and Phillipa Gregory! Thanks so much for sending this my way!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow to get into, but it was interesting how it wasn't just about Jane Grey, it did a good job of mentioning other important events that happened (births and deaths of royalty). I couldn't help feeling sorry for Jane Grey at the end of it. She had no control over anything that happened and most of the time she had no clue that she was being used as a pawn to such an extent. The book was well written. Will have to read another book by her to see how I really feel about Alison Weir's writing, as I do really like Jean Plaidy and Philippa Gregory. This one is up there though! Thanks again for sending this my way!

To help ensure that things run smoothly (or that is the plan anyhow), I've put together a few rough guidelines for this one. I know that some people take longer to read a book (busy, got a bunch of books to read before, work, etc)...

1. Please try to have this book read within 3 weeks. I know this isn't possible, but if you make an effort to try that is all I can ask.

2. Please journal when you receive the book.

3. When about halfway through, please contact the next person on the list for their mailing address.

4. Please journal again when you've read the book and it is on its way to the next reader.

5. Have fun! Reading is supposed to be fun!

6. To the last person in the ray: Please keep this book moving... RABCK it, give it to a friend, etc... just please keep it moving once you're done reading it. Thanks!


Sending order:
JudySlump612 -MN (Int'l)
Jayebirck - TX (US)
svoight- TN (Int'l)
HoserLauren- Canada (US or Europe)
AgnesXNitt -UK (UK/Europe preferred)
Elina - Finland (Europe preferred)
fairy-whispers - Australia (Australia only)
sorcha-sidhe- Australia
piemunga- Australia
Magika-Norway <--- book is here


If interested, please PM with your location and shipping preferences (will you ship internationally). I'll PM back. If you don't hear from me, then I didn't get your PM. Please give me a few day to respond as I'm super busy right now, with my wedding coming up fast (Aug 29th)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to the first in line for this Ray

Received the book today from thegoaliegirl, and it looks absolutely wonderful. Thank you!

Simply couldn't put this down. With respect (and lots of it!) to Jean Plaidy and Phillipa Gregory, I think that Allison Weir is better at incorporating historical details of daily life, and allowing me a sense of being in that period myself.

About 2/3 of the way through, the book got harder for me to read, because Lady Jane sees the train wreck coming at her - and there is absolutely nothing she can do to escape it. It's painful to read about someone you have grown to like and care about being treated so badly, especially since we all know there is no happy ending in sight. I also felt very sorry for King Edward VI.

Like bookowl1000, I can't help wondering what kind of a reign Queen Jane would have had. She would have found it difficult, I'm afraid. Both Mary and Elizabeth were raised with the prospect of becoming rulers, and they also had to develop caution, patience and judgment simply to survive. On the one hand, Jane was young and smart and would have learned fast. But on the other hand, she was surrounded by all those dreadful family members determined to use her. Has any alternative history author picked up this possibility?

P. S. Bookowl1000, please forgive me if I'm being presumptuous in airing my opinions on your history. Just now the Tudors are wildly popular and glamorous here in the US, and a lot of us Yanks like to make-believe we're experts on something we've just discovered. ;-)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to Jayebirck, media mail
DCN 0309 0330 0002 0119 2487

I received this book in today's mail. Woo Hoo! I had a terrible day at work, but the book's arrival made everything much, much better. I am reading another book right now, but once I'm finished this is next up! Thanks!

This book was very good. I enjoyed reading it and appreciate being included in the ray. I was hoping as I neared the end that perhaps history could be rewritten and things would end differently. But one of the problems of historical fiction especially when it features infamous persons from history, is that the story has already been set.
Similar to when I read Abundance about Marie Antoinette and I really wanted her to be spared her fate. (She died in the end!)
I also enjoyed reading about England's break from the Catholic church. I am Roman Catholic and reading about this time of English history always fascinates me. Now I think I'd like to read Weir's next book about Elizabeth!
Once I have the address of the next person, this book will be going into the mail!

Received in the mail today and will get it read and on its way asap.

Finished the book tonight, couldn't put it down once I started. I have read alot of books covering this period in history but really like Alison Weir's style of writing which seems to put you right into the action. I agree with previous readers that near the end of the book it is harder to read because you can see what is going to happen and it is so sad. A Great read I highly recommend it.

Thanks for including me in this wonderful ring. Off tomorrow to the next person, I have the address already.

I received this book today with many thanks! I'll start it up as soon as I finish the current book I'm reading. I've heard great things about this book so I am looking forward to it.

Lady Jane Grey's life is a tragic one. She is the great grand-daughter of King Henry VII and at the time of King Henry VIII's death is fifth in line to become the Queen of England. Jane, however, has no desire for the royal life. She is highly educated for a girl of the time and devoted to her Protestant faith. Her mother (Frances Brandon) and father pay little attention to her except to criticize her or determine how they can use Jane to launch themselves higher in social standing.

When Katherine Parr is made the final wife of King Henry VIII, Jane's mother becomes a lady-in-waiting, Frances presents Jane to Katherine in hopes of winning favour. Katherine becomes interested in advancing Jane's education and her status to Edward once King Henry VIII dies and Edward becomes King. All of Jane's elders are working towards her becoming Queen regardless of the fact that she has no interest in it.

I've watched and read a fair amount about the Tudor era recently and this book picked up nicely by explaining what happened between King Edward VI and Queen Mary. Even though you know what is going to happen you can't help but get wrapped up in the story and hope that the ending will somehow change!

At times I got a bit caught up in the narrating characters changing but eventually got used to it and this became quite the page turner. By the end of the book you can't help but be enraged at Jane's parents and the other councilors that made her the innocent traitor this book is so aptly named.

----------------
I have the address of the next person on the list but to be honest I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to get to the post office with the holiday rush coming so quickly! I will post again once I've mailed.

Got to the post office sooner than expected! This one is now in the mail.

Safe travels little book!

Arrived sometime from Tuesday onwards - picked up today at my flat.
Thanks for posting Lauren, I appreciate you making the trip to the Post Office with a busy runup to Christmas!
Started already, whilst at the garage on an emergency run as my car radio decided it just wasn't going to play ball. All sorted now!!
Will read before New Year. I hope.
Merry Christmas to all who have journalled this book, and a Happy New Year to all!

Read over the Christmas holidays - due to the riveting plot, excellent writing and my lack of knowledge about poor bullied and persecuted Lady Jane Grey. Strongly reminded me of 'The Other Boleyn Girl' by Phillipa Gregory in both flavour and tone - great praise from me as I love that book!
Perfectly staged narratives from Queen Katherine Parr, Lady, later Queen, Jane herself, her parents and Lady Jane's nurse, all expressing their views and opinions about what is going on and what they think/want to happen. Lady Jane's parents are truly despicable, but I think thats mainly because as a girl born in the 20th Century my future wasn't purely about being sold off to the highest/best bidder in the marriage market! They make her feel totally worthless and useless, surplus to requirements, like its the fault of Jane that she was born a girl, not a boy. Her nurse is gorgeous, encouraging, sensible and empathic to her charge's woes and troubles. The thoughts of Queen Katherine are interesting, again she survivied her marriage to two much older men before being passed to King Henry VII and then was snared by her previous suitor with a sad ending there. I don't want to go into much more detail in case it spoils it for future readers.
Needless to say I *really* enjoyed this one! Thanks so much for organdizing the ring TheGoalieGirl - have you tried 'The Queen of Subtleties'? My colleague at work, Thelma, has a very keen interest in the Tudors and has read both books loving them both so I thought I would mention the other novel to you.
PM'ing Elina in Finland and hope to get this one in post before New Year.

Posted off to Elina on New Year's Eve from Godmanchester Post Office, but wouldn't have gone till Saturday 2nd January 2010 as the collecting postman wouldn't wait. Grrrr.
Oh well - enjoy!
Thanks for hosting GoalieGirl - and hope you enjoy 'The Queen of Subtlties' :)

The book had arrived on Friday, yay. Thanks AgnesXNitt and thegoaliegirl!

G'day,

Just checking in to let you know I am safe and sound. I am having a nice visit with fairy-whispers before continuing on my travels. I hope you’re having as much fun as I am!

With Great Affection,

Your Book :-)

I have always felt sorry for Lady Jane Grey and the author of this novel clearly shares my sentiments. Her story is told with empathy and tact but with an eye to historical accuracy. Alison Weir has plenty of experience writing non-fiction about Britain's royal families, including the book which introduced me to Tudor England - The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Weir utilises her experience and knowledge to bring us an enthralling tale of greed, ambition and political intrigue, and the innocent young woman who became a pawn of history. Fair warning to the ladies - you will end this novel in tears. I did.

Magika has asked to be skipped for now, so I am PM'ing sorcha-sidhe for an address.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:



I am on my way to the next reader. Fairy-whispers is sorry she took so long to send me on my way. Things are very hectic in her home at the moment and she just plain forgot. Imagine it! Forgetting about me! I'm not sure I shouldn't be offended. In any case, I left her place this morning and hope to arrive at my new destination soon.

Arrived safe and sound in my letter box this morning! Such a treat! I cannot wait to start this book. I am a HUGE fan of Tudor history and have read Alison Weir's non-fiction books before, which are always gripping, so it will be very interesting to see how she fares as a fiction writer. It will also be my first hist-fic novel based around the life and rule of Jane Grey.

Just have to finish another of Weir's books (Eleanor of Aquitaine) before I start this one, but hope to have this one devoured within the fortnight.

Alison Weir tells this story from the points of view of the Lady Jane and those around her who would prove to have the greatest influence on her life. Weir presents the Lady Jane as a shy, unloved eldest daughter of conniving parents who used her as a pawn to secure their own interests, but at the same time was a highly-educated and devoted Protestant revolutionary, determined to do and suffer all that was necessary for her faith, no matter how unfair and misguided that may have seemed both then and now.

Not surprisingly it is easy to feel warmth towards and pity for the Lady Jane, and even though it is known how the story will end, the reader cannot help but harbor a secret hope that the author will, in the spirit of true artistic licence, provide the character with a far happier ending.

It is clear from this book that Weir is a historian, as she writes as one, and Innocent Traitor has an evident feel of academia to it. At times this made the story feel a bit "stiff", but as a whole, Alison Weir has been able to create a depth to her characters that either makes you love them or hate them, and has re-told a story that was and remains in every way a tragedy.

hooray! this finally arrived! i'll get to it asap

Brilliantly written.

Apologies for taking so long to read this but I had a baby and some health issues so unfortunately my reading had to take a back seat!

posted off to Norway

Safely arrived in my mailbox. I will read it soon after Christmas.