It’s easy to see that most of my reviews are of YA fantasy books, but I do also love a good historical tale, fiction and non, especially ones set in this particular era as I was a huge history lover in school and college and spent many years studying the Tudors and Stuarts. So I was very intrigued to have a read of this book and it was exciting for me to align events in the book with the stuff I’d studied in the past. I know that the tale itself is fictional, however the character was based on the life of Arbella Stuart, who despite my many years of studying this era, I had never heard of. It’s actually been a while since I’ve delved back into the world of Tudors and Stuarts, but this has reignited my interest, so for that I thank Elizabeth Fremantle.

There was this constant, so near yet so far feel pretty much running from beginning to end, where Arabella was so close to getting what she wanted, before it was then snatched away. I really felt for her and her struggles that came as part of her life because of who she was born. To see the contrasts, where on both ‘sides’ people would see others as having the better life, Arabella longed to not be royalty, and others would have given anything to be her. A common theme no matter what century you were born in.

I enjoyed the way it was set out with the chapters split between Ami and Arabella, and with Ami reading Arabella’s writings and her reflections on what she was reading, and then the gaps she was filling in. Little slow to get into it, especially with this format because just as you were beginning to become immersed into Arabella’s story you’d be jerked out to Ami’s present day, and vice versa. But once I got into the feel of it then it flowed much better.

All in all an encapsulating and enlightening read, would certainly recommend it and is one I’ll be buying for my mum too, as I believe this book will be right up her street (that's not to say it's not up my street as well! A universally appealing book).

This book tells the story of Arbella, who has a legitimate claim to the throne on the death of Elizabeth 1. Although fiction, the broad story is based on fact. It's a sad tale of someone who is manipulated by everyone for their own ends. Her grandmother wants her to take the throne instead of James. Mary Queen of Scots and her supporters want her to become a catholic and take the throne. James wants to control her so that she can't plot against him. It is beautifully written giving a real feel for the power plays and workings of the court at the time.

The Girl in the Glass Tower weaves together the stories of two women, drawing on historical fact about each of their lives, although in reality, as the author admits in her afterword, there is no evidence to say they ever met in the way imagined. However, this is historical fiction after all and I really liked the way the author made connections between the situations of the two women.

Aemilia Lanyer (referred to as Ami in the novel) was an English female poet who became mistress to Henry Hunsdon, first cousin of Elizabeth I. When she fell pregnant, she was married off to Alphonso Lanyer. We encounter Ami in this novel following Alphonso’s death, left in poverty to bring up her son, Henry. Ami comes into possession of Arbella’s papers which include fragments of a memoir. [Although Arbella’s letters do still exist, the existence of a memoir is an invention of the author for the purposes of the novel.] Through reading Arbella’s words, Ami hopes to assuage the guilt she feels at having failed her friend. The reader will find out more about this towards the end of the book. Ami shares the same sense of expectation as the reader as she reads through the papers:

‘She can sense that her own story is about to intersect with Lady Arbella’s. The idea excites her, makes her wonder how she will be portrayed, whether she will recognize herself. Will she be there substantially, at the heart of the story, or as a ghoist in the margins?’

At the same time, Ami must struggle with the challenges of daily life as a widow without financial means. I found the depiction of Ami’s everyday life and her efforts to carve out a living really convincing and engaging. As a single woman, and one who is educated to boot, she attracts the suspicion of her neighbours at a time when accusations of witchcraft were rife.

Arbella’s journal reveals her life in a gilded cage, existing in an atmosphere of constant threat because of her royal blood and the ever present fear that she may be used as a figurehead for rebellion by competing political and religious factions. Unknown to Arbella, those who would use her for their own objectives may be closer than she imagines – ‘invisible malign forces’. Intelligent, educated and with a gift for writing, Arbella lacks control of her own destiny. Even a potential marriage would have political consequences so she must remain unmarried and unfulfilled. In the imagination of the author, Arbella seeks to exercise a degree of control over her life in the only way available to her.

As presented in the book, there are large gaps in Arbella’s journal covering periods of years. Ami seeks to fill those gaps and bring a resolution to Arbella’s story: ‘It is the story of a woman silenced and with her pen Ami will give her a voice.’

I’d come across references to Arbella Stuart when reading other historical fiction of the period but knew little about her so I very much enjoyed having some light shed on her sad and ultimately tragic life. Arbella Stuart joins the list of Tudor and Stuart women who suffered because of their position in the royal succession and the political machinations of others. I enjoyed this book and will certainly seek out other books by Elizabeth Fremantle.

I received an advance reader copy courtesy of NetGalley and publishers, Michael Joseph, in return for an honest review.

Through the voice of Arabella Stuart, we are transcended back to 16th century England to follow the intriguing life of an intelligent and educated royal figure who some have described as the best queen we never had; one that helped to quietly modernise women’s lives.
Being niece to the unmarried Elizabeth I, great-granddaughter of Henry VIII and niece to Mary Queen of Scots, she was from a very tender age viewed as the next true heir to the throne. The value placed upon her royal blood meant there were designs to plan her marriage from as early as the tender age of 9 years old. However the Scottish cousin James, was also in contention and much can transpire between childhood and adulthood.
Brought up by her stern and calculating grandmother, the reality of being such a royal heir, essentially meant a life of control and enduring confinement at Hardwick Hall; with vultures circulating to best use her in their ambitions, some seeing her as someone that could be converted into Catholicism.
Freemantle’s depiction is one of a complicated character. One who feeds her mind, but not necessarily her body. She is really quite alone, socially isolated and therefore little able to form meaningful relationships. Moreover a minor discretion in such times could turn fate and fortune into a perilous situation, so there were few to trust. She writes prolifically and has a love for poetry. Dalliances with court life are not a time of enjoyment for her either…
Another lesser known real character, Aemilia Lanyer, is also focused upon in this book. She was a professional poet, another influential woman, fictionally aligned to Arabella for this engaging account of events. And it works well. The writing is completely absorbing from start to finish. It is easy to connect to both characters, despite Arabella’s needing to portray an unfeeling persona. Freemantle brings a fascinating and influential woman to life in what was then very much a dangerous man’s world.

Interesting read, which encouraged me to go off and research the characters more closely. The book follows the life of little known Lady Arbella Stewart, cousin to James I and potential successor to Elizabeth I. And what a dreadful life she had! The writer highlights the way in which women of royal blood became pawns -in the fight for power and in religion. Elizabeth I had no heir, so all children of royal blood were potential successors to the throne and the reader follows the manipulation and power challenges that the situation creates. Even after James is crowned, Arbella's relations still conceive plans to put her onto the throne, hoping that she will then convert to Catholicism. This has a dreadful impact on her freedom and the life she is able to follow. The story really highlights the fact that even as a princess, women had no power or freedom of choice over any little thing. Arbella has no freedom whatsoever! I was fascinated by the description of Hardwick Hall, and Arbella's grandmother- a formidable and powerful woman, who was keen to seek the advantage at all times. The descriptions of the glass windows installed in the hall, at incredible expense during the early 1600s, were fantastic and made me keen to visit this NT property in the future.

Treason, intrigue and women in a Tudor court threatening the position of the ruling Monarch. Sound familiar? Well Elizabeth Fremantle is a new name to me but she already has a back catalogue of three novels the first of which ('Queens Gambit) is being developed into a film.
'The Girl in The Glass Tower' originally published in June 2016 is now being further promoted and it reveals not just an excellent fictional plot and characters but reveals more of the life of Arbella (sometimes known as Arabella) Stuart, who was a credible heir to Elizabeth I and is often referred to as the 'Lost Queen'.
The plot is pacy and interweaves the life Arbella within the Tudor court and her meeting with Aemilia Lanyer (Ami), a widow and poet. As Arbella's position fades and becomes a threat to Queen Elizabeth she is forced to become a virtual prisoner with her grandmother, the wealthy and often herself influential Bess of Hardwick. Plots are continually being devised for marriages of convenience to further Arbella's line to the throne and any perceived threats to the Monarch (especially when James takes over) mean Arbella's imprisonment becomes more strengthened. Will her friend Ami be able to help Arbella?
The use of letters is good, as there are many actual letters from Arbella in the archives. These form the basis of Ami reflecting on the evolving plots and sadness of Arbella's position trapped against a throne she cannot inherit and happy marriages from which she is continually excluded.
Recently Hilary Mantel has spoken of historians sieving the past whilst fictional authors add to the mix with emotions and lives. Historical fiction remains very popular and we might think we are all full to the brim with Tudors and know everything and everybody. However I was pleased to uncover the life of Arbella Stuart and highly recommend this author's take on another slice of England's dysfunctional royal past.

Gripping read from the start. Real page turner! Highly recommended

The beautiful cover of this book caught my eye first, and when I found out it was about Arbella Stuart I could not resist downloading it. I adore reading historical novels and I knew a bit about Arbella from watching a documentary about her a few years back.

Arbella was a fascinating person, the great-granddaughter of Margaret Tudor (who was sister to King Henry VIII), and so therefore a possible heir to Queen Elizabeth I. As such, Arbella was used as a pawn by those who wanted power, including her own family, when she just wanted to read, write, and ride her horse.

The story is told from two points of view: Arbella's, as she looks back on her life, and a woman called Ami, who was friends with her at Court. It dawned on me about halfway through the book that Ami might also be a real life historical figure, and after a bit of Googling I discovered she was Aemilia Lanyer, a well-known poet.

Although Ami's life was interesting, I would have rather read more about Arbella! I loved the descriptions of Arbella's childhood and her relationship with her formidable grandmother, Bess of Hardwick, and how she grew up at Hardwick Hall, which was famous for being 'more glass than wall'. I felt so sorry for Arbella as she longed for a normal life as a wife and mother, away from all the political intrigue.

I could have done with a family tree at the front of the book, or perhaps a list of characters. Although I thought I knew a fair bit about history, I did become confused as to who was who. Characters were introduced as though I should know who they were and I spent a lot of time on Google, resulting in a few spoilers!

But the story was very well written and I did enjoy reading it. It would probably appeal to fans of Philippa Gregory and anyone who enjoys Tudor/Stuart history mixed in with a bit of fiction.

Thank you to Elizabeth Fremantle, Michael Joseph and Netgalley for my copy of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Arbella Stuart has the great misfortune to be of Royal blood and to be related to one of the most powerful women in Tudor England, Elizabeth Shrewsbury, mistress of Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. Arbilla was also the niece of the Catholic queen , Mary Stuart, also known as Mary, Queen of Scots and from an early age, these two formidable ladies groomed Arbella to become the successor to Queen Elizabeth.
During this age, titled young girls were taught skills designed to make them attractive for the marriage market, keeping house and how to control servants, play instruments, do embroidery and read. Girls were tolerated for their ability to promote a family closer to titles, land and riches and sometimes nearer to the throne. Due to Arbella being of Royal blood, she was seen as a constant threat to the English throne and was kept under house arrest for most of her life. To spend years in semi captivity awaiting a decision on marriage or whether you will inherit the throne was soul destroying for this young lady, she was constantly denied any chance of happiness and died alone and frustrated. It was a cruel and lonely fate for such a spirited girl who only wanted a chance to experience life and the chance of love.
I have visited Chatsworth house and Hardwick Hall many times and heard this story of Arbella Stuart during a guided tour. To suffer so due to an accident of birth was beyond belief. I read the book by Sarah Gristwood, Arbella, England's Lost Queen and enjoyed it and wanted to read another authors interpretation of this . I found it to be very descriptive and informative and reinforced all I had read before. If you enjoy strong women in Tudor England, this one is for you. I have posted this review on Goodreads today.

I was excited to read this book but I found myself really struggling to get into it. While I think it's a good story I found the switching past to present time a little confusing at times which I don't usually. I would still suggest as a good novel to read but not as readily as similar books and authors in the genre.

Wonderfully written and full of mystery and intrigue, The Girl in the Glass Tower is a wonderful read for any historical novel fan.

"Arbella Stuart, niece to Mary, Queen of Scots and presumed successor to Elizabeth I, has spent her youth behind the towering windows of Hardwick Hall. As presumed successor to the throne, her isolation should mean protection - but those close to the crown are never safe. "
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Penguin UK for this book for an unbiased review and I would give it above 3 stars so 3.5. I thought that the juxtaposition of Ami the poet's story with Arbella Stuarts's was hard to do well and might have been better with only a few vignettes of Ami. Did it detract from Arbella's character, perhaps?

I have not read a book about Arbella and although she was not a vibrant subject, I appreciated the very fine historical details. Elizabeth Freemantle had a wonderful afterward that really did the trick. Perhaps less of being a "novel" and more of the historical details would have worked for me.

Having said that, I do recommend it to Elizabethan Era lovers and Bess of Hardwick followers. I think the King James era was done quite well. Very poignant.

Elizabeth Fremantle creates a riveting read out of playing a waiting game.

I love this author's work. Having heard Elizabeth Fremantle at the Guildford Book Festival, I know how much effort she puts into her research, but her books wear her scholarship lightly. She never tells us a fact just because she knows it: everything is germane to the story and the atmosphere.

Thinking about it, this could have been a boring narrative: a great-great-granddaughter of King Henry VII and a possible successor to Queen Elizabeth I, Arbella waits years and years (and then waits some more) to find out what the powers that be intend for her. Then, in this telling of her story anyway, she seizes the day.

I enjoyed learning more about her grandmother, too - the redoubtable Bess of Hardwick. Together with the poet Aemilia Lanyer, they are all trying to make their way in a man's world, with varying degrees of success.

An interesting and insight read,, more than worthy of Philippa Gregory

The girl in the glass tower by Elizabeth Freemantle.
Tap. Tap. Tap on the window. Something, someone wanting to be heard. Waiting to be free. Tudor England. The word treason is on everyone's lips. Arbella Stuart, niece to Mary, Queen of Scots and presumed successor to Elizabeth I, has spent her youth behind the towering windows of Hardwick Hall. As presumed successor to the throne, her isolation should mean protection - but those close to the crown are never safe. Aemilia Lanyer - writer and poet - enjoys an independence denied to Arbella. Their paths should never cross. But when Arbella enlists Aemilia's help in a bid for freedom, she risks more than her own future. Ensnared in another woman's desperate schemes, Aemilia must tread carefully or share her terrible fate . . .
A very good read. Little slow to start with. I liked the story and the characters. 4*. Netgalley and penguin books-Michael Joseph.

I enjoyed this historical novel about Arbella Stuart, however I did find it rather drawn out. This is the story of Stuart who as a possible successor to Queen Elizabeth I, found her life deviated from its path and in frequent danger.

Fremantle gives us rich historical context with well-written prose, and it is this ability to weave a fictional perspective on the life of Arbella Stuart that gives the story its depth and colour.

Really enjoyed this book. I regularly visit Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall and love this period of history. Anyone who loves it too should read this. Well researched, characters come alive and fit well with the documented real life of Arbella Stewart.. Women were pawns and their lives often challenging. I knew her story but still loved the book. A must read for history fans.

Not really a fan of historical fiction but gave this a try and gotta say it's a beautifully written story about the next supposed heir to Elizabeth the first, lady arabella Stuart. Practically under house arrest with many people plotting against her. Well worth a read with fabulous characterisation and great insite into the Tudor dynasty.

Very good. Enjoyed it from start to finish. Story flowed, characters were well rounded. Makes me want to found out more.