I think this was a really refreshing take on the time period, going at it from an interesting angle.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me.
The premise had so much promise! I absolutely loved learning about the Tudors growing up and I cannot get enough of Tudor history. So when o saw this historical fiction novel set in 1553, a time where Elizabeth had been imprisoned by her sister, Mary Tudor. I also found the idea of an LGBTQ representation in this time period to be interesting.

As much as I really wanted to love this book, I just couldn’t really connect with the characters and I could never really following Alys actions as there was no explanation as to why she did what she did?

I will say that from what I did read, the author has really gone out there and done her research to keep the story as historically accurate as possible, which I applaud. Not many fictional novelists will keep to the facts.

I hope to try picking this up again in the future. As it did hold some interest for me.

this book was ok at best, i personally found it dragged on and was rather boring to be frank with you, although i did enjoy certain passages from the text, as a whole i would not recommend this book to a reader such like myself. however if you are interested in this genre of writing i believe you would fall in love with this book, i can understand why so many people love it!

I usually adore most books written by this author but I really struggled to gel with this one.

I didn't feel the lure to keep picking the book up to read more and when I got to the end of the book, it all seemed a little pointless. As though, I really haven't gained anything from reading.

A massive shame and I do enjoy this kind of book usually.

Set in 16th century England, this book is about Alys Twist, an orphan and laundress employed in Queen Mary’s court who comes along as a disagreement develops between sisters Mary and Princess Elizabeth. It is so interedsting to think about what it must have been like to have been in such a position at this time in history. I must admit, it is still not my favourite period of history to read about but this book brought it more alive for me, even if it is just a work of fiction.

I loved that the narrative is based around a main character who isn’t a noble or a courtier (as most Tudor era novels tend to be) which to me felt incredibly refreshing. I’m also impressed with the level of accuracies in the details surrounding historical events-the tide letter being just one of many examples. Throughly enjoyable historical read

Set slap bang in the middle of the Tudor period, The Testimony of Alys Twist focuses on the tumultuous period when Mary I had wrested the throne from Lady Jane Grey, and the Princess Elizabeth was out of favour. At this point in time, the country was ruled by religion and Mary was pulling the country back in time to the period before Henry VIII broke from Rome, and imposing Catholocism on the land. Alys is a young women, orphaned as a child, who had never had a real place to call home. The story picks up as she finds herself becoming laundress to the queen. She bcomes embroiled in the discord between Mary and Elizabeth, and is sent to Elizabeth's household as an informant.

I enjoyed the book in terms of the detail. This is a time period I've read about a lot but a great number of novels focus on the story from the perspective of richer folks, so it was nice to have the protagonist be a 'normal' person. There had obviously been a lot of research into the role of a laundress, and I liked learning new bits and bobs surrounding that. I also liked that the author uses plain vocabulary, and that the book would be easily accessible to anyone who wanted to read, even if they didn't have much knowledge of the period. I do feel though, that the end was a little bit disappointing. I felt that the story sort of just faded away - I didn't feel that there was a good rounding up at the end. But overall, probably 6/10!

I really enjoyed this book it was very well written. Set in 16th century England, we follow Alys Twist, an orphan and laundress at Whitehall, employed in Queen Mary’s court who becomes embroiled in a spat between sisters Mary and Princess Elizabeth

copy provided by publisher on NetGalley

The story follows Alys, in the Queen’s service as a laundress. In reality she is sent to spy on Elizabeth.

During the first half, I was bored and though the sapphic romance was present it wasn’t enough to keep me motivated to read on. Speaking of motivation Alys’ motivations were never clear, and her internal monologue was either dry or contradictory.

However, the story interested me in the second half and began appreciating the accuracy and research having gone into the writing.

'The Testimony of Alys Twist' by Suzannah Dunn is set in Tudor England during the reign of Mary Tudor.

Alys arrives at the palace as a laundress within the royal wardrobe. She is excited to have reached the pinnacle of her career and is awed even further when alongside Bel, the daughter of the queens tailor, she attends to the queen. However, she soon becomes embroiled in espionage and is drawn into spying on Elizabeth - the queens half sister and threat to the throne. When the princess is arrested, Alys has to make a dangerous choice...

For me this book was a bit of a mixed bag. I enjoyed the alternative perspective that Alys's position as laundress gave her. It is clear that Dunn really knows her subject and it was interesting to read about the way in which garments were altered for each monarch, laundered and stored. The different characters in the story were well drawn, as at times were the rivalries and plots. However, at other times I felt very confused and was unclear whether I was failing to understand, due to limited historical knowledge, or if the plot was unclear/absent. What seemed to be a really promising story started to fall flat, and it no longer drew me in.

I would therefore recommend this book to people who have a better knowledge of this historical time period, and for fans of Suzannah Dunn.

Within the first few pages, I found myself immersed in the Tudor world that Suzannah Dunn had created. The vivid descriptions of the sights and smells of Tudor London really
brought the novel to life and at times I felt like I was sailing down the Thames!

The novel focuses on Elizabeth as a princess and the dispute between her and Queen Mary. To read the novel from Alys, the laundress perspective, was an unusual twist as historical fiction is often written from the perspective of the royals.

Alys, the protagonist is a likeable character, with a sometimes dry sense of humour. Her motivation & loyalties aren’t always clear though, not even to herself! She’s sent to spy on Elizabeth, the laundry being the perfect place to do this - it’s amazing how much can be learned from dirty laundry!

The story isn’t fast paced, but it does continue to move along and I was keen to see the outcome that awaited Alys. My only complaint would be that the ending seemed to come unexpectedly, and I wasn’t quite ready for it!

I’d recommend this book and I’d look out for Suzannah’s other novels.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.

#thetestimonyofalystwist

#netgalley

I’m not sure how to rate this book. It centres on a laundress in Elizabeth I’s court. The descriptions of London and the Thames are vivid but I didn’t really engage with them. I’m a lover of historical fiction and can usually lose myself in it but for some reason I just couldn’t get engaged with this. I finished the book but nothing about it really stayed with me sadly. I’ve enjoyed Suzannah Dunn’s writing previously but sadly not on this occasion.

An excellent addition to novels about Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth the First) and Tudor history. Suzannah Dunn's expertise and research shines through, When Queen Mary puts her sister Elizabeth in the Tower of London, orphan Alys Twist is forced to spy on her. But is she Elizabeth's friend or foe? Obviously we know what happens in history to Elizabeth but nevertheless this is a great read.

This is such an interesting read.. The sibling rivalry between Queen Mary and Lady Elizabeth is

retold as laundress Alys Twist aka Annie Turner is obliged to perform espionage duties. We are drawn into a world

of faction and intrigue where danger is lurking in every corner and no one is safe.. Lesbian Alys has to juggle

her relationship with Bel with her royal duties, a. dangerous and challenging mix.

This is an extremely readable and enjoyable story that brings sixteenth-century England to life..

Suzannah Dunn makes history come alive through the everyday stories of ordinary people. Alys Twist is one of these ordinary people - a laundress in the household of Queen Mary. The turmoil of the times is recounted by Alys as she navigates between service to Queen Mary and her half-sister Princess Elizabeth. This is an entertaining tale of intrigue, love and laundry set in the teeming streets of Tudor London.

A fascinating Tudor novel about a laundress during the reign of Mary Tudor. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it was from a very unusual angle. If you like historical fiction I’m sure you’ll enjoy this

A captivating historical novel centered around the highly toxic and very dysfunctional sibling relationship between Mary Tudor and her sister Elizabeth at the beginning of the 1550s, as we follow the adventures of Alys Twist, a young orphaned girl working as a laudress within the confines of the royal palace, Whitehall.
It's 1553 and England is awashed with conspiracy fever and wary about its future. Recently married to her Spanish monkey, Philip of Spain, and soon to be consumed by an imaginary pregnancy, the Queen is deeply convinced that her half sister is comploting her downfall somewhere behind her back. Unable to shake that gnawing feeling, the unbalanced monarch will pretty soon set up a sinister game of cat and mouse into which the innocent Alyse will eventually and unwillingly be drawn into,
a dangerous web of espionage and counter-espionage that our smart and quick-witted heroine will have to learn how to navigate in order to avoid its treacherous pitfalls and remain safely ahead of her game..... A rich and colorful tapestry of a rather somber moment in English history full of memorable characters and compelling historical details. A delightful story from start to finish.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown UK/Abacus for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.

Arrested by her sister for treason, who in her household can Elizabeth trust? 1553: deeply-divided England rejoices as the rightful heir, Mary Tudor, sweeps to power on a tide of populist goodwill. But the people should have been careful what they wished for: Mary's mission is to turn back time to an England of old. Within weeks there is widespread rebellion in favour of her heir, her half-sister, Princess Elizabeth, who is everything that Mary isn't. From now on, Elizabeth will have to use her considerable guile just to stay alive.

I found Elizabeth as a princess to be one of the most intriguing characters in the book. I really enjoyed this well-written foray into Tudor England, it offers a slightly different perspective to the period against similar novels. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This Tudor based historical novel, deals with the rivalry between Queen Mary 1st, and her half sister, Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth 1st, or the lady Elizabeth in this book, due to her bastard status.
We become involved in this story, through the eyes of a laundress, Alys Twist. The descriptions of the clothes, fabrics and their care, how each laundress has her own recipe for making soaps, various herbs and ointments , perfumes, all to take care of garments, was fascinating, I would have loved more details from this perspective, most novels involve the grander people and not the essential
work of keeping one clothed in clean items. I am definitely going to seek out the book used as a source by this author, Queen Elizabeth’s Wardrobe unlocked, by Janet Arnold, in order to satisfy my curiosity!
With Queen Mary, asserting her Catholic rule upon England, Alys is ordered to spy upon the Lady Elizabeth, to see if she is involved in any intrigues that would affect her position in the succession to the throne.
Alys forms a close friendship with Bel, daughter of the Queen’s tailor, they become lovers, but their relationship gradually draws to a close, due to Alys having to move around the country on Royal Progress. There are good descriptions of below stairs/ back stairs Palace life, the efforts involved in moving from one Palace to the next, and the sheer number of people employed is staggering. Very through research on these areas.
I’m afraid this novel never really came to life for me. I am an avid fan of Tudor dynasty novels, and I really enjoyed the laundress aspect, being both new to me and intriguing, but the rest of the story felt flat. We didn’t get much of the titular testimony, who was Alys meant to be reporting to , and the Sapphic relationship that added a new dimension was allowed to wither on the vine, but, it was a bold move and Bels occupation could have been explored in greater detail. I believe this would make a promising young Adult read, a good introduction to this era of intrigue within the Tudor history.
My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for my ARC.in return for my honest and unbiased review.

This is a really hard book to rate. As historical fiction that provides an insight into a time period and key characters, it ticks the boxes as it focuses on Queen Mary Tudor and her rivalry with her half-sister Elizabeth. Descriptions of London are colourful and vivid, with descriptions of the barges and the bridges making me reflect on the last river boat I took!
Insights into Tudor households are interesting and the roles of the laundress as critical to the smooth running of a palace was something I hadn’t really considered before.

However that’s where it falls flat. There isn’t much of a story. Alys has moved from job to job and finds herself in the Queen’s laundry. She makes friends with the engaging Bel - more insights into her life as a tailor’s daughter would have rounded the historical perspective - but probably add nothing to the story. For quite a while they have fun together (as colleagues and in secret) and then all of a sudden Alys is supposed to have been recruited as a spy. But she has no interaction with her recruiters afterwards... and the whole testimony is very limited. Her dark secret doesn’t really get explored as to the implications or even used to her advantage. The other thing that got me was that she took 10 days to travel 30 miles but then seemed to get from London to Woodstock in a flash. She didn’t get paid for months but managed to survive and even pay for things that she had earlier said she couldn’t afford. And finally there wasn’t really a testimony... I kept waiting for a crescendo that never arrived!

Sadly too many loose ends and not enough story to keep me fully engaged and makes it hard to recommend.

Didn’t quite live up to it: promise.