The Queen’s Lady

Joanna Hickson is a fine historical novelist who brings the period to life. As a sequel to the Lady of the Ravens this book is well researched and very entertaining. Books about the Tudor period often centre around Henry the eighth or Elizabeth. These books are about the reign of Henry the seventh and this one starts with the tragic death of Prince Arthur told through the eyes of Joan, Lady Guildford. Highly recommended.

A follow up to "The Lady of the Ravens" but worry not you can read it as a standalone but why when both books are so good.

As may be obvious from above this follows on from book 1 and continues the story of Lady Guildford and those around the Crown as Henry VIII becomes King and the old order begin to die of around her Lady Guildford life encounters several changes. I won't spoil things by telling you about them but follow the clues and somethings will be expected but beware of twists and the odd red herring.

Many of the characters of the 1st book are here but you'd expect that it's part 2. This is based around the true facts and people of the time which Joanna brings to life in this wonderful novel. The research seems to be very well done from my point of view

There is action, love so hence adventure and things change at a pace that let's you escape from reality into a time long ago. Just like today things that will be written about in history are taking place like the beginning of the King's reign. More entertaining than Covid but the changing shape of Europe continues. But don't worry it's the story behind the events lives that carry on behind the recorded history not the well known story but the one that matters. Well it matters if you fall in love with this novel and not the history, but it's ok to love the history it can add a little extra.

5 Stars for a well written and researched novel that will take you to another time and a favourite place that's only available in fiction. From my experience you will love this read and enjoy sometime away from the trials of this time to those faced by our Hero (Heroine if you prefer) of the time that help to create the history that makes the more boring history books of my long ago in school.

Sequel to the brilliant 'The Lady of the Ravens', the story continues of Joan Vaux, Tudor lady in waiting who has access to the household of Henry VII, and then the new king Henry VIII.

Joan is an intriguing and fascinating character to lead the narrative, her own relationships are tricky to manage in the world of the royal household. Due to her intimacy with the court, we can also see the emergence of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.

Another fascinating portrait of the Tudor royals.

The Queen's Lady by Joanna Hickson is the follow up to the wonderful Lady of the Ravens, where we were first introduced to Joan, a wonderfully warm and wise woman trying to live her life in a Tudor Court governed by rigid protocols and filled with intrigue and scandal. As Lady in Waiting to Elizabeth of York, wife of King Henry VII, she was right at the heart of the action.
This book opens in the Tower of London in 1502, and once again Joan is on hand to serve the Queen, this time to break the dreadful news of the death of Prince Arthur, and console the Queen in her grief. Some ill timed words cause Joan to fall from favour , and when her husband is accused of treason and imprisoned it seems that the family fortunes are at a low ebb. Only her close relationship with the Queen's mother and the love of the other royal children including the new Prince of Wales, Henry, can save the family from ruin.
Once again Joanna Hickson managed to completely sweep me away to another time and place, and it felt like I was revisiting an old friend in Joan. The book is filled with rich historical detail, from descriptions of gowns and jewels to depictions of feasts and banquets to make the mouth water, all woven seamlessly into the story with the consummate skill I expected having read the previous book.
Set in a dramatic and turbulent time in history, with characters that you cannot help but love, this one is a real treat for historical fiction fans, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

The follow up from The Lady of the Ravens, this continues the story of the early Tudor Court, as seen through the eyes of Lady Joan Guildford, previously known as Vaux, a lady- in - waiting to the Queen, and governess to the Royal children.
There were not so many ravens in this novel, but the story still gallops along, and we are still confronted by all the machinations of court life.
Prince Arthur has married Princess Katherine of Aragon, and they have moved to Ludlow castle on the Welsh borders. Henry the 7th is the King and desperately wants to see his Kingdom settled with another generation of male heirs before he dies. Prince Arthur is sickly, and dies soon after the wedding, which leaves his younger brother, Henry, as heir to the throne.
Joan spends more time at Frensham, her estate in Kent in this book, especially after becoming a widow, and then remarrying a younger man, much to the disgust of her son. It’s fascinating to read history being imagined through the eyes and actions of a forward looking lady of those times. Joan was privileged and had money, power and a title, but also knew the dread and uncertainty of being in the Tudor Court, where one wrong word or accusation could send a person to the block or the Tower for torture. Throughout all her tribulations, she seems to have held onto decent, honest values.
Joan came from a grand Northamptonshire family, the Vaux family. Her mother was a friend and confidant of Lady Margaret Beaufort, so was used to being in Royal circles. Lady Beaufort lived at Collyweston ( modern day spelling) Palace, and I lived in the grounds of Apethorpe Palace, so know this area very well. I have dragged my poor husband around Northamptonshire many times, seeking any traces of this building, but we found nothing but hints of many old buildings that have stones that look suspiciously ‘ Castle Sized ‘ in their construction!!
I have seen the Vaux family estate at Harrowden, with vast acres of land, and I believe that Joan would have enjoyed the more intimate Frensham estate, as a welcome diversion from court life and intrigues.
I have really soaked up the atmosphere of both books, travelled many miles and done a great deal of historical research of my own, which means, I have to rate this as a five star read!! It is interesting to read about Tudor history, that doesn’t plunge straight into Henry the eighth and Queen Elizabeth the first. It is also a great read about a strong, capable and forward thinking woman, when most history is seen from a male perspective.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers HarperCollinsUK, for my digital copy, in exchange for my honest, unsolicited review. I will leave a review to Goodreads and other outlets later.

I read the author's earlier book, The Lady of the Ravens, and really enjoyed it, so I jumped at the chance to read the sequel. This story covers the reigns of Henry VII and his son Henry VIII. The history we know a little dryly from school is energised by being seen through the eyes of Joan, Lady Guildford. She is helpless against the political potting and conniving that goes on behind the scenes, and her fortunes follow those of her husband in his fall from favour. It’s a gripping story and really brings to life a period in history that we know through the eyes of men. I loved the first book and this, in my opinion, is as good a read if not better.

Wonderful sequel to 'The Lady of the Ravens'. Further adventures of Joan Vaux in and around the Tudor Royal Court of Henry VII and early Henry VIII. I shall definitely be searching this author again. Thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley.

Once again I’ve experienced life in the Tudor times. Have thoroughly enjoyed following mother Joan and her life in 16th Century Britain. How hard life must have been then. How did they cope with having to visit a barber for a tooth extraction? I shivered at that thought. Despite that, life in those times is portrayed in this book as really colourful and exciting with the festivals, jousting and other ways they made merry.
One of the aspects of the story I really enjoyed was seeing the future Henry VIII as a child and a young man eventually taking on the mantle of King.
A truly enjoyable book and one I would highly recommend.

A brilliant, delightful book. This is the second book about Joan, 'Mother Guildford' set in the reigns of Henry VII and the beginning of Henry VIII. Joan, a remarkable lady, was governess and tutor to many royal children and despite all the royal intrigue managed to maintain their love and respect. Although a fictionalised account of her life, I believe all key facts are accurate thanks to the intensive research by the author. Hickson really brings the period to life. I eagerly look forward to her next book.
This is an honest review of a complementary ARC.

A excellent follow-up to The Lady of the Ravens. This engrossing and well-researched novel takes Joan, Lady Guildford from the new king Henry VIII's court to rural Kent, Edinburgh and the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold in northern France. Her position at court involves helping the new Queen Katherine of Aragon improve her English and negotiate her way through court rituals. Joan is clearly a much-loved lady, known to her younger relatives and others as Mother Joan for her kind and helpful nature and her good advice. A fascinating story, well-told.