My Lady Jane is a YA historical retelling with more creatice approach. It's set during a short reign of King Edward VI (son of Henry VIII). He was succeded by Lady Jane Grey (according to history only for 9 days) and then by Queen Mary (better known as Bloody Mary). During this period there was a religious dispute between Protestants and Catholics. However, in this book, it's between Ethians, people who have a magical ability to turn to an animal, and Verities, people without such ability. Jane is engaged to Gifford Dudley (sorry, it's just G, he hates the name Gifford) who is an Ethain who can't control his magical ability - he is a horse by day and human by night. Now, how will our three main characters (Edward, Jane, G) cope with all their problems?
Characters:
I really love how all real historical figures remain true to their character. They all act the way a reader would imagine them to act. Let's not forget the humour! They are all so funny but can be serious too. Everyone is portrayed so realistically.
Jane Grey is relatable to every reader I think. She's like Hermione but more amusing, in my opinion. She's so protective of her books, she even set some ground rules with G. She can't ride him in his horse form, can't tell horse jokes and he, in return, can't touch her book, chew on them or put hay in them. She's pretty badass, a great planner and, overall, a female character you will love.
G, Jane's husband, is a horse. Not just because he's Ethian but his character in general is of a horse. He's tall, handsome, likes running (away). He's also a poet but he's ashamed for it, which I'm confused about. Why would he be ashamed for writing poetry?
Edward is so lovable. He's a bit of a dork at the beginning but he undergoes amazing character development.
There was a hint of a love triangle but then it just turned into friendship and family love and I'm so thankful for that. No love triangles! *yay*
Edward's sisters are just I wanted them to be. Bess (Elizabeth I) a cat person (like me!
), she's strategic and a powerful female character. Mary (Bloody Mary) is an ass (if you read the book by any chance you might know what I'm referring to), discriminates, hates everyone, lies, she's just awful alright? But good awful because what book is without a bad guy/girl.There are also other characters but it's hard to write about them without spoiling anything. Just be sure that they all have their place in the story.
Plot:
I can't say much without spoiling and I don't want to spoil. I can say that the story was written from 3 point of views - Jane's, G's and Edward's. I assume each author wrote one of these characters. I love how authors communicate with the reader throughout the story. The whole book is divided into 2 parts - first ("in which we revise a bit of history") and second ("in which we throw history out of the window").
I think the pacing was very good, not too quick, not too slow. I wasn't bored at all and that's important!
It's a shame this is a standalone and that all three authors "joined forces" to write only this book. I hope they will collaborate again because their writing is interlacing so well!
