Review: "My Lady Jane" by Jodi Meadows, Cynthia Hand and Brodi Ashton (also known as: Lady Janies!)

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

 Edward (long live the king) is the King of England. He’s also dying, which is inconvenient, as he’s only sixteen and he’d much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown…

Jane (reads too many books) is Edward’s cousin, and far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there’s something a little odd about her intended…

Gifford (call him G) is a horse. That is, he’s an Eðian (eth-y-un, for the uninitiated). Every day at dawn he becomes a noble chestnut steed—but then he wakes at dusk with a mouthful of hay. It’s all very undignified.

The plot thickens as Edward, Jane, and G are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy. With the fate of the kingdom at stake, our heroes will have to engage in some conspiring of their own. But can they pull off their plan before it’s off with their heads?



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 REVIEW

This book has been one of the most anticipated ones in my TBR list for 2016. Having read the books of two from the featured authors (Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton), I knew I had to add this one too! "My Lady Jane" takes place in 16th century close to the time where Elizabeth the First reigned. Many of us know about this queen; her wars, her innovative desicions (most of us have seen the movie too).

But before Elizabeth and her half sister Mary who ruled before her, there was a nine day reign of Lady Jane Grey. Sadly, as all the kingships go, she was beheaded in a very bad way, both her and her husband.



Now, on this historical base our authors come and create a marvellous story full of humor, paranormal shapeshifting, and romance. In this alternative England, there are the Edians who can change into animals and the opposing group who hate them. Needless to say that the story follows Edward, the King of England who because of his illness, decides to leave the throne to Lady Jane, his cousin, who also must marry Gifford the son of the King's councilor.

But G has a problem; he likes to spend his days as a horse and his nights as human. At the same time Lady Jane is the TOTAL definition of a book worm, who actually can't tkae her eyes from a book. Add in all this mess conspiracies, humor and adventure and you have a plot that will sarisfy even the most demanding readers.

Facts about the book that made me personally enjoy it:

There are mentions to ferrets. I am sure this was Jodi's idea since she has a love for the cute little ones. And every scene she has written is hilarious and sweet.

                             

There is also a mention to "Princess Bride" with our all time favorite quote





 and a tiny bit of mention to Disney's "Tangled".



Also, it was quite fun the way the authors created fictional titles for all the books Jane read. And the Queen read a lot.


Also, the best part that had me laugh (and make the bus passengers look at me) was how Jane's mother explained the first wedding night.

So, all hail to the "VERY SPECIAL HUG"!

And finally it hasn't missed my attention that this is the third book I see with alternative history, or alternative historical events (the others were "The Crown's Game" and "And I Darken"). Which is good because these books can make the reader more interested in the actual historical events, before reading them.

If you love "Princess Bride", Disney and ferrets then this book is one of the top for 2016! ;)


 Also the authors are celebrating the nine day of reign of Lady Jane and have organised a series of fun stuff, giveaways and discussions! Make sure to check their site!


 




About the authors:


Brodi Ashton

Brodi Ashton is the author of the EVERNEATH trilogy. and the forthcoming DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY with Balzer and Bray. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Utah and a master's degree in international relations from the London School of Economics. 

Brodi has an active following on her blog, which can be found at www.brodiashton.blogspot.com. She lives in Utah with her family. Follow her on Twitter at @brodiashton.




Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of the UNEARTHLY trilogy. After receiving graduate degrees in creative writing from Boise State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she went on to  teach fiction and young adult literature at Pepperdine University. She and her family now reside in Idaho. Her most recent contemporary YA, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, was just released in February 2015. Find her at www.cynthiahandbooks.com or @CynthiaHand on Twitter.



Jodi Meadows

Jodi Meadows lives and writes in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, with her husband, a Kippy*, and an alarming number of ferrets. She is a confessed book addict, and has wanted to be a writer ever since she decided against becoming an astronaut. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy and the  ORPHAN QUEEN Duology (HarperCollins/ Katherine Tegen). Visit her at www.jodimeadows.com
*A Kippy is a cat.

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