Queen and the Gypsy

I was enchanted with this book. It's rare to find historical fiction that stands powerfully as a novel in its own right while maintaining a strict degree of historical accuracy. The three primary characters of this novel-- Amy, Robert, and Elizabeth-- all have their strengths and weaknesses brutally exposed, yet the reader remains sympathetic to them. I came away feeling great sympathy for what had happened to poor Amy, yet I could completely understand the actions of Elizabeth and Robert. Amy married a man who time and circumstances unfortunately changed beyond recognition, and her rival in love was unfortunately a captivating figure destined to change the course of history. Switching back and forth between the aftermath of Amy's tragic death, to the events leading up to it, this is a captivating read, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the life of Elizabeth I or the Earl of Leicester.

This book changed my views of the first Queen Elizabeth. I believed she was a fair and just queen who did what was best for her people, but this book shows how her selfishness caused the demise of a young girl. Amy married Robert (later Earl of Liecester) for love, she loved him and he loved her. But she later discover that his love for her didn't last because he was obsessed with having a crown. He gave everything for the young princess, and she would build him up and then tear him right back down. However no matter how angry she got a her "Sweet Robin, Hey Eyes" it was never angry enough to send him home to his wife, who longed to be with him so much, so much it was enough for her to plot her own demise. And excellent page-turner you wont be able to set down.