'Bloody Mary: A Graphic Biography of Mary Tudor' [BOOK REVIEW]

 'Bloody Mary: A Graphic Biography of Mary Tudor' by Kristina Gehrmann 

Thank you to the author Kristina Gehrmann, the publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

A beautifully illustrated in a comic style biography of Mary Tudor, or more widely known as Mary I Queen of England, or "Bloody Mary". The first child and daughter of Henry VIII with Catherine of Aragon of Spain. 

It was a quick, fresh read and enjoyable for any History enthusiast. The illustrations are stunning and I loved the style.

It narrates Mary I's life since she was born in 1516 until her death in 1558. Her upbringing, what happened to her mother Catherine of Aragon, her complicated dynamic with her father because of their difference and different religious beliefs - she was Catholic; he, a protestant that defied the Catholic Church and the Pope and the Vatican by divorcing his first wife (Mary's mother) and created the Church of England, the Protestant Church. 

This reimagined biography story is told by Mary's point of view and perspective at how she observed and felt things. All of this reimagined. Mary I of England was responsible for the burning of 300 protestants over the course of her reign of terror for the course of five years that she reigned, until her death. 

Elizabeth Tudor, that would lately be known as Elizabeth I of England, that would lead England to live a 'golden age', the rennaisance of a nation by naval and international expansion and ideals. 

This graphic novel depicts Mary Tudor's life, in particular, although highlighting the most important changes in her life - her parents' divorce, her being stripped off her title as Princess of England, her taking care of her sister Princess Elizabeth, her being back at Court and being given her title back as Princess and Heir to the Throne of England after her brother Edward, who would die at the age of 13, her ascent to the throne, her reign of terror and disputes and fear of her sister Elizabeth and what she represented for England - being back to the Protestantism her father created and Elizabeth was born into, her burning 300 protestants to suppress them - 'Bloody Mary' - and trying to impose back Catholicism in England, and her ultimate death in 1558. 

In the end, her sister Elizabeth would succeed her to the throne and become Queen Elizabeth I of England, taking England back to protestantism. 

It was an enjoyable reading, and as a person that loves History it was a great, quick and easy book to read. 

This book comes out on July 15th this year so stay tuned!

#BloodyMary #Netgalley