Taming of the Queen / Philippa Gregory / 450 pages

This historical fiction is part of Gregory's Tudor Court series.  It describes the life of Kateryn Parr, who is Henry VIII's sixth and final wife.  Kateryn is a very sympathetic heroine, though at times Gregory makes her just a little too naïve for my taste.  Kateryn bravely navigates life at the court of a mad king, knowing she could be executed at any moment.  Friendships last only as long as they are politically expedient and honor is hard to find.  Ironically, the only place Kateryn seems to find good advice and wisdom is from the court's fool, Will Somers.  This novel is beautifully written and I am looking forward to reading more of the Tudor Court novels.