My Lady Jane

by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows

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I RECOMMEND!

Summary

In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind YA fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.

At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane gets to be Queen of England.

Like that could go wrong.

[summary provided by GoodReads]

GoodReads Nominee for Favorite YA Fantasy & Science Fiction 2016

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Series:#1 in The Lady Janies Series
GoodReads:4
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Spice:None

My Review

This might be one of the funniest books I have ever read. I laughed so hard and so often that my husband kept giving me confused looks. All I could manage to say was, “THIS BOOK!” I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator completely elevated the experience. She had wonderful timing, a lively personality, and a gift for delivering each line in a way that had me in stitches. She was amazing!! The playful and pun-filled humor never let up, and I adored every minute of it. If you decide to try this one, the audiobook is truly the best way to enjoy it.

This story blends historical elements with a gentle touch of fantasy, and I loved how naturally it all came together. The authors created a clever and imaginative retelling of Lady Jane Grey that should not work on paper, yet somehow becomes a joyful whirlwind of romance, charm, and comedic brilliance. There are delightful nods to beloved comedies such as The Princess Bride and Monty Python, and the multiple story threads come together in a way that feels seamless (3 POVs). The collaboration among the three authors is impressive, especially since each perspective fits so well within the larger narrative. The historical details are sprinkled in with perfect balance.

It is remarkable that a sorrowful moment in history can be transformed into something so bright, funny, and utterly enjoyable, but The Lady Janies pulled it off beautifully. I also appreciated that there is minimal language and no spicy scenes; it’s a closed-door romance.

Regarding the series on Amazon, I cannot recommend it. I tried the first episode and felt that it strayed far from the charm, humor, and heart of the book. It simply did not feel like the same story, which was disappointing because the source material has so much potential. I stopped halfway through because I couldn’t stand how much Hollywood’s wokeness was destroying this story. 

However, the book itself, especially the audiobook, is absolutely worth reading. I cannot wait to continue this series. Highly recommend!!