@ trappa, so at about half way through, I've gotta say this is a good book and well worth a read. The author masterfully paints a picture of Henry's courtiers, the place, the time, everything. The writing is fluid and just sort of glides along. She doesn't bog the reader down with too much detail or information that's not important to Cromwell's story. I am enjoying it a great deal and am glad it is a trilogy in progress. I have to admit that as an American with a pretty basic education, I didn't know too much about the Tudor Kings or this period in European history. I also haven't gotten caught up in the Tudor craze that seems to be sweeping literature and television, so I have spent a lot of time on the internet looking up these people ; More, Wolsey, Cromwell, Anne Boleyn ( and Mary), etc. Probably why I am only half way through. Anyhow, you know it is great historical fiction when it prompts you to educate yourself. If it goes horribly bad in the last half I'll let you know, but otherwise I would definitely recommend it.
