A Tale of Love and Shakespeare: Shakespeare's Lady by Alexa Schnee

Shakespeare's Lady
by Alexa Schnee
Copyright 2012
Guideposts
ISBN: 9780824945282

My Thoughts:
How many teens do you know who have a published novel? I know that I didn't know of any until I received and ARC of Shakespeare's Lady by teen writer Alexa Schnee. I'll admit to being pessimistic going into this thinking that the quality of the writing might not be on par with some other more experienced author's whose books I've read but I was pleasantly surprised. Ms. Schnee definitely has a career ahead of her and the potential to write an awesome story.

I'm not the biggest fan of Shakespearean or Elizabethan fiction but I did enjoy this book. I wish that it dealt more with Emilia's and William's relationship and less on life in Elizabeth's court. I've read so many books about court life that it does become a bit repetitive and I just feel like skipping ahead to get to the "good stuff." The first half of the book is almost entirely about Emilia, her life as mistress to Henry Carey, and the other ladies in waiting. Once Shakespeare came into the picture the story definitely became more interesting. I loved the interaction between Emilia and William concerning their writing and the conversations they had about their faith.


Shakespeare's Lady is a must-read for fans of the genre or readers who want to read Christian fiction that's a bit different. In spite of some small issues overall I was very impressed with this book. If her books are this good now what will future books be like? I'm definitely willing to read what she writes next!


To learn more about the author visit her WEBSITE

*Thanks to the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for posting my honest opinion of the book.* 


About the book:
In Shakespeare's Lady, Emilia Bassano is one of the most dazzling ladies at court when she meets the little-known playwright William Shakespeare. Shakespeare sees the world like no one ever has before, and despite everything -- his wife in Stratford-Avon, Emilia's husband and young son, and the will of the fiery and unpredictable queen -- they fall in love. But the course of true love never did run smooth, and the Virgin Queen does not take lightly to her ladies straying. These star-crossed lovers must fight for their love -- and, eventually, their lives. Meanwhile, William, courting the queen's favor for his new theater, pens some of the most memorable stories ever written, and encourages Emilia to write; he helps her compose, and eventually steals, a little bedtime story she calls A Midsummer Night's Dream.

In the tradition of Jane Austen Ruined My Life and The Other Boleyn Girl, this is a breathtaking, emotionally rich story spun out of historical fact. From the plague-ridden streets of London to the throne room of Greenwich Court to the stage of The Globe Theater, this is a meticulously researched and gorgeously written story about grace, forgiveness, and the forbidden love between the greatest poet the world has ever known and the woman who inspired him.