December 19, 2011
| Apocalypsies, Book Reviews, The Class of 2k12, Touching the Surface, YA Books
The cool thing about the Class of 2k12 ARC Tour is that I’m picking up books that might not necessarily find their way into my stack of reading material. This is not because I don’t want to give them a try, but rather because there are so many books on my TBR list (that I know I NEED to read) that I’m less inclined to wander down a less traveled reading road without a strong recommendation. I am so glad that I was given the chance to challenge myself with GILT by Katherine Longshore. I was utterly fascinated with this book. Let me give you a little bit of information before I tell you why you MUST read it.
When her best friend marries Henry VIII, Kitty must learn to walk the fine line between secrets and treason, discovering that in the Tudor court, the price of gossip could literally be her head.
In the Tudor age, ambition, power and charismatic allure are essential and Catherine Howard has plenty of all three. Not to mention her loyal best friend, Kitty Tylney, to help cover her tracks. Kitty, the abandoned youngest daughter of minor aristocracy, owes everything to Cat – where she is, what she is, even who she is. Friend, flirt, and self-proclaimed Queen of Misrule, Cat reigns supreme in a loyal court of girls under the none-too-watchful eye of the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk.
When Cat worms her way into the heart of Henry VIII and becomes Queen of England, Kitty is thrown into the intoxicating Tudor Court. It’s a world of glittering jewels and elegant costumes, of gossip and deception. As the Queen’s right-hand-woman, Kitty goes from the girl nobody noticed to being caught between two men – the object of her affection and the object of her desire.
But the atmosphere of the court turns from dazzling to deadly, and Kitty is forced to learn the difference between trust and loyalty, love and lust, secrets and treason. And to accept the consequences when some lessons are learned too late.
You can pre-order GILT here:
If you would like to request a copy of GILT to review on your blog, email Penguin Young Readers Group at yrmarketing@us.penguingroup.com. Be sure to include your name, the name and URL of your blog, an address to which a possible review copy can be sent, plus any statistics and/or sample reviews. Please understand that galley quantities are limited and that not all requests can be filled.
Kimberly Sabatini’s Review of GILY by Katherine Longshore
I’m going to be perfectly honest when I tell you that often historical fiction is not my thing. Sometimes I find the factual details to be mind numbing–but when it’s done right–it gives me shivers. The truth can be scarier than the imagination.
GILT gave me shivers.
Longshore was a master of the skill, show–don’t tell, particularly when it came to sharing her historical information. She painted a rich, vivid picture of the times and I never felt like I was pulled from the story in order to get the details. And then then there were the characters… I was utterly fascinated and appalled by Catherine Howard and Katherine Tylney. I couldn’t look away from their friendship, escapades and dysfunction. The rest of the cast of characters were equally as engrossing–each one falling into place like the interlocking gears of a watch. When Cat Howard was in motion, it made the whole Tudor Court spin and I couldn’t look away. And lastly, I loved the play on words with the title. Gilt means to be thinly covered with gold leaf or gold paint. But if you scratch at the lightly veiled corruption of the times, you easily discover a lot of guilt.
This is one of those books that perfectly straddles the line between literary and commercial. I absolutely loved it!
Having spent time as a freelance travel writer, travel agent, coffee shop barista, bookseller, ship’s steward, construction company contracts manager and Montessori preschool teacher, I have finally found my calling. I write historical fiction for young adults. I am represented by Catherine Drayton of InkWell Management.
You can find out more about Katherine Longshore and her debut novel GITL here…
Linda G. says:
Oooh, sounds great! And I love the title. Thanks for telling us about it.
On December 19, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Kimberly Sabatini says:
I know-great title!!!! Such a fantastic book!!!!!
On December 19, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Patty Blount says:
Awesome! Adding to my list. 🙂
On December 19, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Bridgid Gallagher says:
Thanks for the great review! I am sooo excited to read this one. 🙂
On December 19, 2011 at 4:50 pm
GinaRosati says:
I love historical fiction and now that I've read your review, I'm even more excited for GILT!!
On December 19, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Kimberly Sabatini says:
Seriously–it's insanely good!!!!!
On December 19, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Eve Marie Mont says:
This has been at the top of my TBR list, but now you're just making me salivate. Can't wait till my turn comes around.
On December 19, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Monica B.W. says:
Oh I LOVE books that are literary and commercial!!
Thanks for letting me know about this one! 😀
And I love how your book looks up there! 😀
On December 20, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Kimberly Sabatini says:
I agree!!!! Yes, it does take me longer to write blog posts now that I can stare at it LOL!
On December 20, 2011 at 11:28 pm