Gilt

by Katherine Longshore

Overview

In the court of King Henry VIII, nothing is free--
and love comes at the highest price of all.

When Kitty Tylney's best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII's heart and brings Kitty to court, she's thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat's shadow, Kitty's now caught between two men--the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat's meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101572016
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	05/15/2012
Series:	Royal Circle Series , #1
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	808,896
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Katherine Longshore grew up on the northern California coast. At university, she created her own major in Cross-Cultural Studies and Communications, planning to travel and write. Forever. Four years, six continents, and countless pairs of shoes later, she went to England for two weeks, stayed five years, and discovered history. She now lives in California with her husband, two children, and a sun-worshiping dog.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In modern times, Cat would most likely be a cheerleader; the king, captain of the football team. But the royal backdrop with historical underpinnings makes a far more interesting story…Readers can practically feel the embroidered ball gowns and hand-stitched lace.” –The Los Angeles Times

"I believe I found my new favorite series"- MTV.com

“Longshore, who's clearly done her historical homework, takes full advantage of the Tudor standards. . . and surroundings. . . but Cat is a completely contemporary American teenager.”—BCCB

“Longshore writes a believable novel of historical fiction with well-developed characters and entertaining . . . plot twists.”—VOYA

“A good, juicy story . . . royally riveting for the reader.”—Booklist

“A substantive, sobering historical read, with just a few heaving bodices.”—Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

In modern times, Cat would most likely be a cheerleader; the king, captain of the football team. But the royal backdrop with historical underpinnings makes a far more interesting story…Readers can practically feel the embroidered ball gowns and hand-stitched lace.” –The Los Angeles Times

"I believe I found my new favorite series"- MTV.com

“Longshore, who's clearly done her historical homework, takes full advantage of the Tudor standards. . . and surroundings. . .  but Cat is a completely contemporary American teenager.”—BCCB

“Longshore writes a believable novel of historical fiction with well-developed characters and entertaining . . . plot twists.”—VOYA

“A good, juicy story . . . royally riveting for the reader.”—Booklist

“A substantive, sobering historical read, with just a few heaving bodices.”—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

After the disappointment of his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII wants a wife who is young and vivacious, a description that perfectly fits the lovely and spoiled Catherine Howard. Jennifer Ikeda gives voice to the story of Catherine’s meteoric rise and devastating fall, as observed by her best friend from childhood, Kitty Tylney. Both Longshore and Ikeda let the innate drama of Catherine’s story shine through without adding melodrama. Ikeda portrays Kitty realistically and ably differentiates the other characters. She is particularly effective at conveying just how spoiled Catherine is. Ikeda is well cast in this role, making GILT a wonderful listening experience. J.L.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2012 - AudioFile

After the disappointment of his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII wants a wife who is young and vivacious, a description that perfectly fits the lovely and spoiled Catherine Howard. Jennifer Ikeda gives voice to the story of Catherine’s meteoric rise and devastating fall, as observed by her best friend from childhood, Kitty Tylney. Both Longshore and Ikeda let the innate drama of Catherine’s story shine through without adding melodrama. Ikeda portrays Kitty realistically and ably differentiates the other characters. She is particularly effective at conveying just how spoiled Catherine is. Ikeda is well cast in this role, making GILT a wonderful listening experience. J.L.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2012 - AudioFile

The short life and times of Henry VIII's fifth wife, as seen through the eyes of her friend. Cat Howard styles herself Queen of Misrule in the Duchess of Norfolk's maidens' chamber (a misnomer if ever there was one). When Cat is selected to be one of Anne of Cleves' ladies-in-waiting, she soon catches the king's eye, and the rest, as they say, is history. Cat rescues mousy friend Kitty to attend her in her chambers, giving Kitty and readers an intimate view of that history. Hewing closely to what little is known about Howard's circumstances, Longshore allows Kitty to thread the maze of alliances that was the court of Henry VIII. She concentrates on domestic details while brushing with broad strokes the politics of the men's world. Kitty's narration is formal, but her language is modern, a balance between authenticity and readability that is mostly successful. Her sense of her own powerlessness, and by extension all women's, even the queen's, comes through clearly. The mounting terror as lusty, luxury-loving Cat's fortunes fall is palpable, as is the sense that the queen is no innocent. The author's adherence to historical detail is admirable, clashing with both title and cover, which imply far more froth than readers will find between the covers. A substantive, sobering historical read, with just a few heaving bodices. (Historical fiction. 13 & up)

Kirkus Reviews