My Lady Jane

I first read the novel My Plain Jane because I received it in a book subscription box, and as a result, I really wanted to read the first by these authors, which is My Lady Jane. It only took me about two years to be able to find a copy because it was so popular, and the library always had holds for it. I finally found a copy from the school library, and I fell in love with this story!
I have always loved British history, and I especially love learning about the Tudor family and Elizabethan age. The story of Jane Grey is one that is often overlooked, and I was excited to read this take on her reign. Of course, the Lady Janies take liberties with the story, and they turned it into a comedic fantasy, but that is what makes it even better in my personal opinion.
The story starts with King Edward receiving the news that he is dying, and Lord Dunlop encourages him to marry his cousin, Jane Grey, to Lord Dunlop's son so that Jane's son will be king upon Edward's death. Edward does so willingly, and he feels a little regret for marrying Jane off, but he feels like it was the right thing to do.
The funny part is that Jane's husband, Gifford (G), turns into a horse by day, and he is only human at night. He is what is known as an Edian, and although Henry VIII was also an Edian, there have been bad feelings towards them since his death. Jane has no idea that G is an Edian, and she thinks he is running off to spend his time with prostitutes, and so she isn't happy with the idea that Edward married her off to a philanderer.
As time goes by, Edward is captured by Mary, his half-sister, and he is imprisoned. Fortunately for him, his other sister, Elizabeth, is an Edian, and she hints to him that he is one also. Just as Lord Dunlop and Mary are about to kill him, he turns into a kestrel and flies away. As a result, Jane is told that Edward is dead, and she is made the queen with G as the new king. Of course, their reign doesn't last long because Mary comes in with her army, and she has them thrown into the prison of the Tower of London. Fortunately, at this point, Jane also learns that she is an Edian, and she turns into a ferret just in time to escape and get G out of the prison as well.
The story goes on with all kinds of misunderstandings, and I honestly got very frustrated with Jane and G because neither one of them would tell each other the truth. They slowly fall in love, but they are both too stubborn to admit it. Also, Edward eventually reunites with them, and he meets his own Edian love interest as well. By the end of the book, most of the royal family are Edians, but they have to dethrone Mary before she decides to get rid of all of the Edians in England. They enlist the help of the King of France, and Mary, Queen of Scots, to get rid of Mary, and there were times when I felt that it just wasn't going to happen. I actually felt like the true part of the story would happen where Jane is beheaded and Edward dies leaving no heir to the throne.
However, the authors do a great job of taking a tragic history and turning it into a Happily Ever After fairy tale. All of the characters survive, and they eventually get what their hearts desire. In order to remain true to the historical facts though, Edward does not remain king, Jane and G do not reign in his place or lose their heads, and Elizabeth becomes the queen after getting rid of Mary from the throne.
Overall, it was a delightful read for me, and I know that my students who love historical fiction and/or fantasy will enjoy this one. It may upset readers who want historical fiction to remain true to the facts, but I thought the twists on the truth were very well done. In fact, the twisting of the truth led me to do research into what really did happen because I knew so little about Jane Grey and her brief rule of England. This is definitely one I recommend if you enjoy history, fantasy, and humor.