The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann
I would like to thank Vintage for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review
Publisher - Vintage
Published - out Now
Price - £16.99 hardback £7.99 ebook
DISGRACED. BEHEADED. REVIVED . . .
When Anne Boleyn wakes up after her execution she finds she is not yet ready for death. She has unfinished business with the king who had her murdered and is determined to secure her daughter, Elizabeth’s, future. She escapes the tower, sews her head back on, and sets out on a quest for justice.
But Anne’s path will not run smoothly as she encounters the dangers of London and the countryside, and rumours start to swirl about sightings of her ghost. Luckily for her, she will find help from a chance meeting with fenlander Alice, who offers her the possibility of a different future.
Sometimes the dream beats the reality. You hear about a cool premise for a book and think yep that’s a slam dunk. Then you read it and you realise with a huge sinking feeling this isn’t working for you. With Rebecca Lehmann’s alternate historical fantasy The Beheading Game the premise of Anne Boleyn back from the dead and after revenge on her infamous husband is so enticing but unfortunately was a hugely disappointing read.
Anne Boleyn awakens and realises she is awake in her coffin. Able to escape carrying her severed head she soon realises she wants revenge on Henry VIII and as she reattaches her head she also wants to protect her daughter Elizabeth.
Go on admit it that idea is intriguing isn’t it and yet sadly Lehmann does not deliver a story worthy of the situation. Firstly Lehmann is very keen on explaining Boleyn’s history. However as most of the book is just her on her own we get a LOT of facts and explanations. It’s a novel that is very lent o show all the work that has gone into explaining things but as Anne was there why is she thinking about it all. These infodumps just clog the story up and feel very clunky.
The story I feel really is weak. It’s not very clear how Anne gets out holding her head or even drives a boat at one part. The pace is ridiculously slow. By halfway Anne has managed to….get back to where she once lived as a prisoner. Actual plot is squeezed into the final half at pace and Lehmann decides to alter the history of the world but not really thinking about what this means. Lehmann adds some supernatural entries and magic plus a woman who becomes Anne’s new lover but it ultimately fails to make any real impact.
One day I hope I do read a great story where Anne gets to have her revenge. Sadly this was not it. I can’t recommend it.
