This was the perfect snow day read. I've always loved British history, but more specifically, I've always been fairly obsessed with the Tudors. Lady Jane Grey has always been a particularly interesting and, to be honest, sad, piece of the Tudor family line. The young woman was the center of so many machinations to control the power of England's throne, and in the end paid the ultimate price for being everyone's pawn. Similarly sad, Edward died so very young and never had a chance to prove what kind of leader he could be (leaving the country in the hand's of "Bloody Mary" for many years until Elizabeth, my absolute fav, came to the helm). In any case, this re-telling of the story, blessed with a little magic, ample shape-shifting, a healthy dose of humor (in the vein of the Princess Bride and Monty Python), a sprinkling of Shakespeare lines used liberally out of context, and the perfect amount of awkward teen relationships and happily ever afters, was highly entertaining. A virtual treasure trove of fun and adventure with just enough actual history to please the buffs mixed with enough imaginative recreations to correct all the more depressing parts of the story. Jane gets to keep her head (and finds love), Edward also survives (and gets his wish to experience a kiss, maybe even more, before dying), Mary's bloody reign (all the burnings at the stake for heretics/Edians) is averted, and best of all Elizabeth gets to jump right onto the throne (leading England to a more prosperous future even sooner). A rousing and humorous journey to happy endings all around. So so much fun!