McIntire's writing style just isn't right/good enough for historical writing. The political tension she was trying to build didn't work, and there was zero world-building. Some of the language she used was so modern that it completely took me out of the world. 

I didn't understand the motives of so many characters, and felt absolutely no connection or heat between the love interests.

Which sucks, because I LOVE Hamlet and was really looking forward to this one.