At fourteen, Mary Boleyn catches the eye of King Henry VIII. At her family's urging, she becomes the king's mistress, bearing him two children. Yet, when the king's attention drifts to Mary's sister, Anne, Mary is forced to step aside by her family's ambitions. Eventually, Mary decides she will no longer be a pawn, choosing instead to follow her heart.

I found The Other Boleyn Girl surprisingly gripping considering it revolves around the world of courtiers where the way to power is by sleeping with the king. Gregory brings history to life, painting a real-life game of thrones that changed history. Mary was an excellent choice as a protagonist, showcasing the limited freedom even upper-class women possessed, and growing from a naive girl to a fierce woman refusing to play other people's games.