Alright look, I read My Lady Jane so long ago that the details are fuzzy, but I remember laughing and enjoying it a lot. (And I liked My Plain Jane even more, I think.) So, when I saw a tv adaptation coming to Prime, I was hype. And THEN I watched it and it's the literal best thing I have ever seen on television. It had it all: laugh out loud humor, hot AF romance (the tension, the verbal sparring, the eye-gazing, the consent-getting!), magic, drama, one of my fav periods of history (and the outfits!), and a soundtrack that rocked. So, I'll have you know, I was devastated to learn we aren't getting any more. How is that even possible?! I mean, yes, it's very niche. But also, it was everything. So, here I am, drowning my sorrows by finding my way back into this world in the only way I can, reading the (tangential) sequel. 

One can't tell the story of Tudor England without Mary, Queen of Scots. In My Contrary Mary, we meet her as a young woman in the French Court, betrothed to Francis, the dauphin. And in this version, she has a very big secret: she is an Eðian (shapeshifter) - able to turn into a mouse - in a kingdom where Verities rule. It's a secret that could cost her (any everyone who knows) their life. And in a court that is full of plots and treason and power plays and conspiracies and magic potions and other secret Eðians, there is danger everywhere. Even more so now that the king of France has suddenly died. But with her four trusted ladies (all also named Mary, naturally), a confidant like Francis as her future husband, and a new ally in the court seer's daughter, Ari, maybe Mary can not just survive, but also, actually take her rightful throne(s). 

Alrightttttt this was fun. I am grudgingly happy I read it, because I truly enjoyed it, but that also means I am now fully and completely done with all media from this world. Massive *sad face.* But for real though, this really was about as diverting as a book could be. Quite tongue in cheek, though perhaps less laugh out loud than previous books (My Plain Jane, especially). The observational interjections from the author(s), both as foreshadowing and a present-day commentary on historical practices/concepts, were silly-smart, as befit the vibes. And the “visions” Ari has that are all famous movie scenes were funny. I enjoyed recognizing what they came from, and it was a nice touch when some of them come back in as actual plot points/lines of dialogue later. 

The reworking of history to rewrite the tragedies into something more uplifting/happy-ending-like, while retaining the bones of historical accuracy, is a creative concept that this author team continues to manage well. The interjection of magic is just a great bonus. I do always love magic. And the adventures these characters have when it all gets put together is ridiculous and entertaining in all the best ways. Plus, a final highlight for me, as this is a sort of sequel, was th cameos we got from our My Lady Jane favorites. Seeing what Jane, Gifford, and Edward are all up to now, at least a bit (and having them aid Francis and Ari in saving both Elizabeth, and, in turn, Queen Mary) was a small balm for my grieving heart. Haha.    

Honestly this is just great fun. Nothing intense or reflective or high brow, but still smart and dryly humorous and totally amusing. Delightful literary escapism, at its finest.