Traitor's Kiss

Pauline Francis

With 20 years of experience as a Secondary school teacher and trained librarian, Pauline has a passion for teaching and encouraging creative writing. Pauline had her first book published in 1994, and has had several books published since, including a number of retellings of well-known classics.

Visit www.paulinefrancis.co.uk to find out more.

Press & Blog Reviews

The dangers for the young princess at court are brilliantly captured in this nail-biting story of how the young Elizabeth keeps herself safe following the execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn. Held captive and taunted with malicious rumours, Elizabeth tells of her imprisonment and of her fears of being killed for witchcraft following the rumours of her mother’s dark skills in enchanting Kind Henry VIII. Full of palace intrigue and shot through with dark magic, this is a thrilling story of a feisty young girl’s fight for survival.
Julia Eccleshare for LoveReading4Kids

Traitor's Kiss by Pauline Francis, with its shades of Philippa Gregory or Jean Plaidy, tells the story of the teenaged Elizabeth I struggling with friendships, burgeoning sexuality, the ghost of her executed mother and the horror of having so few people to trust.
The Independent

Traitor's Kiss is a prime example of what I think YA historical should be and do. It is brilliantly engaging with characters that you are able to relate to easily. The story gives you a really good insight to the times it is set in without overburdening you with tiny details. Finally the storyline is nice and pacey which keeps you wanting to read page after page...Certainly a book I would recommend and an author I will be keeping an eye out for in the future.
The Overflowing Library

A gripping story, written in the first person, which really gets the reader right inside the life of the future Queen Elizabeth I as she fights to keep herself safe through the treachery that is rife in Tudor England. Nowhere seems safe for the young Elizabeth, as she seeks to find out the truth about her mother, Anne Boleyn. At all turns, it seems there is danger and she fights desperately to keep her integrity and preserve her reputation unscathed. The story is really well written and the reader is drawn into young Elizabeth's struggles in this compelling story. The historical background is authentic and it is interesting to see this earlier period in the Queen's life covered.
Parents in Touch

Well written and paints a very sympathetic picture of Elizabeth as a young girl who has been manipulated and used by a powerful, charismatic and ambitious man, but a girl who showed maturity and skill beyond her years to outface her interrogators.
Carousel

The Elizabeth Francis describes in Traitor’s Kiss is one we would recognize; proud, intelligent, brave and quick-tempered. The author not only captures her character but also what it must have been like to grow up a daughter of a beheaded Queen. Francis also brilliantly captures the Tudor world: its customs, lifestyle, smells, tastes and colours – she really does bring history alive.
School Librarian Journal (Vol. 59, No. 4)

Reader Reviews

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Traitor's Kiss
I have only just read this book it is by far one of the best books i have ever read! It has really interested me in the History of the Kings and Queens! I have really enjoyed this book and give it a 5 star rating.
Lucy Imogen, 25th October 2012

Traitor's Kiss
I think that this book is very good, it is a very enjoyable read, once you start reading you just can't stop. It becomes very addictive. There are lots of unexpected twists in this book. One of the best books I have read. I also met the author, and she gave me a sugar rose! (: THANK YOU! Such a lovely touch, also the sugar roses are mentioned in the book, very sweet! I am going to savour that amazing sugar rose forever! I would just like to say after reading this book and meeting the author...she is an amazing person and an extremely talented writer, and I also love her book. I have already read it two times, this is now my third time at reading it. Hope it wins the Carnegie award this year! (: Overall an incredible read loved every bit of it. THANK YOU (:
Poppy Ann, 11th July 2011

Extras

• Usborne Quicklinks
  See the Internet links for this book.
• Watch a reading of Traitor's Kiss
  Author Pauline Francis asked her friend Emma to read from Traitor's Kiss at her book launch. Emma was the same age when she did this reading as Princess Elizabeth is in the book (15).