Publishers Weekly
05/13/2019
Alternating between the modern era and a 16th-century setting, debuting author Murray blends historical romance with hints of sci-fi. On the verge of graduating from high school in Massachusetts, Emmie, 18, is determined to earn her way into London’s Central Saint Martins to study design. Rummaging at a yard sale, she picks up a gorgeous blue-diamond ring that, when she falls asleep, transports her to the time of a fictional king of England, 19-year-old Tudor monarch Nicholas the Ironheart. A flurry of court intrigue follows as Emmie battles her attraction to tempestuous Nicholas; attempts to save the life of his little sister and successor, Catherine; and works to change history amid the country’s turmoil between Protestants and Catholics. She simultaneously juggles the facets of her contemporary daily life, dividing time between her protective mother, diva best friend, and school. This simply plotted offering provides literary escape, but clumsily executed time travel proves distracting. Ages 14–up. (June)
From the Publisher
"A tale of two teens torn between desire and duty, Murray’s novel is rich with raw emotion and timeless ideals of sacrifice and loyalty... From prison beds to palace ballrooms, Emmie and the Tudor King is an inspiring young adult romance. More than just another tearjerker, it is a tale of hardship, second chances, and the power to change."
—Foreword Reviews
"A swashbuckling, romantic adventure story about time travel and a love that spans four centuries, Emmie and the Tudor King is an absolute pleasure."
—C.J. Flood, award-winning author of Infinite Sky and Nightwanderers
“Fast-paced time travel romp through Tudor England…Murray does a good job showing readers the conditions in the infamous Tower of London, the clothing, the courtly intrigues, a jousting match, and even an execution for treason...Fans of Doctor Who and 16th century England are sure to enjoy this story.”
—YA Books Central
"This was such a fun book. Emmie and Nick were adorable together, obviously, but it was the plot itself that really shined. There was a bit of Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court mixed with swoony romance and it was a delight to read. I was kept guessing and just couldn't put it down. I adored the way Emmie's life in the past paralleled her modern life and the way she forged relationships, and it was all really well done. I'm so happy I got to read it.”
—Felicia Grossman, author of Appetites & Vices and Dalliances & Devotion
Kirkus Reviews
2019-04-07
Time travel enables a seemingly impossible romance.
Emmie's mind is on creating a piece of jewelry that will get her into a prestigious London design school, not on her friends or the end of high school. When she spots an unusual blue ring at a yard sale, she buys it—not realizing that when she falls asleep wearing it, she will be transported 400 years into the past, to the time of Nicholas the Ironheart, the last Tudor monarch of England, adding alternate history to time travel in this soft sci-fi. To Emmie's surprise, Nick isn't just the bloodthirsty maniac of history books; he's handsome and dotes on his sister, Kit. But Emmie knows it's Kit's murder that will set Nick on his notorious historical path. As she falls in love with Nick, Emmie tries to protect Kit and to figure out whether she can give up the freedoms of the 21st century for love in the 16th. Even before the constant crisscrossing trips across time and the lies to cover up her absences, Emmie is a wishy-washy, reactive character. The alternate history angle isn't fleshed out sufficiently, and the time travel is overused. Worst of all, the romance is hard to stomach, especially with Nick's jealous temper.
Any potential the story had is let down by the execution. (Romance. 14-18)
