Anna of Byzantium

Rating:
Summary: Anna, Anna, Anna
Review: The subject matter of this book makes it interesting: a look at the life of Anna Comnena, who was SUPPOSED to become empress. However, some problems abound in this book. First off, the beginning of the book lets us know what happens at the end! Secondly, Anna is not a very likable person in the book, so many times, I found it hard to feel bad for her. Lastly, I felt the author could have expanded on details. Except for the strong personalities of Anna's grandmother and her teacher, Simon, many other characters seemed to be merely window dressing. Don't get me wrong, the book was not HORRID. However, I think some more details and concentrating on characters might have enhanced it. If you are interested about Anna Comnena, I would say read this book. It does have it's exciting parts, and the author at the end tells you what she changed for the sake of fictionalizing the story, which is a nice touch. I also like how she includes a family tree at the beginning, so we can see how everyone is related.

Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: This book tells the story of a princesse in Byzantium. If you like it I sugest reading 'The Dark Tower' by Sharon Stewart which tells a story about the princesse of France during one of the revalutions. The main character, Anna, is well portrayed but somtimes does things that I do not belive a person in her possition would do. Anna is however a good heroin and does not sit around complaining as often happends. It is not perdictable and interesting. I wish Mrs. Barett would exspand on the cultor of the people of Byzantium. Still I think it was a good book and I thuraly enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible Book!
Review: This book was amazing! I felt drawn into the book and couldn't put it down. (I finished it in one day) Living as a princess Anna has learned to accept her world, knowing that someday she will become Empress and marry Constantine, but suddenly her life changes on her. I enjoyed meeting all the new characters, and despised some. At the end I started to even like John a bit. If you're looking for a great book this is the one to read!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: This book was awesome, I recommend it to everyone. It lets us girls feel more in charge of our lives than we are told we are some times!

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME READ FOR ALL AGES
Review: This is a book which contains elements suited for readers of all types of books. I would recommend this as a must read for anyone from young adult to adult. It has romance, suspense, betrayal, history, and more to keep readers riveted and anxious to see what happens next. Tracy Barrett has proven with her very first novel that reading can be entertaining as well as a learning experience. I hope to read many more books in the future by this author!!

Rating:
Summary: Captivating!
Review: This is a great book for children of all ages, and as I-a child at heart-made my way through the story, I was enthralled by it's color and richness. The reader is drawn into the story more than he/she expects to be. The author did a wonderful job creating a character that the reader not only despised but rooted for. A great book to read with your kids for entertainment and exposure to a not-so-well known culture!

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: This is a great book! It is one of the greatest historical fiction books I have ever read. I would highly reccomend this to anyone who loves history.

Rating:
Summary: Greatest Book Ever!
Review: This would have to be my favorite book ever. It was so moving. Anna Commena will be heir to the throne, even though she has a brother. Her brother hates her for that and will do anything to get the throne. Anna takes lessons from her grandmother, who puppets her. Not to be puppeted, anna goes off in her own direction in ruling. Her grandmother sees this and gets the throne to anna's brother somehow. In this moving story, the characters come alive and you won't put this down till you finish it.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Tracy Barret eloquently and descriptively retells the story of Anna Comnena, princess of the Byzantine Empire. The author is a medieval historian who uses her knowledge of history to add interesting details and charisma to her book. The book itself is hard to put down as Anna describes her life growing up in exhile and alienated from her throne stolen from her by her "whimpy" brother. From beginning Barret captures the attention of the reader and continues to hold their interest till the end. The reader walks away from the book yearning to know more about Anna and the Byzantine Empire. If you liked "Catherine called Birdy" or "Mary, Bloody Mary"....."Anna of Byzantium" is a must read. 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: It give u a glimps of the truth (I live thoughs kinda books)
Review: When I first read Anna of Byantium I saw something u dont see in other book. I saw a glimps of the truth. What I mean is in some books they make the Charaters to superheroy ya know their never defeated and there never stubern. Well Anna is just the opposite and thats ok i mean every one is stubbern or something. And you cant help but admirer her i mean think about it. She stood stronge thuogh some pretty crazy stuff : she gets the throne taken away from her, her grandmother and brother turn agianst her ,her father dies, and her mother goes crazy dang! and she does all this with a stronge head. The secound thing i liked about this book is the way Tracy Barrett made Anna a real person she made her sound real. She made her feal like a usual teenager stubern,stronge,and probley most of all fasinated with the world around her. As a fellow teenager, i have to say i look up to Anna now as a role model. And another thing now that a have read this book I wanna know more about Anna and the Byznantinum Empire!!!!If your like me and LOVE history this is the book for you. It gives ya history and a little life lesson all in one not to mintion some pretty good cat fight!!!! (sorry im not a good speller)