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nicohvi's review against another edition
4.0
The Duke of York did nothing wrong.
Well, there was that one time he tortured William de la Pole, and subsequently had him shanghaied and decapitated by pirates, but other than that I mean.
This second installment in Conn Iggulden's excellent series begins with Richard Plantagenet on the throne in all but name after Henry VI's collapse, and by all accounts he's doing a damn good job. There are no riots, no famines, no wars with France (other than the usual raiding along the coast). Quite frankly, Richard seems to be the man for the job - much more than his incapacitated king, whom spent most of his time praying prior to his comatose state.
It was hard to watch the protagonists of the first book essentially become the villains of the second, which I think is a great homage to Iggulden's chops as a writer. 'Villain' is probably not the right word, this is essentially a story without true villains (perhaps with the exception of Baron Clifford and the eldest Lord Percy, the latter had a certain waft of Walder Frey about him), but I found their cause to be misinformed at best and malicious at worst.
Yes the Duke of York could be a bit of a prick, but he was running the country well and even ensured Margaret's children would inherit the throne. Imagine performing your job above all expectations, and then you're suddenly fired because the boss's wife told him to. Now replace being fired with beheaded.
Quite frankly I was cheering for Salisbury and Yorke throughout the book, and the ending gutted me more than I'd imagined (certainly after reading Stormbird, where York was at times portrayed as a cold-blooded pragmatist akin to Tywin Lannister).
Here's hoping Warwick and Edward set the record straight - team York 4ever!
Well, there was that one time he tortured William de la Pole, and subsequently had him shanghaied and decapitated by pirates, but other than that I mean.
This second installment in Conn Iggulden's excellent series begins with Richard Plantagenet on the throne in all but name after Henry VI's collapse, and by all accounts he's doing a damn good job. There are no riots, no famines, no wars with France (other than the usual raiding along the coast). Quite frankly, Richard seems to be the man for the job - much more than his incapacitated king, whom spent most of his time praying prior to his comatose state.
It was hard to watch the protagonists of the first book essentially become the villains of the second, which I think is a great homage to Iggulden's chops as a writer. 'Villain' is probably not the right word, this is essentially a story without true villains (perhaps with the exception of Baron Clifford and the eldest Lord Percy, the latter had a certain waft of Walder Frey about him), but I found their cause to be misinformed at best and malicious at worst.
Yes the Duke of York could be a bit of a prick, but he was running the country well and even ensured Margaret's children would inherit the throne. Imagine performing your job above all expectations, and then you're suddenly fired because the boss's wife told him to. Now replace being fired with beheaded.
Quite frankly I was cheering for Salisbury and Yorke throughout the book, and the ending gutted me more than I'd imagined (certainly after reading Stormbird, where York was at times portrayed as a cold-blooded pragmatist akin to Tywin Lannister).
Here's hoping Warwick and Edward set the record straight - team York 4ever!
severuspls's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I really enjoyed the characterisation of Salisbury and Edward of March. I wish there was more on Edmund. The dialogue between Henry VI and Richard of York was my favourite part of this book. The battle scenes still go right over my head but the pacing of this book was better than that of the first one.
I really enjoyed the characterisation of Salisbury and Edward of March. I wish there was more on Edmund. The dialogue between Henry VI and Richard of York was my favourite part of this book. The battle scenes still go right over my head but the pacing of this book was better than that of the first one.
deathbyscotch's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this second book in Conn Iggulden's series. You're easily drawn into the rising stakes of the coming conflict.
I also came to deeply sympathize with Henry VI and his illness. Characters like him and the Duke of York were a pleasure to read about, especially seeing their strange caretaker/patient/father/son/regent, etc. relationship as it completely breaks down.
I also came to deeply sympathize with Henry VI and his illness. Characters like him and the Duke of York were a pleasure to read about, especially seeing their strange caretaker/patient/father/son/regent, etc. relationship as it completely breaks down.
ohmy_m's review against another edition
4.0
I definitely enjoyed this installment better than the first. While it dragged a little in the beginning, it held my attention and had dozens of really well written battle scenes.
observantraven's review against another edition
5.0
What a brilliant book this is, The series is going from strength to strength and can only get better. Cant wait to read the next one
elliottm3's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
chocolate3cake's review against another edition
4.0
Why did this take me almost a month to finish.
This was SO much better than the first book, maybe because this book is full of proper battles and events that were written and described really well. Also, a goddamned cliffhanger.
This was SO much better than the first book, maybe because this book is full of proper battles and events that were written and described really well. Also, a goddamned cliffhanger.
covertocovergirl's review against another edition
5.0
The stage is set... again Iggulden's performance is brilliant... full of epic battle scenes, complex characters, rich historical detail and drama.
Such stunningly brutal vivid imagery... so well written, Iggulden's ability to use words.. perfection! He gives you a clear perception of how precarious life was for everyone irregardless of being highborn or lowborn. Can't say enough good things about this author and this particular series.
An action packed historical merry go round thriller made even better because so much of it is factual. So many twists and turns... a real life game of chess played with such cunning that the only outcome for the players literally was life or death! Iggulden's is a gifted story teller!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5
Such stunningly brutal vivid imagery... so well written, Iggulden's ability to use words.. perfection! He gives you a clear perception of how precarious life was for everyone irregardless of being highborn or lowborn. Can't say enough good things about this author and this particular series.
An action packed historical merry go round thriller made even better because so much of it is factual. So many twists and turns... a real life game of chess played with such cunning that the only outcome for the players literally was life or death! Iggulden's is a gifted story teller!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5
craftmomma55's review against another edition
5.0
good book. I've been interested in the Wars of the Roses since high school days---a good 40 years ago. Conn Iggulden's books have straightened out the story for me so much! its a ver convoluted genealogy and reasons for what happened. It makes more sense to me now than ever. Can't wait to get on to the next book in the series.