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toniak's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
maebel's review against another edition
I just really don't like the pacing. So much is happening, but we don't really get to see any of it. Jaquetta of Luxembourg seems like she was a fascinating woman, but this book makes her seem dull and bland.
yashirolevi's review against another edition
absolutely not interested in all the politics that's in here. the romance plot is so lost for me and that's what i was looking forward to rather...
jr_ryb's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
outoftheblue14's review against another edition
5.0
The events in The Lady of the Rivers, the third book in the Cousins' War series, come chronologically first than both the first two books in the series. The Lady of the Rivers is focused on Jacquetta, Elizabeth Woodville's mother.
A heir to the dukes of Luxembourg and a descendant of the river goddess Melusina, Jacquetta has the ability to see the future. As a young girl, she meets Joan of Arc, who is a prisoner of Jacquetta's uncle, and understands that she shares her same gift. Jacquetta is soon married off to the Duke of Bedford, the English Regent of France. Her husband chose her for her gift of second sight, and decides not to consummate the marriage. He introduces Jacquetta to alchemy and asks her to do predictions, as he's trying to create the Philosopher's Stone. After her husband's death, Jacquetta realizes she 's in love with his Chamberlain, Richard Woodville. They become lovers and get married; then they go back to England to serve at the court of King Henry. Jacquetta becomes the first lady in waiting of young queen Margaret of Anjou.
Jacquetta and Richard love each other very much and have many kids (fourteen in total). The king makes Richard Count of Rivers; the name was chosen as a reference to Jacquetta's ancestor Melusina. Many events threaten the Lancaster throne: young king Henry goes into a long, mysterious sleep; queen Margaret chooses a new favourite and has a child whom the king is not able to hold or recognize; and Richard duke of York wants the throne for himself.
I liked this book, a good addition to the series. I actually read this before the other two books in the series, but it doesn't really matter as this book could be considered the first in the series, and the other two books tell stories that happen at the same time. Jacquetta is a strong, determined woman. She senses that her gifts can be dangerous and lead her to be accused of witchcraft, so she keeps her hidden. She's not afraid of going after love, and doesn't back off from the scandal that her marriage to Richard Woodville is causing at court.
One could argue that Jacquetta's life is not very eventful; it might seem like a long list of pregnancies and births. I suppose she did spend a lot of time in confinement, since it was approximately two months (or six weeks, I can't remember) for each child. However, she was privy to many events from the royal court. She fights for the king and quee, but mostly she fights to keep her family safe. She's especially concerned about her firstborn, Elizabeth, who will later marry king Edward.
I like this series very much and want to continue reading it.
A heir to the dukes of Luxembourg and a descendant of the river goddess Melusina, Jacquetta has the ability to see the future. As a young girl, she meets Joan of Arc, who is a prisoner of Jacquetta's uncle, and understands that she shares her same gift. Jacquetta is soon married off to the Duke of Bedford, the English Regent of France. Her husband chose her for her gift of second sight, and decides not to consummate the marriage. He introduces Jacquetta to alchemy and asks her to do predictions, as he's trying to create the Philosopher's Stone. After her husband's death, Jacquetta realizes she 's in love with his Chamberlain, Richard Woodville. They become lovers and get married; then they go back to England to serve at the court of King Henry. Jacquetta becomes the first lady in waiting of young queen Margaret of Anjou.
Jacquetta and Richard love each other very much and have many kids (fourteen in total). The king makes Richard Count of Rivers; the name was chosen as a reference to Jacquetta's ancestor Melusina. Many events threaten the Lancaster throne: young king Henry goes into a long, mysterious sleep; queen Margaret chooses a new favourite and has a child whom the king is not able to hold or recognize; and Richard duke of York wants the throne for himself.
I liked this book, a good addition to the series. I actually read this before the other two books in the series, but it doesn't really matter as this book could be considered the first in the series, and the other two books tell stories that happen at the same time. Jacquetta is a strong, determined woman. She senses that her gifts can be dangerous and lead her to be accused of witchcraft, so she keeps her hidden. She's not afraid of going after love, and doesn't back off from the scandal that her marriage to Richard Woodville is causing at court.
One could argue that Jacquetta's life is not very eventful; it might seem like a long list of pregnancies and births. I suppose she did spend a lot of time in confinement, since it was approximately two months (or six weeks, I can't remember) for each child. However, she was privy to many events from the royal court. She fights for the king and quee, but mostly she fights to keep her family safe. She's especially concerned about her firstborn, Elizabeth, who will later marry king Edward.
I like this series very much and want to continue reading it.
marygg3's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jadeneedy's review against another edition
The start was simply too slow… I’ll get back to it one day
rachd24's review against another edition
5.0
I watched The White Queen series on BBC before reading this book and fell in love with the characters and the era. I was not a fan of historical fiction before I read Phillipa Gregory, but now I am hooked. I have read reviews that claim her Tudor series is better written than those from the Cousins' War. If that is the case I'd be very pleasantly surprised as I adore these books. I could not put them down, each in the series offers a different unique insight and viewpoint of the same story. My personal favourites are those that follow Jacquetta's line - the Rivers' story. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and while I wait I'll move on to the Tudor series. For anyone who liked these books, or loved them as I did, I would also recommend watching the BBC series as after reading them I can see just how well they were put together. A new favourite series of mine, and a new favourite author. Excellent.
purcellapple's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
gginnola's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0