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mjporterauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning.
A Tapestry of Treason is a stunning novel. The character of Lady Constance is a revelation - she is perhaps the most complicated of Anne O'Brien's historical 'women' to date, and the book delightfully fluctuates between the conspiracies and treasons that she's involved in, even though she is, but a woman in a man's world. How she survived the king's wrath on so many occasions is a bit of a miracle.
In the end, I was completely hooked on the novel, and just read the last 40% or so in one sitting, in heightened anxiety from each high to each new low. Lady Constance certainly wins the heart of the reader, even if she herself would never admit to even having a heart.
I believe this is the best of Anne O'Brien's books to date.
Thank you to the Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy. I would certainly have read it anyway - and I'm just delighted I got to read it so far in advance of being released.
A Tapestry of Treason is a stunning novel. The character of Lady Constance is a revelation - she is perhaps the most complicated of Anne O'Brien's historical 'women' to date, and the book delightfully fluctuates between the conspiracies and treasons that she's involved in, even though she is, but a woman in a man's world. How she survived the king's wrath on so many occasions is a bit of a miracle.
In the end, I was completely hooked on the novel, and just read the last 40% or so in one sitting, in heightened anxiety from each high to each new low. Lady Constance certainly wins the heart of the reader, even if she herself would never admit to even having a heart.
I believe this is the best of Anne O'Brien's books to date.
Thank you to the Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy. I would certainly have read it anyway - and I'm just delighted I got to read it so far in advance of being released.
rosietomyn's review against another edition
2.0
Tapestry of Treason by Anne O'Brien follows the life of Constance of York from the fall of Richard II to shortly after the birth of her youngest child, Eleanor.
This is only my second time reading a novel by Anne O'Brien (the first was Royal Game). Like the female characters in The Royal Game, Anne's version of Constance of York often laments the trials and tribulations of womanhood in the middle ages. Unlike the successful laments in Game, however, those constantly present in Tapestry of Treason often feel both far too progressive to be realistic for its time and place and also arrogant and ridiculous considering her title, fortune, and level of influence.
It is not abnormal for protagonists to be grating and hard to sympathize with, especially in depictions of royals, but Constance in this iteration takes it to another level. Constance is not at all sympathetic -- until possibly the last few pages, and even then it is a stretch. There is no rooting for her, and there is such a clear lack of depth that she reads more like a Disney villain than a real life historical figure.
I really struggled to make it through this one, as the middle 1/3 is rather slow and repetitive. Constance is both a brilliant manipulator and a complete fool; a cold and unfeeling ice princess and a lovesick teen. She is maddeningly inconsistent and far too foolish for someone supposedly so intrumental in large scale treasonous plots.
Speaking of treason, Constance is heavily involved and 100% on board for any plot. Why? I don't know - and neither does Constance. Because Richard was *family*? But so is Henry, Constance? Well that doesn't matter and no one knows why. Constance's brother is duplicitous and untrustworthy and that makes Constance BIG MAD! But he mentions a plot? Just tell her where to be! So much simply does not make sense.
There are many inconsistent, one dimensional characters in this retelling of the era of Henry IV, but the most frustrating is the protagonist/narrator herself. Tapestry of Treason unfortunately leaves much to be desired.
This is only my second time reading a novel by Anne O'Brien (the first was Royal Game). Like the female characters in The Royal Game, Anne's version of Constance of York often laments the trials and tribulations of womanhood in the middle ages. Unlike the successful laments in Game, however, those constantly present in Tapestry of Treason often feel both far too progressive to be realistic for its time and place and also arrogant and ridiculous considering her title, fortune, and level of influence.
It is not abnormal for protagonists to be grating and hard to sympathize with, especially in depictions of royals, but Constance in this iteration takes it to another level. Constance is not at all sympathetic -- until possibly the last few pages, and even then it is a stretch. There is no rooting for her, and there is such a clear lack of depth that she reads more like a Disney villain than a real life historical figure.
I really struggled to make it through this one, as the middle 1/3 is rather slow and repetitive. Constance is both a brilliant manipulator and a complete fool; a cold and unfeeling ice princess and a lovesick teen. She is maddeningly inconsistent and far too foolish for someone supposedly so intrumental in large scale treasonous plots.
Speaking of treason, Constance is heavily involved and 100% on board for any plot. Why? I don't know - and neither does Constance. Because Richard was *family*? But so is Henry, Constance? Well that doesn't matter and no one knows why. Constance's brother is duplicitous and untrustworthy and that makes Constance BIG MAD! But he mentions a plot? Just tell her where to be! So much simply does not make sense.
There are many inconsistent, one dimensional characters in this retelling of the era of Henry IV, but the most frustrating is the protagonist/narrator herself. Tapestry of Treason unfortunately leaves much to be desired.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Constance is a proud Plantagenet. Married off young to the Duke of Gloucester, she has fulfilled her duty by providing children but her marriage is loveless. When her husband is caught up in a Yorkist plot against Henry IV, Constance becomes a widow. Falling for an ambitious young noble she is also drawn into another conspiracy which leads to her downfall and potential humiliation.
Constance Despenser is a side figure in the politics around the usurpation of the throne by Henry Bolingbroke. Her family was closely involved in both the annexation of Richard II's throne and the plots to overthrown Henry. Here O'Brien has taken a character known for her ambition and sharpness and told a slightly different story. As ever with O'Brien's novels the romance is well to the fore but the knowledge and understanding of late medieval England is outstanding.
Constance Despenser is a side figure in the politics around the usurpation of the throne by Henry Bolingbroke. Her family was closely involved in both the annexation of Richard II's throne and the plots to overthrown Henry. Here O'Brien has taken a character known for her ambition and sharpness and told a slightly different story. As ever with O'Brien's novels the romance is well to the fore but the knowledge and understanding of late medieval England is outstanding.
faehistory's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
faymus1985's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rhonaea's review against another edition
4.0
There’s one family whose life and time will always make even the craziest time in history seem preferable- the Plantagenets. A whole new character to explore - Constance, Lady Despenser. Now I’m not quite sure if she was a woman before her time or of her time. This is another absorbing read from Anne O’Brien who steers readers carefully through the fall of Richard II, reign of Henry IV and at least two treasonous plots which Constance played a major role. I’m still not sure how she kept her head, but it all makes for a fascinating read.
athravan's review against another edition
5.0
Anne O’Brien is no stranger to historical fiction, with her extensive catalogue of bestselling novels, revolving around a strong female protagonist. A Tapestry of Treason takes us back to 1399 and introduces us to Lady Constance Despenser, daughter of the influential House of York. It’s a story of politics, drama, family, duty and love, but also of secrets, lies and betrayal.
Lady Constance is a deep and interesting character, portrayed as an intelligent woman, shackled by her gender, but using her cunning and wiles to escape the death penalty when a plot against the King goes wrong, and to continue to advance her family where she can. Married as a very young child for a political advantage, she is cold and ruthless, but stumbles into an alliance borne from love. She has to balance her desire with political machinations, and find out what’s best for herself, whilst death will be her penalty if she makes the wrong decisions.
Women in this time period are often fairly flat characters, portrayed either as evil and devious or as mistresses. Constance bridges the gap between the two, giving us a well rounded and believable glimpse into the life of a strong woman in a world of men.
Crafted with detail, a gripping plot, great history, drama and romance. A Tapestry of Treason has everything I want. Five Stars.
Lady Constance is a deep and interesting character, portrayed as an intelligent woman, shackled by her gender, but using her cunning and wiles to escape the death penalty when a plot against the King goes wrong, and to continue to advance her family where she can. Married as a very young child for a political advantage, she is cold and ruthless, but stumbles into an alliance borne from love. She has to balance her desire with political machinations, and find out what’s best for herself, whilst death will be her penalty if she makes the wrong decisions.
Women in this time period are often fairly flat characters, portrayed either as evil and devious or as mistresses. Constance bridges the gap between the two, giving us a well rounded and believable glimpse into the life of a strong woman in a world of men.
Crafted with detail, a gripping plot, great history, drama and romance. A Tapestry of Treason has everything I want. Five Stars.
beccaannekent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lisa_bergin's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the story of Constance of York from 1399 to 1408 and the various intrigues and rebellions that she and her ambitious family were involved in. Anne O’Brien really brings the characters to life and as this is an area of history I am less familiar with I always learn something. Highly recommended. I read this book via The Pigeonhole.
traceyroberts's review
4.0
A Tapestry of Treason is my first Anne O'Brien book but it won't be my last. She made the character of Constance of York leap off the page and grab my attention. I enjoyed reading all about the intrigues of court life. I think the author has done some incredible research for this novel and it shows in the level of detail in her descriptions of the characters clothing and surroundings. This was an era that I knew little about and so I received a little history lesson as well as being entertained.