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hmalagisi's review against another edition
5.0
A weak king caught in the middle of court drama, each side fighting for the control of the crown and the right to have their opinions heard. England is on the brink of civil war with a young heiress struggling to find where she belongs and to survive. The young heiress is Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry Tudor (the future of Henry VII) and a survivor of the Wars of the Roses. Her story has been told in many different ways, but the story of her early years has rarely been told, until now. Judith Arnopp has decided to tell Margaret’s story from her perspective in her novel, “The Beaufort Bride: Book One of The Beaufort Chronicle”.
Margaret is one of my favorite people from the Wars of the Roses to study. I have read a few biographies about Margaret Beaufort and a few historical fiction novels that feature her as a minor character. However, I have never read a historical fiction series about her before, so this one caught my eye. This was the first book that I have read written by Judith Arnopp and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Arnopp begins her novel with Margaret finding out that her father committed suicide and that she is a wealthy heiress at a young age. She is living with her mother and her step-siblings. It is interesting to see the family interactions because Margaret’s step-siblings are rarely mentioned. To make sure Margaret is taken care of, her mother puts her on the marriage market at a very young age, which was not that unusual during this time. Margaret’s first husband was John de la Pole, a debatable issue that many historians view as merely an engagement and not a marriage, but it was quickly annulled when John’s father was declared a traitor and was massacred on a ship trying to escape England. I enjoyed seeing Margaret and John interacting with one another. They act more like friends than husband and wife, which makes you wonder what it might if they stayed married.
The bulk of this novel revolves around Margaret’s relationship with her second husband, Edmund Tudor, the step-brother of King Henry VI and a man who was twice her age. It is a relationship that we don’t know much about, but Arnopp shows how gradual and loving it might have been. Although Margaret was not thrilled with the arrangement at first, she did being to develop feelings for her new husband. It was during this time that Margaret finds her inner strength and she becomes pregnant with her only child, a son. Life, unfortunately, takes a turn for the worse for Margaret when Edmund tragically dies and she must face an excruciating labor experience to bring Henry into the world two months later. Margaret’s trauma during Henry’s birth means that she could never have any more children, making Henry the most precious person in her life.
I loved this novel. I honestly could not stop reading it. Arnopp makes Margaret’s early life so believable and heartbreaking. I love Margaret even more after reading this novel and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. If you want a marvelous novel about Margaret Beaufort’s early life, I highly recommend you read, “The Beaufort Bride: Book One of The Beaufort Chronicle” by Judith Arnopp.
Margaret is one of my favorite people from the Wars of the Roses to study. I have read a few biographies about Margaret Beaufort and a few historical fiction novels that feature her as a minor character. However, I have never read a historical fiction series about her before, so this one caught my eye. This was the first book that I have read written by Judith Arnopp and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Arnopp begins her novel with Margaret finding out that her father committed suicide and that she is a wealthy heiress at a young age. She is living with her mother and her step-siblings. It is interesting to see the family interactions because Margaret’s step-siblings are rarely mentioned. To make sure Margaret is taken care of, her mother puts her on the marriage market at a very young age, which was not that unusual during this time. Margaret’s first husband was John de la Pole, a debatable issue that many historians view as merely an engagement and not a marriage, but it was quickly annulled when John’s father was declared a traitor and was massacred on a ship trying to escape England. I enjoyed seeing Margaret and John interacting with one another. They act more like friends than husband and wife, which makes you wonder what it might if they stayed married.
The bulk of this novel revolves around Margaret’s relationship with her second husband, Edmund Tudor, the step-brother of King Henry VI and a man who was twice her age. It is a relationship that we don’t know much about, but Arnopp shows how gradual and loving it might have been. Although Margaret was not thrilled with the arrangement at first, she did being to develop feelings for her new husband. It was during this time that Margaret finds her inner strength and she becomes pregnant with her only child, a son. Life, unfortunately, takes a turn for the worse for Margaret when Edmund tragically dies and she must face an excruciating labor experience to bring Henry into the world two months later. Margaret’s trauma during Henry’s birth means that she could never have any more children, making Henry the most precious person in her life.
I loved this novel. I honestly could not stop reading it. Arnopp makes Margaret’s early life so believable and heartbreaking. I love Margaret even more after reading this novel and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. If you want a marvelous novel about Margaret Beaufort’s early life, I highly recommend you read, “The Beaufort Bride: Book One of The Beaufort Chronicle” by Judith Arnopp.
mareeta_rose's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
splat's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
halkid2's review
4.0
A Different and Believable Take on the Child Who Becomes Mother of the Tudor Dynasty
Margaret Beaufort Tudor is usually depicted as a possessive mother, ruthlessly obsessed with her son's claim to the English throne. Her keen political acumen is one of the greatest assets her son has throughout his struggle to ascend and then maintain his throne.
But the Margaret of this novel is a much more sympathetic woman. Girl, really. Extraordinarily wealthy, she is married off to Edmund Tudor while still a child, though that does not stop him from immediately consummating the marriage. Just thirteen when she gives birth to her only child -- left with a body badly damaged by the trauma of childbirth while still a child -- she mistakenly thinks she might finally become mistress of her own fate. But I'll skip the spoilers....
Arnopp's depiction of Margaret is an interesting contrast to typical portrayals. Here she is just a helpless child, trying to make her way in an adult world where she is generally viewed as a mere political pawn. I look forward to continuing to read more about Margaret's life in Arnopp's planned trilogy, the Beaufort Chronicles.
Margaret Beaufort Tudor is usually depicted as a possessive mother, ruthlessly obsessed with her son's claim to the English throne. Her keen political acumen is one of the greatest assets her son has throughout his struggle to ascend and then maintain his throne.
But the Margaret of this novel is a much more sympathetic woman. Girl, really. Extraordinarily wealthy, she is married off to Edmund Tudor while still a child, though that does not stop him from immediately consummating the marriage. Just thirteen when she gives birth to her only child -- left with a body badly damaged by the trauma of childbirth while still a child -- she mistakenly thinks she might finally become mistress of her own fate. But I'll skip the spoilers....
Arnopp's depiction of Margaret is an interesting contrast to typical portrayals. Here she is just a helpless child, trying to make her way in an adult world where she is generally viewed as a mere political pawn. I look forward to continuing to read more about Margaret's life in Arnopp's planned trilogy, the Beaufort Chronicles.
weathersreadsgarbage's review
medium-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
3.0
The writing was competent and it was accurate enough but it lacked a certain spark. Maybe because it’s a trilogy (and frankly does it need to be?) but I don’t feel much for Margaret.
I’m likely to continue but this isn’t one I’d rush to suggest people read.
I’m likely to continue but this isn’t one I’d rush to suggest people read.
javafenn's review against another edition
5.0
I actually listened to the audiobook but it was wonderful! I know a lot about Tudor history but the matriarch of the first Tudor is a mystery to me. I was immediately taken with the story of a young girl who is married off at the age of 12 to a much older man who gets her pregnant and makes her a widow by 13. Poor Margaret was not a major player in her own life but it seems as if she may have become one once she had her child. I was devastated at her fear and pain and grief. I felt like I knew her. She was so incredibly young but people turned a blind eye to such things when it meant an advantageous marriage. My only criticism is the narrator to the audiobook. Her voice was soothing and she was perfectly capable of doing various voices but she didn’t pause long enough and I found myself having to go back to get a feel for that part of the story. I am looking forward to reading more about Margaret and more by Judith Arnopp!
trejondunkley's review
emotional
tense
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? Yes
3.0
There are some glaring inconsistencies that should have been caught in the first draft. Still a very enjoyable read.
ohmy_m's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Not bad, overall. I would be interested in the following books, though not so interested that I'm searching them out right away.
Not bad, overall. I would be interested in the following books, though not so interested that I'm searching them out right away.
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