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crownjules73's review against another edition
3.0
I am usually a fan of historical fiction and was looking forward to discovering what lay beneath the character of a woman who made her mark on the royal court. But this was a long period to cover, and though there were many detailed conversations about and descriptions of events, I felt it lacked the insight into thoughts and feelings. I found it difficult to identify with Cecily, understanding only that she did fight for her bloodline, not really why. And this did detract from my desire to pick up the book, as I was not really fighting her corner. It was interesting to read another account of the War of the Roses (to compare to Jacquetta’s view of the period in Gregory’s Lady of the Rivers, but I just didn’t feel any fire this time - I found this novel a little dry and slow-going.
actualophelia's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
The writing style really drags you into the story.
kettle420's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
sian_hughes_jones's review against another edition
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
3.75
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Historical backstory: the women's side.
1430s England. Now I've enjoyed The White Queen, other Tudor novels and read non-fiction on Henry VIII and his wives, I do like learning about this period.
So when I partway through this realised the family tree connection to those famous monarchs, I was even more interested, with Cecily being mother to a king who sired kings and queens - her influence would have been felt through those generations.
While this is almost a 'typical' woman's story of the period in some ways - endless pregnancies, births, losses of children and day-to-day menial tasks, Cecily being who she was means this is also the tale of a woman working behind the scenes in the ways she was able to, to influence some very significant events.
Watching her discuss political manoeuvres with her husband, and use her own techniques with other ranking women, and observe them for information, it did show just how much power a woman could yield, if she had skill and the right ear to bend.
I liked this as an audiobook, it brought the slowly ageing voice of Cecily in front of me, the conversation of her tale. The sadness of the life of a woman, its confines, but also how that didn't have to be the case - I very much enjoy seeing the other stories from history we hear less of.
For fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy putting the royal family tree in context.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
1430s England. Now I've enjoyed The White Queen, other Tudor novels and read non-fiction on Henry VIII and his wives, I do like learning about this period.
So when I partway through this realised the family tree connection to those famous monarchs, I was even more interested, with Cecily being mother to a king who sired kings and queens - her influence would have been felt through those generations.
While this is almost a 'typical' woman's story of the period in some ways - endless pregnancies, births, losses of children and day-to-day menial tasks, Cecily being who she was means this is also the tale of a woman working behind the scenes in the ways she was able to, to influence some very significant events.
Watching her discuss political manoeuvres with her husband, and use her own techniques with other ranking women, and observe them for information, it did show just how much power a woman could yield, if she had skill and the right ear to bend.
I liked this as an audiobook, it brought the slowly ageing voice of Cecily in front of me, the conversation of her tale. The sadness of the life of a woman, its confines, but also how that didn't have to be the case - I very much enjoy seeing the other stories from history we hear less of.
For fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy putting the royal family tree in context.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Cecily, the story of Cecily Neville up to, and including 1461, is a wonderful retelling of her story.
Having read Anne O'Brien's The Queen's Rival last year, which offers Cecily's story from the late 1450s onwards, I feel that this unknown woman has now been brought to life in wonderful detail. (If you have only read one of these two books then do please try the other one - you won't be disappointed.)
Cecily is told from Cecily's point of view, as such, there are some things that she can't know or witness, and the author manages this incredibly skillfully. We know what Cecily does, and we know other events when she knows them. It's a perfect way to ensure the reader, even if they know the history of the time period, doesn't get ahead of themselves.
Cecily is an engaging and headstrong woman. The author gives her a voice that we can understand, reflecting a quick intelligence and an ability to piece together events skillfully. Some scenes may feel rushed, and there is a refusal to dwell on the royal splendour of the court, but I think this added to the story. It is the interaction of the king, queen and the courtiers that's important, not who was wearing what and eating what. This is absolutely my sort of historical fiction book.
I only wish I'd read it sooner.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.
Having read Anne O'Brien's The Queen's Rival last year, which offers Cecily's story from the late 1450s onwards, I feel that this unknown woman has now been brought to life in wonderful detail. (If you have only read one of these two books then do please try the other one - you won't be disappointed.)
Cecily is told from Cecily's point of view, as such, there are some things that she can't know or witness, and the author manages this incredibly skillfully. We know what Cecily does, and we know other events when she knows them. It's a perfect way to ensure the reader, even if they know the history of the time period, doesn't get ahead of themselves.
Cecily is an engaging and headstrong woman. The author gives her a voice that we can understand, reflecting a quick intelligence and an ability to piece together events skillfully. Some scenes may feel rushed, and there is a refusal to dwell on the royal splendour of the court, but I think this added to the story. It is the interaction of the king, queen and the courtiers that's important, not who was wearing what and eating what. This is absolutely my sort of historical fiction book.
I only wish I'd read it sooner.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.
secre's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cecily is a fascinating piece of historical fiction, partly because of the perspective. Cecily Neville, as with most women of the era, is shadowed in historical narratives by her husband and her sons. Yet she is very much at the centre of this novel, and whilst she very much knows her place, she is also integral to many of the decisions that changed history - for better or worse.
This is a very involved historical fiction; there are a huge amount of names and details, so much so that I found it overwhelming at points to keep track of who was who. Those coming in relatively blind to the period of history may struggle, however there was more than enough here to keep my interest. It's an intricate historical narrative, but with the view being behind the scenes rather than the people in power. Cecily is a character it's easy to empathise with, she's strong and smart as well as being politically astute - often more so than her husband.
The novel takes us through a turbulent time in English history, with a weak willed king who often listens to those whispering close to his ear at the expense of all others. There's war, heartbreak and disaster, but there's also strength, both on a personal and on a larger level. Despite my lack of knowledge for the period, and occasional confusion with the numerous characters - several of whom share names regrettably, it was a novel that wove it's way around me and I felt completely emmeshed in the events of the time. I found it interesting that Garthwaite focussed very much on Cecily's life before her sons became kings; this is the story of the making of the woman, not the making of her sons.
All in all, an excellently researched and fascinating piece of historical fiction that also reminded me that I really ought to know more about my own country's history.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC of this title.
This is a very involved historical fiction; there are a huge amount of names and details, so much so that I found it overwhelming at points to keep track of who was who. Those coming in relatively blind to the period of history may struggle, however there was more than enough here to keep my interest. It's an intricate historical narrative, but with the view being behind the scenes rather than the people in power. Cecily is a character it's easy to empathise with, she's strong and smart as well as being politically astute - often more so than her husband.
The novel takes us through a turbulent time in English history, with a weak willed king who often listens to those whispering close to his ear at the expense of all others. There's war, heartbreak and disaster, but there's also strength, both on a personal and on a larger level. Despite my lack of knowledge for the period, and occasional confusion with the numerous characters - several of whom share names regrettably, it was a novel that wove it's way around me and I felt completely emmeshed in the events of the time. I found it interesting that Garthwaite focussed very much on Cecily's life before her sons became kings; this is the story of the making of the woman, not the making of her sons.
All in all, an excellently researched and fascinating piece of historical fiction that also reminded me that I really ought to know more about my own country's history.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC of this title.
historydragonsandmagic's review against another edition
4.0
Before I started reading fantasy, historical fiction was my mainstay for reading. Particularly historical fiction set during the Wars of the Roses. Cecily was a person who often featured on the fringes of the stories I read and I always wanted to read a book that told her story. Cecily Neville came from a prominent noble family and after she married Richard Plantagenet, she became the Duchess of York. She was sister to the earl of Warwick and aunt to his son who played so prominently in helping Cecily’s son, Edward the IV to the throne. She was mother to the king, mother in law to Elizabeth Woodville, grandmother to the ill fated princes in the tower, grandmother to Elizabeth Tudor, the mother to Henry the VIII.
Annie Garthwaite begins Cecily’s story during the early years of marriage in France with her husband, the Duke of York and continues until her son ascends the throne as Edward the IV. At first I was disappointed that her remarkably long life was only portrayed up until that point but then I found out that there is a part two coming from Annie this year with a book called The King’s Mother and I cannot wait. Cecliy is a remarkable historical figure who deserves to have her story told when we have heard the stories of so many other of the prominent women involved in the Wars of the Roses! Move over Elizabeth Woodville, Elizabeth Tudor and Margaret Beaufort, Cecily is here!
Annie Garthwaite begins Cecily’s story during the early years of marriage in France with her husband, the Duke of York and continues until her son ascends the throne as Edward the IV. At first I was disappointed that her remarkably long life was only portrayed up until that point but then I found out that there is a part two coming from Annie this year with a book called The King’s Mother and I cannot wait. Cecliy is a remarkable historical figure who deserves to have her story told when we have heard the stories of so many other of the prominent women involved in the Wars of the Roses! Move over Elizabeth Woodville, Elizabeth Tudor and Margaret Beaufort, Cecily is here!
hlw1983's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Fictionalised account of the war of the roses, as viewed through the eyes of a strong, politically minded matriarch. Covers a lot of ground, about 60 years of action, through a small core of characters.