1.11k reviews for:

The Lady of the Rivers

Philippa Gregory

3.87 AVERAGE

tuesdaybean's review

5.0

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Absolutely love The Lady of the Rivers! Philippa Gregory is at her best here, blending history, intrigue, and just the right amount of drama. Jacquetta is such an underrated figure in history, and I loved seeing the world through her eyes. She’s clever, loyal, strong, and just a little bit magical (literally). The whole story gives me that rich, immersive, “just one more chapter” feeling from start to finish.

The court politics are juicy without being overwhelming, the pacing keeps me hooked, and the emotional side of her relationship with Richard Woodville has so much depth and warmth. If you’re into historical fiction that leans a bit witchy with strong female leads, this one absolutely delivers. Big thumbs up from me, definitely one of my favourites in the series!

nick_i's review

3.5

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From Jacquetta of Luxembourg's POV. Mostly pre-war of the roses. Little bit of magic to explain gaps.

Gets across how even nobles are just getting ordered in different directions constantly by the ambitions of royals.

Joan and Eleanor, "witch paranoia"

Would return to author if they covered somebody I wanted to know more about.

ancientdragon's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

a_muggle's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I'll admit, I don't find Gregory writing to be amazing, but I do like how she takes history and makes it personal. I really enjoyed this one, I had never heard of Jaquetta of Luxembourg before this book and enjoyed seeing the events from her perspective. 

In the next book in the series, Jaquetta is made it to be cold, calculating, and a perhaps evil witch, but in this book she's the complete opposite. I prefer this book's take.

slowmadic_kayleigh's review

5.0

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I read and loved this book as a teenager. I love the way the magical elements are intertwined into the story without undermining the historical narrative. After all, the characters would have believed in magic and the magical methods described in the sotry are based on “real” magic from the era.
This time I listened to the audiobook. I found the music a little twee, but the story was much as I remembered.

pandagirlmb's review

3.5

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

lucyreads_books's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

heatheronthego's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional informative slow-paced

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So many battles…got repetitive. I liked the historical aspects of daily life.

sallycacchi's review against another edition

3.25

mysterious 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

flashes09's review against another edition

4.0

emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No