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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
informative
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:
Yes
As I work my way through Philippa Gregory's Plantagenet/Tudor series (slightly out of order), I think The White Queen, my third read so far, is the book that I've enjoyed the most. I'm not sure if that's because I now have more historical context, or maybe it's because I watched the Starz miniseries prior to reading the book and so was able to place faces with names. But whatever the reason may be, I'm certainly hooked on the series. I acknowledge the historical liberties that Gregory takes in her writing; it's worth noting that she, too, recognizes these liberties in her afterword. So I wouldn't necessarily recommend these books to someone who is looking for peak historical accuracy. But I'm loving the series as a highly readable introduction to the characters in the War of the Roses.
2.5/5
You know what? I wanted a change of pace and a book set in a midieval time period. And I got it. However, it wasn't my favorite. I could not keep up with all of the members of the court outside of the immediate royal family, and for a good portion of the story it flip-flopped from war to having babies from war to having babies a little longer than I wanted. I liked the beginning and the end though!
You know what? I wanted a change of pace and a book set in a midieval time period. And I got it. However, it wasn't my favorite. I could not keep up with all of the members of the court outside of the immediate royal family, and for a good portion of the story it flip-flopped from war to having babies from war to having babies a little longer than I wanted. I liked the beginning and the end though!
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
medium-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
Like all Philippa Gregory books, her first person narration takes a bit to get used to. But she does embody her characters quite well. I loved Elizabeth’s story. It was very moving to follow her through all her highs and lows. I especially loved the witch/supernatural aspect of her character. I feel like it was inserted in a very believable way to this real historical person and events. I did not expect to side with the Yorks, but Elizabeth Woodville sure made me do so.
Since the book is based in reality, I can tell the author struggled to make the Queen a sympathetic character. I wasn’t a fan of her, unlike her mother (who is the best character in this series so far, and the heroine of book 1). The plot is lacking in this one.
I love that this book is based on Elizabeth Woodville, real life queen of England during the 1400s. She is a fascinating queen that was thoroughly disliked and if history has taught us anything, that means she was beautiful smart and competent.
It was long and skimmed over quite a lot of history. I had to take breaks because of all the plotting and scheming and backstabbing. It was overwhelming and yet central to the story.
I liked it enough but I have no desire to continue the series. This one book was enough and it was fun learning about her again and imagining her thoughts when she was alive.
It was long and skimmed over quite a lot of history. I had to take breaks because of all the plotting and scheming and backstabbing. It was overwhelming and yet central to the story.
I liked it enough but I have no desire to continue the series. This one book was enough and it was fun learning about her again and imagining her thoughts when she was alive.
challenging
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The White Queen follows Elizabeth Woodville (daughter of Jacquetta) as she rises to Queen of England and tries to hold the throne with her husband throughout the War of the Roses. Though it is historical fiction, Gregory again proves her prowess by making historical figures feel like relatable flesh and blood. Reading this once was enough for me but I'm looking forward to the next book following the queens of England throughout the War of the Roses.