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jessgrace88's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Pregnancy, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and War
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, and Mental illness
clea's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This novel contains everything a great historical fiction should have: fascinating characters, political intrigues, well-constructed tension and beautiful prose. With her immersive writing, Anne Garthwaite plunges you into the medieval times and manages to break down the very complicated events, so that you'll understand the intricacies that led to the War of the Roses (even if you do not know much about it). It is the best historical fiction I have read in a long time. Seeing the world through Cecily's eyes and seeing her side and understanding of the events taking place, you really get to understand how strong and intelligent she was. Garthwaite does a masterful job in telling Cecily's story and thus bringing light onto one of the most powerful women who shaped England's history.
Graphic: Child death, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Death, Pregnancy, and Rape
Moderate: War
Minor: Death of parent
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