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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I finally finished reading the Kings Curse by Philippa Gregory, it was utter dribble. Her characters were two dimensional, she praised Mary I beyond belief (she kept saying ‘Ohh Mary is good’, ‘she is such an honourable princess’, the woman would go on to burn over 300 people in her short reign) and used her protagonist Margaret Pole to call Anne Boleyn a slut. She built up the figure of Elizabeth I in her equally annoying book the White Princess but didn’t have the consistency to follow through with her characterisation in this (or any other) book. No. Bad Book.
I have always enjoyed learning about the British Monarchy. This series, told from the point of view of the women closest to the men on the throne, was very interesting and intriguing. It made me want to research the monarchy further! The King's Curse, while not a quick read, kept me totally enthralled. I look forward to reading other books/series by this author.
If you love historical fiction, read this one. I have read every Philippa Gregory I can get my hands on. She's amazing. And though these are fiction, they are historically correct and just packed with the emotions that you know are reflective of exactly what these non-fictional characters were experiencing. I liked this one of the Tutor Dynasty because it was done from the point of view of an "outsider" (in other words, not married to or related to a Tutor), although this particular character certainly has an insider's view just because of how closely she is involved with the Tutors.
As I said, if you love historical fiction, read this one. If you don't know historical fiction or don't like historical fiction, read this one anyway... you'll learn something and I guarantee you will enjoy the read. There is nothing here not to love!
As I said, if you love historical fiction, read this one. If you don't know historical fiction or don't like historical fiction, read this one anyway... you'll learn something and I guarantee you will enjoy the read. There is nothing here not to love!
Alright. Where do I begin?
First, two years ago I told myself: No more Philippa Gregory books. I read and disliked The White Queen. It was almost impossible for me to finish. When I was younger, I did love The Other Boleyn Girl though. That was THE book that inspired me to fall in love with this time period in British history.
Second, I only bought this book because it was brand new and $4. So I thought, why not? I've been craving a good historical fiction book about the Tudors. Then I realized this was in the same series as The White Queen, but it was too late to turn back from there.
Now that all that random information is out of the way. Here are my thoughts.
The King's Curse follows Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury. Who's that? I had no idea at first. The fact that I never heard of this woman personally intrigued me. Especially since she starts out so headstrong about her family history. I loved her from the start.
Gregory chooses Margaret Pole as the narrator of the novel. The narrative breaks down in what feels more like diary entries. This allows the plot to propel forward especially since there is a lot of information and major events packed into one lifetime. While I knew what would happen overall, I found myself addicted to the story. I needed to read more to make sure she was alright along with her family. I just sat there thinking: Survive.
Margaret Pole becomes an interesting character. She is sentimental yet ready to do whatever it takes to survive. Throughout she mentions how important life is to her after watching too many people die. Her entire life becomes dedicated to serving the Tudors no matter how much ill will falls upon her. (I just wanted her to be happy.)
I feel inspired to read more books by Philippa Gregory especially the books in between this finale and The White Queen. Without reading them though, I felt fine with tackling the sixth novel. I'd honestly recommend it to anybody interested whether they've read the series or not.
First, two years ago I told myself: No more Philippa Gregory books. I read and disliked The White Queen. It was almost impossible for me to finish. When I was younger, I did love The Other Boleyn Girl though. That was THE book that inspired me to fall in love with this time period in British history.
Second, I only bought this book because it was brand new and $4. So I thought, why not? I've been craving a good historical fiction book about the Tudors. Then I realized this was in the same series as The White Queen, but it was too late to turn back from there.
Now that all that random information is out of the way. Here are my thoughts.
The King's Curse follows Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury. Who's that? I had no idea at first. The fact that I never heard of this woman personally intrigued me. Especially since she starts out so headstrong about her family history. I loved her from the start.
Gregory chooses Margaret Pole as the narrator of the novel. The narrative breaks down in what feels more like diary entries. This allows the plot to propel forward especially since there is a lot of information and major events packed into one lifetime. While I knew what would happen overall, I found myself addicted to the story. I needed to read more to make sure she was alright along with her family. I just sat there thinking: Survive.
Margaret Pole becomes an interesting character. She is sentimental yet ready to do whatever it takes to survive. Throughout she mentions how important life is to her after watching too many people die. Her entire life becomes dedicated to serving the Tudors no matter how much ill will falls upon her. (I just wanted her to be happy.)
I feel inspired to read more books by Philippa Gregory especially the books in between this finale and The White Queen. Without reading them though, I felt fine with tackling the sixth novel. I'd honestly recommend it to anybody interested whether they've read the series or not.
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Always gives a different look at the tudors. Margaret is such a fascination character with regard to how she become friend to Catherine of Aragon, and helps her on her what to becoming the Queen of England.
I love how Philippa Gregory can make such interesting stories around characters that are important historical figures and make then seem alive again.
I love how Philippa Gregory can make such interesting stories around characters that are important historical figures and make then seem alive again.
This book was long (600 pages) and complex. I had to put it down a few times then pick it back up to finish. The last 100 pages really flew by so I was glad I kept going.
I have read most of Philippa Gregory's royal books and I found this one the hardest to get through. Perhaps it was because I was unfamiliar with the subject (Margaret Pole) or because of its length. That being said it does cover around 40 years so the length is warranted.
I have read most of Philippa Gregory's royal books and I found this one the hardest to get through. Perhaps it was because I was unfamiliar with the subject (Margaret Pole) or because of its length. That being said it does cover around 40 years so the length is warranted.
Love it!!!! What a way to end a series. What a last page what a last sentence! Wow! Even the authors note at the end was powerful. Love reading her books!
Margaret of the Warwick family, cousin to Princess Elizabeth of York, has just watched King Henry the 7th murder her innocent and loving brother in the opening of this novel. Forced into obscurity to hide her family name and connection to the crown she marries her husband, a lowly Tudor knight. When he dies, she is forced to make a future for herself and her children, including three sons. The novel follows her throughout her rise as chief lady in waiting to Queen Katherine (King Henry the 8th’s first Wife) and eventual post as Lady Governess to their daughter, Princess Mary. It also follows her fall as Henry becomes more and more insane. An excellent novel with a very likable heroine that follows her throughout her life, I highly enjoyed it.
This review also appears on my blog, Shaz Reads.
The King’s Curse by Philippa Gregory is the final novel in The Cousins’ War Series. This book is told from the point of view of Margaret Pole (née Plantagenet).
The Plot
Margaret Pole is cousin to Queen Elizabeth of York, and one of the few remaining Plantagenet heirs who lives under the Tudor rule. Married off to a Tudor supporter, Margaret’s status changes dramatically. But Margaret is not destined for an ordinary life. When Henry VIII comes to power, she becomes chief lady-in-waiting and best friend to Katherine of Aragon. As Henry VIII becomes increasingly tyrannical, Margaret battles with her conscience – should she and her family stand against the Tudors and risk getting killed?
My review – contains spoilers!
As with The White Princess, this novel has veered off into the Tudor reign, but it is told from the point of a view of a Plantagenet lady. Margaret Pole is certainly an interesting character. She is in a unique position and lives through the reigns of many Queens of England. Her life is also filled with tragedy.
Margaret is proud to be a Plantagenet. She repeatedly states that the Plantagenets are a great royal family. Whilst this pride is understandable, I thought that she should accept the reality of the Tudors as the new royal house.
Readers of The Kingmaker’s Daughter will know that Margaret is the daughter of Isabelle Neville. Interestingly, Margaret’s attitude towards Jane Pole’s inheritance almost mirrors Isabelle’s stance on Anne Neville’s fortune.
I questioned some of Margaret’s motives in this novel. She is cold towards Reginald who is her own son. Margaret’s ambition also proves to be her downfall. She wants her family to be great again. I had a feeling that Henry VIII’s enemies might turn the tide against Margaret. I think Margaret should have steered her family away from the court. It’s ironic because at one point she states: ‘I too tried to keep us hidden’. Really?
With the other characters, Henry VII manages to appear even more odious in this novel than he did in The White Princess. I felt sympathetic towards Katherine of Aragon who falls out of favour through no fault of her own. This novel also shows another side to Henry VIII. He is not romanticised, but instead he turns volatile, fickle and heartless. Henry has a paranoia about the Plantagenets reclaiming the throne, and he turns into his father. However, Gregory indicates that there may indeed have been an underlying threat from the Plantagenet heirs.
One of the standout characters in this novel is the Princess Mary. She is caught in the middle of her parents’ tumultuous marriage. It was touching to read about how Margaret and her family stood by the Princess Mary. They put their lives at risk for her safety.
Final Thoughts
I was curious to learn about what happened to Margaret Pole and her family, and The King’s Curse does not disappoint. This is a well-researched novel filled with twists and turns. Gregory vividly illustrates how Margaret Pole fought for her life against Tudor tyranny, and there are some shocking and heart-breaking moments. The Cousins’ War has been a riveting series by Philippa Gregory.
The King’s Curse by Philippa Gregory is the final novel in The Cousins’ War Series. This book is told from the point of view of Margaret Pole (née Plantagenet).
The Plot
Margaret Pole is cousin to Queen Elizabeth of York, and one of the few remaining Plantagenet heirs who lives under the Tudor rule. Married off to a Tudor supporter, Margaret’s status changes dramatically. But Margaret is not destined for an ordinary life. When Henry VIII comes to power, she becomes chief lady-in-waiting and best friend to Katherine of Aragon. As Henry VIII becomes increasingly tyrannical, Margaret battles with her conscience – should she and her family stand against the Tudors and risk getting killed?
My review – contains spoilers!
As with The White Princess, this novel has veered off into the Tudor reign, but it is told from the point of a view of a Plantagenet lady. Margaret Pole is certainly an interesting character. She is in a unique position and lives through the reigns of many Queens of England. Her life is also filled with tragedy.
Margaret is proud to be a Plantagenet. She repeatedly states that the Plantagenets are a great royal family. Whilst this pride is understandable, I thought that she should accept the reality of the Tudors as the new royal house.
Readers of The Kingmaker’s Daughter will know that Margaret is the daughter of Isabelle Neville. Interestingly, Margaret’s attitude towards Jane Pole’s inheritance almost mirrors Isabelle’s stance on Anne Neville’s fortune.
I questioned some of Margaret’s motives in this novel. She is cold towards Reginald who is her own son. Margaret’s ambition also proves to be her downfall. She wants her family to be great again. I had a feeling that Henry VIII’s enemies might turn the tide against Margaret. I think Margaret should have steered her family away from the court. It’s ironic because at one point she states: ‘I too tried to keep us hidden’. Really?
With the other characters, Henry VII manages to appear even more odious in this novel than he did in The White Princess. I felt sympathetic towards Katherine of Aragon who falls out of favour through no fault of her own. This novel also shows another side to Henry VIII. He is not romanticised, but instead he turns volatile, fickle and heartless. Henry has a paranoia about the Plantagenets reclaiming the throne, and he turns into his father. However, Gregory indicates that there may indeed have been an underlying threat from the Plantagenet heirs.
One of the standout characters in this novel is the Princess Mary. She is caught in the middle of her parents’ tumultuous marriage. It was touching to read about how Margaret and her family stood by the Princess Mary. They put their lives at risk for her safety.
Final Thoughts
I was curious to learn about what happened to Margaret Pole and her family, and The King’s Curse does not disappoint. This is a well-researched novel filled with twists and turns. Gregory vividly illustrates how Margaret Pole fought for her life against Tudor tyranny, and there are some shocking and heart-breaking moments. The Cousins’ War has been a riveting series by Philippa Gregory.