Reviews - The Red Queen | The StoryGraph

931 reviews for:

Much like the first book, I was incredibly disappointed in this book. I did not find it AS boring as the first book, at least not in the beginning. The beginning of the book was, to me, quite good.
I feel that the book moves too quickly with not enough depth into each time period or how the characters really got to the decisions and place they are at now. It may have been better if the author had focused on a few key years within a smaller bracket.
Would really not recommend it to anyone, and am sad to say that I did not actually finish this book. This is the 3rd book I have not finished completely.

threesixnine's review against another edition

1.0

Out of all of P. Gregory's books that I've read, this one was the worst. I hated the main character and her self-serving holiness. On and on about her fanatical beliefs in herself, her family, God, Joan of Arc - I almost didn't finish the book.

lburden03's review against another edition

5.0

So, I immediately started reading this book right after finishing The White Queen, which I loved! And I definitely loved this book too! It was so interesting to read about the opposite house, hear their strategies in regards to the war, and see things from their perspective. The only thing that I found while reading this book is that I simply enjoyed the characters and reading about their point of view, however, I didn't fall in love with them like I did with The White Queen. Overall, an AMAZING book and definitely worth the read! :)

For a more in-depth book review, check out my new book blog, A Nook of Blankets and Books!
http://anookofblanketsandbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-red-queen-book-review.html

shadon's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous informative tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

There is no need to make everything so personal, Margaret. You make everything into your own tragedy.

This is the lowest-rated book of the Plantagenet series so I did not have very high expectations going into it. But I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I definitely liked it more than 'The White Queen.'

This book feels like an actual story, with an existing narrative. The previous novel felt more like a collection of moments about Elizabeth Woodville, and the most famous moments of her lifetime, rather than a book with clear character arcs and story progression. But this was the opposite. We follow Margaret Beaufort, from her adolescence to her adulthood, through motherhood and marriage. We read as she grows up in a changing world of shifting alliances and competing powers, striving for her son and her family to rule England. And Margaret Beaufort led an interesting life, which makes this an entertaining, engrossing novel.

As an enthusiast of medieval England, I truly enjoyed such a deep look into the politics of the time and a closer look at the systems that dominated the country. I loved Margaret's relationship with her son, and each of her husbands, which felt real and imagined. Thankfully, this did not suffer from flat characterization and boring, bland characters. Because the cast is condensed and focused around Margaret herself, there is more time spent on fleshing out the main cast, on spending time with them and learning about them, rather than just rushing headfirst into the next big thing. I can remember most of them, and describe their personalities. Each of them was memorable and distinct.

No one in this book is a very good person, they are all the most terrible people who are greedy for power and lust for glory - except Henry Stafford, surprisingly contender for this novel's best character - no matter how they get it. But that only makes them more real. The relationships between the characters also were truly a standout; Margaret, and her son Henry, Jasper and Henry, Margret, and all of her husbands. Henry Tudor and Margaret were especially this book's heart and soul, everything involving them was great.

You are not leaving me?
Son, I could just as easily leave my own soul.

BUT - and I am learning there always seems to be a 'but' - what was done to the character of Margaret enrages me greatly. It is widely accepted that she was a pious and learned woman, I don't dispute that. However, there was little reason to make this her ENTIRE personality. The first chapter begins with Margaret in prayer and that sets the miserable precedent for what is about to follow. She spends all of this book praying, talking about visions, and judging everyone who is not as holy as she is. And by the third chapter, you are already tired.

For all of the praise I have given the characters, the way Margaret was characterized is the very worst. She does not change, she hardly grows. She has a character arc, but no development. She remains surly and scowling throughout the entire length of 388 pages. I cannot even think of a single time, she laughed. For some reason, Philippa Gregory chose to make Margert a woman who never smiles, who considers all other women fools, and who never looks inside of herself. She seems to hate every woman she meets, even her ladies, whom she thinks of as vapid and vain. She has no female friends, nor does she ever attempt to have a conversation with any of them who surround her. They are immediately stupid and silly. Sure, why not?

All she does is blame other people for her problems. When the rebellion fails, it's Elizabeth Woodville and the Duke of Buckingham's fault. When she kills the princes, it's because she had to and because Elizabeth cursed her children to death. Goodness, she blames Elizabeth Woodville for every single thing. She spends entire chapters just hating her and criticizing her, even though they are the same, women fighting for the inheritance of her sons.

They were both plotting toward the same goal of taking down Richard III for Henry Tudor. They were on the same side! How was what she was doing different than what Elizabeth did? I wish I knew. Of course, women fighting for power must hate each other, even if they are on the same side.

It quickly dragged itself out. I mean, how many times are we going to hear how Elizabeth is a witch who doesn't deserve her place and is only suffering for the sins she committed? WE GET IT! Shut up, Margaret. I swear in the entire back half of this book, all she does is complain about how other people are to blame for how she plotted treason against the king. Let's take some accountability, please.

And for the life of me, I cannot fathom, why Philippa Gregory chose to present her in this one-dimensional way. She was pious, yes, but that doesn't mean she was miserable and moody and hated everyone and everything but God. There were moments when I had to pause reading because I was tired of her whining. It's just baffling to me to write a book where the main character does not grow and does not learn anything but to blame other people for her failings, especially based on a real person who was very much not like that. She was a great character until the middle of this when she just became stagnant and unlikable, full of complaints and criticisms. My oh my, she was done incredibly dirty by all involved, just utterly and completely butchered.

Once again, I do not know why anyone not interested in this very specific niche would enjoy reading this. It is a whole lot of political mumbo-jumbo, more focused on wars and politics and the courtly affairs of England. Very little happens and it happens very slowly as it moves toward the final battle. But thankfully, this is my niche and I very much enjoyed the slow build. However, because of what was done to Margaret, you only receive a half-star more than the previous book.