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jr_ryb's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
zach1100's review against another edition
5.0
A historical fiction novel with everything-epic battles, court intrigue, shifting alliances and sudden betrayals. Fast paced and action packed, easily the best of the series (so far).
“Now it’s all set, with no more change. I cannot take back one word or have him know one more thing I have done in his name.”
“All laws could be remade on strength of arms, if the need was great enough.”
“The number of deaths grew and grew as the strong fell savagely on weakened men - and then became weak, to be cut down in turn.”
“There was never a way back. There was never a chance to undo old mistakes. A man simply had to go on, or let it break him.”
“Now it’s all set, with no more change. I cannot take back one word or have him know one more thing I have done in his name.”
“All laws could be remade on strength of arms, if the need was great enough.”
“The number of deaths grew and grew as the strong fell savagely on weakened men - and then became weak, to be cut down in turn.”
“There was never a way back. There was never a chance to undo old mistakes. A man simply had to go on, or let it break him.”
chuckri's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
krobart's review against another edition
3.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2017/10/26/day-1142-bloodline/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2017/10/26/day-1142-bloodline/
thomas_hense's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hmalagisi's review
4.0
The deaths of the Duke of York, Earl Salisbury and Edmund Earl of Rutland at the Battle of Wakefield at the end of 1460 marked a changing point for how the Wars of the Roses was fought. Now it was not going to be simply a matter of who was going to be the King of England, but it was a war of revenge. What the Lancastrians did not realize at the time was the fact that these deaths would unleash two men who would mark the destruction of the Lancastrian cause; Edward Duke of York, the future King Edward IV, and Richard Neville Earl of Warwick “the Kingmaker”. In the third book of Conn Iggulden’s Wars of the Roses series called “Bloodline”, Iggulden explores the rise of these two dynamic men and how family matters tore the two best friends apart.
After the victory at Wakefield, Margaret of Anjou marched her Lancastrian forces to London, but they were not allowed to enter. The Lancastrians decided to keep marching until they meet the Yorkists at St. Albans for a rematch, on February 17, 1461. The Lancastrians were able to win the battle and regain control of King Henry VI. However, this was a small victory. After the defeat, Edward Duke of York decided to take up the claim to the throne that his father left behind, and declared himself King Edward IV of England. That’s right, there were two kings of England in 1461. Margaret of Anjou and the Lancastrians were not about to give without a fight. They met Edward IV, Warwick and the Yorkists forces outside Towton on March 29, 1461, during a snowstorm. The Battle of Towton is known to be the bloodiest battle on English soil and the way Iggulden described the onslaught is masterful. In the end, the Yorkists are victorious and Edward IV is officially the King of England while Henry VI is held captive in the Tower of London while Margaret of Anjou and her son flee to France for help.
After Towton, Edward IV and Warwick are closer than ever. Warwick wants to do what he can to help support his friend and king so he tries to arrange a marriage between Edward and a French princess, to form an alliance. However, Edward has other ideas and marries Elizabeth Woodville and decides to tell Warwick later. I find it fascinating that Iggulden decided to change how Edward and Elizabeth met as it is quite different from what traditionally is told about how they met, but it works really well. Edward’s brother George Duke of Clarence falls in love with Warwick’s daughter Isabel and wants to marry her. This is the moment when Edward and Warwick really begin to feud.
Iggulden explains in his Historical Note why he decides to focus on this aspect of their relationship quite a bit:
In the first two books, I have tried to explore the sheer awe felt by some for the person of the king of England. It is the only thing that explains why King Henry remained alive despite being captured by York and held for months at a time. Yet it is also true of human nature that “awe” is less likely when one witnessed a boy growing up and becoming king. No man is a prophet in his own home- and Warwick was sufficiently exasperated with Edward and his wife to throw it all into the air and arrange Edward’s capture and imprisonment. (Iggulden, 402).
It is interesting to read about the relationship between these two friends and how that friendship turned into hatred because Edward decided to marry for love. Iggulden is able to capture the shifting relationships between the main characters extremely well in the third book of this amazing series. The blend of battles, political intrigue and romance is perfect and keeps the reader engaged. This is the fall of the Lancasters and the rise of the Yorks. If you were a fan of the first two books of the Wars of the Roses series, I highly encourage you to read “Wars of the Roses: Bloodline” by Conn Iggulden.
After the victory at Wakefield, Margaret of Anjou marched her Lancastrian forces to London, but they were not allowed to enter. The Lancastrians decided to keep marching until they meet the Yorkists at St. Albans for a rematch, on February 17, 1461. The Lancastrians were able to win the battle and regain control of King Henry VI. However, this was a small victory. After the defeat, Edward Duke of York decided to take up the claim to the throne that his father left behind, and declared himself King Edward IV of England. That’s right, there were two kings of England in 1461. Margaret of Anjou and the Lancastrians were not about to give without a fight. They met Edward IV, Warwick and the Yorkists forces outside Towton on March 29, 1461, during a snowstorm. The Battle of Towton is known to be the bloodiest battle on English soil and the way Iggulden described the onslaught is masterful. In the end, the Yorkists are victorious and Edward IV is officially the King of England while Henry VI is held captive in the Tower of London while Margaret of Anjou and her son flee to France for help.
After Towton, Edward IV and Warwick are closer than ever. Warwick wants to do what he can to help support his friend and king so he tries to arrange a marriage between Edward and a French princess, to form an alliance. However, Edward has other ideas and marries Elizabeth Woodville and decides to tell Warwick later. I find it fascinating that Iggulden decided to change how Edward and Elizabeth met as it is quite different from what traditionally is told about how they met, but it works really well. Edward’s brother George Duke of Clarence falls in love with Warwick’s daughter Isabel and wants to marry her. This is the moment when Edward and Warwick really begin to feud.
Iggulden explains in his Historical Note why he decides to focus on this aspect of their relationship quite a bit:
In the first two books, I have tried to explore the sheer awe felt by some for the person of the king of England. It is the only thing that explains why King Henry remained alive despite being captured by York and held for months at a time. Yet it is also true of human nature that “awe” is less likely when one witnessed a boy growing up and becoming king. No man is a prophet in his own home- and Warwick was sufficiently exasperated with Edward and his wife to throw it all into the air and arrange Edward’s capture and imprisonment. (Iggulden, 402).
It is interesting to read about the relationship between these two friends and how that friendship turned into hatred because Edward decided to marry for love. Iggulden is able to capture the shifting relationships between the main characters extremely well in the third book of this amazing series. The blend of battles, political intrigue and romance is perfect and keeps the reader engaged. This is the fall of the Lancasters and the rise of the Yorks. If you were a fan of the first two books of the Wars of the Roses series, I highly encourage you to read “Wars of the Roses: Bloodline” by Conn Iggulden.
ihavenouseforit's review
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
kenshinj12's review against another edition
5.0
Really loved this one. It was action packed, engaging and a page turner. I couldn’t put the book down. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
The aftermath of the battle at Sandal is the starting point of the escalation of war between the houses of Lancaster and York. Queen Margaret has overseen the slaughter of the Duke of York and his son plus the Earl of Salisbury and his son. This has made the remaining members of the York and Neville dynasties implacable enemies. Meeting in a climactic battle at Towton the Yorkist forces are victorious and this places King Edward on the throne. England now has two kings, Henry VI still lives in imprisonment and the Lancastrian dynasty is still alive. As Edward's favour shifts from the Neville family to the family of his wife, so he alienates Warwick, is closest friend and advisor.
This is the third book in Iggulden's series about the Wars of the Roses and again it is a triumph. Iggulden is strongest when writing about battle and his description of the battle of Towton is brilliant. Whilst there is a great deal of fictional licence in terms of his development of characters, his focus in this book tends to lie with Richard Neville (Warwick) and there is a clear understanding of Warwick's frustration and motivation as he contemplates changing sides. As an opposite to the more romanticised writing of Phillipa Gregory, but still displaying that level of research, this is a terrific read.
This is the third book in Iggulden's series about the Wars of the Roses and again it is a triumph. Iggulden is strongest when writing about battle and his description of the battle of Towton is brilliant. Whilst there is a great deal of fictional licence in terms of his development of characters, his focus in this book tends to lie with Richard Neville (Warwick) and there is a clear understanding of Warwick's frustration and motivation as he contemplates changing sides. As an opposite to the more romanticised writing of Phillipa Gregory, but still displaying that level of research, this is a terrific read.