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severuspls's review against another edition
4.0
Finishing this book has both filled me with sadness and relief. This is the last book in Iggulden's Wars of the Roses series and I think the writing definitely improved with each book. Particularly, the final two books stand out compared to the first two in terms of writing style. I have a deep fondness for many of the historical figures from the Wars of the Roses and Iggulden's characterisation of namely the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick were so well done, in my opinion.
Comments on the book:
The pre-battle rising action and actually battle sequences were, as always, too long and drawn out but I understand why in this one that was the case, as these battles were very high stakes, so it didn't bother me as much as it did in earlier books.
The dialogue between characters was funny as always. I genuinely laughed out loud at many parts of this book.
I found the pacing was odd, as Iggulden skipped 10 years in the middle and skimmed over quite a significant event.
I would have liked to have seen more from the younger Nevilles, particularly 'Ann' (Anne Neville) as she was in the middle of two significant power plays but she's barely mentioned in this book (as is in history, sadly Anne is just a name).
Overall, I liked it.
Comments on the book:
The pre-battle rising action and actually battle sequences were, as always, too long and drawn out but I understand why in this one that was the case, as these battles were very high stakes, so it didn't bother me as much as it did in earlier books.
The dialogue between characters was funny as always. I genuinely laughed out loud at many parts of this book.
I found the pacing was odd, as Iggulden skipped 10 years in the middle and skimmed over quite a significant event.
I would have liked to have seen more from the younger Nevilles, particularly 'Ann' (Anne Neville) as she was in the middle of two significant power plays but she's barely mentioned in this book (as is in history, sadly Anne is just a name).
Overall, I liked it.
ohmy_m's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars. As was normal for this series, it took me s little bit longer to get through. I agree that this could have been split into two books, but it wrapped up nicely enough.
cate_ninetails's review against another edition
5.0
As a history lover I always appreciate a well researched account such as the one I found in Ravenspur. This was my first from this particular author, and even though I was disappointed to begin at the end of the series since my copy came from the publisher in advance of publication, I couldn't be more pleased to have found a new voice in historical fiction to follow.
The War of the Roses is well documented, and it takes skill to undertake a retelling that offers up anything new. Most fictionalized accounts today insert unnecessary romantic themes or other such fluff and for me this can really undermine the work. Ravenspur is a masterstroke, being both informative but also deeply compelling. The characters are vividly realised, from the unstoppable Edward IV, a veteran war hero who seemingly could only be undone by his own excesses, to Margaret Beaufort, who dedicated her entire life, and several marriages, to seeing her son crowned the future King Henry VII. Even the descriptions of now legendary battles practically leap from the page, both from a technical standpoint as we learn more about how tactical victories were won but also in rich, detailed prose.
I've immensely enjoyed such a critical look at the motivations of these men and women who shaped the course of the monarchy that still stands today. I can't wait to explore more of Conn Iggulden's work, including what I missed in this very series, and I recommend this book absolutely as I couldn't put it down until I'd finished. Many thanks to both Penguin Books and NetGalley for my ARC.
The War of the Roses is well documented, and it takes skill to undertake a retelling that offers up anything new. Most fictionalized accounts today insert unnecessary romantic themes or other such fluff and for me this can really undermine the work. Ravenspur is a masterstroke, being both informative but also deeply compelling. The characters are vividly realised, from the unstoppable Edward IV, a veteran war hero who seemingly could only be undone by his own excesses, to Margaret Beaufort, who dedicated her entire life, and several marriages, to seeing her son crowned the future King Henry VII. Even the descriptions of now legendary battles practically leap from the page, both from a technical standpoint as we learn more about how tactical victories were won but also in rich, detailed prose.
I've immensely enjoyed such a critical look at the motivations of these men and women who shaped the course of the monarchy that still stands today. I can't wait to explore more of Conn Iggulden's work, including what I missed in this very series, and I recommend this book absolutely as I couldn't put it down until I'd finished. Many thanks to both Penguin Books and NetGalley for my ARC.
covertocovergirl's review against another edition
5.0
Alas the end... Another masterfully done book, once again it's better than the last one. Favourite historical figure of series Warrick, The Kingmaker! Key words to describe this series: Epic, Brilliant, Fantastic, Outstanding, Vivid. Sweeping.... Iggulden is a masterful storyteller! From the first book to the last it felt like you were front and centre, witnessing history as it was happening... the reader is fabulous!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5
alreem's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed reading every detail in this book! I usually get bored by reading historical novels, but this novel is a masterpiece and a worth-reading! I highly recommend it. The chapters were exciting from the beginning starting from the house of Tudor, the Lancaster, York, and lastly the combination of the Tudor house and Lancaster. The most exciting is that most of the narrative is inspired and taken from real events! The names of the characters and the historical information. I’m not fully aware if these events occurred exactly as it was written in history books, but I believe it ended in the same way. Sometimes I got lost because the writer would move to introduce or talk about different characters in one chapter, but I started figuring it out by continue reading the novel and at the end at all made sense. There are a lot of characters that are not being introduced in a proper way, so I got lost, but as I said, it all became clear when I reached the final chapters. Sometimes I thought that, okay finally wars are over! But the writer keeps surprising me with more wars! Now I knew why they called it wars of the roses! The house of York witnessed a continuous war for 100 years I think or so, they never had peace for a long time… but in the end, they got what they deserved. I give it 5/5.
kasbeth's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic end to a series, kept me booked from start to finish.
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
3.0
This is the last book in the War of the Roses series and it lacked something that the other books had. I don't know if it was the pace, the characters or the narration, but i was not as gripped as the others.
I still enjoyed it, and i think i picked up a few extra history references.
I really enjoyed the author notes at the end of the book - i find these very useful and insightful when i read an historical fiction book. I am not an historian, i enjoy the story. Being educated a little while reading is a massive bonus for me.
I still enjoyed it, and i think i picked up a few extra history references.
I really enjoyed the author notes at the end of the book - i find these very useful and insightful when i read an historical fiction book. I am not an historian, i enjoy the story. Being educated a little while reading is a massive bonus for me.
bilinski68's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent historical fiction. Great job bringing historical figures to life. Highly recommended!!
rebekahmay's review against another edition
5.0
Book 1: Stormbird review
Book 2: Trinity review
Book 3: Bloodline review
This is probably my favourite series ever. I was a little tentative going into this because a lot of reviews had said it wasn't as good as the first three books, but honestly I loved it just as much. This novel is really the fall of Warwick and the Lancaster cause, the end of Edward IV and subsequent rise of Richard III, and, as we near the end, the start of the Tudors. The Wars of the Roses is such an interesting period of history, full of people that are so much fun to read about.
Both Richard (Plantagenet) and Henry (Tudor) were really intriguing characters and I think Conn Iggulden wrote them well. For some reason there are so many rumours around Richard and it's always interesting to read him in a new light. There is his hunchback (although there's no evidence of that actually being a thing), the princes in the Tower, and I had also read somewhere that he might have poisoned Edward, though I doubt that. He wasn't King for very long but he was in the general picture for a long time so I enjoyed seeing his character and trying to work out his motives. Apart from that: I could read about King Louis XI all day; Warwick slowly became my favourite character over the course of the series; age and experience has changed Derry so much and his development has been interesting to read through; and the ladies behind the scenes of these wars are incredible.
I don't have much more to add other than Iggulden is a fantastic writer and I think he's done this piece of history justice in this series. I'm left wanting more in the best way. I'm sad that this series has concluded but I think it ended at the perfect place, and I honestly can't wait to read more from Iggulden in the future.
Book 2: Trinity review
Book 3: Bloodline review
This is probably my favourite series ever. I was a little tentative going into this because a lot of reviews had said it wasn't as good as the first three books, but honestly I loved it just as much. This novel is really the fall of Warwick and the Lancaster cause, the end of Edward IV and subsequent rise of Richard III, and, as we near the end, the start of the Tudors. The Wars of the Roses is such an interesting period of history, full of people that are so much fun to read about.
Both Richard (Plantagenet) and Henry (Tudor) were really intriguing characters and I think Conn Iggulden wrote them well. For some reason there are so many rumours around Richard and it's always interesting to read him in a new light. There is his hunchback (although there's no evidence of that actually being a thing), the princes in the Tower, and I had also read somewhere that he might have poisoned Edward, though I doubt that. He wasn't King for very long but he was in the general picture for a long time so I enjoyed seeing his character and trying to work out his motives. Apart from that: I could read about King Louis XI all day; Warwick slowly became my favourite character over the course of the series; age and experience has changed Derry so much and his development has been interesting to read through; and the ladies behind the scenes of these wars are incredible.
I don't have much more to add other than Iggulden is a fantastic writer and I think he's done this piece of history justice in this series. I'm left wanting more in the best way. I'm sad that this series has concluded but I think it ended at the perfect place, and I honestly can't wait to read more from Iggulden in the future.
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