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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this tale. The introduction of myth and magic is a departure for Philippa Gregory who generally keeps to historical knowns in her historical fiction. I didn't know much about Elizabeth Woodville until I started reading this book. She certainly had an eventful life. The War of the Roses is a period of such chaos and destruction, makes the 21st century seem almost calm.
As always Gregory's prose is clear and easy to read. Pretty short book, easy read. Light. I recommend it as a good vacation, or beach read.
As always Gregory's prose is clear and easy to read. Pretty short book, easy read. Light. I recommend it as a good vacation, or beach read.
I loved this series - it was like a gateway drug to period novels and more high-brow historical fiction.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Very disappointing. I enjoyed The Other Bolyen Girl, though it wasn't what I expected. But this book just had nothing to keep me going. I read 151 pages before giving up. The plot was plodding, the characters superficial and generic, and there seemed to be no build or climax to the story. Too many names, no real point. I love some historical fiction, but this just didn't do it for me. Also, I find that Gregory's style of writing, which is dialogue heavy and description light, really makes the book feel less historical and atmospheric. I'm reading historical fiction because I want to experience another world. I think that perhaps in trying to make her stories palatable for modern audiences, Gregory has lost some of the very things that make them, and the particular period in history that they represent, so very special and memorable to read about.
I mostly enjoyed this refresher on who killed whom during the Wars of the Roses, and the fictional overlay was well done. Gregory often repeats the same similies and phrases but the reader Bianca Amato never conveys the kind of eye-rolling I'd be doing had I read this myself. I might listen to another Gregory book but won't seek one out. I won't devote precious reading time to her because there are too many other books I think I enjoy more. Perhaps I'll just watch the inevitable film versions of this entire series of books.
This book is actually infuriating...for a plethora of reasons. I only read to page 89 and could not bear to read more. It is rare that I dislike a book this much, but I suppose it has to happen sometimes to remind me how good the good books really are.
The reason I read it in the first place is because apparently Elizabeth is some relative of mine...? and I'd heard about the show and Max Irons is on the cover of my edition so duh I was going to try.
Though this story did have me very interested in what was going to what would happen next (at least in the first 89 pages), there are 3 main reasons I could not continue.
1. The characters: these characters are sooo dull and one demensonial. Beyond that...I don't really know what to say. I just didn't like a single one of them except maybe Elizabeth's mother...and her brother who is actually a smart person unlike the main character.
2. The pacing: this books goes wayyyyy to fast. Maybe it just felt that way because the instalove which is reasons #3.
3. The romance: the instalove is NOTHING compared to the fact that Edward nearly raped Elizabeth, and she was completely infatuated with him and married him when he came back with no thought!!! Now I know that in those days people married rather quickly...but this was too quickly.
The only aspects I did liked were the writing style (sentence structure and word choice), and the historical aspects...even though I didn't get much of that because I stopped at page 89.
So really the only reason this book has a star is because Max Irons is on the cover...yeaaaah. Wouldn't recommended it unless you want a really quick romance and historic fiction read. And you like shallow characters.
The reason I read it in the first place is because apparently Elizabeth is some relative of mine...? and I'd heard about the show and Max Irons is on the cover of my edition so duh I was going to try.
Though this story did have me very interested in what was going to what would happen next (at least in the first 89 pages), there are 3 main reasons I could not continue.
1. The characters: these characters are sooo dull and one demensonial. Beyond that...I don't really know what to say. I just didn't like a single one of them except maybe Elizabeth's mother...and her brother who is actually a smart person unlike the main character.
2. The pacing: this books goes wayyyyy to fast. Maybe it just felt that way because the instalove which is reasons #3.
3. The romance: the instalove is NOTHING compared to the fact that Edward nearly raped Elizabeth, and she was completely infatuated with him and married him when he came back with no thought!!! Now I know that in those days people married rather quickly...but this was too quickly.
The only aspects I did liked were the writing style (sentence structure and word choice), and the historical aspects...even though I didn't get much of that because I stopped at page 89.
So really the only reason this book has a star is because Max Irons is on the cover...yeaaaah. Wouldn't recommended it unless you want a really quick romance and historic fiction read. And you like shallow characters.
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An excellent book about Elizabeth Woodville and the mystery of what happened to her two sons. She gives a new perspective, one that I never thought of, about how one of the sons may have survived and that Richard III did not kill the two young princes. I love historical fiction and a good conspiracy theory so this book was something that interested me in many ways! I definitely look forward to buying and reading more of her books. Philippa Gregory is an excellent writer and she brings her characters to life and makes you sympathize with the characters and events that happen in their lives. I loved how she included mythology and legends surrounding Elizabeth Woodville, her family, and her ancestors.