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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Like all Philippa Gregory books, her first person narration takes a bit to get used to. But she does embody her characters quite well. I loved Elizabeth’s story. It was very moving to follow her through all her highs and lows. I especially loved the witch/supernatural aspect of her character. I feel like it was inserted in a very believable way to this real historical person and events. I did not expect to side with the Yorks, but Elizabeth Woodville sure made me do so.
Since the book is based in reality, I can tell the author struggled to make the Queen a sympathetic character. I wasn’t a fan of her, unlike her mother (who is the best character in this series so far, and the heroine of book 1). The plot is lacking in this one.
I love that this book is based on Elizabeth Woodville, real life queen of England during the 1400s. She is a fascinating queen that was thoroughly disliked and if history has taught us anything, that means she was beautiful smart and competent.
It was long and skimmed over quite a lot of history. I had to take breaks because of all the plotting and scheming and backstabbing. It was overwhelming and yet central to the story.
I liked it enough but I have no desire to continue the series. This one book was enough and it was fun learning about her again and imagining her thoughts when she was alive.
It was long and skimmed over quite a lot of history. I had to take breaks because of all the plotting and scheming and backstabbing. It was overwhelming and yet central to the story.
I liked it enough but I have no desire to continue the series. This one book was enough and it was fun learning about her again and imagining her thoughts when she was alive.
challenging
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The White Queen follows Elizabeth Woodville (daughter of Jacquetta) as she rises to Queen of England and tries to hold the throne with her husband throughout the War of the Roses. Though it is historical fiction, Gregory again proves her prowess by making historical figures feel like relatable flesh and blood. Reading this once was enough for me but I'm looking forward to the next book following the queens of England throughout the War of the Roses.
Just didn't get into the Queen series, I keep trying but it just doesn't seem to be able to hold my attention.
I've long been taught that unless you can really make it work, to avoid writing present tense in long pieces at all times. In The White Queen, it's not bad, but Gregory doesn't really sell it. Maybe it's just that I've had that lesson drummed into me.
I had issues with the plotting. One chapter, Elizabeth Woodville and Edward had just married, the next, there's mention of their girls. When did that happen? The novel moves away from the first person perspective to third person to show scenes, usually battle scenes, that Elizabeth wouldn't have witnessed. It's jarring and clumsy, particularly with Elizabeth's occasional interjections. I also found the battle scenes to be lacking in substance.
I founding the ending very sudden, like what you'd expect from a huge book and lopped into three sections and published as a trilogy without any editing. I'm not at all familiar with the history of the War of the Roses so I felt as though I'd been left out of something.
The Melusina story was interesting, but I felt as though it would've worked better as a prologue rather than being interwoven into the narrative. The references to Melusina were repetitious, but nowhere near as annoying as Elizabeth's overly dramatic mentions of that dark locket, ugh.
I picked up this book because the blurb made it sound like Elizabeth Woodville was an incredibly strong woman, and I'd love to see more of that. Except, I couldn't really warm to Elizabeth. Every "please don't go off to war and leave me" exchange set my teeth on edge. Yes, I understand being reluctant to see your husband ride off to war, but he's not going off for something trivial, he's fighting to defend his throne.
The magic in the novel was all right. I like the subtle edge, but it's almost too subtle.
The White Queen is an easy but middling read.
I had issues with the plotting. One chapter, Elizabeth Woodville and Edward had just married, the next, there's mention of their girls. When did that happen? The novel moves away from the first person perspective to third person to show scenes, usually battle scenes, that Elizabeth wouldn't have witnessed. It's jarring and clumsy, particularly with Elizabeth's occasional interjections. I also found the battle scenes to be lacking in substance.
I founding the ending very sudden, like what you'd expect from a huge book and lopped into three sections and published as a trilogy without any editing. I'm not at all familiar with the history of the War of the Roses so I felt as though I'd been left out of something.
The Melusina story was interesting, but I felt as though it would've worked better as a prologue rather than being interwoven into the narrative. The references to Melusina were repetitious, but nowhere near as annoying as Elizabeth's overly dramatic mentions of that dark locket, ugh.
I picked up this book because the blurb made it sound like Elizabeth Woodville was an incredibly strong woman, and I'd love to see more of that. Except, I couldn't really warm to Elizabeth. Every "please don't go off to war and leave me" exchange set my teeth on edge. Yes, I understand being reluctant to see your husband ride off to war, but he's not going off for something trivial, he's fighting to defend his throne.
The magic in the novel was all right. I like the subtle edge, but it's almost too subtle.
Spoiler
Especially when it mostly involves reeling in threads that your mother has thrown into water.The White Queen is an easy but middling read.
I've always like this kind of books. Takes me different to times and new twist.
Seriously love love love this book! It is a great way to start reading historical fiction. It’s an awesome introduction into Phillipa Gregory books. She is great at introducing the characters but also keeping it historically accurate (with some creative freedom obviously.)