You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
This book, which I started twice, took me over a year to finish because it just never held my attention for long and I kept moving on to better books. This is coming from one who loves history and historical fiction. The writing just seems wooden and the characters of one dimension. I keep thinking I should continue the series to get more details of the history of the time, but then maybe reading an actual history book would be more productive and less dry...
I have two problems with the Wars of the Roses in general. First, there are too many Richards, Henrys, and Edwards to keep a handle on and often I am cornfused. The second problem is that the most fascinating players (the women) are often glossed over in typical histories.
While the first problem is just something I will have to get over, the second problem is mitigated by the wonderful stories created by Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory. The authors' research gives their historical fictions new life and keeps me more interested than traditional histories.
In this book, the theme of Melusina throughout the book was a wonderful touch. I loved the relationships between Elizabeth Woodville and her mother and daughter. A fun read all the way through. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
While the first problem is just something I will have to get over, the second problem is mitigated by the wonderful stories created by Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory. The authors' research gives their historical fictions new life and keeps me more interested than traditional histories.
In this book, the theme of Melusina throughout the book was a wonderful touch. I loved the relationships between Elizabeth Woodville and her mother and daughter. A fun read all the way through. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
fast-paced
informative
mysterious
slow-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:
Complicated
The first time I read this book I liked it a lot more. For as fascinating as Elizabeth Woodville was, she was almost a background character here. Far more happened to her than she actually did.
so much drama and scandal and intrigue
kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time!
it wouldve been even more so if it had included not only elizabeth woodville's pov but alsoo margret beaufort and the neville sisters (and maybe even jacquetta of luxemburg)...that woulve been insaneee to read
kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time!
it wouldve been even more so if it had included not only elizabeth woodville's pov but alsoo margret beaufort and the neville sisters (and maybe even jacquetta of luxemburg)...that woulve been insaneee to read
I've been putting off reading this book for a long time, mainly because of all the negative reviews it had received. I'm so glad I finally just gave it a go. I was absolutely expecting to hate this book, but I ended up really enjoying it! Is it her best work? No, I don't think so, but I also don't think it's as horrible as some people have made it out to be. To enjoy this book, you DO have to be interested in this time period...if you're not, then yes, the story will be quite a bore.
Elizabeth Woodville is quite a figure in English history. I knew a little about her and Edward IV, but not much. My favorite part of history begins with her daughter Elizabeth Tudor (mother of Henry VIII). I thought much of the story seemed pretty accurate, though I don't put too much stock in the whole 'magic' thing. And while the 'Melusina Water Goddess' story was interesting in the beginning, by the end it did start to wear on me. I really like her take on the Princes in the Tower though. I realize there is no proof to back up her suggestion for what happened, but there's no proof to back up ANYONE'S suggestion. Even today, no one knows what happened to them...it's all speculation. I thought Ms. Gregory's theory made just as much sense as anyone else's.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you're interested in this time in history. Yes, it probably could have been about 70 pages shorter...yes, she tends to repeat some things over and over (Melusina and the locket come to mind), but some of the little nit-picky things aside, I thought the story itself was very good, and I look forward to 'The Red Queen'.
Elizabeth Woodville is quite a figure in English history. I knew a little about her and Edward IV, but not much. My favorite part of history begins with her daughter Elizabeth Tudor (mother of Henry VIII). I thought much of the story seemed pretty accurate, though I don't put too much stock in the whole 'magic' thing. And while the 'Melusina Water Goddess' story was interesting in the beginning, by the end it did start to wear on me. I really like her take on the Princes in the Tower though. I realize there is no proof to back up her suggestion for what happened, but there's no proof to back up ANYONE'S suggestion. Even today, no one knows what happened to them...it's all speculation. I thought Ms. Gregory's theory made just as much sense as anyone else's.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you're interested in this time in history. Yes, it probably could have been about 70 pages shorter...yes, she tends to repeat some things over and over (Melusina and the locket come to mind), but some of the little nit-picky things aside, I thought the story itself was very good, and I look forward to 'The Red Queen'.