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A review by kaispellmeier
The Cousins' War Collection: White Queen, Red Queen, Lady of the Rivers, Kingmaker's Daughter, The White Princess by Philippa Gregory
4.0
“Any woman who dares to make her own destiny will always put herself in danger.”
This was my first Philippa Gregory novel, and my first historical novel this year. (Although I tried to read Outlander. But I put it aside after 200 pages because it was sexist.) I fully enjoyed this book and am super intrigued to continue this series. The British Royals and their history always sparked an interest in me and while this novel satisfied me 100%, it also made my hunger even bigger. Since my knowledge of British (or basically any) history is basically nonexistent, historical books always manage to captivate me. Since the events are real and Google knows everything it's a challenge not to look everything up right away.
Philippa Gregory's writing is fantastic, romantic and wise. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book. Since it's an adult, historical novel in English it took me a while longer to read than your typical YA story, but I still loved it lots.
I also love the portrayal of the main character and any other woman in this book. Yes, it's the 15th century and women had no rights whatsoever. But while keeping everything historically accurate, the author still managed to write a powerful, independent and intelligent woman. Jacquetta was aware that, as a woman between many power-hungry men, she needed to tread carefully, but she never lost her dignity. (Not like some other female main character, who jumped back in time, and let her husband hit her just to forgive him a second later. And that was supposedly 300 years after Jacquetta lived. Never again tell me historical accuracy needs women to be disrespected.)
The never-ending power game, the back and forth between running and ruling are somewhat tiring but that isn't Philippa Gregory's fault. These royals are incredibly stubborn and often too stupid to rule a country.
What frightens me is the sheer size of this series. I doubt that I will finish it in the next few years, but I will continue it for sure.
Find more of my books on Instagram
This was my first Philippa Gregory novel, and my first historical novel this year. (Although I tried to read Outlander. But I put it aside after 200 pages because it was sexist.) I fully enjoyed this book and am super intrigued to continue this series. The British Royals and their history always sparked an interest in me and while this novel satisfied me 100%, it also made my hunger even bigger. Since my knowledge of British (or basically any) history is basically nonexistent, historical books always manage to captivate me. Since the events are real and Google knows everything it's a challenge not to look everything up right away.
Philippa Gregory's writing is fantastic, romantic and wise. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book. Since it's an adult, historical novel in English it took me a while longer to read than your typical YA story, but I still loved it lots.
I also love the portrayal of the main character and any other woman in this book. Yes, it's the 15th century and women had no rights whatsoever. But while keeping everything historically accurate, the author still managed to write a powerful, independent and intelligent woman. Jacquetta was aware that, as a woman between many power-hungry men, she needed to tread carefully, but she never lost her dignity. (Not like some other female main character, who jumped back in time, and let her husband hit her just to forgive him a second later. And that was supposedly 300 years after Jacquetta lived. Never again tell me historical accuracy needs women to be disrespected.)
The never-ending power game, the back and forth between running and ruling are somewhat tiring but that isn't Philippa Gregory's fault. These royals are incredibly stubborn and often too stupid to rule a country.
What frightens me is the sheer size of this series. I doubt that I will finish it in the next few years, but I will continue it for sure.
Find more of my books on Instagram