Scan barcode
A review by craftyemma
Lady of the Ravens by Joanna Hickson
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
With the background story of the Lancastrians overcoming the Yorkists and establishing a Tudor dynasty, we meet Joan Vaux, a gentlewoman to Queen Margaret, wife of Henry VI, who then progresses to lady in waiting for Queen Elizabeth when Henry VII becomes king.
Joan is determined to avoid marriage and motherhood at all costs, but later finds herself married to Sir Richard Guildford and stepmother to his many children. It was interesting to read the mundane side of married life, alongside the perils of war and trials of the Tudor monarchy.
I confess, this was a cover buy, along with the premise of being a Tudor novel, and as soon as I opened it and saw a family tree AND a map, I was sold! I am fascinated by the history of the Tower of London and it's ravens, however this book fell short on that side of things for me. The mentions of the ravens in the first half of the book are few and far between and then they're only a minor subplot until much further on.
I enjoyed Sims character, rising from a runaway lad to a very important part of the ravens lives. I was annoyed that he wasn't given more credit at the end. Also Sir Henry Wyatt is a great villain who gets his comeuppance.
3.5 stars as I found the book slow going for much of it and precious little mention of the ravens in the title. I felt that storyline could have been explored in more detail, rather than the queen constantly giving birth and the family travelling backwards and forwards to Kent.
Joan is determined to avoid marriage and motherhood at all costs, but later finds herself married to Sir Richard Guildford and stepmother to his many children. It was interesting to read the mundane side of married life, alongside the perils of war and trials of the Tudor monarchy.
I confess, this was a cover buy, along with the premise of being a Tudor novel, and as soon as I opened it and saw a family tree AND a map, I was sold! I am fascinated by the history of the Tower of London and it's ravens, however this book fell short on that side of things for me. The mentions of the ravens in the first half of the book are few and far between and then they're only a minor subplot until much further on.
I enjoyed Sims character, rising from a runaway lad to a very important part of the ravens lives. I was annoyed that he wasn't given more credit at the end. Also Sir Henry Wyatt is a great villain who gets his comeuppance.
3.5 stars as I found the book slow going for much of it and precious little mention of the ravens in the title. I felt that storyline could have been explored in more detail, rather than the queen constantly giving birth and the family travelling backwards and forwards to Kent.