Publish Date: May 2011
Format: Paperback 598pp
Synopsis (From the Publisher):
"From the award-winning author of A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York, and The King’s Grace comes another masterful historical novel—the story of Cecily of York, mother of two kings and the heroine of one of history’s greatest love stories. Anne Easter Smith’s novels are beloved by readers for their ability “to grab you, sweep you along with the story, and make you fall in love with the characters.”
In Cecily Neville, duchess of York and ancestor of every English monarch to the present day, she has found her most engrossing character yet.History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of the Market Cross at Ludlow, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, duke of York, whom she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match and together face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue. All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and their country. Queen by Right marks Anne Easter Smith’s greatest achievement, a book that every fan of sweeping, exquisitely detailed historical fiction will devour."
My Review:
Without a doubt, any novel written by Anne Easter Smith will have the reader taking away with them a greater understanding of the time period in which the novel was set. Focusing on the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, Queen by Right gives us an in depth look into the lives of Ceciley Neville and Richard of York. Like all her novels, Queen by Right unfolds in panoramic detail, allowing the reader to experience a type of virtual history lesson, one that is gripping and completely satisfying. Often times, while reading such a historically intense novel, one might feel the story lacking or want to skim through certain sections in order to speed up the plot, but I am happy to say that this novel never left me feeling any of these desires.
Being a lover of the Wars of the Roses, it was wonderful to read a novel that lead up to this chaotic time period in history. Following the life of Ceciley, from her childhood to the day her son Edward was crowned king, we witness a spirited young girl grow and cultivate her personality into a proud and strong woman, one who rightly earned the nickname of "Proud Cis". Her proud and outspoken ways were entertaining and, not wanting to give too much away, the meeting between Ceciley and Jacquetta Woodville was probably one of my favorites considering what the future held for the two women. I throughly enjoyed getting to know Ceciley and Richard through Anne's novel, and was sad to see their story come to an end. If you are looking for a good piece of historical fiction that will not only educate but entertain you as well, I definitely suggest picking up a copy of Queen by Right.
TOUR SCHEDULE
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Author Interview at A Writer’s Life: Working with the Muse
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Review at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books
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Review at Unabridged Chick
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Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.
FTC: I received this book from the publisher. As always, these are my own honest opinions.
1 comment:
I am relatively new to the wars of the roses period, I have now read three books I think, but I loved how this one was focused mostly on the events leading up to the more commonly discussed parts. And the scene between Jacquetta and Cis was awesome!
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