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The Kingmaker's Daughter (The Cousins' War #4)

by Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)

3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 · rating details · 6,018 ratings · 971 reviews

Spies, poison, and curses surround her…. Is there anyone she can trust? In The Kingmaker’s Daughter, #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory presents a novel of conspiracy and a fight to the death for love and power at the court of Edward IV of England.

The Kingmaker’s Daughter is the gripping story of the daughters of the man known as the “Kingmaker,” Richar...more

ebook, 432 pages

Published August 14th 2012 by Touchstone (first published August 1st 2012)

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Oct 20, 2012 Stephanie Miceli rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First let me say I am a huge PG fan. I have read all of her historical fiction novels and loved every one of them. I was very excited about the idea of reading about the life of Anne Neville (wife of Richard III). For some reason this book did not seem as compelling to me as her other novels. The first half of the book seemed to drag and the narrative was a little too repetitive. The book picked up for the second half. Unfortunately, the historical record on Anne's life is so vague and much of t...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Veronica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: advance-reader-books, e-books, historical-fiction

This was one of the best portrayals of Anne Neville that I have read. Little more than a pawn in her father's schemes, she could do nothing but follow his orders until the day that Richard rescued her. I really enjoyed the portrayal of Richard who becomes Richard III. He proclaims his innocence in the disappearance of the two princes in the Tower and even seems to grasp just how much people will despise him and blame him for the disappearance. Gregory has done it again and brought Anne to life i...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Brittany B. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-authors, audiobook, best-of-the-best_any_genre, historical-fiction, favorite-narrator, epic

4.5 Stars!!!

I have given Philippa Gregory a rough time. I believed her writing was sometimes broad and dumbed down. I didn't put much faith in the historical accuracy of her work, believing she was more fiction than history.
Well, not with this story!! I didn't realize until I did my own investigation that a tremendous amount of research went into this series. I can't even imagine how much research time it would take to write this series, when the history is complicated and voluminous, and the...more 4.5 Stars!!!

I have given Philippa Gregory a rough time. I believed her writing was sometimes broad and dumbed down. I didn't put much faith in the historical accuracy of her work, believing she was more fiction than history.
Well, not with this story!! I didn't realize until I did my own investigation that a tremendous amount of research went into this series. I can't even imagine how much research time it would take to write this series, when the history is complicated and voluminous, and the actual facts difficult to sort.

I started the series with this book. I stopped half way through because I wanted to go back and read the first books. After reading The White Queen, I became obsessed with Richard III. I'm American and never had much formal education about the War of the Roses. I was initially obsessed with the story of the princes in the tower. Then I moved on to figuring out my own feelings for Richard. I read MANY books on Richard 3 before I finally finished this particular book. This story is narrated by his wife, Anne Neville.

The ending of this book blew me away! I don't like Richard. By the time he was on the throne, he was not a good guy. Gregory's Richard III is not romanticized or sanctified. He is cold and calculating, but not a hunchback monster of Shakespearian legend. Moreover, I was really surprised and delighted with her portrayal of Anne Nevill, who changes a great deal throughout this book, eventually showing that she was definitely her father's daughter!!

Philippa Gregory deserves much praise for this series. In particular, The White Queen and The Kingmaker's Daughter are the two very best of the series. These are Must-Reads for anyone interested in the War of the Roses and/or Richard III. She does a remarkable job demonstrating different points of view.

The only problem with this book is simply that the history is bleak and depressing. It's difficult to say that this is a five star book when the characters made me so angry. But then again, these were actual people acting badly, not characters!!! Gregory backed up this book with tremendous research and detail, while also adding fresh new perspectives to this mysterious, fascinating time in English history. The facts are grim and dark, I can't blame the author.

I highly recommend this book, but I have to warn readers that this is an intense and dark part of history. It's certainly not a fairytale with a happy ending! (less)

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Dec 30, 2012 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: forpleasure, forreview, historicalfiction, favorite-2012, big-book-2012

There is something about Philippa Gregory's writing that is enthralling. This story was told from Anne Neville's point of view and I found it fascinating, especially since the last book I'd read by this author was The Lady of the Rivers. I love it when a series takes on different perspectives so you get a more well-rounded view of all sides.

I felt sorry for the Neville girls. How awful to be used for gain and raised to marry and solely to increase one's wealth. I think the author did a great job...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Rebecca Cartwright rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review:
I enjoyed this book as I usually enjoy Philippa Gregory’s books. It took me a little while to remember the previous books in the Cousins series and work out who all the characters were because everything was coming from such a different viewpoint but once I did it was really interesting to see the other side of the story.
It also doesn’t help that so many Kings and Queens have the same names and I am not very good and keeping track of what period of history I am reading.
I found myself bein...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Bella - Marie Flynn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My first foray into Phillipa Gregory and I definitely enjoyed it. Any English history buff knows about the Wars of the Roses where the two mighty houses of Lancaster and York fought over the throne for several generations but it was interesting to see the events unfold through the eyes of a character involved in them, rather than in an objective impartial history book. Gregory gives amazing descriptions of the incredible grandeur that surrounds the characters without dragging on too long or inte...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Jenny GB rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An interesting take on Anne Neville and the Cousin's Wars as well as the boys in the tower. Anne is portrayed as a pawn through the first half of the book as she goes where her father goes and has alliances that change just as his do. She seems so naive and oblivious to the larger world around her. That is until her world is shattered and she boldly decides to act for herself and marry for both love and advantage. She shows her own ambition, hopes, and dreams as she battles with Elizabeth Woodvi...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Henrietta added it · review of another edition

The Kingmaker’s Daughter is the gripping story of the daughters of the man known as the “Kingmaker,” Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick: the most powerful magnate in fifteenth-century England. Without a son and heir, he uses his daughters Anne and Isabel as pawns in his political games, and they grow up to be influential players in their own right. In this novel, her first sister story since The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory explores the lives of two fascinating young women.

At the court of E...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Decee Foulkes rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was dubious at whether this series had run its course as I had been a little dissapointed with the last one she wrote, but this was brilliant and totally changed my view of Richard III and Anne Neville. I cannot wait to see what she does with the next one just to see if she can change my mind again. Always and enjoyable read. Love it.

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Dec 22, 2012 Lalla rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an engrossing historical novel that is part of the author's series on the York dynasty and their struggle to control the throne as told through the roles that the woman in the various families took to help their husbands and relatives to succeed. This book focuses on the wife of Richard who would rule briefly as Richard the third. Her life is filled with death and the stuggle to bear children successfully. The story touches on witchcraft and that this was still something that people at t...more

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May 22, 2013 Nitya Sivasubramanian rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2star

It is commonly accepted that history is written by the winners. But under the whitewashes of victory lie the secret skeins of silk woven by the women behind some of history's greatest men. In Phillipa Gregory's Kingmaker's Daughter, the author turns her veteran hand to one such shadowy figure, Anne Neville.

Beginning at the coronation of King Edward IV, the book follows the life of a woman who was born to be queen, almost was, then suddenly wasn't, and then, just as suddenly, was. In a stately d...more It is commonly accepted that history is written by the winners. But under the whitewashes of victory lie the secret skeins of silk woven by the women behind some of history's greatest men. In Phillipa Gregory's Kingmaker's Daughter, the author turns her veteran hand to one such shadowy figure, Anne Neville.

Beginning at the coronation of King Edward IV, the book follows the life of a woman who was born to be queen, almost was, then suddenly wasn't, and then, just as suddenly, was. In a stately dance of politics and intrigue, we watch as the girl becomes a woman and learns to navigate through the confusing bonds of sibling rivalry, political affiliation, and marital monogamy.

After my last disastrous encounter with Phillippa Gregory, I almost didn't pick this book up. But ever since Professor John Coffee's assignment to read Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey in my freshman year, I've developed an insatiable appetite for the man whose strings Anne believes she hold in her hands, Richard III.

Maligned by Shakespeare and John Everett Millais, Richard III finally gets a fair shot in this book, coming across as a sober and determined young man whose unfailing loyalty and sense of honor color all of his actions. Time and again, he proves himself a steadfastly loyal brother, a devoted uncle, and true and honest subject to his king. This is perhaps the best, and maybe only, strength of the book.

When writing about a confusing time in history, when lords changed their banners as quickly as they did their smallclothes, it is important to keep casts small and nomenclature simple. Unfortunately, in the sea of Elizabeths, Edwards and Richards, it takes a real history buff to keep everything straight. At least I remembered enough of my English history to giggle at how seriously the men plan for security and longevity of the Plantagenet throne.

All in all, a fun little read to pass the time, especially if all you know of Richard III is the hunchbacked cripple in the play paid for by the daughter of the family he worked tirelessly to destroy.(less)

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May 11, 2013 Ruth rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history

c2012: FWFTB: Earl of Warwick, treacherous, royal, rival, inheritance. I usually thoroughly enjoy Ms Gregory's writing. Dare I say this in black and white? - but this seemed a bit 'samey'. The one facet that I enjoyed the most was the characterisation involving Richard, Duke of Gloucester. I am a fan of Richard III despite his terrible reputation (remembering that history is written by the victors) and this book at least shows a more personable character. Also, a cryptic clue that perhaps the Tu...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Clarissa Simmens rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Philippa Gregory's heroine, Elizabeth Woodville, appeared in her earlier book “The White Queen.” She created an aura that could easily make the reader sympathetic to the commoner queen married to King Edward. A few years later she creates another aura around the heroine of “The Kingmaker's Daughter”—Anne Neville, married to King Edward's brother Richard—causing us to wonder how we ever trusted the voice of Elizabeth Woodville as we now trust the voice of her enemy Anne. Gregory has this wonderfu...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Aaron rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Gregory continues her Cousin's War with her newest novel for adults. This time she shifts away from the Houses of York and Lancaster and presents the latter Wars of the Roses from the perspective of Anne, the daughter of Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick. Warwick played a major role in the wars as he threw his support behind the two warring factions, particularly the Yorks. As his support trended, so did success in the wars ... thus the name of the novel. He was the kingmaker.

Anne and her sis...more Gregory continues her Cousin's War with her newest novel for adults. This time she shifts away from the Houses of York and Lancaster and presents the latter Wars of the Roses from the perspective of Anne, the daughter of Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick. Warwick played a major role in the wars as he threw his support behind the two warring factions, particularly the Yorks. As his support trended, so did success in the wars ... thus the name of the novel. He was the kingmaker.

Anne and her sister Isabel, like so many noble women of the time, were pawns in the civil war that seemed to wreak havoc in England for generations. As the novel opens, Warwick has thrown his support back behind the Lancasters, betraying his longtime allies, the Yorks. The result is that Anne, Isabel, and the rest of their family are on the run in Burgundy. Warwick's hope is to return and set his daughters up in marriage so that one of them will one day become king.

Anne is initially wed to the heir of the Lancaster crown only to be widowed while still a child. Later, both she and her sister Isabel find themselves married into the York clan to the two surviving brothers of the new king Edward IV. This brings them into direct conflict with Elizabeth Woodville, who is accused of witchcraft and being from a family (the Rivers) with a long history of witchcraft.

In the process, we see Anne start as a sweet young woman and evolve into a scared and hurtful woman, particularly as she sees her second marriage (to the future King Richard II) develop and the power struggle shifts from being between two houses to being between different branches of the various Yorks and the stranglehold the Rivers have over them.

As usual, Gregory's writing is amazing, capturing the feel of the period. In fact, there is one really challenging scene that describes Anne's involvement in a difficult birthing by her sister in which the baby is breached. I have to admit to being quite horrified! The book is also quite timely with the recent finding of Richard II's remains.

Gregory has given Richard a fresh look in this novel. In previous novels in the series, he has been painted as the usual villain that history sees him as, particularly in regard to his nephews (Edward and Richard) who were held (and probably murdered) in the Tower of London. In general (and specifically with regard to his nephews), Richard is viewed quite differently in this novel, which should please many of his fans, who are fighting for a reassessment of his role in the closing years of the Wars of the Roses.(less)

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Feb 03, 2013 Julia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, first-read-in-2013

First of all a disclaimer of sorts: I love Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour set in the War of the Roses and I have read it multiple times. So my reactions while reading The Kingmaker's Daughter are colored by that. There were multiple times while reading where I found myself saying "Wait, that's not right" and I had to remind myself that both books are novels and no one can know the truth about character and motivations. So someone with less background might like this better than I did...more First of all a disclaimer of sorts: I love Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour set in the War of the Roses and I have read it multiple times. So my reactions while reading The Kingmaker's Daughter are colored by that. There were multiple times while reading where I found myself saying "Wait, that's not right" and I had to remind myself that both books are novels and no one can know the truth about character and motivations. So someone with less background might like this better than I did.

(view spoiler)[ I found Gregory's version of Anne Neville to be an unlikeable character. She goes from being a child with a huge sense of entitlement, to being the poor little rich girl when things go wrong, to what I thought of as "Stockholm Syndrome Anne", to being a bitch when she becomes queen. The common thread is "my daddy said I'm going to be queen of England someday" and of course Daddy is always right.

The main theme, from Anne's point of view, is that all of her problems stem from Elizabeth Woodville and the Rivers family. It's very simplistic: Elizabeth Woodville is a witch whose curses have power. George of Clarence was right when he accused Elizabeth of poisoning Isabella and their son. Ankarette Twynho was guilty. King Edward is basically a nonentity in this book. The battles he won are mentioned in passing, but most of his actions are seen as being dictated by his wife.

The "Stockholm Syndrome" part is her relationship with Marguerite of Anjou. When the Earl of Warwick takes his daughters to France, Anne is properly shocked that he is planning to ally with "the bad queen". The scenes of her interaction with Prince Edward don't indicate that there is any love or mutual respect between them, and the wedding night is closer to rape than to consumation. But after Edward of York wins the final battle for control of England, Anne seems to have embraced the Lancaster cause. She identifies with Marguerite and accuses Isabella of betraying "their" side. Even though the story is being told by Anne, I didn't see anything that would justify why she suddenly has changed sides.

There was also one place that struck me as a big continuity blooper: One of the plot points is whether Richard ever asked the Pope for a dispension for their marriage. Near the end of the book (p.392 in the edition that i read) Anne says that she is never going to ask. But earlier, when she is describing her inability to conceive another child and her efforts to do so (p.298-299) she says that she has a special letter from the Pope allowing her to eat meat during Lent. Why would the Pope be supporting her efforts to have a child if he hadn't given a dispensation for the marriage?
(hide spoiler)]

This took longer for me to read than I expected. The language wasn't difficult, but I felt as if the main character was whining a lot so it needed to be taken in small doses.(less)

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Jan 04, 2013 Go Flash Go! rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Maybe I've been living under a rock. I was familiar with Philippa Gregory's work, I was aware of her reputation as a writer, and yet... I had not picked up one of her books until now. I also don't have much knowledge of this period in history, so The Kingmaker's Daughter may as well have been a work of pure fiction to me. At least one reviewer mentioned that the events in this book overlapped with events in some of Gregory's earlier works, but in reading as a "newbie," every page was filled with...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Emaline Lapinski rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I used to enjoy Phillipa Gregory ever since I read The Other Boleyn Girl, but through the years I feel like her books have been...lacking. I can understand that since you're writing a novel about a historical figure who doesn't have very much actual information available on her can be quite difficult, and I applaud Gregory for taking on the challenge, but this book just didn't do it for me. It was a very easy read (since I've basically been reading historical tomes, I shouldn't be talking), and...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Mielasbooks rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: maragoodreads

The bonds of sisterhood infuse GregoryÖs latest in the CousinÖs War series (after The Lady of the Rivers). The stakes are high as Anne and Isabel Neville, daughters of the earl of Warwick (£The Kingmaker ), vie for their fatherÖs favor and a chance at the throne. The earl has long mentored the young King Edward and EdwardÖs brothers George and Richard in hopes of marrying his daughters into royalty. But when Edward weds the commoner Elizabeth Woodville, the Kingmaker arranges a secret marriage b...more The bonds of sisterhood infuse GregoryÖs latest in the CousinÖs War series (after The Lady of the Rivers). The stakes are high as Anne and Isabel Neville, daughters of the earl of Warwick (£The Kingmaker ), vie for their fatherÖs favor and a chance at the throne. The earl has long mentored the young King Edward and EdwardÖs brothers George and Richard in hopes of marrying his daughters into royalty. But when Edward weds the commoner Elizabeth Woodville, the Kingmaker arranges a secret marriage between Isabel and George, and launches an uprising that will result in the earlÖs death, leaving Isabel entangled in a dangerous political web and Anne—having recently married—already a widow. However, Richard—a tough soldier who honors family obligations while his brothers sell out—soon comes to AnneÖs rescue. In addition to Gregory handling a complicated history, she convincingly details womenÖs lives in the 1400s and the competitive love between sisters. By the bookÖs end, Anne and Richard have ascended the throne, but the War of the Roses has yet to be won, setting the stage for a sequel showdown. Agent: Anthony Mason. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

It's every man and woman for themselves in Gregory's latest, which offers reliable royal entertainment about Anne, queen consort to Richard III. Born the younger daughter of "Warwick the Kingmaker," Anne sees her position constantly shifting, depending on whether her father is supporting his protégé, King Edward IV, or fighting him. Forcibly wed at 14 to the son of the former Lancastrian queen, Margaret of Anjou, Anne is brought low after his death and obliged to serve her proud sister, Isabel, whose life is equally volatile. Their mutual enemy is beautiful commoner queen Elizabeth Woodville, whose large group of upstart siblings and rumored witchery threaten England's stability. Gregory deftly shows how living amid war's brutality can harden one's character, even that of a gentle innocent like Anne-who has a mostly happy second marriage to her childhood friend Richard, the king's loyal brother. At the same time, Gregory presents a stark account of woman-as-commodity in late medieval times, with Anne's forceful mother kept in comfortable, strict confinement, her wealth stolen by her daughters and sons-in-law. Johnson, Sarah.

Although once again, I must disagree with the review (While I know they have their own opinions, I wonder; who chooses the reviewers?) this novel will appeal to a certain class of people. This class of patrons I would refer to as women who want a little "historical" escapist reading. If it's anything like the previous Gregory novels, I would not look forward to reading it.(less)

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Dec 21, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed Gregory's Tudor Series, all 6 of them, for presenting different perspectives and lesser known details of the Tudor Era. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy The Cousins' War series as much, being less familiar with the people involved, but I am actually really enjoying it. It has taken me longer to get to the know the supporting characters, but I am very much enjoying all of the female protagonists. Gregory is amazing at presenting the story solely from a woman's perspective: you re...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Karen Perkins rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Following Elizabeth Woodville's, then Margaret Beaufort's stories in 'The White Queen' and 'The Red Queen', 'The Kingmaker's Daughter' tells the story of the Cousins War from Anne Neville's point of view (the daughter of the Earl of Warwick, daughter in law to Margaret of Anjou (the bad queen), then wife to Richard of York). Which must have presented Philippa Gregory with quite a problem - how to retell a story around events she has already described in previous books and make it fresh.
She not...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Cleo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-copy

The Kingmaker's Daughter is the story of Anne Neville, the daughter of Richard Neville, known as "the kingmaker", because he wielded a lot of influence over the kings. Anne and Isabel are pawns in his plans to get one of them on the throne as queen. At the court of Edward IV and his wife Elizabeth Woodville, Anne grows more fearful and desperate when her father starts fighting against his allies. She is married at age fourteen to what she once knew as the enemy, and is soon widowed and fatherles...more

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Nov 10, 2012 Cynthia Haggard rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Anne Neville (1456-1485) is not well-known as a personality in her own right. She is most famous for being the wronged wife of Richard III (1452-1485). At the time of her death, many whispered that she’d been poisoned by her husband to make way for his marriage to his niece Elizabeth of York (1466-1503). That marriage never happened, because Richard was obliged to deny before parliament that he’d had a relationship with Elizabeth. Shortly, thereafter on August 22, Richard was killed at the Battl...more Anne Neville (1456-1485) is not well-known as a personality in her own right. She is most famous for being the wronged wife of Richard III (1452-1485). At the time of her death, many whispered that she’d been poisoned by her husband to make way for his marriage to his niece Elizabeth of York (1466-1503). That marriage never happened, because Richard was obliged to deny before parliament that he’d had a relationship with Elizabeth. Shortly, thereafter on August 22, Richard was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

Anne is also known as the daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick (1429-1471), aka “Warwick the Kingmaker” for his making and unmaking of England’s kings during the Wars of the Roses. And lastly, she is known for being the wife of Edward, Prince of Wales (1453-1471), the son and heir of Henry VI and Marguerite d’Anjou. They married in 1470, when Anne was only 14. Edward was killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, leaving Anne a widow at the age of 15.

So it was a pleasure to read Philippa Gregory’s account of her in THE KINGMAKER’S DAUGHTER, in which Anne is the protagonist. In Ms. Gregory’s account, Anne emerges as an endearing and intelligent heroine, caught up in the snares of her father’s politics during as he swings from one side to another. Originally promised to Richard of Gloucester, a younger brother of the Yorkist King Edward IV, Anne is married off to Edward, Prince of Wales of the House of Lancaster. When Edward regains his throne and the House of Lancaster is crushed, Anne (according to Ms. Gregory) chooses to marry Richard of Gloucester as her second husband. Thus her marriage to the man who later becomes King Richard III, starts out as a love match.

Ms. Gregory keeps very close to her characters in her stories, and I think this is what makes them so popular. In this novel, you feel as if you are actually with Anne as the events of her life unfold. The author has also done a superlative job with Anne’s voice. Anne is not a charismatic person like Elizabeth Woodville or Jacquetta de St. Pol. Her voice does not have the bite of a Margaret Beaufort. Nevertheless, her quiet determination shines in this novel. Five stars.(less)

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Nov 04, 2012 Libby rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Anne Neville knew and/or was related to nearly everyone of any importance in The Wars of the Roses. For such a pivotal character, very little was written about her in her time. (Medieval chroniclers didn't have much to say about women in general.) This actually makes her kind of attractive for the writer of fiction;since we don't really know what she thought about the events of her time, we can interpret her actions any way we wish. Philippa Gregory uses Anne as a viewpoint character to give us...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

I've never really known much about the Neville sisters and so this book intrigued me. I feel that it really seemed to convey the precarious position and helplessness of daughters of powerful families of the time. But it also illustrated the rivalry and love of two sisters so was very much like 'The Other Boleyn Girl' in that regard. I only really felt pity for Isabel Neville and didn't really like her character that much. Although I started off really liking Anne Neville, by the end of the book...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Liviaalexandra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Kingmakers Daughter was another brilliant story in Philippa Gregory's best selling series The Cousins War.

I enjoyed the story of Anne Neville showing how she was another woman used as a pawn to help the men in her life achieve their goals. She knew that to survive she would have to play their game and so was married to Prince Edward, son of Margaret of Ajou and Henry VI which lasted a little over a year before he was killed in the Battle of Tewkesbury. I admired how she just played along an...more The Kingmakers Daughter was another brilliant story in Philippa Gregory's best selling series The Cousins War.

I enjoyed the story of Anne Neville showing how she was another woman used as a pawn to help the men in her life achieve their goals. She knew that to survive she would have to play their game and so was married to Prince Edward, son of Margaret of Ajou and Henry VI which lasted a little over a year before he was killed in the Battle of Tewkesbury. I admired how she just played along and waited out the events in the beginning of her life. She was dedicated to her family and tried to put them first, she obeyed every order for the good of her family and family name. The start of her story was quite slow and although enjoyable it seemed the other books in the series were more intriguing all the way through so i did enjoy the last half of the book more than the first half.

I love the love story between her and Richard, and how he protected her when she went into hiding, into sanctuary and was determined to marry her regardless on the thoughts of his family, she finally had her chance to marry for love and still have the chance to play the game of power. You could see how her character grew stronger throughout the book as she grew up and survived the events she had been through. I did like the way Richard was portrayed in this book because in the others i found him more cold and dark but he was so charming and loyal in this book.

I like the part where her sister was giving birth aboard the ship because i think it was both horrifying and interesting when Anne had to pull out the baby and she was so young and i think it was told really well. Philippa really told the story of the two sisters really well, as all family's the love and hated each other and had a rocky road but in the end they stuck by each other but i think that their relationship could have be told in more detail? maybe? perhaps a book about Isabel and her marriage to George? a possibility? showing the gaps in her story when she went back to England and switched sides? well i can dream.

I did love the way Philippa switched perspectives of Elizabeth Woodville, because in The White Queen she was shown as a victim who stood beside her husband and family, in this book she was portrayed as the villain, the evil witch that strove to hold her power and help her family rise and rule England so it was in interesting switch that i enjoyed.

I'm really enjoying reading about the women of our history as they have such interesting stories to tell and i know some people are hard on Philippa because of some inaccurate historical portrayals but come on people its a FICTION BOOK, she uses some historical facts or figures and uses them to create a fiction story, and i for one can enjoy the book for what it is and i love the history of that era but i can still enjoy the tales of the books.

Although it is not my favorite book in the series i did still really enjoy it and cant wait to read the next book The White Princess.(less)

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Oct 11, 2012 Ravin Maurice rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Her.Best.In.Years.

I have to start this review by saying that I am a big Philippa Gregory fan. But I must admit that its been an uphill battle for me with the Cousin's War books.
The first two, White Queen and Red Queen, had their moments. They weren't perfect, but they weren't terrible either. The Lady of Rivers had some flaws but the great moments were really fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed that book. So when Kingmaker's Daughter came out, and I read some of the reviews, I had a good feelin...more Her.Best.In.Years.

I have to start this review by saying that I am a big Philippa Gregory fan. But I must admit that its been an uphill battle for me with the Cousin's War books.
The first two, White Queen and Red Queen, had their moments. They weren't perfect, but they weren't terrible either. The Lady of Rivers had some flaws but the great moments were really fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed that book. So when Kingmaker's Daughter came out, and I read some of the reviews, I had a good feeling about it.
And I was not disappointed.
The story of Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick and the man called 'The Kingmaker', and his family and daughters was fascinating, and incredibly well written. It really brought me back to Gregory's masterpiece, The Other Boleyn Girl, because of the skill that went into crafting the story, and how absolutely compelling it is. The story of Warwick's daughter's, Isabel and Anne (the narrator), is really a true tale of how a family can rise and fall in the 15th century. The interaction between the two sisters is flawless, believable, and in some instances heart wrenching.
One of the major differences from The Other Boleyn Girl is that Isabel, the older sister, I did not find her particularly likeable, where I really loved Anne and Mary Boleyn. But you do feel like a part of their sisterhood, like you are growing up with them. You can really feel their rise and their fall, and you feel for them when bad things happen to them that are beyond their control.
I actually did not find Isabel or her husband George, Duke of Clarence, particularly likeable. But how they played into the situation was interesting, and from Anne's perspective you did not want to stop reading.
Gregory really excels with particular characters, and they seem to be the ones that she has spent some time with previously. Jacquetta, Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville and her daughters are very compelling, and stand out even as side characters.
Anne's interactions with Margaret of Anjou, the 'bad queen' as she calls her, are particularly well done, and the book really flips the switch on Elizabeth Woodville (Gregory's admitted favorite in the author's note) and Gregory does a fantastic job in painting another perspective of this situation that doesn't feel like the same story repeated over again.

I would recommend this book to those who read books primarily about the Cousins War, or the War of the Roses, whichever you prefer. Gregory fans will jump for joy, and anyone who's felt a bit iffy about this particular series you will not be disappointed by this one. I promise. (less)

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Sep 29, 2012 Quinby6696 Frank rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm always excited to dive into a new Philippa Gregory novel and this one was no exception. This is the story of Anne Neville, one of the Earl of Warwick's two daughters. Warwick, known as the Kingmaker is determined to put one of his daughters on England's throne. He helps a young Edward of York become Edward IV, but then feels betrayed when Edward marries Elizabeth Woodville and her family robs him of his influence with the king. Sides change with lightning speed in this Cousins' War (only kno...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Patricia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Finally, it's starting to come together for me. As I read the Kingmaker's Daughter, about Anne, daughter of the Earl of Warwick who marries Margaret of Anjou's son in order to be Queen of England, he's boorish and gets killed shortly thereafter. Not only is her husband killed, but because he invaded England from France to take the crown, supported by her father and mother, her dad is also dead and her mother abandons her and runs to seek sanctuary in a nunnery. At 14, Anne is widowed and worse -...more Finally, it's starting to come together for me. As I read the Kingmaker's Daughter, about Anne, daughter of the Earl of Warwick who marries Margaret of Anjou's son in order to be Queen of England, he's boorish and gets killed shortly thereafter. Not only is her husband killed, but because he invaded England from France to take the crown, supported by her father and mother, her dad is also dead and her mother abandons her and runs to seek sanctuary in a nunnery. At 14, Anne is widowed and worse - she can be executed as a traitor. She manages to escape death, but lives under the guardianship of her sister until she escapes to marry Richard, brother to the king.

Anyone who has ever dreamed of being a queen needs to read this book, hopefully this entire series. There's a heavy price to pay to be queen. Just about every western family I know lives in more comfort than the royals (think A/C, heat, running water, flush toilets, frequent bathing, clean clothing that you own and don't share . . . )

Here is what is fun about this book - we've already read this same material from the eyes of Jaquetta, and through the eyes of Elizabeth, her daughter, the queen married to Edward, King of England. We've been to court and seen Anne through the eyes of Margaret, the Red Queen. There are differences in the point of view, and there are also consistencies. There are even differences and, over time, shifts in perception by the main character, as she matures. There's a shock of recognition, and there is the inside joke of knowing how someone else is thinking about the same situation at the same time. It's a lot of fun.

I can hardly wait for the next volume, which will focus on Elizabeth, daughter of Elizabeth Edward's queen, grand-daughter to Jaquetta-of-the-Melusine-legend, who marries Henry Tudor, the first Tudor king because the widow of a previous king had a baby by her husbands wardrobe master, oh this is all too hilarious. If it weren't real English history, critics would be calling the plot far-fetched.

(less)

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Sep 21, 2012 N.m. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I used to be somewhat indifferent to Philippa Gregory, but as a Tudor historian she's hard to ignore. Her early works are filled with guesses and flat-out inaccuracies (though she herself admits that she errs on the side of the flamboyant when writing historical fiction, FICTION being the key word). I find as time goes on that she is either better informed or more dedicated to sticking to historical accuracy. These last four books: The White Queen, The Red Queen, The Lady of the Rivers, and this...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

I have enjoyed Philippa Gregory's Cousins' War series so far. The Kingmaker's Daughter would probably be my favorite--at least so far. It is the story of Anne Neville, the daughter of Warwick, the "kingmaker", and wife of Richard III. The book chronicles her from childhood until her death--beginning with the marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. Her father always had a plot or scheme, always had a plan and a backup plan. So in a way, the book is very political and gives a behind the sce...more

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About Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory was an established historian and writer when she discovered her interest in the Tudor period and wrote the novel The Other Boleyn Girl, which was made into a TV drama and a major film. Published in 2009, the bestselling The White Queen, the story of Elizabeth Woodville, ushered in a new series involving The Cousins’ War (now known as The War of the Roses) and a new era for the acc...more

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Books by Philippa Gregory

The Other Boleyn Girl (The Tudor Court, #2)

The Constant Princess (The Tudor Court, #1)

The Boleyn Inheritance (The Tudor Court, #3)

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The Kingmaker's Daughter (The Cousins' War #4)

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