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The King's Grace
The bestselling author of A Rose for the Crown and Daughter of York takes a young woman that history noticed only once and sets her on a quest for the truth about the murder of two boys and a man who claims to be king.
All that history knows of Grace Plantagenet is that she was an illegitimate daughter of Edward IV and one of two attendants aboard the funeral barge of his widowed queen. Thus, she was half sister of the famous young princes, who -- when this story begins in 1485 -- had been housed in the Tower by their uncle, Richard III, and are presumed dead.
But in the 1490s, a young man appears at the courts of Europe claiming to be Richard, duke of York, the younger of the boys, and seeking to claim his rightful throne from England's first Tudor king, Henry VII. But is this man who he says he is? Or is he Perkin Warbeck, a puppet of Margaret of York, duchess of Burgundy, who is determined to regain the crown for her York family? Grace Plantagenet finds herself in the midst of one of English history's greatest mysteries. If she can discover the fate of the princes and the true identity of Perkin Warbeck, perhaps she will find her own place in her family.
584 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2009
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5471 people want to read
About the author
Anne Easter Smith
9 books581 followersA native of the UK, Anne Easter Smith is an award-winning historical novelist who has lived in the US for more than 40 years. Her six novels about the York family during the Wars of the Roses are published by Touchstone at Simon & Schuster and others. She was the Features Editor at the Press-Republican in Plattsburgh, NY for 10 years, and her writing has been featured in a number of national magazines. Anne welcomes visitors at her website at: www.anneeastersmith.com"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
August 30, 2009
This book was like reading white paint. Yeah, I didn't think that was possible either, until I read The King's Grace. Although this book spans two decades and covers the rise of Tudor England, I felt throughout like nothing happens, and twenty years became one bad week for me.
I started this book with high hopes—don't ask me why, except perhaps that I love British historical fiction and for some reason this book intrigued me. Yet for nearly six hundred pages, the book failed to catch my interest. I probably should have abandoned it, except I paid for it, and I really wanted to see how Smith interpreted the events depicted herein. So instead of moving on to other books I know I'll enjoy, I sacrificed a week slogging through it.
The King's Grace is bland. Now, Smith uses a protagonist who wouldn't be near the major battles or indeed the English court for most of the book: Grace Plantagenet is a bastard daughter of Edward IV and develops from a mousy, unassuming girl into a stalwart, kind woman. Grace was good, sure, but she wasn't very interesting. Her motives were always extremely simplistic, and she never seemed to struggle with any of the moral dilemmas that faced her. For example, her first love is her cousin John of Gloucester, whom Henry Tudor subsequently executes. Grace then marries a childhood friend, Tom Gower, who loves her with the same ardour with which she pines for John. She spends about a hundred pages agonizing over her inability to love her husband, but then she decides the really awesome sex means she can move on from John and focus on loving Tom. For that matter, I think the sex scenes are probably the most interesting part of the book; at least Smith gets creative in her descriptions and avoids using the word "certes" in every paragraph—I applaud her use of archaic syntax to give the book a "period" feel, but for some reason that word grated on my nerves.
Wrestling with my mixed feeling toward this book, I've ultimately decided that the problem is the writing more than the story itself. The story should be interesting: rather than the battles and machinations per se of final chapter to the Wars of the Roses, we get to see the relationships among the sisters of York as Tudor secures a definitive Lancastrian victory, only to have to put down an upstart impostor to the Yorkish crown. Every so often I'd see a glimpse of depth and drama—such as Grace's observations about Elizabeth Woodville's treatment of her daughters vis-à-vis Woodville's treatment of Grace. Then the book would shy away and sink back into turgid mediocrity.
The low point of The King's Grace comes when Grace realizes that Perkin Warbeck is incontrovertibly not her half-brother, Richard of York. How does she reach this conclusion?
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that's right: Detective Grace bases her decision on the fact that Richard, as a boy, hated the smell of cloves, and "Richard" as a man likes them. And I knew this would happen when Elizabeth divulged this suspiciously detailed piece of information, but I vainly hoped I was wrong. Smith apparently discards the possibilities that Elizabeth was wrong (she was rather confused and incontinent in her final days, after all) or that "Richard's" tastes could have changed as he matured in a foreign land. As a result, I'm forced into one of two conclusions: either Smith is doing this intentionally to depict Grace as far more credulous than I'd like her to be, or Smith is very bad at writing mysteries. Although Grace is politically naive throughout the book, she proves herself quite capable of puzzling out the complicated motivations behind actions of Henry Tudor, Queen Bess, and her Aunt Margaret. It astonishes me that Smith would think a like or dislike of cloves is admissible evidence even by Grace's standards.
This inconsistent characterization pervades The King's Grace. While I often describe characters who lack dimension as "cardboard cutouts," never have I read a book for which that phrase is apt. I speak particularly of Grace's half-sister Bess (who becomes Henry's Queen, for those not keeping score at home). Bess seems completely in Henry's camp, no matter what she says to the contrary—and that's fine, except that I never really get a sense that she struggled with it, even when her relationship with Henry becomes cold and distant. Grace's husband, Tom Gower, vacillates between being angry at Grace—whether it's over her love for John or her desire to support Yorkist plot against Henry—and being amused and aroused by her naive intrigue and her hotness, respectively. Largely for this reason, reading The King's Grace was like being adrift in an ocean of talking heads with English and Welsh accents.
Clearly, Smith had a good notion of what story she wanted to tell but not how to tell it. I have no problems with the fact that Smith chose to embellish the life of a king's bastard who, so far, only has a single line in history (Grace is mentioned as accompanying Elizabeth Woodville's funeral procession, identified by her name and lineage). And somewhere along the way, The King's Grace does manage to touch on the powerlessness of noblewomen in 15th century England, particularly those of royal blood—chattel is a term that comes up once and a while. Grace especially, owing to her status as a bastard, lives the quixotic life of a privileged servant: accorded with rank, but doomed to always go hither and thither at the command of her half-sisters and their mother. It's a nice glimpse at a society alien to those of us lucky enough to grow up in a place where social mobility is far more flexible. Unfortunately, the quality of Smith's writing lends little support for these themes, and the ultimately fall by the wayside.
I doubt I'll be recommending The King's Grace any time soon. Judging from other reviews, this isn't one of those books that it is overwhelmingly bad—and again, I didn't find it bad so much as bland. Your mileage may vary; for my two cents, I'm more interested in reading some Bernard Cornwell or another Fiona Buckley mystery.
I started this book with high hopes—don't ask me why, except perhaps that I love British historical fiction and for some reason this book intrigued me. Yet for nearly six hundred pages, the book failed to catch my interest. I probably should have abandoned it, except I paid for it, and I really wanted to see how Smith interpreted the events depicted herein. So instead of moving on to other books I know I'll enjoy, I sacrificed a week slogging through it.
The King's Grace is bland. Now, Smith uses a protagonist who wouldn't be near the major battles or indeed the English court for most of the book: Grace Plantagenet is a bastard daughter of Edward IV and develops from a mousy, unassuming girl into a stalwart, kind woman. Grace was good, sure, but she wasn't very interesting. Her motives were always extremely simplistic, and she never seemed to struggle with any of the moral dilemmas that faced her. For example, her first love is her cousin John of Gloucester, whom Henry Tudor subsequently executes. Grace then marries a childhood friend, Tom Gower, who loves her with the same ardour with which she pines for John. She spends about a hundred pages agonizing over her inability to love her husband, but then she decides the really awesome sex means she can move on from John and focus on loving Tom. For that matter, I think the sex scenes are probably the most interesting part of the book; at least Smith gets creative in her descriptions and avoids using the word "certes" in every paragraph—I applaud her use of archaic syntax to give the book a "period" feel, but for some reason that word grated on my nerves.
Wrestling with my mixed feeling toward this book, I've ultimately decided that the problem is the writing more than the story itself. The story should be interesting: rather than the battles and machinations per se of final chapter to the Wars of the Roses, we get to see the relationships among the sisters of York as Tudor secures a definitive Lancastrian victory, only to have to put down an upstart impostor to the Yorkish crown. Every so often I'd see a glimpse of depth and drama—such as Grace's observations about Elizabeth Woodville's treatment of her daughters vis-à-vis Woodville's treatment of Grace. Then the book would shy away and sink back into turgid mediocrity.
The low point of The King's Grace comes when Grace realizes that Perkin Warbeck is incontrovertibly not her half-brother, Richard of York. How does she reach this conclusion?
Her thoughts returned to the young couple dancing for Henry and how Perkin had defied the king by talking to Katherine behind his pomander, whispering words of love as he inhaled the spicy scent of cloves . . .
"Cloves!" Grace suddenly cried out to a crow cawing overhead. Sweat Jesu, why did I not remember then? Elizabeth told me her son Richard loathed the smell of cloves.
She felt the blood drain from her face as the sad realization sank in. She had recently suspected Perkin was not her brother, but she had always hoped that he was. And now she felt betrayed not only by him but by Aunt Margaret as well. She lifted her eyes to Heaven and whispered: "How foolish I have been all this time!"
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that's right: Detective Grace bases her decision on the fact that Richard, as a boy, hated the smell of cloves, and "Richard" as a man likes them. And I knew this would happen when Elizabeth divulged this suspiciously detailed piece of information, but I vainly hoped I was wrong. Smith apparently discards the possibilities that Elizabeth was wrong (she was rather confused and incontinent in her final days, after all) or that "Richard's" tastes could have changed as he matured in a foreign land. As a result, I'm forced into one of two conclusions: either Smith is doing this intentionally to depict Grace as far more credulous than I'd like her to be, or Smith is very bad at writing mysteries. Although Grace is politically naive throughout the book, she proves herself quite capable of puzzling out the complicated motivations behind actions of Henry Tudor, Queen Bess, and her Aunt Margaret. It astonishes me that Smith would think a like or dislike of cloves is admissible evidence even by Grace's standards.
This inconsistent characterization pervades The King's Grace. While I often describe characters who lack dimension as "cardboard cutouts," never have I read a book for which that phrase is apt. I speak particularly of Grace's half-sister Bess (who becomes Henry's Queen, for those not keeping score at home). Bess seems completely in Henry's camp, no matter what she says to the contrary—and that's fine, except that I never really get a sense that she struggled with it, even when her relationship with Henry becomes cold and distant. Grace's husband, Tom Gower, vacillates between being angry at Grace—whether it's over her love for John or her desire to support Yorkist plot against Henry—and being amused and aroused by her naive intrigue and her hotness, respectively. Largely for this reason, reading The King's Grace was like being adrift in an ocean of talking heads with English and Welsh accents.
Clearly, Smith had a good notion of what story she wanted to tell but not how to tell it. I have no problems with the fact that Smith chose to embellish the life of a king's bastard who, so far, only has a single line in history (Grace is mentioned as accompanying Elizabeth Woodville's funeral procession, identified by her name and lineage). And somewhere along the way, The King's Grace does manage to touch on the powerlessness of noblewomen in 15th century England, particularly those of royal blood—chattel is a term that comes up once and a while. Grace especially, owing to her status as a bastard, lives the quixotic life of a privileged servant: accorded with rank, but doomed to always go hither and thither at the command of her half-sisters and their mother. It's a nice glimpse at a society alien to those of us lucky enough to grow up in a place where social mobility is far more flexible. Unfortunately, the quality of Smith's writing lends little support for these themes, and the ultimately fall by the wayside.
I doubt I'll be recommending The King's Grace any time soon. Judging from other reviews, this isn't one of those books that it is overwhelmingly bad—and again, I didn't find it bad so much as bland. Your mileage may vary; for my two cents, I'm more interested in reading some Bernard Cornwell or another Fiona Buckley mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2022
There were a number of years where Philippa Gregory, Sharon Kay Penman and Anne Easter Smith consumed my reading experience. They also are to blame for fueling my addiction to all historical fiction books about the Plantagenets and the Tudors.
Originally published in 2009, Anne Easter Smith takes from history a woman only mentioned once in history( Grace Plantagenet, speculated child born out of wedlock of Edward IV) and places her as someone who was close enough to see and hear the activities that surrounded the palace especially what actually happen to the young princes in the tower.
It's a thick read, I very often choose to read these type of books in the winter when I am not as impatient when it comes to events unfolding in a novel. I liked it enough to read it until the end and as it was my first read of this author, I did seek out her other titles.
Goodreads review published 23/08/22
Originally published in 2009, Anne Easter Smith takes from history a woman only mentioned once in history( Grace Plantagenet, speculated child born out of wedlock of Edward IV) and places her as someone who was close enough to see and hear the activities that surrounded the palace especially what actually happen to the young princes in the tower.
It's a thick read, I very often choose to read these type of books in the winter when I am not as impatient when it comes to events unfolding in a novel. I liked it enough to read it until the end and as it was my first read of this author, I did seek out her other titles.
Goodreads review published 23/08/22
June 26, 2012
The Kings Grace – by Anne Easter Smith
These books are fiction but the author makes sure that every detail from where the royalty are to the character everything is as accurate as possible. I also know that she goes to every where she writes about so they are very historically accurate and have a real image in the writing. This book in particular is one of three she has written. It is about Grace who was the illegitimate daughter of Edward the 4th of England. The only account of her in history is a note in the funeral record of her stepmother Elizabeth Woodville. The book portrays her as a kind soul who ends up becoming very close with the woman who her father cheated on with her mother. These books are fully of sadness and longing, love, and passion. If you want to be pulled in to that time and feel if you are walking besides those who lived there read this book. It has the power to put you through the trials of the Grace and be with her as she struggles to find peace in such a powerful family.
These books are fiction but the author makes sure that every detail from where the royalty are to the character everything is as accurate as possible. I also know that she goes to every where she writes about so they are very historically accurate and have a real image in the writing. This book in particular is one of three she has written. It is about Grace who was the illegitimate daughter of Edward the 4th of England. The only account of her in history is a note in the funeral record of her stepmother Elizabeth Woodville. The book portrays her as a kind soul who ends up becoming very close with the woman who her father cheated on with her mother. These books are fully of sadness and longing, love, and passion. If you want to be pulled in to that time and feel if you are walking besides those who lived there read this book. It has the power to put you through the trials of the Grace and be with her as she struggles to find peace in such a powerful family.
March 27, 2012
Grace was a real person, but only mentioned once, in passing, in one official record. Therefore, this is not the sort of historical fiction where it's based on the template of a well known historical figure's documented life. However, i read the whole almost 600 page thing, so you know it had to be good. This book tries to tackle the mystery of the princes in the tower, through the point of view of their half (illegitimate) sister, Grace. I'm always hearing about henry viii, so it was interesting to be reading about his parents and grandparents for a change. the writing style was engaging, and well done enough so that i flipped in and out of liking the main character; she wasn't one dimensional. I'm about to tackle another super long book by Smith, hopefully it's as good. The worst thing about reading this is lugging a heavy enormous book with you everywhere. If you can get over that, and the fact that not everything happened exactly as written (but really, that's how most historical fiction is) you can learn a lot about the time period and the politics that were going on at the time.
August 8, 2021
I really am thoroughly enjoying Anne Easter Smith's series... this being the 3rd book! I am fascinated that she can take a small detail & develop a 3 dimensional character & weave such a wonderful read.
Friends who know how much I have enjoyed Philippa Gregory's women suggested I would enjoy Anne Easter Smith. They were so right!!!
However, I am Very glad I can read them on my Kindle...these are big books!!!
Friends who know how much I have enjoyed Philippa Gregory's women suggested I would enjoy Anne Easter Smith. They were so right!!!
However, I am Very glad I can read them on my Kindle...these are big books!!!
July 23, 2009
Grace Plantagenet, bastard daughter of King Edward IV of England is only mentioned once in history - in a account written first hand about the small party seen escorting the Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s funeral barge. This lack of the Grace’s historical background provides the author, Anne Easter Smith, complete control over her heroine, which is quite unique in a historical fiction novel (if it’s a GOOD historical fiction novel, that is!).
Grace spends the first 11 years of her life in an abbey, when one day Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville summons her to court. England is in much turmoil at this time - King Edward IV is dead and the marriage between he and Elizabeth has been declared invalid and their children made bastards, based on the facts now coming to light of Edward’s previous betrothal. Edward’s brother, King Richard III wears the crown, the two York princes and heirs to the throne are in the tower for “safe keeping” and Henry Tudor is threatening to invade.
When Henry Tudor succeeds with his invasion and King Richard III dies in battle, the Tudor Dynasty is born. Edward and Elizabeth’s daughter, Bess, reluctantly marries the usurper and surprisingly they end up very happy together. They will eventually produce four children: Arthur, Mary, Margaret and the infamous, Henry VIII.
As his hold on the crown is not very secure, Henry is constantly fearful and paranoid. He suspects Elizabeth Woodville of plotting against him and sends her to Bermondsey Abbey. Grace accompanies her out of respect and feelings of gratitude, although she never thought she’d be once again in an abbey. This part was really interesting to me – we get to see a softer side of the formidable Woodville woman and even though she’s every bit of a Royal snob, she is a real human being underneath and I actually grew to like her a bit! The proper and moral Good Queen Bess and her less than moral, impetuous sister, Cecily bring amusing moments to the novel and provide a sense of family among the siblings. Grace is the diplomat between these two very strong personalities.
Stories of a young man calling himself Richard, the lost duke of York, begin reaching England. No one knows what to believe – is it the lost prince or a boatman’s son from Tournai named Perkin Warbeck (sp) pretending to be Richard? And if he is just a boatman’s son, how does he know French & Latin? Grace’s inquisitive nature takes her on a mission to find out the truth – for her and for her family. In the end, nothing is quite what it seemed to be.
Not only is The King’s Grace about the mystery of Perkin Warbeck, but of Grace - a girl who is trying to find her own path in life and the obstacles she overcomes to get there. Sweet natured and one for the underdogs, Grace is a pleasure to read about and I truly enjoyed this story. I’m no expert on The Princes in the Tower, so I can’t really comment on Smith’s explanation of the Perkin/Richard debate, but her conclusion doesn’t seem too out there and was believable for me. And the happy ending was a nice change of pace from your usual historical fiction ending.
Grace spends the first 11 years of her life in an abbey, when one day Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville summons her to court. England is in much turmoil at this time - King Edward IV is dead and the marriage between he and Elizabeth has been declared invalid and their children made bastards, based on the facts now coming to light of Edward’s previous betrothal. Edward’s brother, King Richard III wears the crown, the two York princes and heirs to the throne are in the tower for “safe keeping” and Henry Tudor is threatening to invade.
When Henry Tudor succeeds with his invasion and King Richard III dies in battle, the Tudor Dynasty is born. Edward and Elizabeth’s daughter, Bess, reluctantly marries the usurper and surprisingly they end up very happy together. They will eventually produce four children: Arthur, Mary, Margaret and the infamous, Henry VIII.
As his hold on the crown is not very secure, Henry is constantly fearful and paranoid. He suspects Elizabeth Woodville of plotting against him and sends her to Bermondsey Abbey. Grace accompanies her out of respect and feelings of gratitude, although she never thought she’d be once again in an abbey. This part was really interesting to me – we get to see a softer side of the formidable Woodville woman and even though she’s every bit of a Royal snob, she is a real human being underneath and I actually grew to like her a bit! The proper and moral Good Queen Bess and her less than moral, impetuous sister, Cecily bring amusing moments to the novel and provide a sense of family among the siblings. Grace is the diplomat between these two very strong personalities.
Stories of a young man calling himself Richard, the lost duke of York, begin reaching England. No one knows what to believe – is it the lost prince or a boatman’s son from Tournai named Perkin Warbeck (sp) pretending to be Richard? And if he is just a boatman’s son, how does he know French & Latin? Grace’s inquisitive nature takes her on a mission to find out the truth – for her and for her family. In the end, nothing is quite what it seemed to be.
Not only is The King’s Grace about the mystery of Perkin Warbeck, but of Grace - a girl who is trying to find her own path in life and the obstacles she overcomes to get there. Sweet natured and one for the underdogs, Grace is a pleasure to read about and I truly enjoyed this story. I’m no expert on The Princes in the Tower, so I can’t really comment on Smith’s explanation of the Perkin/Richard debate, but her conclusion doesn’t seem too out there and was believable for me. And the happy ending was a nice change of pace from your usual historical fiction ending.
June 28, 2019
This is historical fiction set in England with the rise of the Tudors to power. I will start by saying this wasn't for me. This was a little on the dry side, so I only listened to a little bit of the audio each day.....and that is not my favorite way to listen to a book, but it was the only way I could do this one.
I loved the historical fiction in this, but I think my main issue was that the bar is set pretty high for this time in history. Ultimately, it suffers mostly by comparison. I've listened to many a book about this, and Davina Porter and Bianca Amato are my two most favorite audio narrators....especially for this time period. So since I didn't love the narrator of this one, and it was kind of slow going, I didn't enjoy it as much as other books. So 2 stars.
I loved the historical fiction in this, but I think my main issue was that the bar is set pretty high for this time in history. Ultimately, it suffers mostly by comparison. I've listened to many a book about this, and Davina Porter and Bianca Amato are my two most favorite audio narrators....especially for this time period. So since I didn't love the narrator of this one, and it was kind of slow going, I didn't enjoy it as much as other books. So 2 stars.
January 12, 2022
It's the summer of The Plantagenets! This is the third book in a row I've read about that family - but this one is about The Tudors too.
I almost gave up on this book but kept going. Reasons for almost giving up - this book needs an editor. It drags in places where it should be thrilling, & certes, if I saw the word "certes" one more time, I was going to have to cut my own head off! Finally, and particularly in the beginning of the book, there's far too much explanation of "what's going on" historically, done in the form of some really stilted dialogue. Most of us don't go around giving all the background of current events in our chats with our friends and family, so this method of presenting the back story really doesn't work.
If you can get through the painful first quarter of the book, the rest isn't bad, but could still use an editor. The writer is very good at detailed descriptions of the medieval world - landscape, rituals, how people traveled, & general day to day life - in this area I think she far outshines many more famous writers (*cough* Phillipa Gregory *cough*). Because I enjoy all this detail, I forgive the overall length of the book.
I can't decide what to think about Grace, our heroine here. I can't quite get my head around her. The same young woman who is content to live in seclusion & genteel poverty with Queen Elizabeth (Woodville), just because she loves her, seems to turn into a woman who quite likes some plotting, planning & spying. One minute she's kind, sweet, introspective, and likes to dig in the garden. The next minute she's gallivanting off to save some guy's life or participate in a plot to overthrow the king.
I also can't get my head around her weakness for guys like John & Perkin, who don't seem to do anything wonderful. But they are Plantagenets so there's that. But Grace doesn't appreciate her tall, handsome, sensitive, sexy husband. Also can't get my head around the fact that every time Tom turns up for more than a few paragraphs, suddenly there's a steamy sex scene! Go, Tom! But the rest of the book is not like that at all, so it's as if you're watching an intense, dramatic play & all of a sudden someone is having quite jolly sex on another part of the stage!
Perkin Warbeck's character as written is just depressing. I suspect his story was pretty close to what goes on in this book, but have always wished he'd been a little more dashing & given Henry VII a few more sleepless nights & maybe a real battle. In fact John & Perkin are both kind of drippy in this book. I kept wishing they'd pick up their swords, quit whining, & at least go out in a blaze of glory! (Yeah yeah, I know they were tortured, so I say "whining" with tongue in cheek.)
Cecily Plantagenet - I wonder if she was really half as much fun as she is in this book?! I kind of love her!
Finally, congratulations to the writer for making Queen Elizabeth (Woodville) a sympathetic and believable character, & creating a situation where you can believe that no one actually knew what had happened to the Princes in the Tower - frustrating, but at least the way this story is laid out, I can believe that might have occurred.
On the minus side, I found two occurrences of a major factual error in the book. On two occasions characters refer to Richard III as having become king in "Forty-three." (Presumably meaning 1443.) Richard became king in 1483. The whole timeline of the book doesn't even make sense if you try to put Richard in the 1440s instead of the 1480s.
Overall - well done on some levels, but also frustrating and uneven.
I almost gave up on this book but kept going. Reasons for almost giving up - this book needs an editor. It drags in places where it should be thrilling, & certes, if I saw the word "certes" one more time, I was going to have to cut my own head off! Finally, and particularly in the beginning of the book, there's far too much explanation of "what's going on" historically, done in the form of some really stilted dialogue. Most of us don't go around giving all the background of current events in our chats with our friends and family, so this method of presenting the back story really doesn't work.
If you can get through the painful first quarter of the book, the rest isn't bad, but could still use an editor. The writer is very good at detailed descriptions of the medieval world - landscape, rituals, how people traveled, & general day to day life - in this area I think she far outshines many more famous writers (*cough* Phillipa Gregory *cough*). Because I enjoy all this detail, I forgive the overall length of the book.
I can't decide what to think about Grace, our heroine here. I can't quite get my head around her. The same young woman who is content to live in seclusion & genteel poverty with Queen Elizabeth (Woodville), just because she loves her, seems to turn into a woman who quite likes some plotting, planning & spying. One minute she's kind, sweet, introspective, and likes to dig in the garden. The next minute she's gallivanting off to save some guy's life or participate in a plot to overthrow the king.
I also can't get my head around her weakness for guys like John & Perkin, who don't seem to do anything wonderful. But they are Plantagenets so there's that. But Grace doesn't appreciate her tall, handsome, sensitive, sexy husband. Also can't get my head around the fact that every time Tom turns up for more than a few paragraphs, suddenly there's a steamy sex scene! Go, Tom! But the rest of the book is not like that at all, so it's as if you're watching an intense, dramatic play & all of a sudden someone is having quite jolly sex on another part of the stage!
Perkin Warbeck's character as written is just depressing. I suspect his story was pretty close to what goes on in this book, but have always wished he'd been a little more dashing & given Henry VII a few more sleepless nights & maybe a real battle. In fact John & Perkin are both kind of drippy in this book. I kept wishing they'd pick up their swords, quit whining, & at least go out in a blaze of glory! (Yeah yeah, I know they were tortured, so I say "whining" with tongue in cheek.)
Cecily Plantagenet - I wonder if she was really half as much fun as she is in this book?! I kind of love her!
Finally, congratulations to the writer for making Queen Elizabeth (Woodville) a sympathetic and believable character, & creating a situation where you can believe that no one actually knew what had happened to the Princes in the Tower - frustrating, but at least the way this story is laid out, I can believe that might have occurred.
On the minus side, I found two occurrences of a major factual error in the book. On two occasions characters refer to Richard III as having become king in "Forty-three." (Presumably meaning 1443.) Richard became king in 1483. The whole timeline of the book doesn't even make sense if you try to put Richard in the 1440s instead of the 1480s.
Overall - well done on some levels, but also frustrating and uneven.
June 9, 2009
Anne Easter Smith has become one of my favorite historical authors. I thoroughly enjoyed her "Rose for the Crown" and "Daughter of York" and her latest "King's Grace" was no exception!
"The King's Grace" is the story of Lady Grace Plantagenet, the bastard daughter of King Edward IV of England. The story takes you from the time that Grace was released from the abbey at age 11 to being accepted as a member of court and into her adulthood, becoming a wife and mother of her own. During those years, she was one of the privileged few that attended the funeral barge of the Dowager Queen Elizabeth (the widowed queen of Edward IV) and was thus half-sister of the famous young princes who disappeared into the Tower and were presumed murdered by the Richard III. Due to her involvement at court, it is believed that she was at the very least familiar (if not involved) with the events that occurred when King Richard III was killed in battle at Bosworth and Henry VII of Tudor took over the throne.
In the 1490's, a young man appears at the courts of Europe claiming to be Richard, Duke of York, the younger of the two princes and rightful heir to the English throne. This moment in time sets off a series of a events that affects (and involves) most of Europe - including Grace herself. However, could this young man really be Richard, Duke of York and her half-brother, or is he just an impostor and puppet for those who want to take the crown back for the Yorks? This book focuses much on the Perkin Warbeck story (the young man referenced above) and as so little is known about the actual fate of the real princes; this is a very plausible explanation.
As usual, Anne Easter Smith did not disappoint me. She has a way of taking you back in time and allowing you to learn, understand and visualize the past. Her books are lengthy and not necessarily read quickly, but that is because she doesn't just tell you the story, she explains it! Being an aspiring Historian myself, her books have really been a great learning tool for me. She remains as close to the truth as records allow and what she cannot confirm, she will interpret or guess to the best of her ability. She doesn't claim anything as truth unless she can justify it so I've learned to trust what she writes. She attempts to explain the incredibly complex political and social structures of 15th & 16th century Europe all the while weaving in a captivating love story.
Many historical novels I've read are written using our language as we speak it today (which makes sense because it's what we know). However, A.E.S. writes her books in such a way where the language sounds foreign & outdated, but can still be understood by our modern ears. This allows the reader to be transported to a time long before our own while still understanding what is being said. I also recently learned (via her website) that she also visits every place that she writes about. I have such admiration for that level of research & commitment to a project!
As a fellow blogger, Meghan once mentioned, "historical fiction is meant to fill in the bones of history, not change their shape" and with this I couldn't agree more!!
I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it (as well as her others) to those who not only love historical novels, but have a desire to learn more about the past!
"The King's Grace" is the story of Lady Grace Plantagenet, the bastard daughter of King Edward IV of England. The story takes you from the time that Grace was released from the abbey at age 11 to being accepted as a member of court and into her adulthood, becoming a wife and mother of her own. During those years, she was one of the privileged few that attended the funeral barge of the Dowager Queen Elizabeth (the widowed queen of Edward IV) and was thus half-sister of the famous young princes who disappeared into the Tower and were presumed murdered by the Richard III. Due to her involvement at court, it is believed that she was at the very least familiar (if not involved) with the events that occurred when King Richard III was killed in battle at Bosworth and Henry VII of Tudor took over the throne.
In the 1490's, a young man appears at the courts of Europe claiming to be Richard, Duke of York, the younger of the two princes and rightful heir to the English throne. This moment in time sets off a series of a events that affects (and involves) most of Europe - including Grace herself. However, could this young man really be Richard, Duke of York and her half-brother, or is he just an impostor and puppet for those who want to take the crown back for the Yorks? This book focuses much on the Perkin Warbeck story (the young man referenced above) and as so little is known about the actual fate of the real princes; this is a very plausible explanation.
As usual, Anne Easter Smith did not disappoint me. She has a way of taking you back in time and allowing you to learn, understand and visualize the past. Her books are lengthy and not necessarily read quickly, but that is because she doesn't just tell you the story, she explains it! Being an aspiring Historian myself, her books have really been a great learning tool for me. She remains as close to the truth as records allow and what she cannot confirm, she will interpret or guess to the best of her ability. She doesn't claim anything as truth unless she can justify it so I've learned to trust what she writes. She attempts to explain the incredibly complex political and social structures of 15th & 16th century Europe all the while weaving in a captivating love story.
Many historical novels I've read are written using our language as we speak it today (which makes sense because it's what we know). However, A.E.S. writes her books in such a way where the language sounds foreign & outdated, but can still be understood by our modern ears. This allows the reader to be transported to a time long before our own while still understanding what is being said. I also recently learned (via her website) that she also visits every place that she writes about. I have such admiration for that level of research & commitment to a project!
As a fellow blogger, Meghan once mentioned, "historical fiction is meant to fill in the bones of history, not change their shape" and with this I couldn't agree more!!
I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it (as well as her others) to those who not only love historical novels, but have a desire to learn more about the past!
March 9, 2016
Little is know about King Edward IV's illegitimate daughter, Grace. But Anne Easter Smith does a wonderful job of bringing this story to life as seen through her eyes. The novel starts at the end of the War of Roses and takes the reader through the reign of Henry VII who is married to Edward's oldest daughter, Elizabeth (Bess). There is also a mysterious plot that centers around The Princes in The Tower. I would recommend that before starting this novel that it would be helpful to have read AES's "Daughter of York" and also Sharon Kay Penman's "The Sunne in Splendour" as it helps to have some knowledge of the politics of The War of the Roses.
July 18, 2018
This book started off slowly, and it took me a while to become interested in the story. Once the romance between John and Grace became established, I could not put the book down. The author described John's execution vividly as well as Grace's experience watching it.
I also liked the way she referenced Richard III and Edward IV with well-deserved respect. Often historical novels set during the War of the Roses slander one of the kings, insisting on Edward's debauchery or Richard's murder of the princes in the tower. The author does not present an overly positive nor negative image of Edward. Seeing how everything unraveled after he died, his wisdom becomes more obvious as the story progresses.
People who enjoy historical fiction from this period will definitely enjoy this novel. While it is an exciting page-turner, it also provides insight into human loss. After John's execution, I cannot fathom how Grace plans to continue living. Yet, she perseveres and eventually has a family of her own with her good friend.
I also liked the way she referenced Richard III and Edward IV with well-deserved respect. Often historical novels set during the War of the Roses slander one of the kings, insisting on Edward's debauchery or Richard's murder of the princes in the tower. The author does not present an overly positive nor negative image of Edward. Seeing how everything unraveled after he died, his wisdom becomes more obvious as the story progresses.
People who enjoy historical fiction from this period will definitely enjoy this novel. While it is an exciting page-turner, it also provides insight into human loss. After John's execution, I cannot fathom how Grace plans to continue living. Yet, she perseveres and eventually has a family of her own with her good friend.
April 14, 2011
I was a little intimidated beginning this historical fiction novel, because I know that the characters can be hard to keep straight, and the geography can be confusing. Once I got started, though, even though I did have to work at keeping track of who was who, I got hooked! Grace Plantagenet, the central character, was absolutely delightful and fascinating. The illegitimate daughter of Edward IV in 1485, she was loved and trusted by almost everyone who knew her. This explains why she was entrusted with so many secrets, and why she worked so hard to protect the people she loved. Caught up in an amazing mystery surrounding her family, she risks much to find the truth, and that mystery unfolds in a masterfully told tale!
March 22, 2020
I could probably say this 1000 times... I LOVE ANNE EASTER SMITH! She needs more recognition in the literary world! She wrote my favorite book of all time, Queen By Right, and I just really think I want to be her friend.
Also, if I have said this once I have said it a thousand times. I FREAKING love the Plantagenet family! Grace is sweet and cute, but can we can talk about Cecily! I’m sure her grandmother Cecily probably hated her, but this Cecily has spunk! I love the drama this family brings, but I also admire the love they share for one another.
Smith writes beautiful love stories. The love story between Grace and Tom is perfect. They grew to love one another and the support they find for each other is admirable.
God, what a good book!
Also, if I have said this once I have said it a thousand times. I FREAKING love the Plantagenet family! Grace is sweet and cute, but can we can talk about Cecily! I’m sure her grandmother Cecily probably hated her, but this Cecily has spunk! I love the drama this family brings, but I also admire the love they share for one another.
Smith writes beautiful love stories. The love story between Grace and Tom is perfect. They grew to love one another and the support they find for each other is admirable.
God, what a good book!
January 19, 2018
This is a retelling of one of the oldest cold case mysteries in the world - what happened to the two princes who were imprisoned in the Tower of England? The sons of King Edward and Elizabeth Woodville, King Richard put them in the tower for their protection when their father died. But no one knows what happened to them, and no bodies have been found. Rumor had it that the youngest was smuggled out somehow and raised as Perkin Warbeck, who then returned to England to claim his throne under Henry VII. This story is told by Grace Plantagenet, the illegitimate daughter of King Edward. It brings an interesting perspective to the mystery of the boys and to who Perkin Warbeck may really be.
April 15, 2009
This is a very ingeneous re-telling of the Richard III/Henry Tudor/Princes in the Tower story/mystery as seen through the eyes of a bastard daughter of Edward IV. This one with a focus on the Perkin Warbeck story. As so little is known about the actual fate of the Princes this is a great plausible explanation. The characters are beautifully drawn, the history as accurate as possible and ultimately, as all great historical novels should, leaves you wanting to do your own research and read more. Anne Easter Smith has done a wonderful job here.
August 16, 2010
I loved this book! I have read all three books by this author and they are all great (this book and Rose for the Crown are my two favorites). The story covers so much of late 1400's English history and the characters (some real and some fictional) are wonderful. The story makes me want to research and learn more about the non-fiction aspects of the story. The book is long but a pretty quick read.
March 16, 2013
While an interesting part of history, and I was definitely in the mood for a meaty historical fiction, and it fit the bill OK, it had some slowness and annoying repeats of certain words (Certes! dissemble)
It's a 2.5
It's a 2.5
did-not-finish
March 16, 2013Hit the wall at page 100. I'm sure its just me, after all Harriet gave it five stars :)
October 19, 2019
Throughly enjoyed this book as all Anne Easter Smiths books the story of Edward IVs illegitimate daughter Grace Plantagenet
June 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I would give it a 4.5 if I could. Learned a lot about England and the struggle between the Lancasters and Yorks. This is about Henry VIII father. There is a lot about Henry VIII in movies, but maybe not so much about his father and how he came to power. For people who know me there are a few parts I could do without, but not bad. The hanging scenes are hard to read but help you understand how vicious people were during that time. It is a big/long book, but hard to put down.
August 28, 2009
I have really enjoyed all of Anne Easter Smith's historical fiction novels. Since reading all three of the books I have gained a much deeper understanding of the Yorks, Lancasters and Tudors. This was a gap in my knowledge of British history so I'm glad I have a better picture in my mind.
Grace Plantagenet is the bastard daughter of Edward Plantagenet and Grace is used as the storyteller for the beginning of the Tudor reign. For most of her life she grew up in the company of her cousins and Edward's Queen. She is a faithful, gentle and loving daughter to her step mother and they form a close bond. Grace is with her in her final days and promises to find out if one of her sons (the two princes in the tower) is still alive.
This promise puts Grace in conflict with her half sister the Queen as she is married to their families enemy. It even had her banished from court for a few years, causing long separations from her husband who was in the service of the King's maternal uncle. There is no doubt that this book gives the reader the concept of fear of King Henry VII through Grace's eyes and a better understanding of why Henry VIII turned out the way he did.
The thing I really liked about reading all three of these books is that they tie into each other, obviously it is the same family but various stories are weaved together to give you a clearer picture and deeper understanding. Although the mystery of the two princes in the tower and what happened to them will, I fear, remain an unsolved historical mystery.
Grace Plantagenet is the bastard daughter of Edward Plantagenet and Grace is used as the storyteller for the beginning of the Tudor reign. For most of her life she grew up in the company of her cousins and Edward's Queen. She is a faithful, gentle and loving daughter to her step mother and they form a close bond. Grace is with her in her final days and promises to find out if one of her sons (the two princes in the tower) is still alive.
This promise puts Grace in conflict with her half sister the Queen as she is married to their families enemy. It even had her banished from court for a few years, causing long separations from her husband who was in the service of the King's maternal uncle. There is no doubt that this book gives the reader the concept of fear of King Henry VII through Grace's eyes and a better understanding of why Henry VIII turned out the way he did.
The thing I really liked about reading all three of these books is that they tie into each other, obviously it is the same family but various stories are weaved together to give you a clearer picture and deeper understanding. Although the mystery of the two princes in the tower and what happened to them will, I fear, remain an unsolved historical mystery.
December 30, 2012
-Grace Plantagenet, illegitimate daughter of King Edward IV
So who was Grace Plantagenet? She has only one mention in history, the fact that she rode on the funeral barge of Queen Elizabeth (Woodville). Obviously this gives an author a wide range to work with. Ms. Smith, as always, rises to the task giving a believable scenario. As a illegitimate daughter of a King, Grace, a shy, lovely young girl grows to womanhood during turbulent times. She’s lucky enough to be brought to court by her father and his wife takes Grace to be a lady-in-waiting. As life goes, Edward dies, but Grace continues to stay with Elizabeth for many years to come. During these times, she learns what it’s like to be part of the royal family, which is not as glamorous as it seems from the outside.
Once again the research on everything from dresses to swords to politics is detailed and well presented. This is an easy read, not as much war and battle, but anyone with an interest in this time period will enjoy the book.
So who was Grace Plantagenet? She has only one mention in history, the fact that she rode on the funeral barge of Queen Elizabeth (Woodville). Obviously this gives an author a wide range to work with. Ms. Smith, as always, rises to the task giving a believable scenario. As a illegitimate daughter of a King, Grace, a shy, lovely young girl grows to womanhood during turbulent times. She’s lucky enough to be brought to court by her father and his wife takes Grace to be a lady-in-waiting. As life goes, Edward dies, but Grace continues to stay with Elizabeth for many years to come. During these times, she learns what it’s like to be part of the royal family, which is not as glamorous as it seems from the outside.
Once again the research on everything from dresses to swords to politics is detailed and well presented. This is an easy read, not as much war and battle, but anyone with an interest in this time period will enjoy the book.
June 18, 2016
it was okay, i guess.
this is the first book by anne easter smith that i've actually finished. last year, i started "a rose for the crown" and "daughter of york" but couldn't finish them because, honestly? they're 500 pages each and nothing ever happens in these books. there are way too many descriptions and not enough action.
anyway, back to "the king's grace". it was enjoyable until elizabeth woodville died, then the light went out and i just couldn't wait for it to be over because i was tired.
one thing that bothered me more than the rest was the constant reminders to richard iii's """"kindness"""". it was 1500 and those characters were still talking about him-- enough!! he's dead, just stop. it felt like the author was always trying to legitimise him taking edward v's throne-- which is fitting, i guess, since she's a ricardian.
in short: too much ricardian-ism, too many descriptions and, unbelievably so (i mean, the book has like 500 pages), not enough action or plot advancement.
this is the first book by anne easter smith that i've actually finished. last year, i started "a rose for the crown" and "daughter of york" but couldn't finish them because, honestly? they're 500 pages each and nothing ever happens in these books. there are way too many descriptions and not enough action.
anyway, back to "the king's grace". it was enjoyable until elizabeth woodville died, then the light went out and i just couldn't wait for it to be over because i was tired.
one thing that bothered me more than the rest was the constant reminders to richard iii's """"kindness"""". it was 1500 and those characters were still talking about him-- enough!! he's dead, just stop. it felt like the author was always trying to legitimise him taking edward v's throne-- which is fitting, i guess, since she's a ricardian.
in short: too much ricardian-ism, too many descriptions and, unbelievably so (i mean, the book has like 500 pages), not enough action or plot advancement.
July 17, 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed this and plan to read the two previous novels, A Rose for the Crown and Daughter of York. Okay, we know I'm an English history freak, particularly the Plantagenet/Tudor eras, so these novels are right up my alley. I met this author at a book signing when this came out and was impressed by her research and knowledge of the period. And she's a member of the Richard III Society so we have similar views on many of the historical figures involved. I read this book - it's a long one - in two days when I was sick earlier this week. I got the same immersion in the period and feeling for the characters that I got from Anya Seton's classic novel "Katherine". If you like good historical fiction, I recommend this. Interestingly, several people in the Richard III Goodreads group liked this one the least of Anne Easter Smith's novels, so I'm very much looking forward to the other two.
November 26, 2009
Over the past couple of months, I have read some terrific historical fiction centering around real historical female figures who are often mentioned as a mere footnote in textbooks. The lack of historical details provides a huge opportunity for a talented writer like Anne Easter Smith to create both a memorable portrayal of the character and to add a new prospective on an all too familiar chapter in history (e.g. the young princes locked up in London Tower). What I liked best about the book is how the author carefully balances the plot between the constant political intrigue and espionage with the more quiet and later on, happier times in the heroine's life. As a result, the reader gradually becomes emotionally involved with the mystery and wants to discover the truth as much as Grace. A definite must-read for fans of English historical fiction.
April 21, 2011
The King’s Grace
Anne Easter Smith
April 6, 2011
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and I was not disappointed with this book. The writing and story are wonderful. I sometimes can get confused when reading a book of this size since I know it is hard to keep the characters straight, and the geography can be confusing. Having the genealogy in the front was fantastic. Once I got into the book I rarely had to look and see who was who. Grace Plantagenet, the main character, was absolutely intriguing and kept me interested. Although this book is long---close to 600 pages you shouldn’t let it scare you! It is full of historical facts! The best way to get educated and enjoy it at the same time! I am going to recommend this book to my book club!
Anne Easter Smith
April 6, 2011
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and I was not disappointed with this book. The writing and story are wonderful. I sometimes can get confused when reading a book of this size since I know it is hard to keep the characters straight, and the geography can be confusing. Having the genealogy in the front was fantastic. Once I got into the book I rarely had to look and see who was who. Grace Plantagenet, the main character, was absolutely intriguing and kept me interested. Although this book is long---close to 600 pages you shouldn’t let it scare you! It is full of historical facts! The best way to get educated and enjoy it at the same time! I am going to recommend this book to my book club!
August 6, 2011
I am not a big fan of historical fiction. I do, however like reading about the Tudors and that time period.
The subject along with the length, 570 pages, made me wonder if I'd get through the whole book. Well, the pages just flew by and I was completely hooked.
It takes place in 1485 and the main character is Grace Plantagenet, the illegitimate daughter of Edward IV.
The book revolves around the mystery of two princes who lived in the castle but disappeared without a trace.
It has many characters and all are wonderfully written and really come alive on the page.
It also has a wonderful love story. I will not forget Grace and her Tom anytime soon.
The subject along with the length, 570 pages, made me wonder if I'd get through the whole book. Well, the pages just flew by and I was completely hooked.
It takes place in 1485 and the main character is Grace Plantagenet, the illegitimate daughter of Edward IV.
The book revolves around the mystery of two princes who lived in the castle but disappeared without a trace.
It has many characters and all are wonderfully written and really come alive on the page.
It also has a wonderful love story. I will not forget Grace and her Tom anytime soon.
August 14, 2009
Once I had read "Daughter of York" I looked for other books by Anne Easter Smith because I had enjoyed it so much. I bought this one and "A Rose for the Crown" at the same time. I enjoyed this one as much as I had the first book I had read by this same author. I learn a little more about the way life was lived in medieval times in each book I read about that period until I feel I have a good grasp on what it was like, at least enough to be glad I did not live then.
June 17, 2009
Ms. Smith is a wonderful researcher. She really did her homework on York history for this novel, and she accomplished an interesting piece of fiction to accompany an already compelling story in history. I enjoyed this so much that I have already checked out her other two novels from the library. If you love English history and a great story, check this out.
July 11, 2009
I gave this one 100 pages but just couldn't get interested. Too many characters, even being familiar with many of them didn't help me keep them straight. And if the author used the word "certes" one more time, I was going to scream!
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