The White Queen (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #2) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Mar 08, 2021 Keli rated it liked it · review of another edition

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Synopsis- Philippa Gregory—the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Parker Pen Novel of the Year The Other Boleyn Girl—delivers the first in a series of historical novels set during the tumultuous War of the Roses. This compelling tale of romance, rivalry, and revenge unfolds through the eyes of Elizabeth Woodville, the woman whose renowned beauty catapulted her beyond her less-than-regal roots. A knight’s widow in 1461, Elizabeth employs her considerable charms to reel in the biggest catch Synopsis- Philippa Gregory—the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Parker Pen Novel of the Year The Other Boleyn Girl—delivers the first in a series of historical novels set during the tumultuous War of the Roses. This compelling tale of romance, rivalry, and revenge unfolds through the eyes of Elizabeth Woodville, the woman whose renowned beauty catapulted her beyond her less-than-regal roots. A knight’s widow in 1461, Elizabeth employs her considerable charms to reel in the biggest catch of all—virile King Edward IV. When their clandestine marriage comes to light, powerful enemies eye Elizabeth with contempt. After Edward dies suddenly in 1483, his brother usurps the throne, imprisoning Elizabeth’s sons—the rightful heirs—and forcing her to flee. Humiliated and grief-stricken, Elizabeth unleashes her most effective weapon—her eldest daughter.

Review- Well, no matter what else I may say this is a fabulous way to learn the names and dates of some English monarchs and important events. I am attempting to learn all the monarchs of England from the Norman Invasion onward. I'm committing to memory not just names and dates but some salient points, how they died and spouses, too. It's slow going. Before I picked this up I was only up to Mr Red Hot poker, Edward II, in 1327, so quite a few monarchs before this book is set. I don't think I'll have to spend much time on the kings from the House of York when I get there chronologically. So there is that.

Much of this book seemed to be conjecture and fiction, which is fair enough as this is an historical fiction, and even some of those bits were grounded in fact. I cannot fault her research or love of the subject. Ms Gregory has chosen well the strands of history she'd like to follow to make her book exciting. The witchcraft, the possibility that one of the princes got away, the various loves, all of these have an historical basis and are far more interesting than the reality. Witchcraft causing a storm is so much better than mundane old low pressure systems.

So why is it just a three star book? I think it's because it's written like a Jilly Cooper novel set in ye olden days. It just felt like a soap opera. And I don't like soap operas. I find all the plotting and scheming and backstabbing tedious. There's just so much of it in 436 pages! I tend to zone out, unless there's some supernatural violence attached. And aside from whistling a storm, burning papers and speaking curses to water there wasn't a whole lot of supernatural. Also, since most of them had the same names or more than one name, I got a little confused at the start, which isn't Ms Gregory's fault but it still annoyed me.

Overall, it was mildly entertaining. I won't say I won't read another Philippa Gregory novel, but I won't be rushing off to do it. I do thank her for helping me with a couple monarchs on my learning journey.

Rating - Three rich feudal people problems stars. ⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Devoured the book, couldn't put it down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really liked it, consumed within days
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyed a fair bit, better than average
⭐⭐ - Meh
⭐ - Absolute drivel
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