Blog Tour: A Tapestry of Treason by Anne O'Brien
Today is my stop on the blog tour for A Tapestry of Treason, the latest novel from Anne O'Brien! This was my first time reading one of her novels, but historical fiction is my favourite genre so I knew I was in for a treat!
1399: Constance of York, Lady Despenser, proves herself more than a mere observer in the devious intrigues of her magnificently dysfunctional family, The House of York.
Surrounded by power-hungry men, including her aggressively self-centred husband Thomas and ruthless siblings Edward and Richard, Constance places herself at the heart of two treasonous plots against King Henry IV. Will it be possible for this Plantagenet family to safeguard its own political power by restoring either King Richard II to the throne, or the precarious Mortimer claimant?
Although the execution of these conspiracies will place them all in jeopardy, Constance is not deterred, even when the cost of her ambition threatens to overwhelm her. Even when it endangers her new-found happiness.
With treason, tragedy, heartbreak and betrayal, this is the story of a woman ahead of her time, fighting for herself and what she believes to be right in a world of men.
I'll admit I had never heard of Constance of York before reading this book, and this period of history is one I know very little about - aside from the York and Lancaster references that are slowly sowing the seeds for the War of the Roses. The family trees at the front of the book came in very useful, and I even had to refer to a full Royal family tree to figure out how all of the characters fitted into the grand scheme of things.
Constance is a woman in a man's world. The King's court is a hotbed of power games, and yet she stands her ground and speaks her mind, and is respected for it. She and her family are ruthlessly ambitious, striving to maintain their rank and social standing at any cost, and to maintain their family legacy. When Richard II suddenly loses his crown to Henry IV their position in the King's inner circle is compromised and so the treasonous plots begin to form. It did take me a while to warm to Constance - she's so unlike any lead character I've encountered before - but the first person narration helps you understand her reasoning for her actions, even if you're willing her to do the exact opposite and not get involved in whatever conspiracy is unfolding! I learnt from the author's notes that Constance is not at all kindly depicted in the history books, and so this novel goes some way towards her redemption, telling her side of the story, and letting us in to her thoughts.
A Tapestry of Treason is a compelling, seamless blend of fact and fiction, depicting a fascinating period of history full of political intrigue, scandal and conspiracy.
Jump on board the blog tour for more content on this brilliant novel!
1399: Constance of York, Lady Despenser, proves herself more than a mere observer in the devious intrigues of her magnificently dysfunctional family, The House of York.Surrounded by power-hungry men, including her aggressively self-centred husband Thomas and ruthless siblings Edward and Richard, Constance places herself at the heart of two treasonous plots against King Henry IV. Will it be possible for this Plantagenet family to safeguard its own political power by restoring either King Richard II to the throne, or the precarious Mortimer claimant?
Although the execution of these conspiracies will place them all in jeopardy, Constance is not deterred, even when the cost of her ambition threatens to overwhelm her. Even when it endangers her new-found happiness.
With treason, tragedy, heartbreak and betrayal, this is the story of a woman ahead of her time, fighting for herself and what she believes to be right in a world of men.
I'll admit I had never heard of Constance of York before reading this book, and this period of history is one I know very little about - aside from the York and Lancaster references that are slowly sowing the seeds for the War of the Roses. The family trees at the front of the book came in very useful, and I even had to refer to a full Royal family tree to figure out how all of the characters fitted into the grand scheme of things.
Constance is a woman in a man's world. The King's court is a hotbed of power games, and yet she stands her ground and speaks her mind, and is respected for it. She and her family are ruthlessly ambitious, striving to maintain their rank and social standing at any cost, and to maintain their family legacy. When Richard II suddenly loses his crown to Henry IV their position in the King's inner circle is compromised and so the treasonous plots begin to form. It did take me a while to warm to Constance - she's so unlike any lead character I've encountered before - but the first person narration helps you understand her reasoning for her actions, even if you're willing her to do the exact opposite and not get involved in whatever conspiracy is unfolding! I learnt from the author's notes that Constance is not at all kindly depicted in the history books, and so this novel goes some way towards her redemption, telling her side of the story, and letting us in to her thoughts.
A Tapestry of Treason is a compelling, seamless blend of fact and fiction, depicting a fascinating period of history full of political intrigue, scandal and conspiracy.
Jump on board the blog tour for more content on this brilliant novel!
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