Blog Tour: The Queen's Rival by Anne O'Brien

Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Queen's Rival, the brilliant new novel by Anne O'Brien. Just look at that gorgeous cover! Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Stories for the e-arc.

One family united by blood. Torn apart by war…

England, 1459: Cecily, Duchess of York, is embroiled in a plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne. But when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecily’s family flee and abandon her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own.

Cecily can only watch as her lands are torn apart and divided up by the ruthless Queen Marguerite. From the towers of her prison in Tonbridge Castle, the Duchess begins to spin a web of deceit – one that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI, and to her eldest son being crowned King of England.

This is a story of heartbreak, ambition and treachery, of one woman’s quest to claim the throne during the violence and tragedy of the Wars of the Roses.

REVIEW

Anne O'Brien is one of my favourite historical fiction authors, and The Queen's Rival does not disappoint. The War of the Roses is a period of history that has always fascinated me, and there is plenty of fiction out there on the subject. Here though we have a perspective that I have never encountered before: that of Cecily Duchess of York, mother of Edward IV and Richard III. Told largely in epistolary form we get a real insight into her thoughts and feelings, as a wife, as a mother and as a woman, which again makes a change from the battlefield scenes so usually associated with this era. As with Anne's other books it has been well researched and well written, full of historical fact and detail., and the family tree proved helpful too (I'd recommend getting a physical copy of this book so you can easily flip back to it)! Intrigue, treachery, rivalry and politics abound in this interesting and compelling read. 

Jump on board the blog tour for more content on The Queen's Rival!