Book Review: The Queen of Last Hopes

The Queen of Last Hopes, Susan Higginbotham
4 roses

I was honored to receive this early for review (and I'm ashamed it's taken me this long to put my review up) but I was a bit hesitant because Margaret of Anjou is not one of my favorite people in history. However, as it is written by the wonderful Susan Higginbotham, I knew it couldn't be anything but good and I was right.

I am not going to rehash the plot line of the novel as many folks are familiar with the twists and turns of the Wars of the Roses. The story follows Margaret's life from the time of her betrothal to Henry VI in 1444, through all the ups and downs as Queen of England, and ends with her death in 1482. Being a Yorkist myself I was wondering how I would get through a book about a Lancastrian Queen but I found it was a very good and informative read. Most mentions of Margaret in other novels of the time are quite scathing and make her into a she-wolf. Her reputation down through history has not been painted in a favorable light. Higginbotham shows us that there certainly could have been a much different side to this Queen. Here Margaret is shown as being extremely loyal and ambitious but also loving and courageous. Not knowing much on Margaret's life beyond what is barely mentioned in other novels, it was very interesting to see Higginbotham's take on how Margaret dealt with a husband who went "mad," the rumors floating throughout the country concerning her son Edward, the people's dislike for their French Queen, and her constant struggle to retain her husband and son's birthright - the throne of England. Most of the story is told from Margaret's point of view though there are some chapters told from the view point of Henry VI, their son Edward, and a few of the Beauforts. In some novels this can muddle the storyline and make it a bit difficult to follow but not here; the other viewpoints will really help the reader understand the turmoil of the time period. The novel follows historical events in order without any confusing flashbacks (which in many other novels can muddle the story) and each chapter begins with the date so it is really easy to follow. The characters are carefully written, their own personalities fleshed out, and their actions and feelings are quite believable (there are many, many characters in this novel but there is a handy list at the front of the book that should be helpful!). There are wonderful descriptions and details of life in England in the 15th century and Higginbotham's writing can transport you back in time.

As usual, Higginbotham's wonderful writing and attention to historical detail weave a very intriguing story. As a Yorkist, I was worried about how the players on that side of the line would be shown and while they are obviously not supposed to be the "good" guys in this novel, in no way are they painted as horrible monsters. I also really liked the prologue and epilogue Higginbotham included; they really make an impact. This is a novel I would highly recommend to all readers interested in the Wars of the Roses as it gives a refreshing new look at a woman who, when mentioned in history, is usually maligned.


*I received this novel for review from Sourcebooks.

Book Review: The Stolen Crown

The Stolen Crown, Susan Higginbothm
3.5 roses

This is another wonderful novel by Susan Higginbotham and it covers a very interesting and active period in British history – the Cousins War (or as we call it, the Wars of the Roses). Between the pages we get the story through the eyes of Katherine Woodville and her husband Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. We see from both points of view their marriage as children, their time at Edward IV’s court, their life at home, the birth of their children, and Henry’s involvement with Richard III.

The first half or so of the novel really focuses on their lives and how they both grow and mature in a very turbulent time. The second half of the novel seems to focus more on Henry’s involvement with Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Personally I liked the first half of the novel more because I really enjoyed watching Kate and Henry grow and come to love and care for one another. The scenes between the two when they were young were very sweet and touching. Higginbotham takes on some of the “rumors” about their marriage and shows how they could have been started and why. I thoroughly enjoyed how she weaved these into the story. The author also explores reasons why Buckingham rebelled against Richard and gives her version of “the truth” behind the mystery of the princes in the Tower, which seems believable. Richard III is not shown in a glowing light here but he is not made into a horrible monster (though Kate despises him). We see a more ruthless side of him but it just seems to make him appear more of a man of a time where you had to be a bit ruthless to survive.

As always in Higginbotham’s novels, the writing is wonderful, there are fantastic details and descriptions, and great character development. The two main characters, Kate and Henry, are very believable and you can sympathize with them even if you don’t agree with them. I really enjoy her writing – it is easy to read but I don’t feel like I’m reading something for young adults. She is just very clear in her writing with good details and marvelous research but yet the reader is not going to get bogged down in the pages. While I enjoyed reading this book I have to say I personally enjoyed her previous two (The Traitor's Wife and Hugh and Bess) much more, possibly because I felt there was more going on through out those novels. However, I am a huge fan of this author and I would recommend this book to anyone.

*Reviewed for Bookpleasures.com

Book Review: Hugh and Bess

Hugh and Bess, Susan Higginbotham
5 roses

After reading The Traitor's Wife last year I have been eagerly awaiting the time when I could read more of Ms. Higginbotham's novels. Once I started reading this one I could not put it down and I finished it in less than a day. This one comes next in chronological order after TW, telling the story of Hugh le Despenser the younger's son, Hugh, and his young wife Elizabeth de Montacute.

Bess is over ten years younger than Hugh and not happy that she is to marry the son of an executed traitor. I couldn't be annoyed with Bess about her attitude toward Hugh in the beginning as all she had heard about this man's family was horrible; it was only to be expected that she would not want to marry into a family with that kind of past. As the story starts when she is quite young we really get to watch her grow and mature. Hugh is easily likable and it was really touching to see how careful and patient he was with his young bride. He has a wonderful sense of humor and his comments about his own family's past are priceless. I loved watching how they came to truly love one another. It is easy to sympathize with each and still be able to place blame on both of them in their one "big argument." They are both stubborn and opinionated people but neither have any real horrible character flaws. I have to say though that Hugh was my favorite side of that pair. While there is plenty of history thrown into the mix, the real "star" is the love story between the two. I was almost in tears reading about the coming of the Black Death and those that suffered from it.

This really was an interesting look at many people not usually focused on in history or historical fiction. The major players in the events of the time are certainly mentioned but they do not play a leading roll in the story, which is refreshing; its always nice to read about new people. Higginbotham is a wonderful writer and she had me hooked from the start; I kept wanting to turn the pages, eager to find out what happened next. The novel is excellently written with very interesting characters and great plot/story development and is an easy read. Like Sharon Kay Penman, Higginbotham manages to blend fiction with well researched history seamlessly but manages to keep the reader from getting bogged down in too much detail. It is always nice to read really good historical fiction where the author hasn't changed or altered too much history to suit their own story needs. So much of this history is so fascinating and intriguing already; it doesn't really need any more drama thrown in!

I would certainly recommend this to any readers (even readers that enjoy romance). If you have read her first novel, make sure to pick this one up.