I’ve long been a fan of Philippa Gregory’s fiction based on the Royal families of England, and this latest instalment in her Cousins’ War series didn’t disappoint.
The Kingmaker’s Daughter tells the story of Anne Neville, a real life historical figure who played a vital role in various conflicting plots during the War of the Roses, rising from a dead traitor’s daughter to Queen Consort of England.
The thing I love about Gregory’s books is that she can take several parallel stories, such as those from her previous books The White Queen and The Red Queen, and make them each interesting. She can take a character who is described as boring by her contemporaries and make her exciting. She can take someone who was viewed as a villain and turn her into a hero. And she can take her beautiful, sympathetic heroine from her first book, Elizabeth Woodville, and turn her into a villain herself through Anne’s eyes.
Gregory kept me riveted through every moment of Anne’s story, which was quite a feat, since I already knew the outcomes from studying history as well as reading the concurrent novels. Even though anyone with wikipedia can find out the book’s ending, still the Kingmaker’s Daughter manages to pull the reader along, weaving a subtle suspense and an intimate picture of life in the midst of this tumultuous period. Well done! I’m very much looking forward to the next book in this series, the recently released The White Princess.
Erin E. M. Hatton 
Sounds like an interesting series Erin, even though I’m not a huge fan of history. I love to read, but haven’t read any fiction books since my first son was born (6 1/2 years ago). Once I start a good book I don’t want to do anything else until I finish it. Hopefully there will come a time again in the not too distant future where I’ll be able to spend a day curled up with a book that keeps me riveted as this one did you!
I can definitely relate! I have 4 kids, but now that they range between 11 and 6 I have a bit more peace. Not a lot, but a bit. 😉 Hang on, you’ll get there soon!
Sounds intriguing, Erin. I will have to check these titles out soon. I love England so setting a novel there would be awesome
They are fantastic novels, and the good news is there are so many of them to read … 🙂
Of course I had to read your post! I’m reading the White Queen right now. She’s my date night every night before I go to bed. I love Phillipa Gregory and the way she weaves the stories into the real events. Next to John Jakes, she’s my favorite historical fiction writer.
I look forward to connecting with you!
Peggy (from UBC)
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Peggy Nolan
http://thestepmomstoolbox.com
Thanks for stopping by, Peggy! I loved The White Queen! Have you seen any of the BBC show? Fantastic! I love Gregory, too. I haven’t heard of John Jakes, though.
John Jakes wrote some of the best American history fiction – The Bastard, The Rebel, and a few others from the American Revolution (all made into mini-series on TV), And he wrote North & South, Heaven & Hell – both books about the American Civil War (also made into TV mini series)
I saw that The White Queen was a 10 part series on Starz. If I can find it on BBC, I’m sure to watch. I eat this stuff up!
Oh that explains it. American history is too recent for me. 🙂
LoL!
Have you ever read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series? You might like them too.
I think my cousin mentioned The Outlander series to me. Definitely will check it out!
🙂
Love how you captured the author’s style Erin…. and the titles of your books!
Thanks Paula! 🙂
That’s good review that invites readers to at least pick up the book and give it a read. Though I am not fond of reading historic fiction but I guess if I can lay my hands on this one I will definitely read it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! 🙂
🙂