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70 of 76 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read, September 25, 2011
This is the third novel in Philippa's series The Cousins' War, but chronologically (so far anyway) sets the scene and characters for the whole series. What I enjoy the most about her books is their authenticity...her characters do not use 21st century slang or mannerisms, a feature which makes me cringe with some historical novels.Philippa has clearly researched her topic and does not hide or water down how conditions were in those days...fleas, disease, death, women used as pawns in their families with no rights...it may offend our present day values but is true and honest. I highly recommend this book and all her writing...
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35 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The one about Joan of Arc, the Virgin and the Unicorn..., October 18, 2011
This review is from: The Lady of the Rivers: A Novel (War of the Roses) (Hardcover)
This review is based on an advanced digital copy. There is always the chance the red pencil guy was allowed to go in and fix things prior to final publication... Nah. **This review may be considered slightly spoilerish so enter at your own risk** Lady of the Rivers is the third book in Gregory's Cousins' War series, and focuses on Jacquetta of Luxembourg. While staying in France with her uncle, Jacquetta *meets* imprisoned Joan of Arc and the two share some BFF time together with the tarot cards and the wheel of fortune. After Joan meets her unhappy end, the beauteous Jacquetta catches the eye of the powerful Duke of Bedford, uncle to young king Henry VI. Jacquetta's worries about being ravished by her older husband come to naught as he's more interested in using Jacquetta's virginal qualities to aid his experiments - experiments that have something to do with alchemy, the philosopher's stone and the unicorn. If you are scratching your head over this, rest assured I was doing the same thing. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now. Her older husband eventually dies and Jacquetta waits for the King's councillors to choose another husband after her year of mourning. John's squire Richard Woodville has other ideas, and Jacquetta is willing to risk the king's wrath for the sake of true love. The marriage is a fruitful one and Jacquetta spends lots of time in the country producing one baby after another (yawn). The wheel of fortune spins again when the king marries Margaret of Anjou and Jacquetta is summoned to serve the new Queen, but that marriage isn't exactly smooth sailing, and one thing leads to another until a little dispute erupts between the houses of Lancaster and York. That's about as much plot summary you'll get from me, I'd rather discuss the reading experience, starting with the repetitive text. The Melusine count exceeded twenty, and that's not counting the water/river/fishy woman references or the tally would be much higher. There are times when nothing much happens in Jacquetta and Richard's lives (making babies, cooling heels in Calais for a year waiting for the king to do something), and it would have served the story better just to fast forward a few years with a brief mention rather than more tedious detail on what isn't happening. I don't understand the great need to repeat same words three times in a single sentence, over and over and over again (can't quote examples from the ARC, sorry). Then there are the mind-numbing reminders to the reader of who is who via the *as you know, Bob* method. Any time Jacquetta mentions her first husband in a conversation he is always my Lord John, Duke of Bedford. Margaret will mention her uncle in a conversation with an intimate friend as my uncle, the king of France (I think everyone at court would know that she was niece to the king of France). And Richard of York, reviled by all the Lancastrians is always always always (see, I can do things in threes) Richard Duke of York. Every time. I got it the first time, and did not need to be clubbed over the head with it over and over and over again. The characters were all rather *meh*, neither good nor bad, just incredibly uninteresting. Instead of filling us in on the politics and intrigues of the court that caused these wars, we get endless exposition on the court on progress, as well as how Edmund Beaufort Duke of Somerset dotes on Margaret of Anjou, bringing her all those sweet little presents. All in all, a very disappointing read and not one I'd recommend for those wanting more background and insight into the Wars of the Roses - there are much better choices out there with Penman's fabulous Sunne in Splendor still being the gold standard. Library only, then buy it if you love it. Two stars. *Thanks to you know who for coining the as you know Bob phrase and letting me use it :)
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE LADY OF THE RIVERS is a fascinating novel that reflects King Henry VI's reign as though Philippa Gregory were there herself, November 2, 2011
This review is from: The Lady of the Rivers: A Novel (War of the Roses) (Hardcover)
From a young age, Jacquetta of Luxembourg has known things that other people don't. The ability to foresee future events is a gift she doesn't understand, even though it's an integral part of her family history. The women who came before her, descended from the river goddess Melusina, have been the keepers of the secret of their second sight for generations. Unfortunately, psychic awareness is a dangerous possession at a time when accusations of witchcraft, punished by painful, fiery deaths, abound. When the book begins in France in 1430, Jacquetta is in the company of the captured girl leader, Joan of Arc. While Jacquetta develops a fondness for Joan, their friendship doesn't last long. In spite of Jacquetta's hopes for Joan's freedom, Joan is burned at the stake, an event that she is forced to witness. As a notoriously beautiful young woman, it isn't long until Jacquetta captures the eye of the Duke of Bedford, one of the most powerful men in England. At 17, she becomes his bride and leaves France to begin a new life in England as part of the royal court of King Henry VI, where intrigue and treachery run rampant. While most men would have chosen Jacquetta to satisfy their baser desires, the Duke has loftier intentions. He encourages her occult skills and urges her to reveal his future military fate. Unfortunately, Jacquetta has not come into her own yet and is unable to help the Duke in the way that he desires, no matter how much he insists. While remaining faithful to the Duke, Jacquetta cannot deny the feelings in her heart that tell her that Richard Woodville, her husband's squire and trusted companion, is the man for her. When her husband dies only two years into their marriage, Jacquetta is heartbroken at the thought of losing Richard when he plans to accept another post. Not one to deny her feelings, Jacquetta finds a way to stay with Richard, and the two are surreptitiously married without the approval of King Henry VI. Ordered to pay a staggeringly substantial fine as a result of their disobedience, the two eventually regain the good graces of the King and return to a life at court. Unfortunately, their very closeness to royalty will ultimately lead to their downfall. Set during the reign of the House of Lancaster and the times of the Wars of the Roses, THE LADY OF THE RIVERS is a fascinating novel that reflects King Henry VI's reign as though author Philippa Gregory were there herself to experience it firsthand. As you turn the pages of this lengthy book, I defy you to see that your heart remains untouched by the true love match of Richard, eventually to become the first Earl Rivers, and Jacquetta. In spite of your best efforts, it can't be done. Reviewed by Amie Taylor
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