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151 of 156 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Marvelous Treat for Lovers of HISTORICAL Romance, February 29, 2004
This review is from: The Rose of York: Love & War (Paperback)
THE ROSE OF YORK: `Love and War' is the debut novel of Sandra Worth that reads a lot like a historical text or master's thesis on the life and times of the very much-maligned King Richard III (1452-1485). Richard III was King for only two years, and in this first novel of a planned trilogy, Ms. Worth chronicles brilliantly his all too brief childhood and the events and the people that molded him into the thoughtful and insightful young man he became. It is powerful; it is heartbreaking; and it is a beautifully told love story that depicts an often frightened man constantly torn by love and honor for family, friends and especially the one woman who was his hearts desire. The historical aspects will give you insights that the casual historical fiction reader has probably never thought of, as I can surely attest to. Whereas I can normally devour a book in a day, this one took me a longer as I had to keep referencing other sources on the lineage of royals. But, oh for the lovers of history, and for those looking forward to a most passionate story of love, this for you is a marvelous treat! The author shows us Richard as a lonely young fellow who idolized his cousin John of Montagu, who looked to the Earl of Warwick as a surrogate father and fell in love with the Earl's daughter, Anne Neville. It was a horrible age where brother went against brother as politics, greed, and marriages entered into the mix. Richard would have to make the heart wrenching decision to choose sides and it appeared that his love for Anne would fall victim to politics, and family loyalty. Richard is painted as a truly good, honorable and kind youth who became a pawn, used and abused by his brother, the King, Edward IV. The choices he made for honor and love of kin, at a cost to his own heartache will leave you shaking your head and wiping tears of sympathy for the injustices of that period - not only for him but also for Anne. Whether intentional or not, I found that the secondary romance between John Neville, Lord Montagu and his wife Isobel to be pure poetry. The love depicted between John and his wife, who was also such a special friend to Richard, was depicted so beautifully that it simply took my breath away. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this planned trilogy and if the tone and finesse imbued in this, her debut novel is any indication of what to expect we are all in for a marvelous treat. ---- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com
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75 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
There Are No Words..., April 1, 2005
This review is from: The Rose of York: Love & War (Paperback)
I have had the chance to live in England and for me it was a wonderful experience being around so much living history. As a history major in college I threw myself into my studies enjoying British history the most. A good friend recommend that I pick up this read saying I would never look at Richard the same again. With a great deal of misgivings I purchased this book. After all you really can't rewrite history. This is without a doubt one of the most moving historical fiction reads I've picked up in a very long while.
Richard has been maligned over the centuries. Never would you think that a man capable of such horror's could find such a strong and long lasting love. I knew that he had married his Anne but I was not privy to what their romance could have been like. This was a small window into a very murky past that sheds just a little light on "what could have been." Without a doubt the times were turbulent and war was constantly being waged. This was a fine read that will take the reader back to England during the reign of Edward IV.
This is an incredibly rich read with descriptions that were amazing. You can truly tell that Ms. Worth did her research. I truly look forward to continuing on with this series. This was an all encompassing read so be ready to be transported back to a time that no longer exists to see the childhood of a King that has perhaps been a bit misunderstood.
Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com
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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Magical Read!, April 19, 2004
This review is from: The Rose of York: Love & War (Paperback)
Sandra Worth has written a truly sparkling novel of Richard III a man so misunderstood and misued by history; how wonderful to read such devotion, to see so many wrongs, righted and all with the stroke and ebb of pen that tells the tale with out-right beauty, poetry, tears and laughter. The first book in a planned trilogy (O, how hurtful to have to wait!) - Ms. Worth's has discovered a Richard, full of pride of family, devotion to his wife, a heart-felt hero-worship for his unlce John Neville - his life so short, yet so full of difficult choices. All during a time when it was brother against brother, bloody fields and glorious triumphs and the love of his fair, Anne Neville - one time wife to the greatest enemy of the House of York, daughter of his mentor, Warwick. My emotions were as tangled as the real players in this drama as conflict begets conflict.
Richard, in perphaps one of the most moving parts of this lovely book, shares a special devotion to and with John Neville. I found this 'Neville's' story (within Richard and Anne's story) to be gently ebbing and comforting....and soulfully heartbreaking. Love & War is passion and drama and bittersweet and amazingly beautiful to read.
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