The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

The Lady of the Rivers (Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #1) (Cousins' War, #3)

by Philippa Gregory

A SWEEPING NOVEL RICH IN PASSION AND LEGEND FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, PHILIPPA GREGORY

‘This is a man’s world, Jacquetta, and some women cannot march to the beat of a man’s drum. Do you understand?’

1435. Rouen. Jacquetta of Luxembourg is left a wealthy young widow when her husband, the Duke of Bedford, dies. Her only friend in the great household is Richard Woodville, the Duke’s squire, and it is not long before the two become lovers and marry in secret.

The Woodvilles return to the Lancaster court, where Jacquetta becomes close friends with young King Henry VI’s new queen. But she can sense a growing threat from the people of England, and the danger of royal rivals. The king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret, his queen, turns to untrustworthy favourites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty, the House of York.

Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen and her daughter Elizabeth Woodville, for whom she senses an extraordinary future.

Praise for Philippa Gregory:
 
‘Meticulously researched and deeply entertaining, this story of betrayal and divided loyalties is Gregory on top form’ Good Housekeeping
 
‘Gregory has popularised Tudor history perhaps more than any other living fiction writer…all of her books feature strong, complex women, doing their best to improve their lives in worlds dominated by men’ Sunday Times
 
‘Engrossing’ Sunday Express
 
‘Popular historical fiction at its finest, immaculately researched and superbly told’ The Times

Reviewed by Amber (The Literary Phoenix) on

5 of 5 stars

Share
Jacquetta's story is much more interesting than I anticipated....

The Lady Rivers is a character usually untouched by history, especially in a time that is so overshadowed by men and tyrants. Jacquetta is best known as the mother of Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of England and wife to Edward, the first York King. Gregory's books are always fictional, but filled with a slew of facts and even the foresight and alchemy fit well - much better, I think, than Hannah's in [b:The Queen's Fool|252499|The Queen's Fool (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #12)|Philippa Gregory|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1399204116s/252499.jpg|1024199] of her Tudor line. Having read [b:The White Queen|5971165|The White Queen (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #2)|Philippa Gregory|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1439412993s/5971165.jpg|13560666] and [b:The Red Queen|7148256|The Red Queen (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #3)|Philippa Gregory|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1281335912s/7148256.jpg|7413156], Jacquetta's story being a step away from the throne is a relief. In many ways, she reads like [b:The Other Boleyn Girl|37470|The Other Boleyn Girl (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #9)|Philippa Gregory|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355932638s/37470.jpg|3248536]'s Mary, who I also enjoyed. Jacquetta's personality and attitude is a breath of fresh air from all the power-hungry women that Gregory typically portrays.

Overall, this is a well-written tale about the rise and fall of power during the Cousin's War, with glimpses to the effects of battle on the kingdom and countyfolk alike. Gregory, as always, plays particular attention to the roles of women in this era. Gregory never disappoints. After [b:The Constant Princess|16181|The Constant Princess (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #6)|Philippa Gregory|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355932704s/16181.jpg|1745738], this is my favorite of her works.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 29 July, 2017: Finished reading
  • 29 July, 2017: Reviewed