The never–before–told story of the women behind the crowning of Jane Grey, this novel is a captivating peek at ambition gone awry, and the damage left in its wake. She couldn't see the twisted path they all would follow. Jane Dudley knew her husband was creeping closer to the throne, but someone had to take charge, for the good of the country. Better to marry them off, marry them well, perhaps to a clan like the Dudleys. Cousin of the king, she knew the pitfalls of royalty and privilege. Plus, Susan Higgenbotham is one of my favorite historical novelists.A daughter can be a dangerous weapon in the battle for the throne of Englandįrances Grey harbored no dream of her children taking the throne. And I always enjoy an historical novel that does that. Nevertheless I know a bit more about two previously unknown people who lived through an era of great interest to me. Too much shifting over too short a period of time. (Their rivalry is the cause of the Wars of the Roses) But the Harry-Kate relationship simply didn’t ring true to me. The reasons behind this volatility have a lot to do with politics and the competing Lancasters and Yorks. During the 18 or so years chronicled in this book - they go from competitive children to friends, then to passionate lovers, later to enemies and finally back to lovers. Harry and Kate, the alternating narrators of the book, are married as children. There’s a guide at the front of the book but I did not find it that helpful in tracking characters while I was reading. Lots of characters to keep track of, including some with the same name. If you’re a bit confused, that’s a given with this novel. The focus on the book is on a married couple - Harry Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham, and his wife, Kate (aka Catherine Woodville), who happens to be the sister of Queen Elizabeth (Woodville), wife to Edward IV (Richard’s brother and predecessor on the English throne). Let me add that Richard is NOT the main character. If, like me, you think Richard has been maligned by Tudor-era historians, then you won’t feel at all satisfied by this portrait of the king. If you hold the traditional view that King Richard IIIwas a self-serving usurper who murdered the two princes in the Tower, then you will find a reasonable explanation of why he did the deed.
Whether you like this book depends a bit on where you stand on the Wars of the Roses.
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