In honour of International Women’s day I bring to you the review of The Lady of the Rivers.
As ladies are celebrated across the world today, I would like to shout out my grandmother for being an inspiration, a rock and the number one woman in my life. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for her and I will forever be in her debt for being there for me through thick and thin.
Anyway, as I was saying..
The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory
5 out of 5
Published in 2011 by Simon & Schuster
You can order a copy from Amazon, Waterstones
Blurb: 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 only 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 and extraordinary future. A sweeping, powerful novel rich in passion and legend, The Lady of the Rivers tells the story of the real-life mother to the White Queen.
My thoughts: I was so excited to finally start the Cousin’s War series, and W O W, the first book did not disappoint. Although The Lady of the Rivers is #3 in the series, it is chronologically first and a great induction to the rest of the story that’s yet to come. Absolutely loved this, and it was my favourite February read. Talking about strong women, Jacquetta is impressive! My girl showed so much strength and courage it was beautiful to read.
I fell in love with Jacquetta’s and Richard’s love story and the bond they had between them. Ahhh!!
Gregory’s writing flows, is easy to follow and I actually learnt something about history which makes me really quite stoked! (I didn’t really care much about history when I was in school, tut-tut).
Honestly, if you haven’t already read this, please pick it up. It’s an informative, beautiful, heartbreaking and mysterious story and I promise it will not disappoint.
Really-really-really highly recommend.
