The White Queen
Touchstone Books/S&S
August 2009
Summary: Brother turns on brother to win the ultimate prize, the throne of England, in this dazzling account of the wars of the Plantagenets. They are the claimants and kings who ruled England before the Tudors, and now Philippa Gregory brings them to life through the dramatic and intimate stories of the secret players: the indomitable women, starting with Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen.
The White Queen tells the story of a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition who, catching the eye of the newly crowned boy king, marries him in secret and ascends to royalty. While Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for the success of her family, her two sons become central figures in a mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the missing princes in the Tower of London whose fate is still unknown. From her uniquely qualified perspective, Philippa Gregory explores this most famous unsolved mystery of English history, informed by impeccable research and framed by her inimitable storytelling skills.
With The White Queen, Philippa Gregory brings the artistry and intellect of a master writer and storyteller to a new era in history and begins what is sure to be another bestselling classic series from this beloved author.
Philippa Gregory is back and better than ever! The White Queen is Gregory’s first novel in her Cousins War Series. This time period, the Plantagenet period, is one I knew very little about before diving in. The book is so beautifully written and the story so eloquently told, that I am already looking forward to the next two stories in this series (The Red Queen and The White Princess). The book does end with a bit of a question mark and readers will certainly be counting the days until we can get our hands on The Red Queen. But the story itself was so complete and enchanting that you don’t mind that little bit of mystery…in fact, it makes the stories just that much more compelling. It was such an intoxicating story that I actually finished it in one weekend. Gregory brings these characters to life and their stories play out in such vivid and exciting detail that you truly lose yourself in the pages.
What is incredibly interesting about this story, and what adds an interesting dimension to it, is the magical element. Elizabeth Woodville is a descendant of a mythical water creature called Melusina. This myth is woven into the fabric of the story in such a meticulous and captivating way.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed The White Queen. Philippa Gregory truly is a master at historical fiction. She even “tweeted” Elizabeth Woodville’s story during the lead-up to the release in August. Definitely get your hands on a copy of The White Queen. You will not be disappointed!
