I read this for a blog tour.

This was really interesting, I'm fascinated by the Plantagenets and the Cousins' War (aka the War of the Roses) and especially the women.

Historically women have often been the footnotes of battles and kings, but there are several writers of historical fiction determined to bring these forgotten figures to life.

I've read several of Anne O'Brien's other books and found them really enjoyable. I struggled to get into this one with its mix of letters, diary style entries and gossip column chronicles.

However once I adjusted to the style and layout (why are netgalley arcs so badly formatted?) I began to really enjoy it.

I read all of Philippa Gregory's Plantagenet books but Duchess Cecily of York wasn't much of a character in that, so this was an excellent insight into what she might well have been like.

Mother of two of England's kings; Edward IV and Richard III, neither of whom had peaceful and happy reigns, as well as the ill-fated George, Duke of Clarence, and several daughters, she was married to the Duke memoralised in the children's rhyme 'The Grand Old Duke of York', based on his tragic final battle, outnumbered he and son Edmund were killed.

Cecily lived with a lot of tragedy, children who died young, then the loss of her husband, son, brother and nephew in that battle. More heartbreak came with the marriage of Edward to Elizabeth Woodville, and the endless battles to keep his throne.

From this version of her, there seems a lot to admire about the woman who never became queen. She was clever, warm, shrewd, determined and strong.

I think she would have made an excellent monarch, her granddaughter married Henry VII and gave us the Tudor dynasty, which produced the ever fascinating Elizabeth I, who I think took after her great-grandmother, if this book's Cecily is anything to go by.

An excellent addition to the stories of the extraordinary women of history, a fascinating insight into the inner life of a royal woman connected to the most powerful people in Europe during a complicated and often troubled time.

I was so looking forward to reading this book but I found it quite hard going. In some places it was good but the majority of it I felt it didn't get me wanting to carry on with this book. I did finish it but took me a few days.

I found the people quite interesting and learning more about the York family in how they became Kings.

Some people may enjoy this book some books I would read again but I am afraid not this one.

The Queen’s Rival
by
Anne O’Brian

I read this as a proof copy from Netgalley. It is something different for me as I usually favour psychological thrillers and if I read historical fiction it tends to be Victorian times. This book is about the “War of the Roses” and although uses real characters in history it is fiction.
It starts with the Duchess of York teaching her younger children the family tree, which was a good way for the reader to learn about who is who. Reading the ebook version was a pain as I found I wanted to refer to the family tree which is a lot easier in a physical book. It took a while for me to get into it, it was when they got to the brothers and cousins conspiring and plotting to overthrow the king that I got more interested. As a newbie to this era of historical fiction I don’t have much to compare it with. I found it interesting and learnt about some of the royal connections and about Cecily Duchess of York who was a strong woman who played an important role, along with her husband Richard Duke of York, in overthrowing King Henry VI. It is written in the format of letters between Cecily, Duchess of York, her sisters, Anne and Katherine and all the cousins and other characters. Each letter is clearly marked as to who is writing, the recipient and where the letter was written. The language used seems appropriate to me, there are gaps in the letters where we are reading from a newspaper, the Chronicle. This did appear a little like a tabloid which is probably not how reporting was done at that time in history, but as a non-historian I am not critical of that, in fact it made it a bit lighter and easier to read.

Generally I felt the book was good, however it has not converted me to wanting to read more historical fiction of that era.
Valerie

I love reading historical fiction and I really enjoyed this book. I love the way it is set out in letters and recipes. This makes the story feel like a unique and very personal version of events.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Wonderfully waspish letters between sisters.
Advice to a stubborn husband.
Admonishing of squabbling sons.
Intercessions to the Virgin Mary.
Racy commentaries in the Chronicles of England.
Recipes and remedies.

All this and more pack the thrilling pages of this novel which gallops along faster than the Grand Old Duke of York's horse.

A weak king and an overbearing queen.
A strong contender to the throne.
Battles and sieges and exile.
Domesticity and family life.
Triumph grasped from adversity.
Adversity grasped from triumph.
Bereavement and mourning.

It's all here in the life and times of the Duchess of York, mother of Edward IV and Richard III. This is a magnificent historical novel; it is gripping and compelling and drags the reader with it through short chapter after short chapter, showing us that, without doubt, Cecily Neville is truly The Queen's Rival.

I have enjoyed many an Anne o'Brien novel, spent many an afternoonsnuggled away, nose deep into the pages and enjoying the author take me away to a world where I can only experience through books.
This book looks stunning, the Art department have really earned thier money, it's gorgeous!

This is an historical novel set around the War of the Roses., meaning, a tale between the Yorkist and the Lancaster families.

England 1459 Cecily Duchess of York, a strong woman who was involved in the attempts to overthrow Henry VI, who is a weak ruler.
As a lover of this era, I have read read many many books , novels and non fiction, I am ashamed to say that I do not know that much of this powerful and strong lady.This book is written in an interesting way, with letters, documents, dairies and notes , which is an interesting way that i did have to get used to, but once i did, it was quite congenial.

What really connected me to this Duchess, was the fact that she spent time inprisioned in Tonbridge Castle, because I have visited that castle so many times!

If you want to read a book about political intrigue and royal scandals, this is definatly a book that needs to be taken up.

Thank you for letting me read this as a pre publication e book, i enjoyed it and have actually bought myself a copy to sit on my shelves with my other O'brien books :)

I adore historical fiction, but despite being a born and bred Yorkshire woman, know appallingly little of the War of the Roses. O’Brien’s well researched novel is told through a series of letters and diary entries which makes it very easy to digest and adds a very personal touch.
It’s the story of Cecily, Duchess of York, and the rise and fall of the house of York. O’Brien brings to the forth several strong and ambitious women of the time who history has all but forgot.
An engaging and unusual read that I fell in love with.

The book takes place in England between 1459 and 1483. Its set up in a unique way and told through letters, recipes and other things but all tells a story. This is not something I would usually enjoy and parts of the story and how it was set out I wondered if it was even necessary but I did end up liking this book and rate it accordingly.

I am an avid reader of historical fiction, and the stories from the Wars of the Roses period of history - I even wrote my dissertation of fiction based on the time period. Similar to the novels from this period of history from Philippa Gregory, our main character is a woman from the time. This novel is told from the perspective of Duchess Cecily of York, the mother of King Edward IV, George Duke of Clarence, and King Richard III. This is not a perspective I've read from before, so it was a really fresh insight into somewhat familiar historical events.

The novel is told mainly through a selection of letters, as well as articles from the English Chronicle, which made the novel have an authentic feel to it. Obviously, most of history is told from the male perspective, so seeing a female perspective on events is really interesting. The letters also helped to make you feel like you were privy to some sensitive political information - really getting the insider gossip.

The family trees at the beginning of the novel was a welcome addition as the families were all linked in a variety of ways. The Nevilles, particularly, are members of numerous family trees, as well as the Woodvilles marrying into multiple families. Without the family trees, it could get a little confusing. There was a lot of action in this novel, there was a lot of drama. Admittedly, I think this is because of the length of time that the novel covers in the short amount of pages. Because of this, it seems like it was one event after another. Perhaps if this was a series of novels, you could get a little more historical context, but as someone who has some knowledge of the time period, I could fill in some of the gaps.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and would recommend it to other fans of historical fiction and the time period. It was a very enjoyable read and great return to a period of history I find really interesting!

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I love this author - she is so talented - her descriptions are so vivid you feel as though you are there

As always - this is a well researched, well written book which had me hooked throughout - another humdinger

If historical fiction is your thing, this book will be your thing!!

A fascinating, well researched and well written historical fiction that kept me hooked.
I loved the vivid descriptions of the historical background, the characters and how the story is told using letters and other documents.
The author is a talented storyteller and I learned something more about the War of the Roses.
It's an excellent read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Historical fiction at its best.
In my opinion Anne O’Brien is one of our best historical novelists today.
Impeccably researched it tells the story of Cecily, Dowager Duchess of York who was never a queen but mother to two kings.
In a time when women where seen as child bearing vessels she guided her family and advised indirectly.
I loved the way the story was told through intimate letters to her family and chronicles of the day.
A brilliant history lesson
Can’t recommend it enough

England 1459 and Cicely Neville is in the throng between her Yorkist husband and followers and his Lancastrian foe. Battles raged, families fought families with intent on bitter revenge. There was such intense ambition on both sides to win the crown of England!

I admit it took me a while to get used to this style of writing using letters going to and fro between all the main characters: Cecily; sisters Katherine and Anne, sons Edward, George and occasionally Richard ( Dickon) and others.

However Ms O'Brien's impeccable research and the depth of detail soon had me engrossed. As we know these were all actual events resulting in bitter betrayals all because of greed and ambition.

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with the e-arc for The Queen’s Rival by Anne O’Brien in exchange for an honest review.

The book takes place in England between 1459 and 1483 in an epistolary format, principally from the perspective of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York. Whilst not one of history’s forgotten female principals, relatively little has been written from Cecily’s POV.

From the start to the end, high politics, treason, plot, subterfuge and betrayal take main stage.

From embroilment in her husband’s initial failed plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne, and his subsequent abandonment of his family when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge,, Cecily is forced to face loss of her home, lands and imprisonment in her Lancaster married sister’s home, Tonbridge Castle.

From this point the Duchess initiates spinning her web of deceit as she fights to spin the wheel of fate and history to better her family’s safety, position and fortunes.

The story progresses through the War of the Roses; a point in English history that pitted brother against brother and goes onward to examine the tides turning for and against the favour of the York family. As Cecily fights with all her might to manipulate, direct and maintain her family through the fall of King Henry VI, and her eldest son being crowned King Edward IV.

I’m no history expert, but I do find this period of history fascinating and enjoy a different perspective that brings a personal touch to the period, and there is no question about this book does that. As a reader, you are gifted with a story of ambition, familial love and angst, conquest, betrayal, high politics and tragedy. However, there are certain points that the author acknowledges to not be historically accurate, that will rule the history expert. However, this is an enjoyable read that provides another perspective in the world of historical fiction focusing on the engaging and interesting era of the Wars of the Roses.

Plot

England, 1459: Cecily, Duchess of York, is embroiled in a plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne. But when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecily’s family flee and abandon her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own.

Cecily can only watch as her lands are torn apart and divided up by the ruthless Queen Marguerite. From the towers of her prison in Tonbridge Castle, the Duchess begins to spin a web of deceit – one that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI, and to her eldest son being crowned King of England.

Review

My little historian heart has been empty of late not being allowed into the archives thanks to The C Word, so this novel has come along at the right time. I’m sure most of us are familiar with the ever bloody Wars of The Roses when there were more changes to the throne of England than hot dinners in a Toby Carvery but this one is a little different.

Told though letters, prayers, documents and diary entries it focuses on the life of Cecily, Duchess of York who at the heart of this is simply a mother watching her family rip each other to shreds and anyone who stands in the way.

It’s refreshing to read a historical novel that takes this approach as it felt, for me at least, like I was in the archives looking through these old pieces of paper and enjoying myself.

Of course, as with any historical fiction there are a few liberties taken but in the majority the book remains faithful to what we know of the Yorks and Lancastrians. A very enjoyable read which quelled my little history loving soul.

Rating

4 stars

Recommend

Yes - especially if your history deprived right now.

This book was kindly gifted by the publisher in exchange for a honest review as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.

Centuries before women's lib or the suffragettes there existed powerful women who played a significant role in a male-dominated world.
In the second half of the fifteenth century as the Wars of the Roses made enemies of the House of Lancaster and the House of York, and their supporters it was these powerful women, including Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort and Marguerite of Anjou, who have provided those titans of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir and Jean Plaidy with such appealing heroines.
Now Anne O'Brien tells the story of Cecily, Duchess of York, who went from being homeless, penniless, powerless, and the wife of a traitor to the mother of two kings. She narrowly missed being queen consort herself but throughout her long life was undoubtedly the keeper of the Yorkist flame.
A fine novel, written with confidence and style.

<i>The Queen's Rival</i> tells the story of Cecily Neville, the Queen that never was, and the woman at the very heart of the War of the Roses, one who lived through one of the most tumultuous times in English history.

The story is told in a epistolary format - letters, documents, prayers, recipes, diaries, notes compile and build up to create this story. This does have mixed results. Inclusions of recipes for things like favourite meals and poultices are a nice touch, but I'm not sure they add much depth to the story. Perhaps part of the issue is that the characters confess a bit too much in writing - a very dangerous time to be committing so much to letters that could well be intercepted. Other than the Kings becoming more removed, there is little sense of characters holding back and having double meanings or complexity. This I think is that missed opportunity with the recipes. Even something so simple as 'All is well in this house, my sister is hosting me kindly, by the way do you have a poultice for a near constant headache?' might have added a touch more depth.

I also wasn't sure of the role of the English Chronicle. Its intention it seems was to provide something of an outsiders view and an extra piece of historical context, but it reads too much like a tabloid newspaper in tone to be effective and comes across instead as anachronistic.

All that said, O'Brien does capture the characters well. Cecily is quite a tour de force as the ultimate matriarch, but one who gradually realises she does not understand her sons quite as well as she thought she did. The book explores nicely her power and influence behind the scenes, how it conflicts with the influence of other women, her complicity in some of the tragedy, and how she is ultimately impotent in a world dictated by men.

The women who surround her are mixed. Queen Elizabeth is complex and it is clear we only see her from Cecily's biased view. Cecily's sister Anne is wonderfully bitter but also demonstrates caring. Her sister Katherine is a bit more vague, hidden as she is on the peripherals of the action.

The strongest part of the novel I think is Cecily's relationships with her sons, as they grow increasingly independent, hiding their true desires from her and essentially prove willing to throw her under the bus to achieve their aims. The novel is a gradual realisation that they are their own men, and very different from the boys she raised.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in The War of the Roses and the Plantagenets.

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for providing a free eARC of this book.

I love a historical novel, and was quickly immersed in this retelling of the story of Cecily, Duchess of York, mother of the men who were to become Kings of England - Edward IV and Richard III. With her husband and sons engaged in bloody battles against the Lancastrian monarchs, she lived dangerously under the eyes of her enemies, not least Margaret of Anjou, wife of King Henry VI. To survive in the strife-ridden 15th century kingdom that was England at this time, she needed all her wits and courage about her, Her story here, told mostly in a series of letters to and from her husband, sons, sisters, and fellow nobles, brings her vividly to life, portraying a woman who cared deeply for her family and her country and who did what she had to do in order to survive.. The writing is atmospheric, the plot can't help but be exciting, and the historical characters become living flesh and blood under Anne O'Brien's skilful pen. It may take you a little while to get into the narrative, as the War of the Roses is a complicated affair, and even with some knowledge of the period, I found myself strugglng to remember who was who and which side they were on. Fortunately, there are famiily trees to refer to at the front of the book, and a handy glossary at the back, and you become so immersed in Cecily's story that things do become clear quite quickly.

This is an interesting period of history, and the story is told through a mix of narrative, letters, recipes and chronicles.

I really wanted to enjoy the story, but the frequent switching between narrative, letters and chronicle prose meant I found it difficult to engage with the characters. This must have been a stressful and emotional time for Cecily, Duchess of York, but the style of the story didn’t portray that for me.

As a result, I wasn’t hooked by the book and I’m sorry to say I gave up 40% of the way through.

I’m sure there are many who will like the unusual style of story-telling, and I did enjoy the recipes. Therefore I give it ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. This is my unbiased review.

When I started this book I really didn't think I was going to finish it; solely because of the writing style. It is presented as letters to and from Cecily Neville, wife of Richard of York, interspersed with prayers and an odd bit of narrative. The element I had most problem with was the 'Chronicle' - a first person narrative that reads like a modern newspaper - totally ridiculous in this historical book.

However, I persevered, and the book tells the tale of the rise and fall of the House of York, how Richard almost became king, how his sons fought and betrayed the family, how they too became monarchs and the dynasty continued. The power play between the Neville and Woodville families, and the machinations of the king's wife Margaret of Anjou (and his sad mental decline) are really interesting and well portrayed, so it reads well apart from the silly Chronicle bit that could perhaps have been better handled as straight narrative to bring the reader up to speed about events not directly experienced by Cecily or to indicate public opinion and rumour.

A shame, as the Wars of the Roses is a fascinating era, and the author was clearly well informed about the period (I had to keep a family tree to hand to follow who was whom). Overall I did enjoy it, Chronicle notwithstanding.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.