I feel like the really gripping story in the centre of this book was badly let down by the decision to keep the entire narrative tied to correspondence. This is extremely unfortunate because The Queen's Rival takes place in a time of high intrigue, plotting and betrayal. So many moments fall flat I did struggle to get through the book as my attention flatlined. I did glean a few tidbits about Cecily Neville and did feel the author is passionate about her subject I just wish that so much of interest was not left to simply footnotes.

This book is set in Medieval England and tells the story of Cecily Neville, who was married to Richard, the ambitious Duke Of York. I am a historian and am familiar with the people and events here...I’ve read all of Anne O’Brien’s previous historical novels so was excited to read this.
Unfortunately whilst the plot and characterisation was as always sound I did not enjoy the style this was written in at all. It is written as if a series of letters, prayers and chronicles. I found this style stilted the story and in all honesty pretty much ruined my enjoyment of the novel. I never felt like I had time to be drawn into the plot, nor care about the characters because as soon as I was interested suddenly the story switched to another chronicle, extract or someone else’s letter. Because of the style I never felt like the book actually got going, and I had lost interest half way through.
This was such a shame as there were glimmers of O’Brien’s usual brilliance, especially in the character of Cecily Neville, and in the evocation of the lives of women at this time, but really I just wanted to read the story not slog my way through a series of documents.

England, 1459: Cecily Neville, 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 Edward IV.

This is set during a well known period of history and a period I very much enjoy so I was looking forward to getting stuck into it. However, I did not enjoy O'Brien's writing style in this. O'Brien has written this through a combination of letters, prayers and excerpts from The English Chronicle. This method certainly proved unique but I cannot help but wonder if it was unique for a reason. It simply did not work for me. This is not factual but a work of fiction so why try and make it read like a factual book. Due to the writing style I found this read stunted; it lost its flow and felt like it never got going. Dare I say it but I was bored.

The one positive I can think of for this method is it allowed the reader inside the heads of the people O'Brien is writing about. I did think the "characters" O'Brien includes were well presented, their personalities were captured and their thoughts and feelings seemed plausible. I only wish this had been written differently and then I may have enjoyed it more.

It pains me to say this, but I was not gripped at all by this read and could have very easily not finished it. Suddenly, one of my favourite periods of history lost its sheen and I cannot begin to express my disappointment.

I have nothing else to add about 'The Queen's Rival' other than what a real disappointment this proved to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book as when I started reading it I realised it was written in the form of letters and pieces from the Chronicle of England and I usually dislike books written in this style.
I stuck with it and it was a good read from a slightly different perspective from the Philippa Gregory white queen series. If you like historical fiction you will enjoy it. It's not for the lazy reader as you need to read the chapter titles so you know who is writing to whom

What a fantastically intriguing book!

I am a huge fan of Phillipa Gregory novels so and knew much of the story through her novels, however Anne O’Brien takes the history and character and spins them to a whole new level, giving another untold perspective to explore.

It took a while to get used to the correspondence style of writing - this is not something I have encountered before and it felt a little heavy to start with.; however, once you get used to the style it proves a brilliantly crafted way to move through years of history without getting weighed down in description.

Cecily Neville is a fascinating character - often portrayed in historical literature as cold and unfeeling I found the relationships with her sisters intriguing. It felt so authentic - the ups and downs and petty bickering, the one upmanship that as one of three sisters myself felt all so familiar! Her unwavering commitment to her family, particularly of the way she stood by her sons despite their well documented flaws rings true to any mother.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend it to any historical fiction fan, or fans of the Plantagenet / war of the roses historians!