A new take on the Wars of the Roses. The story of the women in the influential Paston family from Norfolk, based on their surviving letters. Set during the war between the houses of York and Lancaster, the women were mostly pawns in the marriage game, while the men decided which side to support. Margaret was the strongest character, cleverly keeping control of husband and the rest of her family and household. So glad the women's letters survived so that Anne O'Brien could tell us about them.

Anne O'Brien is one of my favourite authors. Every year, I wait with high anticipation to read her newest book and to see which 'new' unknown woman of history she's brought to life for her readers.

With The Royal Game, Anne O'Brien has chosen not a powerful royal/noblewoman but instead three women who hunger to be considered as such. The majority of the story is told from the viewpoint of Margaret Paston, wife to John Paston, as property disputes amongst their landed estates escalate and are resolved only to escalate once more. This might sound a bit boring, but believe me, it's not. I was shocked, genuinely shocked, by the level of violence that could be brought to bear against rival claimants and the state of lawlessness in East Anglia at the time is flabbergasting. It acts as a perfect way of showing just what the uncertainty of the Wars of the Roses brought about for those lower 'noble' families with the ebb and flow of prestige and royal denouncement as in the background, great battles are won and lost, and rival kings fall and rise.

Margaret is a wonderfully independently minded woman, and yet constrained by her position in life, and her sex so she can only do so much when trouble strikes, but she will do it to her upmost.

Alongside Margaret, we meet her sister in law, Eliza, who struggles to find a husband and emerge from beneath her mother's less than motherly love. She manages to do just that only to find herself facing a life as beset with lawsuits as her brother and sister by marriage.

Our third Paston woman is Anne Haute, a cousin to Elizabeth Woodville. Her voice is that of a noblewoman without the dowry needed to hook herself a wonderful marriage, but who can tout her family connections to gain one.

This book is a stunning read - and more, an easy read - despite the vast number of Johns in it (I'll leave that for you to discover because wow - that's a weird thing to have done). I had to force myself to slow down and stop reading because I didn't want it to be over. Now I have to wait for next year to read the second part of the story.

I highly recommend this book. If you know about the Wars of the Roses, all the better, but if you don't, it will not lessen your enjoyment of the story of the three Paston women and their troublesome, and litigious family at a time of intense political unrest.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my review copy. I loved it:)

I have only read one of Anne’s books before this one - The Queens Rival - which I absolutely loved. I jumped at the chance of reading an advance copy of Anne’s new book and to be a part on the blog tour.

Anne’s skill for writing historical fiction with characters you get to know in depth and places you can see is second to none. Again I was lost in the rich history of the time and living the lives with these people. It is clear Anne has a very in depth knowledge and interest of history and her love for writing shines through the pages.

In this novel we follow the Pastons. Just as Anne’s last book is mainly focussed on the strong female character of Cecily Neville this one has a strong main focus on Margaret Mautby Paston who has married into the Paston family following the usual arrangement by the two families which will benefit both sides. She becomes such a strong lady, having to deal with battles, wars, births and deaths, illness and the constant fight to hold on to the family property and assets for her place in society and her children’s inheritance.

These are the Middle Ages. In the years leading up to The Wars of The Roses. Families marry their children off for status and wealth. Perhaps love will blossom perhaps not, as this is not the reason to marry. Women are expected to produce heirs to the family estate. People have to be careful when discussing the Yorks and the Lancasters as they dare not be seen to be on the wrong side.

The second lady we hear from is Elizabeth Paston who has not had a suitable marriage arranged and worries about her future constantly as the years are passing along with her hope of finding a suitable husband.

The last ‘main’ character is Anne Haute who is also hoping for a suitable marriage and sets her hopes on marrying into the Paston family.

The Pastons were prolific letter writers and it is fortunate many of their letters have survived to this day to tell the first hand stories of life and all its troubles during the 1400’s.

I am now looking forward to Anne’s next book where she will follow the Pastons.

Once again Anne O’Brien has shown what a wonderful historian and brilliant storyteller she is.

Focusing on the very strong women in the Paston family, O’Brien gives us an insight as to how hard these woman worked and how ferocious they were to protect their families and properties.

The story starts with Margaret Mautby, a young heiress, who marries into the Paston family. Her husband, John, is the third generation of Pastons and has come a long way since his grandfather’s day. John’s mother Agnes is a woman of great character, not all of it good, and she soon locks horns with Margaret. Needless to say she meets her match!

Although the marriage between John and Margaret was not a love match, their mutual respect for each other overrides that and love of a sort does develop. Though frankly I have no idea how she managed to support him in some of his endeavours, he was a strong minded man with little regard for anyone who did not think his way. Margaret must have been a saint!

The story continues with the ups and downs of the Pastons and their extended family, with countless obstacles along the way.

This book is totally captivating and the next part of the story will be eagerly awaited.

Thank you NetGalley.

4+

The fifteenth century Paston family letters are an invaluable historical resource and in this novel Anne O’Brien brings the Norfolk family to life and includes some of the letters. John Paston at the age of 23 becomes head of the household following the death of his father Justice William. He is immediately in conflict with his indomitable mother Agnes over his father’s will. John is married to Margaret, a strong woman who is expected to guard the Paston lands and fortunes while John pursues his ambitions. Margaret narrates much of this and you hear her voice with clarity. Eliza Paston, John’s sister tells of her difficulties with her mother and her eventual marriage. A third female voice comes later in the book, that of Anne Haute, the daughter of a Kent MP and cousin of Elizabeth Woodville. Anne casts her eyes upon Sir John Paston, the eldest son of John and Margaret.

Anne O’Brien does an excellent job of bringing these characters to life and all the women are portrayed well, none of them are shrinking violets and they meet the challenges of the times. Margaret’s marriage to John is especially vivid as it shows her developing from a ‘juicy plum’, ripe for the ambitious family to pick as they eye up her inheritance with a certain amount of greed to her becoming a formidable protector of Paston possessions. She is a women with plenty of backbone, she’s clever and very brave especially in facing those who wish to bring the family down. As the Paston’s fortunes rise so does hostility and challenge to their ambitions with ruthless disregard to perceived legality. It leads to disputes, inheritance issues and the making of powerful opponents. The ups and downs of Margaret’s marriage are fascinating as John is shown as being frequently full of self importance, obstinacy and more than capable of making unnecessary enemies. All the women are capable souls and willing to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. The historical context is really good with the political background and upheavals of the Wars of the Roses with all its rebellions, fluctuating alliances, destruction, treachery and battles for supremacy which impact on the family as on countless others. It portrays the social history especially late medieval religious beliefs and superstition.

Overall, it’s a compelling read, the story of a strong marriage which has love and admiration but also bumps in the road. It’s a story of power, of aiming much higher than the original family status (or lack of), of being prepared to play the royal game for advancement.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for granting my wish to read this arc in return for an honest review.

The Royal Game by Anne O' Brien

Led by three visionary women, the Pastons are a family from humble peasant beginnings who rely upon cunning, raw ambition, and good fortune in order to survive.

Their ability to plot and scheme sees them overcome imprisonment, violence and betrayal, to eventually secure for their family a castle and a place at the heart of the Yorkist Court. But success breeds jealousy and brings them dangerous enemies…
I love this era of history , and it was great to learn about pre Henry V111 history as he is the usual king and his queens that are wrote about.
The Paston family were an interesting insight on families desperate to improve their social standings with royalty , including the highs and lows that got them there.

The Royal Game offers a fascinating insight into the world of the Paston family during the Wars of the Roses. Told through the eyes of three strong and enterprising women, based on their insightful letters.

We learn about the many struggles these women and their Paston family faced, the ways they had to adapt and play their parts whilst also being highly courageous, powerful, and influential within the spheres of their world and time. Each with their own ambitions, whether in support of their husband and future for their children, to escape an abusive mother and have a life of their own, or make an advantageous marriage – hopefully with love or in the least a mutual connection and understanding.

The Pastons are a family from a lowly beginning but through hard work and dedication are climbing the ranks in society. However, they find building links with the established nobility and securing a patron to support them difficult, they face opposition and claims to their property at every turn. You can feel the range of emotions they experienced through the author’s writing, the pride, the trepidation, the heartbreak. But also the stoicism, resilience, and the unwavering will to protect their family’s assets at all costs.

The author’s writing is highly descriptive and vivid, transporting you back in time effortlessly. The flow and pace of the novel works well with the back and forth perspectives of the women involved. From the clearly dedicated and thorough research, the author weaves a fascinating and intricate picture of the Paston family’s lives within the backdrop of the political turmoil during this period. Anne’s writing never fails to make history come alive and captivate with every page.

Ending on a perilous (and I’m sure decisive) moment in the Paston’s story has left me impatient for more! I absolutely cannot wait for the second Paston novel to find out what happens next!

I've been a fan of Anne O'Brien for a very long time so I was excited to read this. I am really enjoying getting to know this time period too as it seems to be coming to the forefront much more. I always enjoy Anne's female characters in a male dominated world. She introduces all 3 women with strength, resilience and power whatever situation they are in. An insightful read.