Alison Weir's research is always thorough and she writes fiction well, but ultimately I think she shines best through her non-fiction and historiographies. As I said this was well-written, and I do like seeing historical figures brought to life, but ultimately this was nothing remarkable for me, personally.

I Love the Tudor period and most books based on it. I enjoy reading Alison Weir's books very much however with this one I struggled just a tiny bit. I feel that this book was a bit dry. We all know the story of Elizabeth and I felt that Ms Weir did not capture her thoughts the way she usually does. Its still a great read but I wish I could have connected a bit more. Maybe its just me. Of course the book is recommended but I just could not give it 5 stars.

This novel follows her from early childhood, fleeing to sanctuary with her mother during the wars of the roses, all the way to her death. It charts the many ups and downs of her life, and the many losses she suffered. The voice grows with her across the book, maturing from a little girl with more simplistic language and outlook, to a grown woman.

You can tell how much this has been researched, steeped in Weir's other role as a historian - and all the research done for the non-fiction book written on her. It comes out in all the little details about the court and the daily lives, superstitions and offhand remarks that are clearly references to actual historical evidence.

The thing with historical novels is that everyone has their own opinions of the events and that can colour their reading. For example, while I don't think Richard III was the "misunderstood" person some claim he is, I thought this book came down harder on him than I think he deserves. It's a good writer who can persuade you to ignore your own opinions for a little while, and Wier did that.

Of course, a book about Elizabeth of York cannot ignore the Princes in the Tower, and I liked how this book tackled that mystery and Elizabeth's reactions. As Queen, her world was at risk, including her children, if the Warbeck was really her brother - but it would mean her brother was alive. I liked the way the issue didn't take centre stage of this book, because a lot more happened in her life than just that!

The story of Elizabeth of York, through a dangerous childhood to wife of Henry 7th is brought to life in this stunning novel by Alison Weir. A five star read.

A wonderful read, right up there with the fantastic Phillipa Gregory. I was captivated and drawn in by the stories and plot. A fabulous piece of historical fiction.

Yet again I am awe of the talent of Alison Weir!
As a lover of historical fiction I often find my self absorbed in various past times but no one can transport me to the time and place such as Weir.
The characters come to life, the sights and smells of Court became as real as turning the pages.
I devoured this book. It is another to treasure. I now want to read it all over again.
Historical royalty at its finest!

Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose, Tudor Rose Novel 1, Alison Weir

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Historical fiction

I love Alison Weir's novels. She has a way of bringing history to life for me, and as her books are so well researched there's the satisfaction of knowing much of whats written is true or based around sensible speculation from facts available.
So much of historical writings centres around Henry V111, and as such an important figure in British history he lends himself naturally to charismatic books, but the people behind him, his parents and grandparents have important stories too.
I really enjoyed reading about Elizabeth, I only knew a very little about her from reading other books where she inevitable was a secondary character so for her to be first and front was great. It gives another perspective on a period of history. It was a tough time for anyone in politics, and back then Monarchy and politics were very closely interwoven. Add in being female, with little rights other than being a political pawn, to be bartered off for the good of the country and life was hard, though in a different way to that of the general populace. Its true than money doesn't being happiness, she and her sisters may not have been starving, may always had shelter and clothes but they still were subject to the whims of men.
Alison has managed to bring the story alive for me, to make me feel for the people, to make me understand just how tough and precarious their positions were, even as royal princesses. And princes of course with what happened to her brothers. It really was a time of Might is Right, with he who wields the power holding the throne. It beings to live the dull facts of wars and history I learned many years ago. I wish history books were written like this back then...I'd have learned much more!
Its a fascinating read, about someone who is so important yet gets overshadowed as always by the males of the time. I so enjoyed reading Elizabeth's story, taking it in in sections so I could stop and fully absorb what I'd read. Hard times and Princesses, and indeed Queens, didn't escape them. I look forward to the next books.

Stars: Five, a fabulous, engrossing dip back into history. Made that time feel very real to me.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Although this could be deemed a 'history lesson' it does not feel like one. Alison Weir writes so beautifully she brings this period in history alive. She makes you are aware of the intrigue at court and the insecurities of the everyone but especially the people in power. An awful lot of research has been undertaken but is is so worthwhile.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the advance copy of this book

I love Alison Weir's books, and this was no exception! Her research illuminates history so well, and I loved reading about Elizabeth and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty (one of my favourite periods in history)! Thanks so much for the ARC!

I’m typical Alison Weir style, The Last White Rose tells the story of Elizabeth of York in a very readable and accessible way.

I’m very familiar with the story but here Elizabeth is given a distinctive voice that kept me reading. As the daughter, niece, wife and mother of kings, Elizabeth is a central character in history and has an interesting and unique perspective. Often overlooked, the Elizabeth of this book has her own ambitions and takes action to fulfil them.

For the most part, Weir sticks closely to the known history but I enjoyed the narrative decisions she made for the areas where it is less clear. This includes the nature of the relationship between Elizabeth and Henry Tudor and the conclusion to the mystery of the Princes in the tower. There isn’t anything explosive and completely unexpected but it managed to feel true to the potential reality.

At over 500 pages it is perhaps a bit long and it took some time to get into it, I would have liked it to be a bit faster paced. That said, there is a lot of history to cover and in was nice to delve deep into Elizabeth’s story.

Overall, this book is a fantastic addition to Weirs historical fiction books, providing a link to her Six Tudor Queens series while establishing the new Tudor Rose collection.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A consummate story teller

A new novel (or historical work) from Alison Weir is always a treat. No one is better at recreating past lives. Here, the brutality and uncertainty of late Plantagenet times, when any prominent person at court lived on a knife edge, are perfectly conveyed.

Although I’m very familiar with the Elizabeth of York story, I found this novel a real page-turner and there were even some surprises. For example, when we first meet Margaret Beaufort, she is smiling and kind – not the dour dowager we read about in other interpretations.

The writer’s approach seems very even-handed in this and on the tricky subject of whether Richard III was at least complicit in the murder of the Princes in the Tower. This aspect of the story was well handled, keeping the reader guessing until quite late in the novel, along with our heroine.

Similarly, there are no records or reports of Elizabeth’s thoughts or feelings relating to the affair of the pretender Perkin Warbeck, but Alison Weir skilfully makes good the gap.

Occasionally, modern sensibilities intrude: would a woman of the time berate herself for having negative thoughts? I’m not sure she would. But overall the emotional tone is pitch perfect, especially around the highly sensitive subject of child loss, for which the author deserves huge credit.

Mother. Survivor. Queen. AN ENGLISH PRINCESS, BORN INTO A WAR BETWEEN TWO FAMILIES.

Eldest daughter of the royal House of York, Elizabeth dreams of a crown to call her own. But when her beloved father, King Edward, dies suddenly, her destiny is rewritten.

Her family's enemies close in. Two young princes are murdered in the Tower. Then her uncle seizes power - and vows to make Elizabeth his queen.

But another claimant seeks the throne, the upstart son of the rival royal House of Lancaster. Marriage to this Henry Tudor would unite the white rose of York and the red of Lancaster - and change everything.

A great new age awaits. Now Elizabeth must choose her allies - and husband - wisely, and fight for her right to rule.

Alison Weir is a fantastic author. I’ve read every single one of her books to date, so to be approved for her new book ‘Elizabeth of York’ was exciting for me. A brand new series and one set in the times of Tudor - what could be more exciting?

I adore any fiction that focuses on the Tudor era and the many wives of Henry VIII and I’m yet to discover an author who writes fiction who covers the Tudor era as well as Alison
Weir does. She takes you to that period in time, writing and portraying the famous figures so well, it’s as if we know them. And her book covers always have such beautiful covers, which never to draw my attention. I am super excited for the next instalment in this new series and would strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

I really like Alison Weir’s history books and find her style accessible so I was interested in how she write fiction. I found she uses a very similar style, which is perhaps less immersive than some historical fiction writers and instead gets across a lot of fact and context. I wouldn’t want to read a lot in this way but it does serve a purpose and you do feel that much of what happens has been extensively researched even if there isn’t a lot of emotional engagement with the characters or story.

A fascinating insight into one of history’s most interesting women. I would heartily recommend this book.

If only school history lessons could be written in novels like this - I would have enjoyed them so much more!
This is the story of Elizabeth Wydeville, eldest daughter of King Edward IV. A turbulent period of history for the English monarchy - indeed it would seem that anyone with the merest hint of royal blood in their veins was ruthlessly ambitious to seize the crown during this time! Women were by far the inferior sex (although no less motivated) & marriage was a bargaining tool to form alliances.
Being a historian first, the book is heavy in historical fact so don’t expect a light & fluffy read but if you’re interested in the history, via an amazing story, then I’d recommend reading this, the first in a series. There are a huge amount of characters & it can get confusing, as they’re often referred to by their appointed names, York, Richmond, Norfolk etc, but there is a glossary of characters, in order as they appear in the book, which is incredibly helpful!

Another brilliant book by Alison Weir. If you are a reader of tudor /historical fiction you know the story but this telling of the life of Elizabeth the wife of Henry vii is very compelling. I can't wait for the next in the series 10/10.

Another amazing novel by Alison Weir, and an excellent debut novel in a new historical series. Having read almost all of Weir’s fictional work, this did not disappoint. And with Weir being an English historian who has written a bestselling biography of Elizabeth of York I expected a detailed novel which is exactly what you get.
The book follows the life of Elizabeth from her youth through her chaotic and tragic life as a daughter, niece, wife and mother of a king of England.
So many great books have been written on the subject of the Tudor Queens from the Wives of Henry VIII through to his daughters, but it was refreshing to read such a detailed and informative book pf an almost forgotten Queen. Elizabeth of York was a complex character and I think Alison Weir did her justice in this epic novel.

My thanks to Alison Weir, Headline and Net Galley for the ARC of ELIZABETH OF YORK.
I expected high quality of research and writing from the author, and of course, it's what I received. Frightening, heart-wrenching and astonishing in equal measure I devoured the story. Elizabeth's story is well-known, and her relationship with her Uncle Richard has been debated at length, but I'm always ready to read another. Brilliant!

Not just the daughter of Edward IV, sister to the Princes in the Tower, wife to Henry VII and mother to Henry VIII, Elizabeth of York was so much more.

Whilst this novel is historical fiction, Alison Weir draws on real events and her own biography of Elizabeth to explore how Elizabeth might have felt and thought, the conversations and relationships she may have had with those around her, from childhood to death. She provides a well researched and fascinating insight into this period in time, and whilst of course some artistic licence has to be used, I found it to be balanced well.

In terms of the writing itself, I found the beginning quite slow (the insights of 4yr old Elizabeth seemed somewhat advanced and I couldn't quite wrap my head round it) but the book picked up as it went on. Elizabeth became a tangible person, and I felt her fears, love, grief and joy.

This is my first book by Alison Weir, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A must read for those interested in the Tudor dynasty.

I have read a lot of Alison Weir's non-fiction, and loved it but I didn't enjoy this novel. Whilst the historical detail is obviously excellent, I couldn't believe in the character of Elizabeth portrayed here. I felt that Alison Weir was trying to make her seem more relatable to a contemporary audience, and as a result she didn't really ring true as a mediaeval princess or queen.