Thwarted Queen

by Cynthia Sally Haggard

Award-winning historical novelist writes a saga about the Yorks, Lancasters and Nevilles, whose family feud inspired "Game of Thrones."When Robert Baratheon died suddenly after a boar hunt, he left two young sons and an alarming wife.When Edward IV, King of England, died suddenly after a fishing trip in April 1483, he left two young sons, and a dangerous wife, causing a war to break out with the Yorks (Starks) battling the Lancasters (Lannisters.)Thwarted Queen is told mainly in the voice of Lady Cecylee Neville (1415-1495), the Thwarted Queen, but other voices are important to this tale, not least those of the Londoners, who forged their own political destiny by engaging in public debate with the powerful aristocrats of the time - Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (the King’s uncle), Richard, Duke of York (the King’s cousin) and Richard, Earl of Warwick, (known as Warwick the Kingmaker) - and set the stage for American Democracy.

Genres: Historical Fiction, British Literature, Historical, Fiction, 15th Century

480 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2011

About the author

Award winning author Cynthia Sally Haggard (Lesley MFA '15) has a new novella MAIDEN TOMB, which is a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses that weaves in threads from Greek Mythology, such as the journey of Odysseus, and the capture of Persephone by Hades.

Previously, Cynthia Sally wrote two novels, FAREWELL MY LIFE (a dark historical about a hidden murderer, now presented as a series of 4 novellas titled THE GRACE MILLER series), and THWARTED QUEEN (a "Game of Thrones" power-play set in 1400s England.)

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Reviews

[Erin (Historical Fiction Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

At the time of her death, Cecylee Neville had already lost her husband and survived all but two of her thirteen children. She'd stood witness as her sons vied and gave their lives for the English throne, saw the fall of her house and the rise of Tudor dynasty. Never being in a position to wield power in her own right, Cecylee commanded significant influence from the sidelines making it easy to see why Cynthia Sally Haggard felt inspired to fictionalize her life in Thwarted Queen.

Haggard's interpretation of Cecylee is interesting and though I felt the author imposed some rather modern sensibilities on the character, I found the end result quite compelling. Cecylee is at times a loving mother, an astute politician, an ambitious wife and repentant sinner. She is adaptable and clever, something I feel her historical counterpart must have been as such qualities would have been necessary for a woman in her position.

My favorite aspect of the book is the wide historic scope incorporated into the story. Beginning in Cecylee's childhood, Haggard gives readers an in depth look at the complex family relations and rivalries that played into the War of the Roses. Now I admit this is the historian in me talking, I like heavy historic fiction folks. Yes, Haggard fills in the blanks, the question of Edward's paternity is a central element of the story, but she doesn't water down the facts to streamline the plot which is something I actually appreciated.

Meticulously researched and easy to follow, Thwarted Queen is an exceptional period piece, a must read for anyone interested in medieval monarchs, royal intrigue and the intense passions of those who sought the English crown.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

First to clear up some confusion - at least it confused me. Thwarted Queen is available as one continuous story by that name or in segments as follows: The Bride Price , One Seed Sown , The Gilded Cage , and Two Murders Reaped . On Kindle, they are available all together as Thwarted Queen or individually. It is really all one book with continuous chapters, though the point of view of the storytelling jumps from 1st person to 3rd person and back again in the separate sections.

Basically, Haggard asks the question "What if everything said about Edward IV was true?" Though the story in The Bride Price begins long before Edward's birth, that is the premise of this series. What if the pious Duchess of York truly did give in to temptation in her youth and bore her husband an illegitimate heir? What if the womanizing Edward with his peasant roots really did enter a bigamous marriage because he was arrogant enough to believe he could get away with it? What if the sons of Edward and "the Serpent" Elizabeth Woodville were killed in order to remove the Woodville influence with the blessing of their grandmother? All good questions answered in this series.

While I preferred the characterization of Cecily in Anne Easter Smith's Queen By Right , this was an interesting take on her story as well. It is not as well-written and the characters did not inspire my sympathy, but it did look at things from a new angle. Besides the switching point of view issue, Haggard seems to want to include every Wars of the Roses era name into the mix, even if only for a moment, and it was just too much name dropping to keep track of.

I was anxious to read this and it didn't quite meet my expectations, but it was a good first effort by this author.

[Lucy Bertoldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thwarted Queen is the story of Cecylee Neville, Duchess of York, and mother of two kings; Edward IV and Richard III. Comprised of four books into one, spanning over almost a century, it’s a recounting of the War of the Roses seen through Cecylee’s perspective.

Cecylee was the youngest child in her family and as such, her mother, Countess Joan de Beaufort, delayed the marriage to Richard Duke of York for well longer than customary. This allowed Cecylee to revel in her youth while strengthening and cultivating her mind in all realms that were usually only privy to men; A definite asset when she later married Richard.

Their union was based mainly on the relentless campaign to restore England’s rightful heir to the throne-much rather than love. Cecylee, would forever pay the price for having dabbled in a bout of romantic infatuation outside of her marriage; resulting to serious consequences for the future of England.

Despite obstacles beginning with Queen Marguerite of Anjou (‘the bitch of Anjou’)all the way to her dreadful daughter-in law Elisabeth Woodville (‘the Serpent’), Cecylee managed to run a tight ruling in her own right that commanded and paved the way for her youngest son, Richard, to becoming king.

Thwarted Queen is a captivating read right from the start. The author’s smooth writing style and ability to capture even the slightest detail lingering within the silent moments is what renders this tale even more breathtaking than the history itself. In addition, the battles, the conflicts- this whole epic time is neither too much nor too dry; a perfect blend of history, saga and romance with Cecylee at the forefront of it all.

Bonus: There is an extensive list of characters and their history at the end of the book. Also most enjoyable was the author’s explanation for choice and time of events, and creative reasons for adding and/or modifying aspects within the book.

Extremely interesting and cleverly written-I was completely enthralled by this read!

Lucy Bertoldi EBJ- History Salon

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my second novel about Cecily, Duchess of York. Both were enjoyable in their own right. This one is geared towards a young adult audience and is available in 4 parts as well as in the entirety to perhaps make for easier reading for younger minds.


This book is written as Cecily's memoirs written as she is dying. She wants to make sure her story gets told HER way, not history's way. It follows the course of what is known about her but this book does allow that Cecily had an extra marital affair and that Edward IV was illegitimate. It makes for interesting reading at times. Do I believe she had that affair? That is neither here nor there in regards to this book.


I did enjoy it but I found that at points it dragged, in particular the third "book" in her life; The Gilded Cage. This was the time of wars and the book read rather like a history lesson rather than a novel. I suppose this is somewhat inevitable given the amount of back and forth between York and Lancaster but I still was a bit bored. Perhaps for someone without the basic knowledge of the time period it would not be so tedious.


Overall though it was an enjoyable read of a well covered subject. Cecily is a fascinating woman it is truly a shame that more did not come down through history about her.

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

The detailed summary of the book gives you a fair idea about the plot. So instead of repeating it, let me just tell you all about my thoughts on the book.

When I realized that the book is based on an actual character from history, I immediately checked out “Cecily Neville, Duchess of York” on Wikipedia so that I had a basic idea about what was being narrated.

The story is narrated by Cecylle – our leading lady. I found her to be very spirited, intuitive and a character of strength. While in reality King Edward IV was accused of illegitimacy that was never actually proved, in this novel the author clearly indicated that Cecylle in fact had an extramarital affair with a handsome archer and that Edward IV was illegitimate. However, Richard accepted Edward as his son. Overall, I find her life quite sad as she paid for her mistakes very dearly and managed to outlive her husband and all of her sons.

Though at times I found the story to be a bit dragging – which could be because I don’t like to read about war, I’d rather watch them on screen – it is actually pretty engrossing for most parts. It is all about the ‘drama’ of a noble family, their relationships, their feud over the throne and a lot of violence. The relationships portrayed are often complex and the author has done a marvelous job with them. That is the best part of the book – the character development and the relationships portrayed. There’s a certain charm in the author’s writing style that makes you feel right at home even in a completely different century!

I must also acknowledge here that amount of research that has gone into writing this book is amazing. Ms.Cynthia’s dedication deserves recognition.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thwarted Queen by Cynthia Sally Haggard’s’ Cecylee de Neville is an inspirational read that brought a plausible historical outlook on a conflicted person in history. Again the author provided family trees, and short bios of the prominent people within the story. It helps not only people new to the history but also people who are familiar but need a little help keeping people straight. In this novel the author took the historical debate on whether Cecylee de Neville had an affair or not. This debate offered a new outlook and how it explained many actions that Cecylee de Neville took and how it affected her relationships as well. Readers should be aware and contented that the author did her research well and while this is historical fiction, she did not make wild and irresponsible historical conjectures. The track that Haggard took in this novel made Cecylee de Neville both a sympathetic character that had great courage but severely contradicted in moment’s ok weakness with seeing only the best in her children. While she was sympathetic, the reader might also see Cecylee de Neville partially responsible for much of the turmoil that plagued England during this time due to her actions and at times inaction. This conflicted outlook on Cecylee de Neville only makes her a more realistic person, as humans are deliciously complicated. In short this novel is very enjoyable that readers of historical fiction will enjoy and any readers who would like to give it a try.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed this book, but I found that it had a few issues I had trouble getting past.

The first is that the book switches back and forth at points between first person present, to third person past and finally to first person past. I understand why the author made this choice, but I found it to be jarring.

The characters were relatable and I found myself sympathizing even with Richard III the so called Evil King. By that same token, I wanted a bit more character development. For instance, I felt Edward IV was a bit too one dimensional and could have been fleshed out more.

All these were passable issues, but the one thing I could not get past was that the author seemed to not know whether she was writing a fictionalized account of the events, or a history book. She makes reference to future event as current events are happening. The characters would have no knowledge at that point of the future events. Also, certain things are relayed as pure facts, rather than developed as part of the plot.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but I found it did not grip me as the subject matter should have.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thwarted Queen is another great book about Cecylee (Cecily) Neville and her brush with the throne of England. Written in an engaging voice, you are able to feel as if you are living in her shoes. Cecylee Neville was known as the "Rose of Raby". Both her mother and her father indulged her and she was known for speaking her mind and taking no guff, so much so that she was given the nickname "Proud Cis". As the wife of a regent and the mother of kings, she make her share of mistakes, but still masterfully manipulated much from behind the scenes. However, she had to live with the consequences of those actions and some brought her utter heartbreak. In a time when women were property and were there only to give her husband male heirs and daughters to barter way, Cecylee did her share of breeding, but also had a shrewd mind and sharp insights. The characters in Thwarted Queen were very developed with great personality and really brought history to life.

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thwarted Queen takes us thru a thrilling period in English history. Clearly Haggard has done an epic amount of research on this subject and time period….I was very impressed by her knowledge of the period and her ability to take lots of information and present it in an understandable fashion. Well done, this is not an easy period in history to dissect.

The reader can’t help by sympathize with and admire Cecylee, she is strong and unyielding but yet she is a romantic at heart. The relationships between Cecylee and her children, as well as many of the other characters in the book were complex and intriguing, watching these relationships develop and play out were what kept me reading.

See my full review here

[Erin Al-Mehairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giveaway through March 4, 2013 at www.hookofabook.wordpress.com

Thwarted Queen, by Cynthia Haggard, is the story of Cecily (Cecylee) Neville, the wife and mother of husband (Richard II of York) and sons were instrumental in the beginning of the War of the Roses. This novel seemed like a large undertaking with its voluminous size, but I flew through this book in no time! I was totally moved along by the story, as well as the drama, that I didn’t even have time to really dissect it. To me, the sign of a decent book is that I am caught up in it and want to complete it (at the demise of doing anything else) as quickly as I can. And I most certainly was swept away by the Thwarted Queen collection.

Haggard doesn’t make any boasts that her history is completely accurate or unfaltering. She makes it very clear with superb accompanying extras and final analysis of her story, and the time period, which historians she mirrored, what books and research she consulted, and how she came to her own conclusions based on her research. And truly, it’s not a non-fiction course book is it? It’s glorious historical fiction and that means that authors of the sort may “fill in the blanks,” creatively pursue new fictitious characters and story lines, and write with their heart.

I feel before I continue with the review I must post from Haggard’s own author’s note that explains the book structure:

Thwarted Queen naturally divides into four books. Book One: The Bride Price is about Cecylee’s girlhood. Book Two: One Seed Sown is about her love-affair with Blaybourne. Book Three: The Gilded Cage is about Richard of York’s political career from 1445 to his death in 1460, and covers the opening of the Wars of the Roses. Book Four: Two Murders Reaped is about Cecylee’s actions in her old age, and how she may have had a hand in the murder of the two little princes in the Tower. I used different points of view to convey mood and setting. The Bride Price is written in first-person present to capture the freshness of a young girl’s voice. One Seed Sown is written in first-person past to make Cecylee seem older and more mature. The Gilded Cage had to be written in third-person to capture all of the different voices and the complexity of Richard’s political life. Two Murders Reaped is written in first person past, to capture the voice of the old woman that Cecylee became.

-End note-

Although usually this sort of explanation is put as an author’s note following the book, possibly Haggard should have put this revelation at the beginning so that readers didn’t get too confused and fault her for her tense changes. I think that her beginning story captured Cecylee quite well as a young girl full of independence and fears of her future, namely men. I loved how she portrayed her so strong in her convictions and wishes from a young age and throughout the novel. I was happy that she portrayed her a woman who fought so hard for her children and for women to be treated fairly and justly by men. She didn’t put up with abuse when so many others would have turned the other cheek, especially in these early centuries. Maybe called “Proud Cis” because of it, I don’t mind a female protagonist like Cecylee who is head-strong in wishing women were able to make their own decisions. Of course in 15th century, most women and female children of nobles were pawns and there was the common double standards of sexual virtue.

Another author I have always loved reading is Philippa Gregory. Though written more formally with a hint of non-fiction undertones due to her historian roots, her novels compel me in a way not easily explainable. She lets me in to the feelings of her historical figures so that I barely know is happening. I feel for them; I pull for them. When reading Haggard’s Thwarted Queen, I felt I was reading a similar type of novel as Gregory writes. Loaded with historical detail, she also doesn’t overburden the reader with it and I could clearly connect to Cecylee’s feelings and desires. I know that Haggard relied on some of Alison Weir’s novels to mold her historical path in the book and this lends credibility to her writing with me.

I quite enjoyed her nestling of real document excerpts, quotes, and writings. I liked, once again, seeing a writer showcase a possible love affair by a noble with a commoner, who many times are often those traveling creative types that offer allure for women that were probably bored to death with their lifestyle, with their husbands being away for political escapades or battle, and get caught up in being romanced by literature, poetry, or song. Haggard completely takes on the issue of nobility vs. commoner, especially with English people beginning to rise against the Monarchy, Lords, and other nobility controlling their lives at their personal whims.

One of my favorite sections was on page 187 when Richard (II) of York asks Parliament to pass the Act of Resumption which ultimately would ask the nobility to give up funds and lands for the good of the entire country! Sound similar to anything happening today? History has a way of repeating itself. I was in total agreement with Richard’s assessment brought forth by Haggard.

Haggard does introduce many characters in this book, but it seems to me that there are always so many people in these types of historical fiction novels due to the era it’s focused on. I think there was so much drama and so many people surrounding each other, playing off each other, and manipulating each other that writers need to talk about them all. It doesn’t help they all have the same names and quite often in all historical fiction books the historical persona is named with their titles repeatedly. That’s so we can keep them straight! I felt that Haggard did a nice job of telling us a story (without bogging us down) in a way that allowed us just enough detail to glimpse Cecylee’s life, Richard of York’s life, their children, and how it all played out around them. I didn’t need more development of the characters surrounding Cecylee and Richard because I was so focused on them, which ultimately, I should have been.

I have never read yet a historical fiction that was from the view of Richard II, Cecylee, or Richard III (their son) that presented their side of the story with such endearment. I did enjoy reading Gregory’s Lady of the Rivers (part of her The Cousin’s Wars series), which showcased Edward IV and his wife, that also showed Richard III in a much different light (and an alternate ending to the princes in the Tower) as do other writings as Shakespeare’s Richard III. After reading Richard (II) of York’s account of his struggles to claim the throne through Haggard, I have a new compassion for him. Though I previously wasn’t sure how I felt about Cecily Neville, I now can possibly understand her supposed personality and actions.

I thought Haggard did a superb job of research, writing, and creating her books that together make Thwarted Queen. I would certainly recommend this book for anyone liking to read War of the Roses historical fiction and is ready for a different perspective or a fresh narrator. I look forward to Haggard’s continued enthusiasm for history, which shines through her writing, and would be thrilled to read more by her in the future.

More at www.hookofabook.wordpress.com

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ROSE OF RABY is the first and second books in a series of four about Cecylee Neville (1415-1495), mother of Richard III and Edward IV, Queen by Right and Abbess. This tale of Cecylee’s girlhood and love-affair will appeal to readers of YA novels. Cecylee is the apple of her mother’s eye. In her father’s eyes, however, she is merely a valuable pawn in the game of marriage. But does Cecylee wish to marry the boy her father has picked out for her? Does she wish to marry at all? For at the age of ten, she has experienced too much violence at the hands of men. Several years later, when Cecylee is twenty-six years old and the wife of Richard, Duke of York, a mysterious young man rides into her life. Who is he? And what is he doing in Rouen? By turns baffled and enchanted, Cecylee finds herself confronted by an intriguing challenge.

This book is very interesting. It is so sad to think that by the time these girls were the age of my daughter, they were frequently married with several children. Cecylee was raised to think she was better than others because of her birthright. This caused her to be frequently be cold toward others, when in fact it was the result of her mother’s loss of her children that resulted in her treasuring Cecylee and giving her too much freedom for the era. Also she finds herself turned by a pretty face and compliments, even though her husband is more generous and loving than most during this time period. What a difficult life for a woman. I’m not sure I could have born it with as much grace.

THE GILDED CAGE is the third in a series of four books about Cecylee Neville (1415-1495), mother of Richard III and Edward IV, Queen by Right and Abbess. The tale of Richard of York’s political career, and its tragic impact upon his wife Cecylee, will intrigue readers who enjoy political novels. It is 1445, and Cecylee is turning thirty. She and Richard are waiting for the new Queen of England to arrive from Paris. Everyone remarks on how close the Yorks are. Theirs seems a successful marriage, for Cecylee is constantly at her husband’s side, providing him with political counsel as well as comfort. But matters are not as happy as they seem. Richard is devastated by her affair, but doesn’t lock her up. Instead, he keeps her firmly by his side and takes revenge by marrying their eldest daughter Nan off when she is only seven. This decision, done only for political gain, costs Cecylee her happiness. Set during the end of the Hundred Years War and the beginning of the Wars of the Roses we see Richard inherit the political mantle of his mentor Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, and become the people’s champion. The rambunctious Londoners are unhappy that their country has become mired in misrule due to the ineptitude of a King prone to fits of madness. Nor are they better pleased by the attempts of the King’s French wife to maneuver herself into power, especially as she was responsible for England’s losses in France. But can Richard and Cecylee prevail? Everywhere, their enemies lurk in the shadows. This book is filled with many voices, not least those of the Londoners, who forged their political destiny by engaging in public debate with the powerful aristocrats of the time. By their courageous acts, these fifteenth-century Londoners set the stage for American Democracy.

Thrust front and center of a national scandal and fight, Cecylee proves that she is more than a pretty face with her quick thinking saving the life of her husband on two occasions. Still we see behind the beautiful façade that they present to realize that these are two flawed individuals who did the best they could and tried as hard as they could to love one another and serve their country. I wonder how she would have done in a different era when she would have had the ability to use her intelligence and power to her advantage.

TWO MURDERS REAPED is the fourth in a series of four books about Cecylee Neville (1415-1495), mother of Richard III and Edward IV, Queen by Right and Abbess. To those of you who enjoyed Anne Easter Smith’s historical novel about Cecily, TWO MURDERS REAPED uncovers the last thirty-five years of Cecylee’s life. It is in October, 1459. Cecylee is forty-four years old and has been abandoned at Ludlow Castle by her husband, Richard Duke of York, who has fled to elude capture. Yet Cecylee calmly walks down to the marketplace in Rouen, and waits for the Lancastrian army. What happens next is something that Cecylee could not have imagined in her worst nightmare. After the murder of her husband, the House of York regroups under her bastard son Edward, who wins two decisive battles, and becomes King Edward IV. Cecylee is in her element. As the young king’s mother, her views and opinions carry weight. But Cecylee’s contentment does not last long. Edward makes a disastrous marriage to Élisabeth Woodville, the poor widow of a Lancastrian knight, thus displacing Cecylee. Titling herself Queen by Right, she refuses to move out of the Queen’s apartments. Worse follows. Cecylee loathes her coldly beautiful daughter-in-law, and nicknames her The Serpent. One day, she spills a secret that should have remained locked in her heart, and the whole world turns against her.

The loss of her children and the rapid changes in the rule of England during the final book are explored from the view of how Cecylee impacted these changes. The twists and turns are too numerous to mention, but show how one person can impact the rule of a nation. One line in the book talks about how women can impact men despite being subservient during this era. This book is a prime example of how that can occur.

I love reading historical fiction and the level of attention to detail in these books is extordinary. Ms. Haggard has done exceptional research to bring the story of Cecylee to life. I give these books 4 out of 5 stars.

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thwarted Queen was a pretty good read. I had the opportunity to listen to the audio version, which was read by the author, Cynthia Sally Haggard. I liked hearing her read her own words and listen to how she meant for the book to be read. I liked this story of Cecylee Neville. I loved learning about her and her life.
Thwarted Queen gets three and a half stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy historical fiction featuring actual historical figures from the War of the Roses era.
I received the audio version of this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on the War of the Roses, taking the view that Cecily very much yes did have an affair with an archer and produced Edward. The part of that I found hard to believe was that everyone - including her husband - knew about the affair and that Edward was illegitimate. I find it hard to believe Richard, the rigid duke, would have taken that silently!

But overall I like how it gets into the nitty-gritty, daily affairs of the time period, showing the complex relationships between and within factions without info-dumping, and just how personal this was for everyone.

[Philip Bogod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thwarted Queen= Satisfied Reader

This autobiography of the mother of Yorkist kings Edward IV and Richard III holds the attention all the way rhrough its 680 pages. Of EnglicshAlthough an integral participant in the history of English 15th century history, she shows a lot of "warts" giving life and humanness to a largely ignored figure.

[Peggy Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I have the prince's in the tower killed?

Very similar to many books regarding this era. An in depth look into the history Cecily, mother of the sons of York. Interesting new theory regarding the prince's in the towers disappearance.

[Richard Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

This book is very well written and filled with interesting tidbits of information about real people and events. The information in this book,added to the information in other books of the era brings English history to the forefront of people’s learning.

[Lynda Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely enthralled by this captivating story. This fascinating woman brought history to life. I was engaged from the first chapter to the very end. A really good read.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thwarted Queen by Cynthia Haggard is a novel that encompasses the life of Cecylee (Cecily) Neville. I have read a couple of books about Cecily and what I find most interesting is how different authors take the events in history and then weave their stories around them. With each novel that you read you learn a bit more than you knew before and Thwarted Queen is definitely rich in historical detail which I enjoyed a great deal.

Cecylee lived in the 1400′s which wasn’t an easy time for women. At nine years old she is betrothed to thirteen year old Richard who is to be the future Duke of York. Luckily for Cecylee her mother refuses to let her leave home and after her father dies she sends Richard away too. So Cecylee grows up being able to do the things she loves like reading and learning but eventually Richard does come back and wants an answer as to whether she will marry him or not. At first Cecylee wants no part of it but she begins to realize she has feelings for him and agrees to be his wife. Their life that follows is often tumultuous but by all accounts it seems they loved each other very much.

Cecylee is living happily enough with her ladies but when a handsome archer shows up Cecylee finds she can’t help but be attracted to him. One night of passion with this lowly fellow will cause a rippling effect throughout her family’s future as Cecylee bears a child by him. Although Richard is steaming mad at her he agrees to keep her secret and accepts the child as his own. This boy will eventually become King Edward IV. At a time when a husband could put his wife to death for an indiscretion such as Cecylee committed why did Richard choose not to? First he loved her and secondly he seemed to take a lot of her advice to heart and follow it. They made a formidable team when it came to solving the problems that the family faced.

Cecylee is a great historical character. I’ve loved in her the other books I’ve read as well. She was a strong, smart, and spirited woman who felt that women should have rights. Unfortunately for her she didn’t live in a time that allowed that and for the most part had to follow what her husband dictated. At the same time it seemed he realized that he had a spirited woman and he appreciated that. But Cecylee didn’t have an easy life. She bore thirteen children and lived which proves her strength at a time when so many women died in childbirth but the sad part is that she outlived her husband and all of her sons and really had no relationships with her daughters although that was not unusual for the time. At a time when women normally died at a younger age it’s interesting to note that Cecylee lived to eighty years old which again proves to me her strength of body and mind.

There isn’t a lot of information about Cecylee- she’s a lesser known historical character – which makes this novel even more of a treat as for me that’s one of the things I love with historical fiction and that’s getting to learn something. As for the novel I really enjoyed the first half of the book as we went through Cecylee’s girlhood and then into her marriage and having children. I did find the second half of the book to drag a bit only because it was focused a bit more on the constant battle for the throne and sometimes the sheer number of people involved could get confusing. Those are minor complaints though as I breezed through this rather large novel quite quickly and enjoyed it as I would imagine any historical fiction fan will!

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Thwarted Queen" is the story of Cecylee, mother of Richard III (yes, the same one that was recently discovered to be buried under a car park) and a major player in the War of the Roses. Cecylee has always been a really fascinating historical figure to me. She was incredibly driven to make sure that her descendants ended up on England's throne but in the end, her drive and her habit of trouncing on people ends up making a lot of trouble for herself.

Because she's such a fascinating figure, I loved reading more about Cecylee. There are several other books that have recently come out about her recently (Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith comes to mind). It's easy to see why so many people are so drawn to learning and writing about Cecylee. "Thwarted Queen" covers from her late childhood until the end of her life. The book gives a good picture of her life. I especially liked the beginning of the book where we get to see what Cecylee's life was like before the War of the Roses. It was interesting to see where she came from as well as how her marriage to Richard, the Duke of York, was arranged.

This book is divided up into several books, which I wish that I had known before I started reading the book. You don't find out that the book is really supposed to be broken into separate books until the author's note at the very end of the book. The books are laid out in chronological order but each of them have very different feelings and layouts, which was a little discombobulating when reading the books all together. I found the books told from Cecylee's first person point of view to be more compelling. The first book is the most story like. The other books are more telling rather than showing. There is a lot of rattling off of facts and dates and not a lot of story arc. I found myself wanting to know more about Cecylee's feelings about things.

Overall: An interesting read about Cecylee, the Duchess of York.

[Kendal]

The Thwarted Queen is a powerful and intriguing piece of historical fiction. In the past, I've read many novels about Edward IV and his queen, Elizabeth. However, I've never read anything from the perspective of his mother, Lady Cecylee. I found Lady Cecylee to be a very strong lady and someone I wanted to read more about.

Ms. Haggard wrote this book from the first person perspective of Lady Cecylee. In fact, Lady Cecylee calls it her memoirs. The first person perspective worked really well with the telling of this story. You are able to really see inside all her schemes and emotions. You know her insecurities, how proud she could be and how, at times, unforgiving she could be.

This book, also, reminds readers how awful women were treated. It didn't matter if you were noble-born or peasant-born. Each woman felt her own kind of helplessness. Young, noble girls were basically sold to the highest bidder inexchange for wealth and power. Sometimes a young lady would be married as young as four years old. The child would be taken from her mother's care and live with her new husband's family. There was much abuse during those times. Lady Cecylee fought against marrying her daughters off at such a tender age. She didn't always succeed. Ms. Haggard gave us an idea how brutal life could be for a woman in 1400s.

It's nice to see another strong woman during that time. I loved all the references to Eleanor of Aquitaine who happens to be my favorite historical figure. I liked that Lady Cecylee fashioned herself after Eleanor. However, Lady Cecylee was far from perfect. She was supposedly responsible for some truly horrific things. But she seemed, in the end, to be sorry. I don't think she would have changed a thing if she had to do it all over again.

The Thwarted Queen is a wonderful book. I highly recommend it for any historical fiction fan. It is an interesting take of the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was entertaining to read about the woman who would be queen or at least mother of kings, Cecylee. Haggard writes with authority and knowledge about a time and place that is intriguing and enigmatic to most people; fortunately, she injects the story with a humanness that can be recognized and little drops from history that strike a bell of recognition. The Archbishop of Canterbury seems to have a great deal of political power, and Geoffrey Chaucer, the Father of English literature (1343-1400) is mentioned as a cousin to Cecylee as well as author of “The Wife of Bath.” If a reader has any interest in the history of kings and queens at a time before America was settled, this book reveals the life around the throne and the life of those that are kept from ruling.
It would have been helpful to have the real book, instead of the e-book, for this novel because the map of England and family tree of royalty were too difficult to see in the e-book form, as well as complicated to flip to on a regular basis.
History of British Royalty in the fifteenth century, (the hundred years that led up to the Reformation) is revealed through the eyes of Duchess of York, Cecylee 1415-1495. Her finger in the royal pie seemed to anger the House of Tudor, and she assisted in the fight against King Edward IV, her own son from an affair. In a time when royal girls were seen as a commodity to be traded for better relations and bigger armies, she schooled herself to plan and manipulate England, as a frustrated optimistic, who knew the inner workings of politics and power. ‘But a woman cannot do much,’ “began Richard when he saw my raised eyebrows” ‘A woman may do as much as any man, given the opportunity’ (Loc 6812) and ‘Clever women have ways of getting around their menfolk’ --- so sayeth Cecylee, the thwarted queen. She was the mother of two kings and the murderer of two grandsons.

[Andrea Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes place before The War Of Roses. I haven't read much from this period, other than Phillipa Gregory's The Lady Of The Rivers, so this is new territory for me.

I was surprised at how much I remembered about the historical figures that were prominent during this time period, particularly Marguerite of Anjou, who isn't portrayed in a very favorable light here.

The story is about Cecylee, wife of Richard of York.

She's a very strong woman and she goes through a lot in her life.

From the very start, this book captured my interest. Its a weighty book, about 440 pages give or take, and I read it in 2 days. Once I started reading, I really got caught up in time period.

I have to admit I am used to reading historical fiction by certain authors, Gregory, Plaidy etc and it was nice to have a story told with a different voice.

Cynthia brings these historical figures to life for her readers in such a way that you really want to know more and Cecylee is a very intriguing woman for her time. There are times when you love her, when you feel sorry for her and when you want to knock some sense into her.

So all in all, she is just like you or me only she's caught up in a power struggle for the crown of England, because of the madness of Henry VI and his wife Marguerite of Anjou.

One of the things about Cecylee's story that is most intriguing is of her supposed affair that resulted in the birth of a son, Edward IV. His father was supposedly an archer named Blaybourne.

This story served two purposes for me. It kept me entertained and it taught me something. My grandmother always said that you learn something from every book you read, regardless of the genre. In this case I got a wonderfully entertaining history lesson from Cynthia Sally Haggard.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the strongest of historical novels, but definitely worth the read. It has its merits in a different approach to a number of historical events surrounding the Wars of the Roses. I understand why it was broken up into different books, coming from different perspectives, but I still found it came together as a cohesive story. Doesn't quite reach the designation of "epic," but involved, long, and interesting. It might have helped to understand whether the conceit laid out in the beginning and end (woman writing her memoirs) was the viewpoint we should see everything through for the rest of the book despite changes in the narrative style. One person's perspective and all that comes with that of prejudice, opinion, etc. is interesting in its own right, but it would make it much clearer to know if that's who we're getting the story from or from an omniscient-third-person. First person prejudice could explain the flat characterization of her enemies, who seemed to spend an awful lot of time plotting against her for people running a country, especially her son King Edward and his wife Elizabeth Woodville. But that would make sense if we're only getting Cecylee's perspective. Most people are the center of their own universe.
I agree with another reviewer - good vacation/beach book, or subway in my case. Doesn't require intense concentration.
The in-text links to a brief bio when a person is first mentioned within the book (Kindle format) were interesting and very helpful for everyone having the same five or so names. Might have helped to have that continue, if it could be done without the distraction of underlining. Wait, which Edward here? And another Henry? But I was still able to follow for the majority of the story.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Thwarted Queen" is the story of Cecily Neville (here spelled Cecylee, for reasons the author explains in her end notes), mother of Edward IV and Richard III.

We start with Cecylee's girlhood and betrothal to Richard, Duke of York -- a match of political and economic alliances between the two families. Cecylee is not fond of Richard and even takes a lover. The author bruits the idea that Edward IV is the son of this lover, based on documented favoritism of York toward his second son Edmond, the Duke of Rutland.

Cecylee is not always a sympathetic character (no great sin here; people seldom are), and her two-dimensional hatred of some of the other dramatis personae got on my nerves a little bit.

I did enjoy the detailed look at life inside a royal household, and inside an abbey. Those were some of the highest points of the read for me. Rather, what jarred for me was the author's presumption that Tudor-era presentations of the entire house of York, including Richard III, must perforce be accurate descriptions of historical events.

Recommended for historical fiction fans, as it is meticulously researched and well-noted.

Congratulations to the author on being a finalist in the Global eBook Awards.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This multifaceted story is made interesting by the author's attention to historical detail. She writes knowledgeably about the Plantagenet period, and has done considerable research in order to describe Cecylee's character in a realistic manner. However, there were times when I thought that the story faltered a little and became somewhat fragmented. The style of narration between the books gets a little confusing, as the author switches between tenses from first person present, to third person, to first person past, but as the story line is complex and largely character driven, it is understandable that various viewpoints need to be expressed. There is an extensive author's note at the end of the book which puts time and place into historical context and which also lists all the major characters both factual and fictional.

Overall, the book gives an interesting account of a troubled period in England's complex royal history.

I reviewed this novel for the Historical Novel Society as a UK Indie Reviewer

[BookAddict · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly not sure why this is getting 4-5 stars. It was just okay. The writing is really very basic -- great for a smart pre-teen or average high school kid. Maybe because it was in the first person - but it was like reading a teenaged girls diary ... if that teenaged girl had become the mother of two of England's most famous kings. In this telling of the life of Cecily Neville, Cynthia Sally Haggard decides to go with the "slept with an archer and Edward was illegitimate" side of the story as well as taking responsibility for the murder of the Princes. There is some solid history in here with a different point of view than we typically see. It was an easy read and the pacing was good so the pages turned quickly. Think of it as an historical chick-lit for the beach book.

[Sharon Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always fascinated by the stories of queens and their lives, and was thrilled to be asked to review the story of Cecylee Neville, the mother of the infamous Richard the Third.

Author Cynthia Haggard takes her readers right into the heart of Cecylee's world using the main character's voice for narration. Her descriptions of life during the 15th century is fascinating, and her storytelling skills make the reader feel they are sitting with the actual players as their lives unfold.

Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this novel, as well as fans of royal fiction. I highly recommend this book as a well-written, fast moving tale that will keep readers captivated to the very end.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecylee Neville Tells Her Story

I read a lot of Plantagenet and Tudor fiction and non-fiction. This is Cecylee's story told in her own words (her own spelling of her name) and this is a story with a twist that adds a fascinating layer to Edward IV. The twist comes from Cecylee herself. It is a spellbinding story of the house of York. I can't say much because it would add spoilers. The first paragraph grabs you and the book doesn't let go until the very last line. If you are interested in this period of history, this book is a must. It has one surprise after another.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thwarted Queen is historical account of Cecylee, Duchess of York. It's told from her point of view and the impact she had on history. I often found at times the listing of the many historical and imagined characters boring. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the story or the characters because I did. Cecylee is very much a driven and determined person who doesn't let anyone stand in her way. The title of this book is aptly named to say the least. Cecylee was definitely The Thwarted Queen.

[LINDA Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I highly recommended this great book I am a great lover of history and I could not put this book down. If found it very exciting and I learnt things that I did not know about the war of the roses like why the two house fought each others. I have never read any of books by Cynthia Sally Haggard before but will add her to my list of writer's to look out for