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Degrees of Affinity: The war in England is intensifying...
The next page-turning instalment in the Wars of the Roses saga is here! For fans of Alison Weir, Elizabeth Chadwick, Conn Iggulden and Philippa Gregory.
The country is at peace … but for how long?
1472
England has settled into an uneasy peace. The Lancastrian King Henry VI is dead and Yorkist Edward IV has been restored to the throne.
Edward is supported by his younger brothers, George, Duke of Clarence and Richard, Duke of Gloucester. But the two men could not be more different.
Meanwhile, Isobel Fenton has overcome her enemies and regained her manor of Beaumancote. Now she looks forward to a future with the man she loves and their child.
But when they are unwittingly drawn into the political intrigue at Court, Isobel and Robert’s lives are once more thrown into turmoil.
And when Robert must leave to protect his mother, Isobel finds herself facing a new foe.
Can the King’s brothers work together for the good of the country? Or will ambition usurp loyalty?
And will Isobel and Robert survive the odds and reclaim the love and life they desire?
DEGREES OF AFFINITY is the third book in THE TARNISHED CROWN Wars of the Roses historical fiction set in Medieval Europe.
‘Dunn’s world is utterly believable, the research meticulous, the characters deep and rich, and the sights and smells disguise the devastation that lurks at every turn.’ – Matthew Lewis, author of Medieval Britain in 100 Facts
‘an intense and compelling mix of power, passion, and politics’ – Andrew J Chamberlain, author of The Centauri Survivors
THE TARNISHED CROWN
Book Wheel of Fortune
Book Sun Ascendent
Book Degrees of Affinity
Book Legacy of Steel
The country is at peace … but for how long?
1472
England has settled into an uneasy peace. The Lancastrian King Henry VI is dead and Yorkist Edward IV has been restored to the throne.
Edward is supported by his younger brothers, George, Duke of Clarence and Richard, Duke of Gloucester. But the two men could not be more different.
Meanwhile, Isobel Fenton has overcome her enemies and regained her manor of Beaumancote. Now she looks forward to a future with the man she loves and their child.
But when they are unwittingly drawn into the political intrigue at Court, Isobel and Robert’s lives are once more thrown into turmoil.
And when Robert must leave to protect his mother, Isobel finds herself facing a new foe.
Can the King’s brothers work together for the good of the country? Or will ambition usurp loyalty?
And will Isobel and Robert survive the odds and reclaim the love and life they desire?
DEGREES OF AFFINITY is the third book in THE TARNISHED CROWN Wars of the Roses historical fiction set in Medieval Europe.
‘Dunn’s world is utterly believable, the research meticulous, the characters deep and rich, and the sights and smells disguise the devastation that lurks at every turn.’ – Matthew Lewis, author of Medieval Britain in 100 Facts
‘an intense and compelling mix of power, passion, and politics’ – Andrew J Chamberlain, author of The Centauri Survivors
THE TARNISHED CROWN
Book Wheel of Fortune
Book Sun Ascendent
Book Degrees of Affinity
Book Legacy of Steel
516 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2025
207 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 26, 2025
Saying that I enjoyed this book is perhaps not the right word as many passages, particularly those in Africa are very harrowing, but I found it very interesting and worthwhile. As in the previous books in this series, the combination of the war of the roses, the Sons of York and the fictional Fenton/Langton affinity works very well. How could one not feel for Isobel valiantly trying to protect her interests and her children? The period feel is very good and the greedy, political machinations are only too believable.
As a Ricardian, I was happy to see the depiction of the Duke of Gloucester, but less sure about his wife Anne. I had always understood that they were a love match. Here she is shown as a rather bland, somewhat empty-headed person. Likewise, their son Edward does not yet show any signs of being, the weak, sickly boy that, by all accounts, he was.
The chapters concerning the fate of Robert as a slave are difficult to read, but more importantly, leave gaps in the narrative: how did Robert and Philip Taylor survive drowning? What happens to Dodzi and Adil?
Also not very convincing is Dodzi's, Robert's African friend and saviour's command of English. Sometimes, he can only manage two or three words, other times he is able to fully understand and speak fluently. I realise it must have been a challenge for the author as too much "pidgin English" might have become tedious for the reader, but maybe a phrase indicating he had made much progress over the weeks , might have solved the problem.
Still these are only minor quibbles and they do not detract from the fact that it is a very readable, captivating historical novel which I warmly encourage people to read. I eagerly await the final instalment .
As a Ricardian, I was happy to see the depiction of the Duke of Gloucester, but less sure about his wife Anne. I had always understood that they were a love match. Here she is shown as a rather bland, somewhat empty-headed person. Likewise, their son Edward does not yet show any signs of being, the weak, sickly boy that, by all accounts, he was.
The chapters concerning the fate of Robert as a slave are difficult to read, but more importantly, leave gaps in the narrative: how did Robert and Philip Taylor survive drowning? What happens to Dodzi and Adil?
Also not very convincing is Dodzi's, Robert's African friend and saviour's command of English. Sometimes, he can only manage two or three words, other times he is able to fully understand and speak fluently. I realise it must have been a challenge for the author as too much "pidgin English" might have become tedious for the reader, but maybe a phrase indicating he had made much progress over the weeks , might have solved the problem.
Still these are only minor quibbles and they do not detract from the fact that it is a very readable, captivating historical novel which I warmly encourage people to read. I eagerly await the final instalment .
January 5, 2026
One of the things that fascinates me about good historical fiction is how it gives an insight into the way things happened back in the past, the way things were done which were quite normal then but may seem strange or even bizarre to us now.
'Degrees of Affinity' does this in many ways, but one which particularly struck me was the glimpse of court life in the 15th century. Dunn shows us how affairs were managed at the very pinnacle of power. I thought it was amazing that, by modern standards, so much seemed to be almost random. Fortunes and families rose or fell by the chance of happening to catch the King's eye as he walked past, or as the whim of the Queen's favour fell on this or that person.
Of course, there was much more going on behind the scenes, and Dunn also looks past the colour and bustle of the court to show the intricate scheming, the hidden agendas, the clash of personalities and the dark motives that lay beyond the obvious.
In that respect, perhaps not so very different from power and politics in our times? This is another fascinating thing about this look at history: it is not only a magnifying glass but a mirror, showing aspects of our world reflected back to us from a different angle.
But it is not just about the interesting details of medieval life. It is about the characters who lived that life. Primarily Isobel and Robert Langton, forced by their own decisions and by circumstances to find their way through dangers both subtle and obvious. No spoilers here, but the tension generated by these things was sometimes enough to make me stop reading for a while, until I could brace myself for whatever came next!
In short, this is a powerful third book in a powerful series. I await the next one with anticipation and some trepidation!
'Degrees of Affinity' does this in many ways, but one which particularly struck me was the glimpse of court life in the 15th century. Dunn shows us how affairs were managed at the very pinnacle of power. I thought it was amazing that, by modern standards, so much seemed to be almost random. Fortunes and families rose or fell by the chance of happening to catch the King's eye as he walked past, or as the whim of the Queen's favour fell on this or that person.
Of course, there was much more going on behind the scenes, and Dunn also looks past the colour and bustle of the court to show the intricate scheming, the hidden agendas, the clash of personalities and the dark motives that lay beyond the obvious.
In that respect, perhaps not so very different from power and politics in our times? This is another fascinating thing about this look at history: it is not only a magnifying glass but a mirror, showing aspects of our world reflected back to us from a different angle.
But it is not just about the interesting details of medieval life. It is about the characters who lived that life. Primarily Isobel and Robert Langton, forced by their own decisions and by circumstances to find their way through dangers both subtle and obvious. No spoilers here, but the tension generated by these things was sometimes enough to make me stop reading for a while, until I could brace myself for whatever came next!
In short, this is a powerful third book in a powerful series. I await the next one with anticipation and some trepidation!
December 31, 2025
I found this the least compelling of the three books in this series. (I had thought it was a trilogy, but apparently, there is at least one more book to come.) In this novel, Isobel and Robert are now married with a family, but things are not plain sailing. Robert hops off to Portugal to protect his maternal family's estates from pirates, but gets captured and becomes a slave. Believing her husband to be dead (as does the rest of the court), Isobel has her own trials and tribulations as the Duke of Clarence places her under his "protection" and imprisons her and her children in one of his castles.
Although it's as well-written and researched as the previous novels, I just didn't find the subject matter as interesting in this book. Robert's captivity is vividly shown, but it's not what I either expected or wanted to read in a book set during the Wars of the Roses. It felt like the author had a passion project that they wanted to insert into the novel.
I also found Isobel somewhat irritating in this book. She's not stupid, and she knows the laws of the land, as we're told several times during the novel, but she persists in expecting Drew to inherit the earldom when the rest of the world thinks he is William's son, not Robert's. But even if the rest of the world knew Robert is his real father, Drew would still not inherit because he was born out of wedlock, and only legitimate sons can inherit. That's standard in this world, so Isobel's continued belief that Drew will be the next Earl of Langton is bizarre.
It was a long novel with not a lot happening to move the overall story on.
Although it's as well-written and researched as the previous novels, I just didn't find the subject matter as interesting in this book. Robert's captivity is vividly shown, but it's not what I either expected or wanted to read in a book set during the Wars of the Roses. It felt like the author had a passion project that they wanted to insert into the novel.
I also found Isobel somewhat irritating in this book. She's not stupid, and she knows the laws of the land, as we're told several times during the novel, but she persists in expecting Drew to inherit the earldom when the rest of the world thinks he is William's son, not Robert's. But even if the rest of the world knew Robert is his real father, Drew would still not inherit because he was born out of wedlock, and only legitimate sons can inherit. That's standard in this world, so Isobel's continued belief that Drew will be the next Earl of Langton is bizarre.
It was a long novel with not a lot happening to move the overall story on.
December 17, 2025
England: 1472. Isobel Fenton (now Lady Langton) has been introduced to Isabel Neville, now the Duchess of Clarence whose husband George is brother to Edward IV. Life at court is full of whispers and potential treachery and she must observe and listen where she can. However, when her husband, Robert, is obliged to sail to Portugal to check on the family lands overseen by his mother, his wife is left pregnant and bereft.
Isobel finds her freedom curtailed under the banner of 'protection' as the Duke sees an opportunity to procure her lands for himself. His wife ails mysteriously and Isobel is increasingly isolated and trapped. Why does Robert not come home? Missing, presumed dead, she faces the uncomfortable reality and necessity of taking a new husband to protect herself, her children and her inheritance.
Earl Robert has his own adventure in Africa where shipwreck has taken him into a world of trafficking and slavery. Coming home may not be an option, trapped by a cruel master who has an agenda of his own and no sympathy for infidels and slaves.
I'm so glad that there will be a fourth instalment of this story. Dividing the action into separate storylines is ambitious but works well to keep the dramatic tension at a suitable level. It was confusing for a while to have both Isobel and Isabel and I had to reread a couple of paragraphs when I was disoriented. Dunn keeps the reader engaged and widens our understanding of contemporary life, particularly the vulnerability of women in fifteenth century England. Only six months until 'Legacy of Steel' is available.
Isobel finds her freedom curtailed under the banner of 'protection' as the Duke sees an opportunity to procure her lands for himself. His wife ails mysteriously and Isobel is increasingly isolated and trapped. Why does Robert not come home? Missing, presumed dead, she faces the uncomfortable reality and necessity of taking a new husband to protect herself, her children and her inheritance.
Earl Robert has his own adventure in Africa where shipwreck has taken him into a world of trafficking and slavery. Coming home may not be an option, trapped by a cruel master who has an agenda of his own and no sympathy for infidels and slaves.
I'm so glad that there will be a fourth instalment of this story. Dividing the action into separate storylines is ambitious but works well to keep the dramatic tension at a suitable level. It was confusing for a while to have both Isobel and Isabel and I had to reread a couple of paragraphs when I was disoriented. Dunn keeps the reader engaged and widens our understanding of contemporary life, particularly the vulnerability of women in fifteenth century England. Only six months until 'Legacy of Steel' is available.
November 4, 2025
Slow moving first half
I honestly struggled to read the first half of this book as it kept sending me to sleep. It was pleasant but slow moving. Things got more interesting in the second part and Robert becomes a real hero while the realities of women in mediaeval times as well as the unspeakable cruelty of slavery come to the fore.
Richard of Gloucester, ie Richard III, is depicted as a gentle, honest and fair man, as he is in many novels about this period, but this jars with what happens later in his life when he appears to have become a cruel usurper.
I honestly struggled to read the first half of this book as it kept sending me to sleep. It was pleasant but slow moving. Things got more interesting in the second part and Robert becomes a real hero while the realities of women in mediaeval times as well as the unspeakable cruelty of slavery come to the fore.
Richard of Gloucester, ie Richard III, is depicted as a gentle, honest and fair man, as he is in many novels about this period, but this jars with what happens later in his life when he appears to have become a cruel usurper.
November 4, 2025
It’s 1472, the Yorkists have won the day and Edward IV is back on the throne. And Isobel Fenton has married her love Robert Langton, now Earl. But no one lives happily ever after—George, Duke of Clarence makes sure of that. Prompted by George’s scheme to fight against Barbary pirates, Robert goes off to Portugal to protect his family estates and ends up as a slave in Morocco. Everyone in England believes Robert is dead, and Clarence sees his chance to take control of his and Isobel’s estates. Clarence makes her a prisoner, and her attempts to escape from the duke’s clutches alternate with Robert’s escape attempts. The depictions of Robert’s life as a slave and his escape are truly harrowing on both a mental and physical level. Isobel’s imprisonment also has long lasting effects on her mental stability—continuing fear, uncertainty, and inability to trust even the people she has the most reason to trust, such as the Duke of Gloucester. Of course, she does have reason to fear because she knows the truth about the death of Isabel, Duchess of Clarence. Both will have to deal with serious PTSD in the next novel
This is a well written book, with the relationship between Robert and Isobel’s believable. Robert exerts his authority as head of the household, while Isobel is independent-minded, but sometimes clearly in the wrong. Overall, I found the novel less compelling than the previous two in the series. Maybe the era was not all that exciting to me , and there was a lot of court intrigue. One thing I didn’t care for was the depiction of Anne Neville as a sweet airhead. (Hey, it could be what she really was, but I didn’t care for it, nor Richard’s attitude toward her. “ And, in the empty hours before dawn, he would wonder whether all the lands and manors and comfort he had gained were worth the marriage he had made.”
This is a well written book, with the relationship between Robert and Isobel’s believable. Robert exerts his authority as head of the household, while Isobel is independent-minded, but sometimes clearly in the wrong. Overall, I found the novel less compelling than the previous two in the series. Maybe the era was not all that exciting to me , and there was a lot of court intrigue. One thing I didn’t care for was the depiction of Anne Neville as a sweet airhead. (Hey, it could be what she really was, but I didn’t care for it, nor Richard’s attitude toward her. “ And, in the empty hours before dawn, he would wonder whether all the lands and manors and comfort he had gained were worth the marriage he had made.”
December 26, 2025
Another GREAT read.
I love it when I yell at a book!!! LOL
I love it when I yell at a book!!! LOL
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews