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The Claimant: A Novel of the Wars of the Roses
Perfect reading for fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell
October, 1459.
The harvest is gathered and the country wears its autumn livery. Four years after the first battle of The Cousins' Wars, later known as The Wars of the Roses, the simmering political tensions between the Royal Houses of Lancaster and York have once again boiled over into armed confrontation.
Nobles must decide which faction to support in the bitter struggle for power. The stakes are high and those who choose unwisely have everything to lose. Sir Geoffrey Wardlow follows the Duke of York while others rally to King Henry's cause, but one in particular company under the Royal banner is not all it seems, its leader bent on extracting a terrible revenge that will shatter the lives of the Wardlow family.
Edmund of Calais has a private score to settle and is prepared to risk everything to satisfy his thirst for revenge. Riding the mounting wave of political upheaval, he willingly throws himself time and again into the lethal mayhem of a medieval battle as he strives to achieve his aim. One man is out to stop his half-brother, Richard.
Born of the same father but of very different minds the two young men find themselves on opposite sides during the violence that erupts as political tensions finally reach breaking point. Each has sworn to kill the other should they meet on the field of battle. As they play their cat-and-mouse game in the hope of forcing a decisive confrontation, their loved ones are drawn inexorably into the fray, forcing the protagonists to question the true cost of victory...
October, 1459.
The harvest is gathered and the country wears its autumn livery. Four years after the first battle of The Cousins' Wars, later known as The Wars of the Roses, the simmering political tensions between the Royal Houses of Lancaster and York have once again boiled over into armed confrontation.
Nobles must decide which faction to support in the bitter struggle for power. The stakes are high and those who choose unwisely have everything to lose. Sir Geoffrey Wardlow follows the Duke of York while others rally to King Henry's cause, but one in particular company under the Royal banner is not all it seems, its leader bent on extracting a terrible revenge that will shatter the lives of the Wardlow family.
Edmund of Calais has a private score to settle and is prepared to risk everything to satisfy his thirst for revenge. Riding the mounting wave of political upheaval, he willingly throws himself time and again into the lethal mayhem of a medieval battle as he strives to achieve his aim. One man is out to stop his half-brother, Richard.
Born of the same father but of very different minds the two young men find themselves on opposite sides during the violence that erupts as political tensions finally reach breaking point. Each has sworn to kill the other should they meet on the field of battle. As they play their cat-and-mouse game in the hope of forcing a decisive confrontation, their loved ones are drawn inexorably into the fray, forcing the protagonists to question the true cost of victory...
513 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 30, 2015
The Claimant is a story of the Wars of Roses that does not involve the royalty of the day. Instead, the author chooses to demonstrate the effect of the infighting between nobility upon a fictional family that chooses early in the game to back the Duke of York.
The Wardlows have even more to concern them than the fact that the head of their household has gone forth to back his friend against the anointed king. Unknown to them until it is too late, Geoffrey Wardlow has secrets in his past that are returning to haunt him and terrorize his family. These secrets take the bodily form of Edmund of Calais.
The story flits back and forth between characters with choppy chapters (there are 87!) that focus on one of the Wardlows or Edmund, making Edmund seem like the closest thing there is to a main character. Unfortunately, he is the antagonist, and not even one that the reader can love to hate. He's just kind of a nasty, vengeful guy with odd moments of politeness.
Kate Wardlow also doesn't seem to know what to make of Edmund. He is her half brother and has performed numerable atrocities that would be spoilers to list here, but then she spends time thinking about how attractive he is.
The Wardlows garner a little more of the reader's sympathy as they are under Edmund's attack, which seems to be better funded than any forces the king himself can raise. Maybe it's the switching POVs or maybe the characters are too shallow, but I didn't have much emotion for any of the Wardlows, even if they were clearly the victims.
Character development was a bit of an issue with each person demonstrating contradictory attitudes at different times, but the more significant issue was the storyline that simply seemed implausible. I don't believe, even in the lawless time of civil war, that a foreign bastard would be very successful in gaining ownership of his father's estates, especially not the way Edmund goes about it.
The writing was unpolished, leading me to spend some time skimming. Edmund is rarely simply Edmund. He is "Edmund of Calais," or "Edmund our father's bastard," or some other overly descriptive and unnecessary title. Adjectives abound and dialogue is somewhat forced. It was sort of like reading a first draft. The story has potential, but it hasn't reached it.
With the competition that exists for Wars of the Roses novels, this one needs a little bit more work to be one that I would recommend.
The Wardlows have even more to concern them than the fact that the head of their household has gone forth to back his friend against the anointed king. Unknown to them until it is too late, Geoffrey Wardlow has secrets in his past that are returning to haunt him and terrorize his family. These secrets take the bodily form of Edmund of Calais.
The story flits back and forth between characters with choppy chapters (there are 87!) that focus on one of the Wardlows or Edmund, making Edmund seem like the closest thing there is to a main character. Unfortunately, he is the antagonist, and not even one that the reader can love to hate. He's just kind of a nasty, vengeful guy with odd moments of politeness.
Kate Wardlow also doesn't seem to know what to make of Edmund. He is her half brother and has performed numerable atrocities that would be spoilers to list here, but then she spends time thinking about how attractive he is.
The Wardlows garner a little more of the reader's sympathy as they are under Edmund's attack, which seems to be better funded than any forces the king himself can raise. Maybe it's the switching POVs or maybe the characters are too shallow, but I didn't have much emotion for any of the Wardlows, even if they were clearly the victims.
Character development was a bit of an issue with each person demonstrating contradictory attitudes at different times, but the more significant issue was the storyline that simply seemed implausible. I don't believe, even in the lawless time of civil war, that a foreign bastard would be very successful in gaining ownership of his father's estates, especially not the way Edmund goes about it.
The writing was unpolished, leading me to spend some time skimming. Edmund is rarely simply Edmund. He is "Edmund of Calais," or "Edmund our father's bastard," or some other overly descriptive and unnecessary title. Adjectives abound and dialogue is somewhat forced. It was sort of like reading a first draft. The story has potential, but it hasn't reached it.
With the competition that exists for Wars of the Roses novels, this one needs a little bit more work to be one that I would recommend.
books-not-finished
September 22, 2020I'm out at 20%. I can't with the choppy chapters followed by huge information dumps. Kate is not a heroine I have any faith in and Edmund is just missing a moustache to twirl. I don't know anything about Richard because he's hardly been mentioned this far.
October 20, 2014
I must admit that I usually do not read that many fiction but ‘The Claimant’ had me captivated from the very first page. It is an incredibly well researched and impressively written historical novel full of intrigue and vivid scenes, accurate accounts of the battles and detailed descriptions on weapons and clothes used during the Wars of the Roses which makes it clear the author is very passionate and knowledgeable about this time period. All that and Simon Anderson’s great way of story-telling makes this book a very enjoyable read. It would make a great TV series! I certainly can’t wait to see what happens next and hope the much-need sequel is out soon!
January 6, 2015
This is he first book I have read by Simon Anderson and have to say that I was disappointed by the writing style and his narrative ability to tell a compelling story.... He has taken a fascinating period in English history a spun a ho hum tale..... I was bored flipping through the pages ..... As far as historical novels go there are far better.
December 20, 2015
I finished reading the Claimant last night... Actually it was 4 am when I read the last word; I couldn't put it down.
I loved the way the author brought the era alive, the interesting plot and the characters as well. I confess being an Edmund fan, although he is supposed to be the villain. I just couldn't help but secretly root for him.
I think there is room for a second book. Please write a part 2!
I loved the way the author brought the era alive, the interesting plot and the characters as well. I confess being an Edmund fan, although he is supposed to be the villain. I just couldn't help but secretly root for him.
I think there is room for a second book. Please write a part 2!
July 22, 2015
I had difficulty maintaining interest in this book and would skip forward, then backwards. It did not seem to move smoothly but maybe it was because of the 2 main characters. I did enjoy it for it's historical aspect but truly struggled.
The ending almost makes me wonder if there is a second one coming.
The ending almost makes me wonder if there is a second one coming.
March 21, 2015
good!!!
Good!!!! The War of the Roses was fascinating, and it was interesting to see a non-royal side of it. Definite recommend!
Good!!!! The War of the Roses was fascinating, and it was interesting to see a non-royal side of it. Definite recommend!
July 20, 2016
Very good book telling the story of the War of the Roses from a different perspective.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews