Skilled Artifice

Whitehall #1.2

by Mary Robinette Kowal

Weddings, baptisms, and a birth make up a recipe for drama in the second installment of Whitehall, an episodic royal tale full of true history and sensual intrigue, new from Serial Box Publishing.

Weddings and births are usually causes for celebration – but no joys are simple when a royal family is involved. Jealousy and suspicion lurk everywhere as questions of loyalty – to faith, to promises, and to the heart – shadow the new king and queen of England.

This episode is brought to you by Mary Robinette Kowal, who cautions all against the green-eyed monster.

Genres: Historical Fiction

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2016

About the author

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award winning alternate history novel The Calculating Stars, the first book in the Lady Astronaut series which continues in 2025 with The Martian Contingency. She is also the author of The Glamourist Histories series, Ghost Talkers, The Spare Man and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, four Hugo awards, the Nebula and Locus awards. Her stories appear in Asimov’s, Uncanny, and several Year’s Best anthologies. Mary Robinette has also worked as a professional puppeteer, is a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses, and performs as a voice actor (SAG/AFTRA), recording fiction for authors including Seanan McGuire, Cory Doctorow, and Neal Stephenson. She lives in Denver with her husband Robert, their dog Guppy, and their “talking” cat Elsie.

Her novel Calculating Stars is one of only eighteen novels to win the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards in a single year.

Reviews

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm currently working my way thru the Whitehall serial via the Serial Box app. Whitehall is available for reading on the app OR as an audio option with narration provided. I opted to listen to the episode and loved it.

Skilled Artifice is the second episode, taking place in mid-1662, immediately after the events of the first episode. This episode spends some time with the details of Catherine's marriage to King Charles: will it be Catholic or will it be Protestant? I loved that time was given to this, since Catherine was so devout in her faith and since having her Catholicism represented was so important to her. I love the solution and how everything was handled.

We are beginning to see Catherine coming into herself as Queen here, which is great and I'm hoping a set-up for some good stuff in future episodes. It is interesting to watch the dynamic between Catherine and Charles, because there seem to be some feelings there even though this marriage was arranged for political gain.

But! The King's mistress Barbara Palmer is not having it. She has recently delivered the King's child and her own marriage to Roger is quite on the rocks.

Toward the middle and latter parts of this episode, there are some really great scenes with Barbara, where she becomes a little bit emotional. It may sounds terrible of me, but I absolutely loved reading these parts! Her grip on the King is certainly loosening with a new Queen in the picture, and Barbara's husband isn't very happy about her very public affair. Barbara makes a major request of the King and OH MY GOODNESS, how bold. So very bold of Barbara!

The literal last part of this episode was the most dramatic thing and I loved it.

Audio Notes: This serial episode is 1 hour, 25 minutes in length with the fabulous Fiona Hardingham narrating. She is simply the best narrator for this role. I can't get over how awesome this story SOUNDS, and I would recommend to anyone considering it in serial form to let Ms. Hardingham read it to you. She brings these characters to life-every single one of them. In this episode, particularly, at the end: with Barbara Palmer's scenes! I just loved it. So, so great.


Find my thoughts on other Whitehall episodes here:
Embarkations (Whitehall #1.1)
Skilled Artifice (Whitehall #1.2)

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I had a horrible experience with the actual serial box app. The programmers only responded to tell me the issue was my fault, their suggested fixes didn't apply and otherwise my problems that made the program unusable were ignored. Their books are available through the library and pirating sites. I would not advise anyone purchase through them since my program was unusable and I ended up reading the free copy from my library***

I like this series

[Beth]

This second installment of the Whitehall serial felt, perhaps, a little drier than the first. While the first kept things quick and lively with frequent dialogues, this instead is weighted more toward description. In the second half, conflict between Barbara and Catherine builds without them having yet spoken to each other, which made the pages fly by. I look forward to the inevitable face-to-face meeting between the experienced royal lover and the newly-installed queen.

I'm torn about Barbara. In her dealings with Charles she sheds crocodile tears and throws temper tantrums to get her way, but I can also understand the desperation underlying her behavior, especially now that she is separated from her husband.

[Chinook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying reading historical fiction/romance about a monarch that I don't think I know anything about.

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skilled Artifice continues where Embarkations left off. I'm glad I can say I enjoyed this second story as much as the previous one. It also has its fair share of delicious drama when the king's mistress Barbara gets jealous of Charles spending more time with his new wife Catherine.

I really like Catherine in the story. I also felt she took more things in her own hand, like "seducing" her husband. I also like Jenny a lot and am shipping her now with Thom. I hope something will happen there. This story was writting by Mary Robinette Kowal. Another author I didn't know but the writing was very good.

I've got to say I'm not a big fan of Barbara because I'm really rooting for Charles and Catherine for some reason but at least it never gets boring like this. Who doesn't like a bit of melodrama, right? And I'm expecting a lot more of that in the next stories with how this one ended. It's bound to be very dramatic, I'm sure!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining enough story of the fictional account of the first few months of the marriage of Charles II and Catherine.
A NetGalley book

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weddings, baptisms, and a birth make up a recipe for drama in the second installment of Whitehall, an episodic royal tale full of true history and sensual intrigue, new from Serial Box Publishing.

Weddings and births are usually causes for celebration – but no joys are simple when a royal family is involved. Jealousy and suspicion lurk everywhere as questions of loyalty – to faith, to promises, and to the heart – shadow the new king and queen of England.

This episode is brought to you by Mary Robinette Kowal, who cautions all against the green-eyed monster.

"Skilled Artifice" continues the 13-part serial, Whitehall, presented by Serial Box. Intrigue, romance, and scandal fill the palace halls in this historical tale, collaboratively written by Liz Duffy Adams, Delia Sherman, Barbara Samuel, Madeleine Robins, Sarah Smith, and Mary Robinette Kowal.








My Review:

As the second installment to the Whitehall series it picks up where the first book picks off however it felt a little bit rushed where there could have been more time spent on really detailing Catherine's relationship with the king as well as his involvement with his mistress.

This is a vital part of the drama I felt could have used a bit more page time instead of jumping so quickly from one point to another.

However this doesn't take away from the fact that there is enough intrigue to keep readers plenty entertained.

A jealous kings mistress and a queen seeking the love of her king is difficult indeed.




My Rating:






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Krissys Bookshelf Reviews




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Disclaimer:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Source:
Received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from the Author


Note:
If any of Krissys Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like or let me know what you think! Thank you!

[Jill Tool · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars review. I would like to thank NetGallery for allowing me to read this book in return for my honest review.

This book picks up where Whitehall - Episode 1: "Embarkations" left off. This time we learn more with the King’s mistress, and she brings drama with her. She doesn’t like the fact that King Charles is spending a great deal of time with his new wife, Catherine, as he should be after all they are married now, and they didn’t know each other before. However, Catherine is a quick learner and she quickly learned how to keep Charles’s attention. I do think the story does need his mistress in it because she would bring the drama that will help make these episodes to where readers would be engaged, even if it’s just to see what she is plotting.

I did find this episode just as intriguing as the first episode. It is very well written, fast paced, and kept me entertain. The only thing is it is only about 45 pages, and I want the story to continue on. It is a nice way to enjoy a short story if you have limited time, like reading it on your lunch hour, waiting for your children at ball practice or swimming lessons, or only if you have a short time to read.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very well-written, fast paced, enjoyable story. It is the second episode in the season. Catherine of Braganza and King Charles II have their wedding ceremony, and the King's mistress, Barbara, gives birth to his son. Barbara's husband refuses to let her come home, and now Barbara wants the King to make her a Lady of the Bedchamber so she can remain close to the royal couple and have influence at court. I can't wait to read the next episode!!! I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a very short part of a series of a historical story continued by different authors.
This second episode of Whitehall was very good. It is based on history and is the story of King Charles II, his new wife, Catherine, (who was a Portuguese princess) and his mistress. Charles and Catherine have finally consummated their marriage. The mistress is determined to cause problems in the marriage. Charles is doing a balancing act trying to keep both women happy. Ready for the next episode!

[Sherwood Smith]

Not as involving as the first episode. The narrative voice crowds center stage, telling the reader about the characters in more of a contemporary American tone* than employed in the first episode, leaving the characters little chance to come alive. But the series is just beginning, finding its voice--looking forward to the next.

*This might be a selling point for readers wary of of Restoration pastiche.

[Jenny T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 2nd part of the Whitehall Season serial. In this installment, King Charles II of England deals with his new marriage to Catherine (of Portugal) and his affair with his mistress, Barbara, who will soon be giving birth to his child. This read was a bit more straightforward than the 1st chapter, but once again leaves one hanging for the next chapter.
Thanks to the Inner Circle for the copy of this book.

[Shari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whitehall is the true history of Catherine of Braganza and her marriage to King Charles II of England. In Episode 2, there are multiple weddings for the royal couple. Catherine seeks knowledge of the King's mistress. Drama unfolds between his mistress and her husband after the birth of the King's son. The mistress puts the King in the impossible position of placing her as a Lady of the Queen's Bedchamber. (A personal note: I dislike the King, and find his mistress very manipulative.)

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book for me was even better than part 1, I love historical fiction and this is just the kind of book I can easily fall in love with. I know the characters and I've loved how the authors have set the scenes and the descriptive aspects are stunning. Its one of the best books of this genre I've read in a while - cannot recommend it highly enough - easy 5 stars.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full (spoilery) review here: http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

[Regina Mastrogiacomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again it is the subject matter that makes me apprehensive and sad to read this book, because you can't rewrite history and the end result is unfair and cruel.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great 2nd installment

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this episode.

also now have silly headcanon that Tom is a timetravelling Julian Bashir who has learnt all about fabrics from Garrak. #fandomtrash