The King's Daughter. A Novel of the First Tudor Queen

by Sandra Worth

Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth of York trusts that her beloved father's dying wish has left England in the hands of a just and deserving ruler. But upon the rise of Richard of Gloucester, Elizabeth's family experiences one devastation after another: her late father is exposed as a bigamist, she and her siblings are branded bastards, and her brothers are taken into the new king's custody, then reportedly killed.

But one fateful night leads Elizabeth to question her prejudices. Through the eyes of Richard's ailing queen she sees a man worthy of respect and undying adoration. His dedication to his people inspires a forbidden love and ultimately gives her the courage to accept her destiny, marry Henry Tudor, and become Queen. While her soul may secretly belong to another, her heart belongs to England?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Tudor Period, Historical, Fiction, British Literature, 15th Century, Royalty

416 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2008

About the author

Sandra Worth is the author of six historical novels chronicling the demise of the Plantagenet dynasty in England and the rise of the Tudors. She is the winner of numerous awards and prizes, including three Reviewers Choice Awards. For more info, visit sandraworth.com

Reviews

[MAP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps I've been spoiled by the last book I just read, The Sunne in Splendour, but I found this exploration of Elizabeth of York's life lacking.

The writing was clunky and awkward. Mostly modern language had strange, Shakespearean sentences sporadically sprinkled about for seemingly no reason. Though well researched, the insertion of history into Elizabeth's story usually consisted of the action grinding to a halt while Elizabeth (the book is written in 1st person) gives the reader the who's who of the War of the Roses. She also uses the same stylistic tools over and over again; Henry must have stormed out of Elizabeth's room with a quip about her father 6 times, and if I was told, rather than shown, one more time about how much Elizabeth hated confrontation I was going to scream. Also, the Perkin Warbeck thing dragged on for EVER AND EVER. I'm sure it did so in real life, but she was not able to keep the tension and fear up for the reader.

Most people enjoy writing and reading historical fiction for the "what ifs?" and so I won't say anything about the less likely spins she has on various mysteries. However, I read historical fiction for the "whys?" I enjoy delving into possible motivations we can only indirectly infer from a person's actions. Ms. Worth does not really attempt to do this at all. Because of this, all of her characters are either GOOD or BAD.

GOOD: Richard, Anne, Edward IV, Elizabeth, De Puebla, Arthur
BAD: Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, Bishop Morton, Harry (future Henry VIII)

Now I'm not claiming that these people on the "bad" list were actually wonderful, saintly people, but everyone has their reasons, even if they're terrible greedy ones, and it's often the reasons that makes a person interesting. Without an exploration of this, many of her characters became two-dimensional cards.

The only remotely ambiguous character is Henry VII himself, but only to the slightest degree, and there are still many questions about the man left unanswered. Like: if he truly didn't give two shakes about Elizabeth, then why was he seemingly faithful to her, or at least very very quiet about his affairs? This was not the behavior of most kings.

I would say the most disappointing characterization was the future Henry VIII, because it was such a cheap shot, and to make Arthur good and perfect and sensitive and Harry a sociopath was too cliche and shallow to be taken seriously.

This was not a downright TERRIBLE book, mostly because she never goes out to left field in terms of the research and history, but there are many many better books out there exploring this time period and these characters. (I would also like to point out that on Goodreads, 2 stars equals "It was ok" which is exactly how I feel about this book.)

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

"And you, my cold arse of a lord, should try to find a heart,"
I hissed under my breath stabbing my needle through the silk.

The Plantagenets and Tudors made fascinating history and reading this fictionalization of Elizabeth of York's life made me want to learn more about Perkin Warbeck the so-called Pretender. The author's note which is nearly ten pages long was intriguing and I was happy that Sandra Worth included a family tree for reference.

I don't know if it is because I had such high expectations for this book that I feel a little disappointed by it. It is certainly well researched and I thought it was good, but I expected to love it and I only liked it. Which certainly doesn't mean that you won't love it, you just might.

I recently read The Sunne In Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman, which is a fictionalization of Richard III's life which covers battles and rivalries in detail and is an excellent companion book to The King's Daughter, I would recommend reading Sunne In Splendour first. The events covered in it come first chronologically.

Worth's portrayal of the influences in young Henry VIII's life were very interesting. I really enjoyed learning about Harry's early years and the Pretender Perkin Warbeck, those two story lines were more interesting to me than Elizabeth's story. I think I would have enjoyed her story more if Worth had given her some more lines like the one above and if she had delved more deeply into the relationship between Elizabeth and Henry VII.

I hope Sandra Worth continues with her series and writes about Harry and his six wives, I will likely read the next one if she does.

[Natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although history doesn’t reveal much about Elizabeth of York, Sandra Worth has crafted a novel that delves deep into the past, from Edward IV to Richard III and Henry VII. Steeped in solitude and personal loss, Elizabeth of York is a tragic figure, “daughter of a king, sister to a king, wed to a king and mother of a king”.
I enjoyed the writing style of the book which has an intimate feeling because it is narrated by Elizabeth of York, the story flow, and the exceptionally detailed historical events. However, the book is very biased making almost a saint out of Richard III, telling hard to believe stories about the disappearance of the princes from the tower and making feeble excuses about so many of his actions such as usurping the crown. Also, the characters in the book are so black and white, either they are evil or good. The characters and events are described so vividly, and I learned so much about the reign of Henry VII.

[Misfit · Rating 2 out of 5]

The King's Daughter recounts the life of Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, sister to Edward V and wife to Henry VII and mother to Henry VIII. This is all pretty much well known history and enough reviewers and the product page recap the main story line I don't want to rehash it again. Worth's version of Elizabeth's life, told in the first person POV, just ended up for this reader to be a sodding, boring mess - I ended up skimming through the last 200 pages.

The goodies were really really good and the baddies were really really bad. Elizabeth herself was so pure and perfect I was waiting for her to cut her finger so I could see if she would bleed sugar, while her mother Elizabeth Woodville was practicing witchcraft when she wasn't busy running into sanctuary. Her son Arthur is pure as the driven snow, while young Harry (the future Henry VIII) is a borderline child sociopath. As for Henry's mother Margaret Beaufort - well the only person I can think of to portray her in the movie is Cruella de Vil. Honestly, Henry VII is the only character who got a fair shake in this one.

As for historical accuracy and the author's research from her notes, I am not a historian so I'm not one to judge. However, the bit about proving to Henry VII that she was a virgin has no historical basis that I've heard of, nor does the author mention in her notes where she picked up that bit of supposition from. Worse yet, is the unrequited love (and never-ending even after death) Elizabeth holds for her uncle Richard.

To top it all off, way too much melodrama and "woe" is me from both Elizabeth's (mother and daughter) and over the top prose. Here we have Elizabeth's reaction after Ann (that would be Queen Ann Richard's wife) as she tells niece Elizabeth her uncle will need her,

"I felt as if a shutter had been thrown open, pouring in brilliant light. The sleepless nights, the pounding of my heart each time King Richard drew near; my shyness in his presence...."

Elizabeth's mother giving her advice on keeping her husband in line,

"You'd know what to do -- you'd get into bed and lick that king of yours until he stops listening to his mother and turns to you". Eeeewwww.

Get the point? It is unfortunate, as so little is really known about Elizabeth of York's life and a well written fleshed out novel on her is sorely lacking - however, this is not it. While its certainly not the worst historical ever written, IMO it's far from the best as well. If you're dead set on reading this, get it from the library first and then buy it if you love it.

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very flat HF that features Elizabeth of York, queen of Henry VII, and having her cast as Heroine as Martyr, being so good and giving that she sweats sugar when it gets warm, along with plenty of theories about the survival of one of the Princes in the Tower. Feh. I honestly don't think that I could stomach another Worth novel...

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_T...

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book could have been about 50-75 pages shorter if the author had not kept repeating herself about how the character misses Richard and he's SO MUCH BETTER than Henry and how Arthur is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Seriously. It got old after awhile.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just read and reviewed my nominee for the worst “Lizzie loves Uncle Richard” novel (i.e., Secret Son of York, by Maureen Fairbank), I thought I’d revisit the first such book I read several years ago. I enjoyed it then and I enjoy now. As with Sandra Worth’s other novels about Richard III (The Rose of York Trilogy) and the War of the Roses, it takes a deeply romantic view of her protagonists, but never descends into salacious storytelling.

We first see Elizabeth as a child at play with her father Edward IV, but the main storyline begins years later with Edward’s death. The teen-aged Elizabeth again is in sanctuary because her mother has tried to seize power from Edward’s brother, Richard of Gloucester, who was named Lord Protector. Unlike some other novels, Elizabeth doesn’t have a crush on her Uncle Richard although she thinks he is not the type of man who would harm her or his other nieces and nephews. She does begin to harbor doubts about his motives and actions because the news she hears in sanctuary is provided by Richard’s enemies, such as Margaret Beaufort. At this point, I think the author does an interesting thing by giving Elizabeth a first love, Sir Thomas Stafford, who is posted as a guard outside sanctuary. Thomas assures her that he would not serve a man who would murder her brothers.

Still her doubts linger until Richard produces her younger brother Dickon, and afterwards she emerges from sanctuary along with her mother and siblings. She becomes Queen Anne’s lady-in-waiting and comes to admire and love the queen for her good works. She sees Richard through Anne’s eyes as an honorable man and a king devoted to do good for the common man. Richard has promised to find suitable husbands for his nieces, and Elizabeth hopes that she can marry Thomas (who has disappeared somewhere in the north). By this time, however, Anne recognizes that Elizabeth has fallen in love with Richard and wants Elizabeth and Richard to marry after her death. However, both uncle and niece know this to be impossible, and they act nobly despite their unspoken love for one another. The most they do is embrace when Richard sends Elizabeth off to Sheriff Hutton. (Many of the scenes are repeated in the The Rose of York: Fall from Grace book.)

Elizabeth is devastated by Richard’s death but decides not to flee to Burgundy because she thinks she can help her sisters and her cousins, Edward of Warwick and Richard’s bastard John of Gloucester, if she stays and marries Henry Tudor. She finds herself powerless, however, and virtually a prisoner, subject to the tyranny of her mother-in-law, Margaret Beaufort’s household ordinances which govern all aspects of her life. How many brush strokes? One. Two. Three. How many drops of lavender? One. Two. Three. The counting goes on and on. “Sometimes at night, while Henry claimed his marital rights, I counted to myself the number of his thrusts: One, two, three.—“

Elizabeth is a person who does not like confrontations and rarely challenges her mother-in-law. One exception occurs after the birth of her son Arthur and Margaret tries to forbid her to visit him while he is sleeping. Elizabeth plays her trump card when she tells her mother-in-law that if she wants any more grandchildren from her Plantagenet blood, she had better stand aside. Such victories are few however. One person who butts heads with Margaret is Elizabeth’s own mother Elizabeth Woodville. Those two bicker over who can wear a surcoat matching the queen’s—Margaret maintaining that according to her ordinances that she and she alone can wear such a garment—and who should stand as godmother for Arthur. During the squabbling, Elizabeth catches Henry’s eye and they smiled at one another in shared understanding.

Her mother also advises her daughter to get her way with Henry by using her great beauty to her advantage —in bed. Elizabeth retorts that Henry is not so easily malleable, not like Father. It takes all her will just to submit to him. “ I thought of Henry’s breath in my face, vile from a mouthful of decaying teeth, his saliva and runny nose dribbling down my cheek as he moved over me, winded with passion.”

Her mother warns her she will be a forgotten queen, and Elizabeth feels herself so, but she knows she cannot achieve anything by arguing with her husband. Henry does seek her company because she creates a peaceful refuge for him. She can occasionally influence him by appealing to his greed or better nature. When Thomas and his brother Humphrey are dragged out of sanctuary and face execution, a pregnant Elizabeth asks for their lives because Thomas was kind to us in sanctuary. With moist eyes, she tells him, “Anyone can take a life, but only the great can give it. It would show you as merciful, my king. It would endear you to your people. I plead for mercy for Thomas, and for Humphrey.”. This soft soap is only partially successful as Henry decides that one must die, and she must choose. She chooses Thomas, and is racked with grief when Humphrey suffers the horrors of a traitor’s death.

Henry faces challenges throughout the early part of his reign and, particularly after the emergence of Perkin Warbeck, he becomes increasingly set on securing his dynasty by imprisoning and/or executing those with a possible claim to the throne. Elizabeth is appalled, but at the same time understands Henry’s motivation and feels pity for him. Her conflicting emotions about him are well conveyed—not love but compassion and some affection. Elizabeth herself is conflicted because she now has a son Arthur who is Henry’s heir, while at the same time she believes that the “pretender” Warbeck may be her brother. She decided to stay in England after Bosworth hoping that she serve the cause of peace, but she believes she is a failure when she can do nothing to save her cousins Edward of Warwick and John of Gloucester. All she can do is her best and her best is to see that her beloved Arthur becomes a just and merciful king—sort of like Richard. (Already, her other son Henry, although charming and brilliant, shows early signs of becoming a sociopath. And there is something in the way he looks at Arthur that reminds her of her uncle Clarence.)

Elizabeth does mourn her uncle Richard, but not to the point that it becomes a mawkish obsession. She later meets Thomas who, disguised as a friar, offers her solace after the death of her son Edmund and a letter thanking her for his life. She muses that she would have been happy as his wife.

Arthur’s death is the blow that destroys her final hope: “I had failed to win Humphrey Stafford his life; to obtain Edward, Earl of Warwick, his pardon: to see my mother leased from confinement, I had failed to help Warbeck, who might have been Dickon. But in all this I had been sustained by the knowledge that I was raising a noble king for England, one who would love his people as my father and Richard had loved them. But all my efforts were for naught, my dream sundown. I had failed at everything I had undertaken. My mother was right about me; I was useless. . . All I had accomplished with my life was to secure the tyranny of a bastard over my father’s good people.”

Her life ends on a downer, although she has a joyful heavenly reunion with all her dear departed. Perhaps, the ending is a little too sentimental, but the story was well-done overall—particularly her relationship with Henry, and the future Henry VIII. Even her uneasy relationship with sister Cicely is interesting. It turns out that Cicely was not a sycophant and spy for Margaret Beaufort; she was just jealous of Elizabeth’s larger breasts! And who could not enjoy poking fun at Margaret Beaufort’s ordinances.

A luminous portrait of “Elizabeth the Good.”

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars- English Ebook

Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth of York trusts that her beloved father's dying wish has left England in the hands of a just and deserving ruler. But upon the rise of Richard of Gloucester, Elizabeth's family experiences one devastation after another: her late father is exposed as a bigamist, she and her siblings are branded bastards, and her brothers are taken into the new king's custody, then reportedly killed.

But one fateful night leads Elizabeth to question her prejudices. Through the eyes of Richard's ailing queen she sees a man worthy of respect and undying adoration. His dedication to his people inspires a forbidden love and ultimately gives her the courage to accept her destiny, marry Henry Tudor, and become Queen. While her soul may secretly belong to another, her heart belongs to England.

Ther are little historical gems in this book, for example--having Prince Harry recount his conversation with Erasmus, or hinting at Machiavelli's book of politics--and had an eye for some details, as in brief descriptions of contemporary dress and literature.

The main character, Elizabeth Tudor (no Elizabeth of York), narrate her own life as a beleaguered princess and unwilling queen.

Liked the story.

[Elysium · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is about Elizabeth of York, mother of Henry VIII.
I was really hoping it would get better towards the end but not really. Always when I thought it got better, then it went down again. I did not like how young Henry VIII and Henry VII was portrayed or Rickhard III. Henrys were just too bad and Rickhard too good.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*

Vídeo de Opinião em: https://youtu.be/XNEcBqRtOmo

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Com uma das mais belas capas portuguesas, este livro despertou a minha atenção assim que saiu por cá. Anos depois, encontrei-o a um bom preço e decidi apostar. E verifiquei que ainda bem que a capa me atraiu...é um excelente romance histórico.

Um dos meus géneros literários favorito é o romance histórico e gosto sempre de ler um bom romance histórico, bem contextualizado, bem fundamentado, com personagens ricas e complexas, com uma linguagem apropriada e sem serem lamechas. Gosto de uma boa história, com emoção. E pude encontrar isso neste livro, o que me agradou bastante. Narrado na primeira pessoa, por Isabel de York, a primeira rainha Tudor, esposa de Henrique VII e mãe de Henrique VIII, este livro deu-me a conhecer vários aspetos da História de Inglaterra que eu desconhecia e é isso que eu também procuro quando leio este género: aprender algo sobre História.

Isabel de York, a Rosa Branca de York, filha de Eduardo IV, viu a sua dinastia desmoronar-se e a sua família ser perseguida pelos Tudor, no final da Guerra das Rosas, que opôs York a Lancaster. Depois de Ricardo III ser morto por Henrique Tudor na batalha de Bosworth, a melhor forma de trazer paz à Inglaterra e também legitimar o trono de Henrique (que era bastardo) era casar com Isabel, uma descendente do antigo rei do ramo de York. No meio de uma enorme intriga política, Isabel vê-se no centro de tudo e tenta sempre fazer algo de bom. A força com que suportou o seu papel, como é referido ao longo do livro, fez-me ver nela uma rainha excelente, uma mulher forte, que tentou sempre influenciar o seu rei pelo melhor, num tempo conturbado e horrendo, onde as perseguições eram intensas e as traições também. Não conhecia a história de Isabel e gostei de a conhecer. Tendo conhecimento da história de Henrique VIII, Ana Bolena e Isabel I, foi com agrado que li esta obra, uma vez que foi no período retratado que se iniciou esse tempo, o tempo dos Tudor e depois da Idade do Ouro.

Também gostei de conhecer Henrique VII e os outros reis que aparecem na história, apesar de aparecerem durante menos tempos. Penso que, tendo em conta tudo o que é referido, bem como as notas da autora e uma ligeira pesquisa que fiz depois de ler o livro, a autora conseguiu criar excelentes personagens, tendo o cuidado de as caracterizar de acordo com as suas personalidades reais. A relação personalidade-comportamentos-atitudes pareceu-me muito bem conseguida.

O ambiente está muito bem descrito, tanto a nível das estruturas (castelos, espaços, corte...), como da época. A autora conseguiu criar um ambiente bem contextualizado, de acordo com a cultura e os modos daquele período. Também gostei muito das descrições das roupas que estão muito boas, sem serem maçudas. Aliás, nenhuma descrição é maçuda. Tudo é bastante fluído, a todos os níveis, tanto de diálogos, como de descrições.

Tendo em conta que a narrativa abarca um longo período de anos, a autora mostrou grande poder de síntese, indo aos pontos cruciais, sem ser muito rápida e simplista. A escrita e a forma como a história é narrada contribui muito para o sucesso da narrativa e da sua coerência e coesão, porque é bastante fluída.

Tenho só uma coisa a apontar que podia ter sido revisto, uma vez que é trabalho de revisão da Editora: existem nomes que estão umas vezes traduzidos para Português e noutras vezes estão em Inglês, como Ricardo e Richard. Soa um bocado estranho...

Em suma, aqui está mais um excelente romance histórico, que recomendo sem reservas, a todos os que gostam deste género literário e principalmente àqueles que gostam de saber mais sobre História de Inglaterra. Quero ainda voltar a referir o excelente design da capa, que a meu ver está maravilhoso.

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth of York was the eldest daughter of King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, his reviled queen. Her unhappy relationship with her own mother was only relieved by a brief happy period as lady in waiting to Queen Anne, Richard III's wife. Richard was dazzling to Elizabeth, a kind and good man whom she grew to love.

When Richard was killed in battle by the man who would become Henry VII, Elizabeth's heart was broken. She was forced to marry Henry because she embodied the end of the great Plantagenet line and lent authenticity to Henry's less-than-royal bloodline. They had one thing in common, though. Henry's scheming and domineering mother, Margaret Beaufort, is easily as hated as Elizabeth Woodville ever was.

Margaret Beaufort was the engineer of the Tudor reign. Without her, Henry would never had become king. She was Elizabeth's cross to bear for her entire marriage. Her mother-in-law oversaw every single aspect of her life. It was no better than imprisonment for Elizabeth.

But Elizabeth had a kind and loving nature, remembered by history as "Elizabeth the Good." She loved her children and did her best to instill in them the virtues of kindness and benevolence. Her love for England and its people led her to accept her position in life and to endure with grace and dignity, though she was sickened by her husband's bloody reign.

In The King's Daughter, Sandra Worth opens a window into the life of one of history's least known women. She was truly royal and that showed in her acceptance of the difficulties of her life. This is a detailed and well researched novel with engaging characters and rich background. I particularly liked her portrayal of Richard III as a clear thinking, honest man who never wanted the crown and whose heartbreak and grief over the loss of his wife and child drove him to throw his life away.

[Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, wife of Henry VII, and mother of Henry VIII. Her dad dies, her brother becomes King Edward V; because he’s just a kid, their uncle Richard becomes regent. At some point, someone suggests to young Elizabeth that she’s in love with Richard, and from then on, she idolizes him in a creepy, incestuous way. Soon after Edward IV dies, Richard takes Edward V and his younger brother (also named Richard) to the Tower “for their protection.” Elizabeth’s parents’ marriage was then deemed invalid, and Richard became king Richard III. The boys disappear, but Elizabeth can’t believe that Richard’s done anything wrong. Richard dies in battle and Henry Tudor takes the throne as Henry VII. Elizabeth marries Henry, thanks to an agreement made by their mothers.

Elizabeth is devoted to her children and just dotes on Arthur. She thinks the world of Arthur and looks forward to his coming home every holiday. But she sees Henry as a spoiled bully and looks at him with a bit of fear. Ironically, she repeatedly notes, “thank goodness, it’ll be Arthur, not Henry, who will become king.”

The book didn’t seem to be very well thought-out, and there’s not much art in the storytelling. It reads like a diary, with many banal details; year after year, it’s “Christmas is coming and Arthur is coming home.” The poor storytelling, combined with the creepy incestuous storyline (which I understand may not be entirely the author’s fault), kind of turned me off on this book.

[Elizabeth_woodville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth_woodville Well, Well, this Book was verrrrrry wierd! I mean seriously guys? What type of girl would fall in love with her freakin' uncle??? And why Does she think that 11-year old Henry VIII is a cruel kid??? Ok So you have to split the characters into 2 sides!

Goody-goody-2-shoes: Richard III, Edward IV, Elizabeth of York, Prince Arthur of Wales, anne Neville and kinda Henry VII

Baddy-Baddy-high-heels: elizabeth Woodville <3, Margaret Beaufort, Henry Duke of York, bishop Morton...

I mean seriously??? My favourite character in the book is Elizabeth Woodville because she was so evil and cool, when she banged up in Bermondsey, it wasn't fun anymore! Although I like the portrayal of Edward IV because he was kind and caring to his daughters too, it's refreshing to see a father that like his daughters after reading books about Henry VIII, and I like Henry VII's portrayal too, he was controversial! This book was weird and funny too even though It was a tiny bit touching!

[Hellder Pinho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uma narrativa tão submissa como a personagem em si, presa ao enredo de uma Rainha conformada ao destino.

[Katie Minion · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up this book, I didn’t realize it was based on historical events (somehow, haha). I’ve never learned about this period in British history (1450-1510), so it was both interesting and confusing all at the same time. Everybody is named the same as their relatives, so there were points when we were discussing three different Richards at once. Even being confused by some of the politics and the lineages, I enjoyed reading this book and learning what life was like during this time period. People revered the Kingdom, but it wasn’t all that they imagined. The throne was fragile, and those in power literally died from the stress of keeping it. I wouldn’t read this book if you’re ready for a lighthearted story, but if you’re interested in history (perhaps if you like GOT-type politics) I think this would be enlightening.

[Angela Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth of York is brought to life in Sandra Worth’s novel THE KING’S DAUGHTER, A NOVEL OF THE FIRST TUDOR QUEEN.

Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward IV, lived the life of a true princess of England. A beloved princess to her father, she finds that upon his death she is to be used as a political pawn by her ruthless mother. After her father’s death the world she was accustomed to no longer exists. Fleeing into the safety of the sanctuary with her mother and siblings after her fathers brother Richard claims the crown as his own. To soon are they forced to hand over the true heirs of the throne. King Richard soon comes to reveal the secret plans he made to save the lives of his young nephews. Welcoming Elizabeth to back to court, she soon finds that she is falling deeply in love with her uncle the King. With King Richard’s wife, Queen Anne dying, Elizabeth with the aid of the Queen is pushed upon the King. Although a happy ending was not theirs to have. Rumors soon start circulating about Richard poising his wife to wed his niece, forcing Richard to deny them. Soon he must defend his kingdom against Henry Tudor. Struck by grief he rides into battle only to be slaughtered. Elizabeth has lost it all her father, and now the man she loves, she now knows that is her responsibility to protect those she loves. Marrying the new King Henry Tudor she has ended the bloody wars know as The War of the Roses. Although the new Queen now finds that she has no power with the King. She is more like a captive than a queen, constantly guarded by the King’s mother and spied on by the King’s spies. Unable to help those she loves, and holding little sway over the King’s decision Elizabeth focuses on raising her son Arthur to be a goodly and just king. Little by little Elizabeth finds that she has come to care for Henry. Soon their world is threatened by the uprising a man who claims to be one of the princes in the tower. Could this be Elizabeth’s brother coming to claim the crown that is rightfully his? Henry is quick to dispel any claims that this pretender may hold and executes all those associated with the previous Kings. Elizabeth will never know if he was indeed her brother. Upon her death Elizabeth is finally reunited with the King she loves Richard.


A once forgotten queen takes center stage in this gripping historical novel. Methodically researched and extremely well written, THE KING’S DAUGHTER, A NOVEL OF THE FIRST TUDOR QUEEN will pull on your heart-strings. Sandra Worth has a magical way of combing fiction and history so the reader is drawn into the heart of the book. Rich in detail, nothing has been overlooked in this breathtaking novel of love and loss. In THE KINGS DAUGHTER, A NOVEL OF THE FIRST TUDOR QUEEN Sandra Worth has included all the trappings and intrigues associated with court. On occasion you will read a book in which the story and characters have been so well defined that it will linger in your memory for all time, THE KING’S DAUGHTER, A NOVEL OF THE FIRST TUDOR QUEEN is indeed that book.


I do have to say that this has to be one of my favorite books that I have read for a long time. I enjoyed they way that Sandra Worth has humanized King Richard III instead of choosing to make him out as the villain. She has also shed a new light on the only woman to have been daughter, mother, wife, and niece to the Kings of England. I would highly recommend this book to those who like both history and a love story.


Thanks to the author, Sandra Worth, I received this free copy of The King's Daughter, A Novel of the First Tudor Queen.

[J8J8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terminei finalmente a leitura de A Favorita do Rei sem saber realmente o que sentir em relação a esta obra. Não posso dizer que a adorei porque tal não seria verdade. Mas tão pouco posso afirmar que a detestei porque tal, seria também faltar à verdade.

Dentro de todos os romances históricos que já tive o privilégio de ler, este não foi dos que mais gostei ou dos que retirei maior prazer em ler. Em termos de escrita esta não foi das melhores nem tão pouco das piores. A ação da narrativa foi rápida – muito rápida na minha opinião – tudo se passou demasiado depressa, os anos fluíram rapidamente desde a infância desta Rainha inglesa até ao momento da sua morte dando a conhecer pouco desta Rainha e do ambiente em volta (apesar de perceber perfeitamente que se tal não ocorresse, a narrativa ficaria muito densa) deixando o leitor ávido por mais informação, por mais detalhe. Para mim, um bom romance histórico é composto por um enredo bem construído baseado em factos históricos cuja pesquisa e análise tenham sido meticulosos aliado ao enriquecimento da história com detalhes e aspetos históricos que evoquem no leitor o ambiente em volta, os cheiros, os toques, o sentimento de apreensão e insegurança tão comuns na altura. Ao elaborar uma história com uma narrativa tão rápida houve aspetos que foram olvidados como o enriquecimento da história em termos de contexto histórico.

Por último, um dos aspetos que não me fez adorar o livro foi a construção da grande maioria das personagens: tudo me pareceu ser ou muito preto ou muito branco, as personagens ou eram boas ou más, não houve grande espaço de manobra para o leitor divagar, de se questionar “…mas e se não foi realmente assim? Será que a personagem X fez isto por este ou por aquele motivo? Qual a razão desta atitude? Porquê, porquê, porquê?” tudo foi apresentado como facto quase inquestionável dando pouco espaço de manobra ao leitor. Como leitora confesso que me senti quase sempre “empurrada” quanto ao que deveria pensar sobre uma dada personagem, quase nunca tive oportunidade de fazer por mim própria um julgamento ao nível do carácter da personagem e como tal não consegui criar grande empatia nem admiração pelas personagens. Quase todo o livro foi feito apenas para ser lido sem haver uma grande necessidade ser digerido/pensado/processado, um aspeto que, para mim, num romance (em particular o histórico) é importante tendo em conta que por muito bons possam ser os factos históricos, nunca saberemos verdadeiramente como eram as pessoas em causa na altura, o que realmente as motivava, o que as fazia agir, o que temiam e amavam, daí ser necessário neste tipo de casos algum espaço de manobra para a divagação.

Dentro do género e sobre o mesmo tema não foi dos meus livros preferidos ainda que se tenha revelado interessante nalguns aspetos.

[Estefânia Botelho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Antes de mais devo agradecer à Editora Planeta por me ter oferecido este livro! Muito obrigada!
Optei por ler este livro no início das minhas férias porque, como ia passar uns dias a Londres, lembrei-me de ler um livro com acção nessa cidade ou que tivesse relação com a história de Inglaterra. Uma vez que os senhores da Editora Planeta foram impecáveis comigo ao estabelecerem a parceria aqui com o blogue não hesitei e escolhi este livro!
Este livro retrata a vida de Isabel de York, filha de Eduardo IV de Inglaterra, sobrinha de Ricardo III e esposa de Henrique VII.
A época dos Tudor sempre me despertou a curiosidade e muitos já foram os livros publicados sobre o tema. Assim como séries televisivas, etc.
Contudo,a época anterior aos Tudor é pouco ou nada divulgada cá em Portugal (pelo menos que eu tenha conhecimento!)e , por isso, foi óptima esta leitura que serviu sobretudo para conhecer melhor os acontecimentos anteriores a Henrique VIII cuja vida é muito conhecida um pouco por todo o mundo.
É Isabel que nos conta a história, o que confere um tom mais intimista à narração. Isabel, inicialmente, é uma criança que não compreende o desenrolar dos acontecimentos que a rodeiam mas sente curiosidade pelos mesmos. A mãe de Isabel é o oposto do pai: enquanto a mãe é intriguista, interesseira, vingativa, o pai, pelo contrário, é bondoso, cordial, determinado, meigo... Mas serão estas características apropriadas a um rei?
Envolta numa teia de intrigas, própria da vida na corte, Isabel vê-se privada dos que mais ama, é obrigada a casar com um homem que não ama e tem uma vida trágica e triste.
Todas as descrições do livro são bastante realistas, sobretudo as que se relacionam com as virtudes e defeitos humanos e, com isto, ficamos a conhecer os antepassados de Henrique VIII o que poderá justificar (ou não) as suas condutas que muito bem conhecemos...
Apesar de interessante, a partir de um determinado momento, a narrativa começa a ser muito repetitiva o que faz com que a leitura se torne mais difícil.
Em suma,

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure whether to give this 3 or 4 stars, in a perfect world 3.5 stars...

Initially I found this book hard to read. I didn't like how she used nick names for the characters so early on in the book. But as I read further I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. She put a lot of information i was familiar with in a new light.

This is my first book to read that was totally about Elizabeth. She was portrayed here as a very selfless individual who gave up her happiness for the good of her country and family. She was never able to be truly loved, but was able to help her sisters in this. She was very domineered by her mother-in-law, Margaret Beaufort. I feel very sorry for the sadness of her life and wish she had experienced more personal happiness. This book also introduced me to the Perkin Warbeck pretender scandals. This situation about her brother Richard's survival and later to become Perkin is a major theme throughout the book. This author does have tendency to make most characters either all good or all bad. Future King Henry VIII is portrayed quite negatively.

[Gere Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather depressing fictionalized account of the life of Elizabeth of York. While it is true that there is little enough known historically to point to any great happiness of hers, it seemed that this tale wanted the reader to wallow in the most horrifically depressing features of her existence. There was also some very heavy handed foreshadowing about the personality and potential for tyranny in the young man who would grow to be Henry VIII.

This story is told in the first person through the eyes of Elizabeth of York. I did enjoy the way the writing itself seemed to grow with her. While early chapters are seen through the eyes of a child, the writing is reflective of this giving it a somewhat disjointed feel. This was somewhat difficult to get used to, but as Elizabeth aged, so did the writing itself. By the time she reaches adulthood, I was admiring the technique very much.

Overall, this is a decent piece of historical fiction. As long as the reader goes into it with the mindset one would use when reading a tragedy, the story is easy enough to enjoy.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. Her marriage to Henry Tudor was supposed to end the War of the Roses. Unfortuantely, the unease and paranoia of Henry VII along with numerous pretenders to the throne resulted in more deaths of Elizabeth's family members.

I have not found many books about Elizabeth so was interested in reading this one. Unfortunately, as many reviewers indicated, the character portrayals were very one-sided. You were either very good (Elizabeth, Richard III, Anne, Arthur) or you were very bad (Margaret Beaufort, Elizabeth Woodville, Henry VIII). Richard III in particular was almost too good to be true. What happened to the princes in the tower was left unresolved to a certain point.

Would have given this book 2 1/2 stars if I could.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Told in the 1st person point of view of Elizabeth, King Edward's daughter and wife to King Henry VII. Not much is known about this queen, other then that she was religious, a vegetarian and may have been in love with her uncle, Richard II. The author doesn't make her a very appealing character. She's a pawn of the people around her, her mother, her mother-in-law, Henry, and only stands up for herself once after her son Arthur is born. I found it rather dull, but others may like it for the historical aspect. Elizabeth's brothers were the two princes who disappeared from the Tower, and there is much speculation in the book about what happened to them.

[Casilda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than I thought it would be having read the mixed reviews on GR. True, it was a bit boring and flat in parts and the character of Elizabeth of York was a bit too good to be true which irritated me. However some parts of it were very readable, enough to pique my interest and wonder what Henry VII was really like as a man, father, husband and king. Also the question of Perkin Warbeck, the Pretender to Henry's throne, makes me want to read more about both him and Henry. I was so intrigued that I have started reading The Winter King by Thomas Penn, the story of Henry VII and the dawn of Tudor England.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have started taking notes in the first part of the book instead of the last but had a hard time putting the book down. This book about Elizabeth of York "Elizabeth the Good" (Henry VIII's mother), just makes me want to keep on reading more about the time period and what made these people tick. It is just fascinating to me. Excellent historical fiction.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A look at the founding mother of the Tudor dynasty, Elizabeth of York, and not one that was very insightful. Again, this is a woman who did not leave a great historical written record and no one knows exactly what went on in her marriage but I just was not into this author's interpertation--Elizabeth was way too long-suffering.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and richly detailed historical. I will definitely read more by this author.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's my fault for reading something so pro-Ricardian. I don't know what I was expecting.

[Judith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed with the writing style...it was very distracting from the story.

[Nese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing style of the book, which has an intimate feeling because it is narrated by Elizabeth of York, the story flow, and the exceptionally detailed historical events. However the book is very biased making almost a saint out of Richard III, telling hard to believe stories about the disappearance of the princes from the tower and making feeble excuses about so many of his actions such as usurping the crown. (Let’s look at the evidence: Richard abducted one of the princes, ordered beheading of the prince’s uncle and half-brother who accompanied him and removed the other prince from his mother’s care by force. He locked them up in the tower instead of keeping them with him in the palace, if he really wanted to protect them. He kept delaying the coronation date, spread rumors about princes being illegitimate, and finally usurped the crown by declaring the princes illegitimate. That day and age, who could dare to kill the King’s nephews without his knowledge?) Also the characters in the book are so black and white, either they are completely evil or good. On the other hand, the characters and events are described so vividly, and I learned so much about the reign of Henry VII. Four and a half stars for the beautifully written book with so many historical details if you can overlook the biased content about Richard III.