The Queen’s Rival

by Anne O'Brien

The forgotten story of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York. A strong woman who claimed the throne for her family in a time of war… ‘A compelling story of divided loyalties and family betrayals. Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman & Home England, 1459. One family united by blood. Torn apart by war… The Wars of the Roses storm through the country, and Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, plots to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne. But when the Yorkists are defeated at the battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecily’s family flee and abandon her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own. Stripped of her lands and imprisoned in Tonbridge Castle, the Duchess begins to spin a web of deceit. One that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI, and to her eldest son being crowned King Edward IV. ‘O’Brien manages to reinvent historical fiction’ My Weekly ‘This thrilling historical novel has it all – high politics, drama, emotion, excellent writing … It's a rollercoaster of a read’ Carol McGrath ‘Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman’s Weekly

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

544 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

My home is in the Welsh Marches, although much of my early life was spent in Yorkshire, most recently in the East Riding.Ann O'Brien The Marches is a remote region of England, surrounded by echoes from the past. Hereford is close with its famous Mappa Mundi and chained library.So is Shrewsbury, and also Ludlow with its splendid castle and its connections with our Plantagenet and Tudor kings. With my husband, I live in an eighteenth century timber framed cottage, which itself must have seen much history over two hundred years.

I have always enjoyed the appeal of History.I taught the subject with enthusiasm but it became my ambition to write historical romances. My first novel, The Runaway Heiress, was published by Mills and Boon in 2004.
This first book was a Regency Romance in the great tradition of Georgette Heyer - who has not admired her skill and delicate touch for the period? I have drawn on my interest in the Stuart century to write about the English Civil War and Restoration England of Charles II. Living in the Marches however I soon discovered the wealth of atmosphere and legend in this isolated part of England from medieval times. It was not long before I was encouraged to create a medieval romance inConquering Knight, Captive Lady.

When not writing, I have a large rambling garden where George and I grow organic vegetables and soft fruit - or perhaps I should admit that he grows them whilst I pick and cook them. We have a wild garden, an orchard, a formal pond and herbaceous flower borders. We share it all with rabbits and pheasants, frogs and goldfinches, hedgehogs and buzzards. It is a beautiful place. When we first settled into our cottage I planted a herb garden on a Tudor pattern with stone pathways and clipped box hedges. From this I developed my interest in herbs and their uses.

Nicholas Culpeper's The Complete Herbal, a fascinating resource to a historical novelist first published in 1649, has become essential bedside reading. As a result the use of herbs in medicine and witchcraft, for both good and ill, has appeared in some of my novels.

For pure relaxation I enjoy yoga as well as singing with a local Choral Society. Watercolour painting allows me to simply sit and appreciate the landscape and the flowers in my garden, when my mind is busy constructing my next plot.

Reviews

[Deyanira C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unsuccessful telling

The book tells the story of Cecily Neville who was indeed the rival to Margaret of Anjou although not for her own willing , Cecily was considered the right queen for the house of York while Margaret was the queen to the Lancasters, Cecily was in the middle of the war of two roses and basically lost all her sons in this period, but despite her life is extremely interesting in the book gives just a glimpse of it what was extremely disappointed.
The narrative is poor, here we have the story through letters, prayers and some interviews so this is epistolary novel, that in my opinion was not the best idea to tell this specific story neither is well done, the inaccuracies , the lack of details and the language doesn't allow you to picture this is happening in medieval england, then this becomes very repetitive while time is passing for example Cecily wrote to her daughter Margaret just to tell her that soon will write to her daughter in law Isabel and see if she can manage better George , next page Cecily writes to Isabel to tell her exactly that, so what was the point in express two times the same thing? that by the way doesn't have any impact in the story or adds any important or intense touch, then trough all the book this woman suffers many things but there is not emotion even when she express her feelings in prayers it feels dry and lack of any emotion, now we also have those things that are absurd if you know the facts of the events like when Cecily writes her son the King to suggest a marriage between her youngest son Richard and Anne Neville, what the king agreed, why would she suggest the marriage when she knows is going to bring conflict between George and Richard? And just when York get the throne again?, the same for Edward why would him suggest the match to his brother ( like if Richard were so idiot to don't consider his own marriage and the benefits before than anyone else ) when he needed to keep his kingdom in peace? and the peace in his family was super important, in fact Edward kept himself on the sidelines for the same reason, I don't doubt Cecily would have support the idea but definitely for all what was involved the marriage was more complex than a simple suggestion like the one is done here so lack of any logic, now there are brilliant moments in the book like the last exchange of letters between Cecily and Margaret of Anjou where I can truly portrait Margaret telling Cecily "keep the prayers for you and your family for sure those prayers will be needed" , but those moments are few and not more, now talking about the characterization is just insufficient we don't really get to know the people involved in the story, for me I couldn't even connect with Cecily, others we can be judged for two or one action, an exception can be Richard III who is described as I would expected in a novel wrote 100 years ago, bad son, terrible brother, dark hair, short and ambitious to death, since this is fiction it doesn't bother me ( I have read worse things in non fiction) but it bored me the lack of creativity let's not even mention the lack of evidence in this, anyway if I compare this version of Richard with the one that Anne O'Brien wrote in Virgin Widow ( book about Anne Neville ) I have two completely different things what take me to conclude that or Anne O'Brien forgot her own previous book , she just didn't care or she did it on purpose and I want to believe the last one that she did it on purpose, I mean I can understand that a man a powerful one is not the same to his wife and to his enemies or even in this case to his mother, I mean in the virgin widow we have the man in love who behave in certain positive way to the woman he loves but here we have the same man who behave in a different way because here is about power, money and his enemies, so in that case I give credit to create this complex thing if she indeed wanted to do it, but is not like this is enough to consider this a good book or a good development of characters is decently written but in general don't deserve more than 2 star to me specially because is not even well researched and this is the third book by Anne O'Brien that I have read and it's clear now that is her thing to finish the story abruptly without give a conclusion to her characters or her story, I mean this on ends in 1483 literally in middle of the crisis why to end a book here? no idea but definitely didn't help to improve this work.

[Oh Look,AnotherBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any serious historical fiction addict will have one or two novels by Anne O’Brien on their bookcase, and I am no exception. However, although I have a copy of Queen of the North on my bookshelf, I have never gotten around to reading it. Don’t get me wrong, I have every intention of reading it, just not yet (my to-read list is not as long as my arm, it is as long as the street I live on)!! When I was offered the chance to read Anne O’Brien's upcoming new release, I did feel a little flutter of butterflies in my stomach because I never thought I would have the privilege of reading an ARC from such a distinguished author. So naturally, I said yes! In fact, I went a little mental and texted all my friends to tell them, thank goodness they know how to humour me!!

So, what did I think? Was Anne O’Brien’s writing everything I had thought it would be? Hell, yes!! It was bloody brilliant, and I stayed up reading it until two in the morning because there was no way I was putting this baby down.

The Queen’s Rival is the story of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York’s life. For those who had no idea who she was, let me give you a quick history lesson! During the War of the Roses, or The Cousins War as it was known back then, the Plantagenet dynasty had the mother of all family arguments. I am not talking about the kind of argument one gets into with your cousin over a family dinner because they ate the last roast potato and you had your eye on it and he knew that I did (I am not at all bitter about the roast potato incident), no, this was about power, and an insatiable greed. Their war was the ultimate Game of Thrones, in fact George R. R. Martin’s series is based on this period of history. But fantasy cannot even come close to capturing the historical truth of the time. The country, well the family, split and unless you were a Stanley, you had to choose a side (the Stanleys liked to have a foot in both camps). So, imagine this era, you are either with York or Lancaster. Obviously, Cecily was a Yorkist, her title kind of gives it away, and her family were right in the thick of the action. In fact, two of her sons became king. You may have heard of them - Edward IV and Richard III. If not, where have you been? Did you miss the whole king under the carpark thing?

The Queen’s Rival is an intimate exploration of Cecily’s life. Reading this novel felt as if I had been granted a special privilege. I felt like I should be wearing white gloves as I read it - you know the kind historians wear when they handing hundreds of year old documents. I know that sounds silly, but that is how I felt. This story, Cecily’s story, is played out through letters. The letters really brought her story to life, and I thought the delivery was brilliant.

Cecily’s story is one of heartbreak and loss. It is a truly tragic story, but she is brave. So very, very brave. If you are like me and are a bit of watering pot (as my granny used to call me - she is still alive, but now she calls me Maddie because that is my name and I am no longer a child who cries because her cousin ate the last roast potato), have some tissues close to hand because you are going to need them. You are really going to need them.

The letters are fictional in the telling, but I thought Anne O’Brien demonstrated a clear understanding of the historical period. She also brought Cecily gloriously back to life. I think Cecily would have been very pleased with the way she was depicted.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was certainty a great introduction to Anne O’Brien’s writing, but it does mean that my bank account is really going to take a hint because as soon as I have finished reading Queen of the North I will be treating myself to more of Anne O’Brien’s books - just don’t tell my husband, or my Granny because she will tell me to get down the local library, and stop wasting my money. But she was never much of a reader, so she does not understand!!!

*I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher for review consideraion.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a novel about Cecily Neville that uses an epistolary style, in part. In the prologue Cecily addresses a note to her son Diccon who is marking his seventh birthday. She warns him not to write in the Book of Hours she has given him and to be careful with his father’s gift, a knife. Other notes follow, including ones to her husband about the subsequent row between George and Richard over the knife. The decision to use these letters/notes to relate this little drama is distinctly odd. These people are living in the same place, so why are they sending notes to one another rather talking face to face? This could have been a quite effective scene if told as a traditional narrative, but the use of the letters only further detaches the reader from the action and the people.

In the first part of this book Cecily is more a passive observer who has little influence over her husband’s decision. Indeed, with little historical background provided of events prior to October 1459, Cecily seems blindsided by her husband’s decision to seek the crown. When Yorkist lords flee Ludlow, she justifies their actions to her sisters, but believes in her heart that her husband could and should have taken her and her young children with him. Her letters do bring home that York must have suffered disgrace as a result of running away from the battle.

After York’s death and the ascension of Edward’s to the throne, Cicely does become more active in trying to influence her sons but is singularly ineffective. All three of her sons—indeed, all the male kinfolk—are harshly portrayed.

Many of the letters are between Cecily and her two older sisters, Anne and Katherine. They tend to be snarky as the three fuss over such things as the rosary beads that their mother gave Cecily. They do exchange recipes and do seem to have some affection for one another. The letters do enable the reader to relate to them as ordinary human beings, but we only see Cecily on a superficial level.

In addition to the epistles, the author gives us straight up narrative, some of Cecily’s prayers, and the (fictional) tabloid-style, bombastic England’s Chronicles. The combination did not work for me, but made for a clumsy and simplistic telling of the history of the time. We have a couple of pages of letters about the pregnancy of Elizabeth Woodville with her first child by Edward, followed by speculation in the England’s Chronicle, a royal proclamation about the birth, followed by another entry of the England’s Chronicle about the baptism. Boring—and there is an even lengthier exchange when their son is born in 1470. And don’t get me started about the Blaybourne rumor circulated by Warwick: letters between sisters Anne and Katherine, “do you think it is true?” England’s Chronicle has to chime in with: “Well, well. Who would ever have believed this possible. ¶. Our King Edward might not actually be a true child of our late lamented Duke of York and Proud Cis. Our King might just be a bastard. . .” Blah, blah, blah. You must get the idea of the general tone of the writing so please excuse me from relating more. Just dreadful.

Thankfully, the author does not even try to effect medieval language, but at times the use of modern terms can be jarring, as when her sister Anne ends a letter to Cecily with “from your ‘judgmental’ sister.” Sorry, I just don’t see any 15th century person using the word judgmental.

I will admit that I was disappointed with the author’s portrayal of Richard as willing to use the Eleanor Butler pre contract (hinted to be fictional) and, if necessary, to slander his mother as an adulterer. (The book ends as Richard is to be crowned, so the author doesn’t deal with the disappearance of the princes, because they haven’t disappeared yet. Thank goodness.). However, I can state with a clear conscience that this did not affect this review, as I had grown tired of this book long before these last fifty pages. Perhaps, I am being hard on this author, but I think she has written far better books than this one. If you want to read only one of the recent novels about Cecily, I would recommend Garthwaite’s Cecily.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not care for the style this was written in.

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first historical novel I've ever read told as an epistolary novel, and I liked the idea very much because I'm a big fan of the genre (Dracula by Bram Stoker is still one of my favourite book). I found the idea brilliant, and the writing style was very good, flourished and capable to hold the reader's attention till the end. Indeed, it took me just a few days to finish it. I also loved the relationship, more than often overlooked in other historical novels, between Cecily and her sisters, the best part of the novel by far.
What are the issues with it, then? Why 2 stars? Here are my reasons.


1. The protagonist is Cecily Neville, but only apparently. Save, as mentioned, for Cecily's relationship with her sisters Katherine and Anne, she is not really the main charachter, and is not her life that is told. Cecily witnesses the events around her, the political situation, the actions involving her kinsmen, and merely recounts them with a few real intrusions.


2. In a novel about Cecily's life I would've expected a telling of her whole life, if not since her childood, at least since her youth, her first years as Duchess of York, the life in France and then in Dublin, the birth of her children, the beginning of the so called Wars of the Roses. Instead, the novel starts in 1459, at the famous battle of Ludford Bridge, and then goes on into the reign of Edward IV and strangely and abruptly stops when Richard III becomes King. So we are told again of facts widely told in many other novels, while it would have been interesting to read facts prior to this date that usually novels don't take into notice. This is not the tale of Cecily's life, but the tale of the last half of Cecily's life.


3. There are few historical mistakes, that in a so well researched novel really stand out. For example the beginning of the New Year on January 1, when in Medieval times it began on 25 March, Our Lady Day. Or Edward marching into London with "20.000 knights and 30.000 footmen". Considering that in England at the time there was about a total of 1000 knights, and that the population of London was of 40.000, obviously these are fantasy numbers. Not to mention the ever presents George and Edward tall and blonde, and the short and dark Richard. And above all, the fact that Richard claimed the crown using Edward's supposed bastardy as well as that of Edward's children, which comes from the utterly unreliable Thomas More, while all the contemporary sources say otherwise.


4. The treatment of Richard III: this was a bitter finding for me, since I've read another novel by the same author, Virgin Widow, which presented a good Richard, closer to the historical one. Here we find another Richard, more similar to the Tudorish one, ambitious, double faced, cunning, dissembler, greedy for power, who invents the marriage between Edward and Eleanor Talbot, but is ready to brand his mother an adulterer if this doesn't work, who covets the crown at any cost, who unjustly execute Hastings just because he doesn't want to support him and so on. This was really painful to read in a 2020 novel.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: an e-copy of this book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I am a big fan of historical novels, and the Wars of the Roses is one of my favourite time periods, as both a reader and a historian. Anne O'Brien had a clear grasp of the chronology and characters of the period, and it was good to see the events from the perspective from a character who had been limited to the background in other books that I have read.

This book follows the life of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York and mother to two kings from 1459 to 1483. This timeline aligns with the majority of the Wars of the Roses, and the titular "Queen" transitions throughout the timeline from Marguerite of Anjou to Elizabeth Woodville. Lady Cecily is their rival, and we get a good insight into her life and thought processes.

The Queen's Rival is primarily an epistolary novel, told through various letters, documents and chronicles. I felt this format was strong to help convey the behind-the-scenes political dealings that would have been a part of society, as well as the vast sprawling nature of noble medieval families and their interconnections. The Neville's seemed to be connected to every family that was anybody, and that familial connection was played on frequently. However, I felt that O'Brien's writing was strongest in the sections that were more akin to her other books and their traditional prose.

What this book really struggled with, though, was the historical context. There was little beyond the events of the plot to really help ground the reader into the historical context, and it was riddled with incongruities. For instance, O'Brien directly references the roses as faction symbols, whereas we have no historical evidence of this until after the wars were completed. Also, one of the documents that frequently arose as a format to convey plot information was called England's Chronicle. To a historian, a chronicle is an official document that recorded the vital details of events that occurred in any given year. O'Brien's Chronicle, however, functions more like a tabloid press, speculative and sensationalist, and seems at times to suggest that there was a broad readership. This would have been incredibly unlikely - mass information and pamphlets of the like were only possible with the invention of the printing press, which took until the sixteenth century to become widely used, and even then there would still have been a low literacy level among the general populace.

Overall, I think I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy and are familiar with the time period, but not necessarily well versed. If you are a picky historian or history student, you might struggle, but it is a good story, and I loved getting this different perspective and the focus on family loyalty.

[Lauren Lewsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Queen's Rival tells the story of Cecily Neville, the Duchess of York during the Wars of the Roses, from the sack on Ludlow Castle to the coronation of her son King Richard III.
This is my absolute favorite period of history to read about both in fiction and non-fiction and therefore I could not wait to get my teeth sunk into the Queen's Rival.

The story does not have a consistent narrative. The story is told through letters, prayers, small bits of story, and even recipes. I understand what O'Brien was trying to do but it did not work. For a woman, even a powerful one, in this period writing letters would have been their only communication with what was happening on the battlefield, and also a chance to voice their own feelings. However, we also get letters from other people other than Cecily to people other than Cecily. The reader is therefore ripped quickly from one narrative and into another and then back again from page to page.
The letter theme of the book also makes the book very repetitive. Once again I understand what O'Brien is going for here by displaying this nature of how information was transported at this time but for a reader, it does not work.

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few books about this indomitable woman, Cecily Neville, wife of the Duke of York who had a right to the throne but lost it when his head ended up on a spike decorating a gate into York. She was the mother of two kings of England and the aunt of the 'King Maker', the Earl of Warwick. Her story is told through letters sent and received from members of her family and others thus highlighting the changing political scene throughout the period of the factions between Yorkists and Lancastrians. Although this is written in a different manner to most historical novels it is extremely well done and enjoyable.

[Jennifer N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, a truly fascinating woman. It starts with the Lancastrian army arriving in the city and Cecily watching them ransack her castle with her small children and ends with Richard becoming King. IT is told through letters and many are to and from her sisters which add an interesting element. I would have liked to see more of her younger years and for the author to take a stance on whether Edward was legitimate or not.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering the role she played in a major part of British history, I knew very little of Cecily, the Duchess of York, so I found this book to be an utterly fascinating look at the role that she played in such a turbulent time for her family, and the monarchy as a whole.

And I also really enjoyed the way the story is told and that's through the form of letters - from and to Cecily from a number of key figures at the time. There was obviously no quick way of relaying information to family and friends at the time, so the art of letter writing was of key importance in sharing information, and betraying confidences! And I loved how personal it made the whole story feel - that you were peeking over their shoulders to read these letters and finding out what had been going on and what was planned for the future as the battle for the kingdom raged around them. Family vs Family! And in the letters they were able to speak a little more honestly maybe than if they were face to face!

This is a story of a woman who is driven to do the best for her family, even when her love and loyalty is pushed to the limits. No matter what is put in her way, she still tries the best to engineer the situation that works out best for what she believes in - no mean feat for a woman especially at that time.

This is a beast of a book at over 500 pages long, but it clips along at a fair old pace so you're never left feeling that things drag - you're just eager to get to the next round of letters to see how strategies are playing out and what spanner would be thrown in the works next!

A brilliant and cleverly portrayed take on the War of the Roses period and one that has made me even eager to find out even more about that time in history!

[Megan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

England, 1459: Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, is embroiled in a plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne. But when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecily’s family flee and abandon her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own. Cecily can only watch as her lands are torn apart and divided up by the ruthless Queen Marguerite. From the towers of her prison in Tonbridge Castle, the Duchess begins to spin a web of deceit – one that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI, and to her eldest son being crowned King Edward IV.

This is set during a well known period of history and a period I very much enjoy so I was looking forward to getting stuck into it. However, I did not enjoy O’Brien’s writing style in this. O’Brien has written this through a combination of letters, prayers and excerpts from The English Chronicle. This method certainly proved unique but I cannot help but wonder if it was unique for a reason. It simply did not work for me. This is not factual but a work of fiction so why try and make it read like a factual book. Due to the writing style I found this read stunted; it lost its flow and felt like it never got going. Dare I say it but I was bored.

The one positive I can think of for this method is it allowed the reader inside the heads of the people O’Brien is writing about. I did think the “characters” O’Brien includes were well presented, their personalities were captured and their thoughts and feelings seemed plausible. I only wish this had been written differently and then I may have enjoyed it more.

It pains me to say this, but I was not gripped at all by this read and could have very easily not finished it. Suddenly, one of my favourite periods of history lost its sheen and I cannot begin to express my disappointment.

I have nothing else to add about ‘The Queen’s Rival’ other than what a real disappointment this proved to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.

[Roos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was so much fun, flew through it. Not sure if I agree with every choice O'Brien makes, but I definitely recommend it if you like historical novels about the war of the roses

[Esther Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. She takes you back in time and brings the history alive.

[Literary Chanteuse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual style with the story playing out via letters sent between the characters. Really interesting part of history and I felt that I learnt loads

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly written in the form of letters, diary entries, and other written bits to and from Cecily the wife of Richard Duke of York. Full of intrigue and yet not terribly hard to follow.
One of the better War of the Roses I have read

[Heather Trevis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel chronicles a fascinating period in English medieval history, the Wars of the Roses, told mainly through the perspective of Cecily Neville Duchess of York. I love that much of the focus is on strong, ambitious female characters such as Queen Marguerite and Elizabeth Woodville, as history is still overly male, and I enjoyed reading about the constant scheming, plotting, rivalry and mistrust during this period of heightened political battles. However, despite the high stakes, conflict and drama going on, the narration was oddly dry for the most part so I didn’t feel that gripped by the story. Trying to straddle between history and fiction is challenging nonetheless and the novel is well researched, well written, and the use of letters for much of the narration very effective. I would recommend the printed copy, rather than kindle edition, for this book as the useful family trees at the start of the novel would have been much easier to read and refer to in printed format.

[Carole A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book but ultimately was left feeling disappointed.

I liked the literary device of it being epistolary rather than narrative, but I think actually that was ultimately its downfall in my eyes. This is a real shame as there was a lot of potential in such a format and it could have been an engaging device, but overall there were too many specific irritations for me.

I thought the over-reliance on the letters ended up being tedious. The conversations in the letters didn’t ring true for me either: the constant and excessive use of questions was irritating and the letters themselves felt contrived, drawn out, repetitive and laboured. It took a exasperatingly long time, for example, to reveal the claim about Edward IV’s bastardy - extra annoying since I knew what it was and probably frustrating to those who didn’t. Although there were some narrative passages, even they contained a lot of conversations that at times were banal and again repetitive, holding back the pace, which was a shame because I enjoyed reading the actual prose between those conversations. It wasn’t far into the book before I was skim-reading whole tracts without, I suspect, missing much.

I really didn’t like the Chronicle contributions. They felt anachronistic in tone and style plus there was a lot of flip-flopping in the opinions, even within one single “article”. Again, the constant questioning was really annoying.

I have never, ever seen Richard III’s name spelt as Diccon before, and couldn’t see any reason why it should be in this novel. A minor point maybe, but one which irritated me for some reason - as did some of the clumsily-constructed and ungrammatical sentences which no doubt were written in the way they were for dramatic effect. Whenever a writer uses an incomplete sentence it interrupts my reading, usually because it sets my teeth on edge, although there were some that flowed well enough. I always allow for a certain amount of poetic licence but some were just too “clunky”.

On the plus side, O’Brien has produced a very well researched account of this period of Cecily’s life and, my comments above notwithstanding, appreciated her writing style: there were some lovely turns of phrase and descriptive passages outside of the letters and I wish there had been more of those - hence the three stars. However, overall I was disappointed since it quickly became of one those books that I couldn’t wait to get to the end of, and not in a good way.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent read

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers familiar with the era now known as the War of the Roses will love this novel, I believe. Told to a large extent in sequences of letters sent by – and to – Cecily, Duchess of York, The Queen's Rival is a very intimate insight into the intrigues, the politics, and the dirty tricks both sides used to gain the crown.

But first, who was the leading lady? Cecily of York is wife to Richard, Duke of York, claimant to the throne of England through his family line dating back to King Edward III. She is also the mother to two future kings, Edward IV and Richard III (Duke of Gloucester), the Dukes of Clarence and Rutland, and several daughters. Other children did not survive infancy. A remarkable lady who used her influence and standing to gain support for their cause.

With King Henry VI dissolving into confused madness (from a surprisingly early age onwards), the country is ruled by Queen Marguerite of Anjou, and an assortment of carefully selected barons who remain staunchly by her side. Richard, Duke of York was sidelined in his position of power by this group, and is now seeking to take power. But it soon goes awry...

In Cecily's letters to her sisters, children, magnates and the queen we get a real glimpse of a lady of some influence. She knows her station in life, and soon – after initial reluctance – agrees with her husband's plans to take the throne for himself. Her tone changes as she demands, orders, and begs, where appropriate.

Accompanying the letters flying about across England, and often into France and Burgundy (those poor messengers!), is England's Chronicle, which describes the deeds of the times. This resembles, at times, the articles from a certain Lady Whistledown in the bestselling Regency series, Bridgerton.

Ms O'Brien's narrative is very different to other novels I've read on the subject of the Wars of the Roses. It's very personal, and we get a real sense to be in the midst of all the intrigues.

In Cecily's letters, she paints a vivid picture of a woman who is often torn in her feelings, but who never forgets the ultimate goal – a York king on the throne. We applaud her when she tells her sisters to mind their own business, we feel for her breaking heart when she hears yet more news of deaths in battle – her husband and young son Edmund, Duke of Rutland – then later of the execution of Clarence after her plea with Edward for clemency. We rage with her when Clarence and the scheming Earl of Warwick, her nephew, accuse her of having cheated on her husband and given birth to an illegitimate son (the purpose of which will be clear in the story) or when Edward marries not a foreign princess but a widow with no real name to her. And we rejoice with her when she receives good news – her sons are safe, and when Edward is king. Her likes and dislikes are clearly defined.

The chronicle adds a general tone to the narrative, but as it reminded me of Lady Whistledown's musings, I felt a little catapulted out of the 15th century. But that was the only minor issue I found.

The Queen's Rival is as gripping as it is shocking in its content as it reveals the plots and the dangers faced by Cecily's family. It can't have been easy, and Ms O'Brien brought the redoubtable duchess wonderfully to life with a real sense of duty, of ambition, and of love and loss.

The ending is quite sudden, for those who are familiar with the history of the Wars of the Roses, and I did feel a little cheated at first. But in hindsight, it is a clever ploy by the author. She never doubts Cecily's loyalty to the entitlement of the House of York, and nor do we.

A very personal and captivating read that keeps you thinking about Cecily and everything she had to cope with. The Queen's Rival is a story of a remarkable lady in very volatile times. A highly recommended read.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

England is in the midst of chaos in a conflict known as the Wars of the Roses. The Yorkist cause is formulating a case to take the throne's power from Henry VI and the Lancastrians and replace the king with Richard, Duke of York, whose claim to the throne is a bit stronger. Caught in the middle of the Wars of the Roses was one strong and courageous woman who would fight tooth and nail for her family and the Yorkist cause. Her name was Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, and her story is masterfully told in Anne O’Brien’s novel, “The Queen’s Rival.”

A few years ago, I hosted Anne O’Brien to discuss this book as part of a blog tour for The Coffee Pot Book Club. I will admit that this was the first time I had read a novel by Anne O’Brien, but I had heard amazing things about her writing style, so when I saw this novel at a bookstore, it was an instant buy for me.

We begin in the year 1459 and the house of York is facing a disaster. The Yorkists have lost the Battle of Ludford Bridge and must now separate and go into exile. Cecily can only watch as the Lancastrians lay siege to her home, forcing her and her young children to be imprisoned at Tonbridge Castle. This moment might have broken Cecily’s spirit, but Cecily is a proud Neville, willing to fight until the bitter end to see her family safe and secure on the throne of England. Along the way, she must endure heartache (such as the death of her husband Richard Duke of York) and moments of betrayal, such as George, Duke of Clarence, and Richard, Earl of Warwick. Cecily’s name and reputation are dragged through the mud on numerous occasions. However, she gets to witness moments of glory, the crowning of her sons Edward IV and Richard III, and the birth of her grandchildren, to create the House of York.

My favorite aspect of this novel is that the chapters are not written like traditional chapters. The chapters are a series of letters to and from Cecily to her family members or those she considers her enemies to convince them to give her and her family leniency. Cecily’s main correspondences are with her sisters, Anne Duchess of Buckingham, and Katherine Dowager Duchess of Norfolk. One of my favorite characters is the author of England’s Chronicle, who reminds me of a gossip columnist, ready to spill all the secrets and rumors to anyone who will hear it.

I had such a fun time reading this novel. Even though I knew the events of the Wars of the Roses and what would happen, I found it refreshing to read it as a series of letters so that you can sense how the historical figure might have felt during that moment. This may have been my first novel by Anne O’Brien, but it definitely will not be my last. If you want a thrilling novel about the Wars of the Roses from the perspective of Cecily Neville, I highly suggest you read, “The Queen’s Rival” by Anne O’Brien.

[Librow0rm Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with the e-arc for The Queen’s Rival by Anne O’Brien in exchange for an honest review.

The book takes place in England between 1459 and 1483 in an epistolary format, principally from the perspective of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York. Whilst not one of history’s forgotten female principals, relatively little has been written from Cecily’s POV.

From the start to the end, high politics, treason, plot, subterfuge and betrayal take main stage.

From embroilment in her husband’s initial failed plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne, and his subsequent abandonment of his family when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge,, Cecily is forced to face loss of her home, lands and imprisonment in her Lancaster married sister’s home, Tonbridge Castle.

From this point the Duchess initiates spinning her web of deceit as she fights to spin the wheel of fate and history to better her family’s safety, position and fortunes.

The story progresses through the War of the Roses; a point in English history that pitted brother against brother and goes onward to examine the tides turning for and against the favour of the York family. As Cecily fights with all her might to manipulate, direct and maintain her family through the fall of King Henry VI, and her eldest son being crowned King Edward IV.

I’m no history expert, but I do find this period of history fascinating and enjoy a different perspective that brings a personal touch to the period, and there is no question about this book does that. As a reader, you are gifted with a story of ambition, familial love and angst, conquest, betrayal, high politics and tragedy. However, there are certain points that the author acknowledges to not be historically accurate, that will rule the history expert. However, this is an enjoyable read that provides another perspective in the world of historical fiction focusing on the engaging and interesting era of the Wars of the Roses.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this ebook in return for my honest review.

I am an avid reader of historical fiction, and the stories from the Wars of the Roses period of history - I even wrote my dissertation of fiction based on the time period. Similar to the novels from this period of history from Philippa Gregory, our main character is a woman from the time. This novel is told from the perspective of Duchess Cecily of York, the mother of King Edward IV, George Duke of Clarence, and King Richard III. This is not a perspective I've read from before, so it was a really fresh insight into somewhat familiar historical events.

The novel is told mainly through a selection of letters, as well as articles from the English Chronicle, which made the novel have an authentic feel to it. Obviously, most of history is told from the male perspective, so seeing a female perspective on events is really interesting. The letters also helped to make you feel like you were privy to some sensitive political information - really getting the insider gossip.

The family trees at the beginning of the novel was a welcome addition as the families were all linked in a variety of ways. The Nevilles, particularly, are members of numerous family trees, as well as the Woodvilles marrying into multiple families. Without the family trees, it could get a little confusing. There was a lot of action in this novel, there was a lot of drama. Admittedly, I think this is because of the length of time that the novel covers in the short amount of pages. Because of this, it seems like it was one event after another. Perhaps if this was a series of novels, you could get a little more historical context, but as someone who has some knowledge of the time period, I could fill in some of the gaps.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and would recommend it to other fans of historical fiction and the time period. It was a very enjoyable read and great return to a period of history I find really interesting!

[Gwendalyn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please excuse any grammatical errors, or typos. I have done my best, but in reality I am just reader. and will leave the writing to all the incredible authors out there.

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

The Queen’s Rival By Anne O’Brien is a rewarding historical fiction experience.

An insightful look at the dramatic time of the War of The Roses seen through the eyes of Cecily, Duchess of York. The author has done an exceptional job in giving the reader a book that is written in the style of epistolary. Seamless narration in a series of letters, documents and even a recipe. This was a really creative way of to set up a novel. In a series of events Lady Cecily finds herself in a broiled plot to usurp King Henry VI from the throne. Things do not go as a planned and lady Cecily finds her family humbled and faced with the stripping of their families lands by the ruthless Queen Marguerite.

Cecile watches from her prison tower in Tonbridge Castle She is patient and bides her time. Planning her eldest son’s Edward IV, ultimate victory, with him being crowned King. This is a epic tale of one woman’s goal to have her family climb the ranks to the top through political intrigue, and align themselves to the English crown.

Her family rises and falls like the tides, as Englands endures the chaotic civil war of the Roses that takes place during the medieval fifteen century.

The author has created an engaging and memorable book, and her highly accomplished writing ensures that the reader is swept along in this dramatic historical fiction. From start to finish I was captivated by the characters. Along with a fast moving plot line, the book was a wonderful read and kept me glued to its pages.

Excited to see more from this talented author

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction set in a medieval court but until now I haven’t explored the works of Anne O’Brien. ‘The Queens Rival’ is a very solid entry into the genre but not my favourite.

The book tells the story of Cecily, Duchess of York and mother of Edward IV and Richard III. Covering some of the most intriguing events during the Wars of the Roses there’s plenty of good material here and it was interesting to consider how it all unfolded from Cecily’s perspective. Cecily was often put in difficult positions, being left behind to face the victorious Margaret of Anjou as her husband fled to Ireland, facing the fall out of her sons marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, acting as mediator between her sons and seeing her youngest son usurp her grandson. Cecily led a fantastic life and makes for a great centre for this tale.

The weakest point of this book was the way Cecily’s story was told. Letters sent to and from Cecily make up the bulk of the narrative, with recipes, prayers and short sections of basic prose making up the rest. While the inclusion of letters can be a great added layer to any story, I felt this one relied too much on them. This framework made it seem like Cecily spend an awful lot of time talking and hardly anytime doing, unlike the other people in this book. This impression really doesn’t do Cecily any justice. Additionally, I’d find it hard to believe that Cecily and the others would have committed their deepest, inner most personal thoughts to paper, so I felt as if we were being held at a distance and Cecily’s character was never fully developed.

Despite this, I did find myself drawn into the book. The writing is a little more in the modern side than other authors of the same genre, this was a little jarring to me initially but after a while I got used to it and it became a very easy read. I’d recommend this for anyone wanting to dip their toes into this area of history.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An e-copy of this book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book primarily follows Cecily, Duchess of York, through the perilous Wars of the Roses, and we see how she and her family respond to various events throughout the fifteenth century. The book is mostly told through letters, but we also see Cecily's diary entries, her prayers, newspaper entries, and the odd chunk of 'normal' narrative between the characters, in Cecily's first person. The majority of the book is seen through Cecily's eyes, but we do also see other people and their motivations in their letters to Cecily and others.

I found it really interesting following this particular woman's life through these treacherous times in British history due to her heavy involvement in the actions of her family members. The storyline follows personal views, including Cecily's and others', but is also very political in nature, which you might expect from the topic of the novel.

If you already know about this period of history surrounding the Wars of the Roses, then this novel will give you an, albeit fictional, interesting insight into the behind-the-scenes of the tensions between rivals and within families. If you don't know anything about this period, however, it is an interesting introduction and is possible to follow with little historical knowledge.

I found the novel to be incredibly plot-driven, and not much time was given to the development of characters. However, I think this worked quite well as the reader is left as an onlooker to the events of Cecily's life. I enjoyed parts of this book, but also found some parts quite tedious and repetitive due to the changing formats of letters, prayers, and news reports. I still gave it 3 stars and would recommend it to any historical fiction fan, especially those who enjoy medieval history.

[Gemma Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot

England, 1459: Cecily, Duchess of York, is embroiled in a plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne. But when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecily’s family flee and abandon her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own.

Cecily can only watch as her lands are torn apart and divided up by the ruthless Queen Marguerite. From the towers of her prison in Tonbridge Castle, the Duchess begins to spin a web of deceit – one that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI, and to her eldest son being crowned King of England.

Review

My little historian heart has been empty of late not being allowed into the archives thanks to The C Word, so this novel has come along at the right time. I’m sure most of us are familiar with the ever bloody Wars of The Roses when there were more changes to the throne of England than hot dinners in a Toby Carvery but this one is a little different.

Told though letters, prayers, documents and diary entries it focuses on the life of Cecily, Duchess of York who at the heart of this is simply a mother watching her family rip each other to shreds and anyone who stands in the way.

It’s refreshing to read a historical novel that takes this approach as it felt, for me at least, like I was in the archives looking through these old pieces of paper and enjoying myself.

Of course, as with any historical fiction there are a few liberties taken but in the majority the book remains faithful to what we know of the Yorks and Lancastrians. A very enjoyable read which quelled my little history loving soul.

Rating

4 stars

Recommend

Yes - especially if your history deprived right now.

This book was kindly gifted by the publisher in exchange for a honest review as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 5 out of 5]

1459, Cecily Neville, Duchess of York is a matriarch at the heart of the Wars of the Roses. Her husband has his eyes on the crown but family feuding and political necessity lead to civil war...
The Queen's Rival is an historical novel covering the years 1459 to 1483 as the Yorkist faction attempts to seize and then hold power in England. But once they have the Crown, can they keep it?
Cecily is a marvellous character, quick witted and sharp tongued. She is highly conscious of her family's honour, scathing in her attitude to her enemies with a wonderfully antagonistic relationship with one of her sisters, struggling to cope with the fears and angst at the behaviour of her children.
Anne O'Brien has done a fabulous job of bringing Cecily and her machinations to life. The plot is delivered through multiple means including letters, personal commentary, prayers and scurrilous news reports. It took me a little while to settle into the narrative structure but then I was completely hooked.
Cecily appears multi dimensional and therefore more realistic and human: a wife, a mother, a sister as well as a woman in her own right. Her letters are so personal and have a modern edge which means they lose their authentic historic tone, however this makes her more easy to identify with for a modern audience.
The book doesn't shy away from the brutality of war and the civil and personal unrest that pitted family members against each other. However, it is the personal element that shines as Cecily responds and reacts to events. The personal and political cannot be separated in this world where families fight for rival factions to the death. Knowledge of the era does not impinge on the enjoyment of the plot developments as they are skilfully handled by the author.
The Queen's Rival is a wonderful testament to an unforgettable woman.

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a big miss for me. It tells the story of Cecily Neville (mother of Edward IV and Richard III) in an epistolary format - a mix of letters, prayers, first person narrative, documents and ??? newspaper articles?

I recently enjoyed Anne O'Brien's The Royal Game , which was written in a similar style of letters (with the chapters written in single narrative perspective). Unfortunately, in The Queen's Rival, there was far too much 'telling', and almost no 'showing'. Essentially most of the letters followed the same theme: "this has happened so I'm going to tell you all about it", or "have you heard the news? something ELSE has happened which you probably know about but I'm going to tell you in great detail anyway". It boiled down to a monotonous rendition of events, in fairly plain language which seemed unfitting to the time period.

Despite the many characters that we hear from, there were no strong voices, and no fresh outlooks or perspectives. I wouldn't say Cecily Neville is a particularly obscure historical figure (or perhaps I'm biased). I felt this was particularly sub-par forerunner to The Royal Game , which had a stronger format and followed a lesser-known family. Hopefully this is the author just getting settled into writing in an epistolary format?

Overall, an unsuccessful telling of a turbulent period in history.

[Kimberly Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Tudor and Plantagenet historical fiction so I was really excited to read The Queen's Rival by Anne O'Brien and I wasn't disappointed. This book tells the story of Cecily Neville the 'Queen that never was.' Wife of Richard of York and mother to the 3 'suns' of York, Edward IV, the Duke of Clarence and Richard III.
This book is written in the form of a series of letters from Cecily to different relatives and vice versa. I have to admit that at first I thought I wouldn't like this approach to storytelling. However, it worked and I loved the book. Cecily Neville is most definitely worthy of a book being written about her. What a strong and formidable woman who experienced so much loss, death and betrayal in her lifetime, even by her own sons. Yet as any mother would, she remained loyal to each of them to the end of each of their lives. Cecily outlived all of her sons such was her strength and endurance.
At the end of the book, the author explains why she chose to begin and end the book where she does. The book ends with the coronation of Richard III and not the death of Richard at the battle of Bosworth as I expected it to, but in terms of Cecily's role in the aggrandisement of the house of York it is appropriate.
I would recommend this book to all fans of Tudor/Plantagent history and especially those of you, like me, who love the writing of Phillippa Gregory and Alison Weir. This is not the first book I have read by Anne O'Brien and it most definitely wont be the last. Thank you for enabling me to read this great book.