The Rose of York: Fall from Grace

The Rose of York Trilogy #3

by Sandra Worth

Sandra Worth is the prize-winning, internationally published author of six books chronicling the decline of the Plantagenets and rise of the Tudors. She holds a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Toronto.

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

267 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2006

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

[Natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fall from Grace, written by Sandra Worth is the last of three volumes documenting the life of Richard iii the last Plantagenet King. Much has been written about Richard as the so-called hunchback king who for many murdered the young Princes to ascend the English throne. This novel is thoroughly researched, historically accurate and presents Richard as an honest, considerate monarch genuinely interested in the country's welfare. His downfall at the 1485 Battle of Bosworth is the main subject of this third novel; historical detail is provided of the undermining forces that operated against his success. The novel is sensitively expressed in fluent prose and the characters presented are eminently believable.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best book I have read on Richard III. I loved it. Worth writes in a way that makes it easier for me to follow characters and events. I also loved the way she referenced the previous books in the series, without replaying what happened.
From the books I have read on Richard III, I have come to admire him on so many different levels. His life is so heartbreaking. The events surrounding his death disgust me. People can be so evil.
I am looking forward, though, to reading Worth's book on Henry VII's queen Elizabeth. She was mentioned in this book and I am curious to find out more about her.
If you are interested in Richard III, I highly recommend this book as well as the previous two in the series. They were wonderful.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tear my heart out, why don’t you, Worth?

Somehow she had me in tears over a death scene I knew, knew, knew was coming and yet was a mess to see the heartache and pain for those left behind.

Of course, after that it’s all over but to go through the motions. However, here Worth makes a huge point out of the very real thought process in that time period that battle outcomes were God ordained, and an all-or-nothing attitude was all that was left for Richard to try and “prove” he was rightful king.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, emotional read! While I may not buy this twist on Richard III, I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. Ms. Worth did show his bad decision making. Richard III was definitely idealistic and trusted too much. Happy reading!

[Sera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the final one in a historical fiction trilogy about Richard III. What a great story! There is a schism in history about what Richard III was really like as a person. Worth's trilogy captures the current school of thought that Richard did much for creating the justice system as many countries know it today and that he was not some type of villian as historians, and even Shakespeare, have often portrayed him. Apparently, after his death, he was maligned by the Tudor who usurped his throne and who had also destroyed any written evidence that portrayed Richard as a beneficent ruler.

Worth adds a nice section at the end indicating what's true and what she made up. I've noticed that authors who write historical fiction but are cognizant of not leading readers into believing in historical inaccuracies often take this approach. I find it to be very useful as a reader.

I would encourage anyone who is interested in this piece of history to pick up these books. They are easy to read and quite dramatic for the subject matter that they address.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion. I found myself more engaged with the Richard of the previous two books, young and full of hope; here, however, he becomes more consumed by fate. Losing his son, and then Anne, Richard believes his punishment for taking the crown has been delivered. But, he keeps to the fore, justice for all. This series really does turn upside down Shakespeare's portrait of a wizened, greedy Richard. I had not realised that many of our modern practices with regards justice and law were initiated by good king Richard.

[BookAddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end to a really well done trilogy. I enjoyed them all immensely. I thought that some of this piece was a bit of a stretch but overall as a fan of Richard it was very satisfying. Also some great tips for additional reading at the end!

[Tristine Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series and insight of King Richard III. Sandra Worth has converted me into a believer that Richard wasn't as devious and treacherous as some historians would like us to believe. Worth is an amazing author who puts you right in the heart of the story.

[Winnifred · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was excellent. I wish it had been longer, but you cannot argue with history. When that portion ends, it is over. I wanted a happier ending, but again, history is history. She did an excellent job of bringing life to history. The characters were completely likeable or hateable.

[Ikonopeiston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally, an end to this trilogy.

[Lela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Richard III fan and an addict of books about him & that time. This was one of the really good ones!

[Lady Jane Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one gets five stars because I feel bad for not liking some of the series, lol! This should probably be a rounded up four, but the extra star is for Richard ;)

[Dianne Sagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this trilogy. It was well done and a good read for those who enjoy historical novels. Well researched.

[María Amparo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si he tardado algo más de lo normal en leer esta novela no ha sido por su calidad -al contrario-, si no porque conociendo el final de la historia, me costaba enfrentarme a él tras la empatía que la autora ya había sabido crear en mí por el verdadero Ricardo III y la dulce Anne Neville. Admito que no era difícil, pues trabajaba en terrero abonado. Ni siquiera Shakespeare, al servicio de la propaganda Tudor, se pudo resistir a la grandeza del personaje y creó uno de los villanos más complejos y atractivos de la Literatura. Y Sandra Worth con su prosa delicada y su destreza en el manejo del ritmo narrativo nos descubre al verdadero personaje histórico mientras intenta explicar con más o menos fortuna algunas de las incomprensibles decisiones que llevaron al trono al usurpador Richmond. Siempre me había preguntado porque el primer hijo de Enrique Tudor e Isabel de York se llamó Arturo. Ahora tengo una explicación triste y hermosa.

[Blue-eyed-books · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has all the problems I mentioned in my reviews of the last two. So I wont repeat myself. But it egregiously spits in the face of history to the point of disrespect. Altering key historical moments blatantly in order to paint Richard in a better light and when you have to do that….Then maybe Richard .. the child murderer … should not be the hero of your story.

[Chandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandra Worth's trilogy on Richard III was really good - I couldn't put the books down! She seems to have researched all three novels quite well, but I'm interested in reading a few bios now that I'm through with these as there are so many conflicting theories surrounding Richard III.

[. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard's struggles after the death of Anne brought tears to my eyes. This is my favorite book of the trilogy.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this series.

[Donna J. Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the trilogy -- really enjoyed them all.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this last book, Richard and Anne, now King and Queen of England, suffer through their losses and the greed that is still tearing the country apart. Henry Tudor is making his claim for the throne, and his mother and step-father, Lord and Lady Stanley are heavily involved with his revolt, although Lord Stanley gives the air of being loyal to Richard.

As the world spirals out of Richards control, he learns of the loss of their son, Ned, and Anne's health is also declining to the point of there being nothing that the drs can to do help her. After her sons death, she quickly lost strength and will to live. Richard was hoping to shape his kingdom in the ideal of Camelot, and although the lower classes loved him, he had alienated some of the lords of the kingdom in his pursuit for everyone to have justice, and equality. In the end, during his battle with Henry Tudor, Lord Stanley defaults to his step-sons side and Richard is killed, bringing a new chapter into English history. The country mourned for Richard although Henry was able to keep his throne, he did so through bloodshed and even had his step-father killed for some trifle. Richard pardoned men that deserved death, but he gave them chances, as he wanted their loyalty out of respect, not fear.

great read! I loved this book!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For amateur historians or just those people interested in Shakespeare's much, and most likely falsely, maligned monarch Richard III, this is a great read. You get to experience the last two years of trial and suffering that were Richard's life leading up to the Battle of Bosworth Field, and to that August day that changed The course of British history forever. Mostly, you get an idea of life from Richard's perspective, and with that, you get to see that he was not the villain that history has since painted him to be. It is a very fascinating book about a wonderfully complex and fascinating man.

[Tiffany Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

The necessary conclusion to Worth's trilogy covers the fall of R3. The material is solemn (the death of Anne, their son, and ultimately Richard himself), and we go in knowing the ending... but Worth treads this ground in such a repetitive way, it borders on the torturous. ...and despite her extreme defense of the man, I still didn't care for the man she made him out to be in the end: indecisive, somewhat weak, sad and almost pathetic. The last third I was reading mostly for the sake of finishing -- a sad finish to a series that began so strongly and held such promise (ironically, much like the man himself). 3-ish stars

[KV Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like the last book in the trilogy. But by the time I was halfway done with it I was bored and kind of annoyed. Every woman in all three books who had any sort of agency was painted as a villain. Decisions based on fading conceptions of chivalry were painted as noble and good in the most sentimental and irritating ways. I ended up rolling my eyes too much to enjoy it most of the time, in spite of really, really wanting to.

For all that the work that went into this novel and the rest of the trilogy is admirable and obvious. Probably not a bad get for someone into the Wars of the Roses and its history, so long as you don't expect terribly interesting characterization.

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I was in the middle of the second book of this trilogy when I heard on the radio that Richard III's remains had been found under a parking lot in Leicester. This is the third or so biography I've read of Richard III and I was pretty sure, when I heard this, that my fantasy life had once again overlapped into reality. Anyway, this was a nice biography, simple to read and containing no startling new revelations. I liked it and looked forward to ending my days reading it before sleep. Very nice.

[Heather Mims · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the conclusion of this trilogy satisfying overall, though I do feel that the three books could've been condensed into a single volume. This last book in particular felt really drawn out at times, lots of filler and repetition to meet the final goal. All in all though, it was very moving, poignantly human, and more than anything else, I love that the author, while certainly well researched, makes it abundantly clear where she deviates from historical evidence and imposes her own theories. More historical fiction authors should be this respectful.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book of the series. I found that some parts were a bit drawn out, almost as if the author needed to fill pages. Overall it was a good bood and I liked it. I've always felt that Richard III got a bad rap in many of the historical novels. I'm glad the someone finally took the time to dig into history and find the truth. I neve believed that Richard was behind the disapperance of Edward's boys. I've alwasy blamed the Stanley's or more accurately Margaret Beaufort.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audible; Robin Sachs, narrator) Illuminating and heartbreaking. A quote from Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur prefaces each chapter of this historical fiction, which covers the last two years of Richard III's life. What would the course of English and world history have been had Richard defeated Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth field? Would Ireland have been raped and pillaged if Elizabeth had never been queen of England?

[Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book altough I must admit I would love that the end of the war of roses had a different winner. But since history cant be changed I must say that Sandra Worth made a great job writting about the reign of king Richard III, the betrayals he endured and the battle of Bosworth that he fought very bravely.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book of the The Rose of York Trilogy and it was a good read. All in all it was a good story but there was so much of Richard III and Anne Neville that I just couldn't buy into. If you are a fan of those two you will see what I mean if you read the series. I don't want to state what they are or it can spoil the story. I enjoy her writing style and would recommend.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me want to look into other books to see if what she wrote could have happen. And the items were supported in other books (even those that were not favorable to Richard III). It also makes me want to read more about Richard III and see how other authors portray him.