Title: The Lady of the Rivers

Author: Philippa Gregory  

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Touchstone

Format: Paperback

Pages: 480

Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis (Goodreads):

#1 New York Times bestselling author and “queen of royal fiction” (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory brings to life the story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman of passion and of legend who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the War of the Roses to bring her family unimaginable power.

When the young and beautiful Jacquetta is married to the older Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta has visions of the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of their royal York rivals. Jacquetta fights for her king and queen, as she sees an extraordinary and unexpected future for her daughter Elizabeth: a change of fortune, the white rose of York, and the throne of England…

Review:

Here is the first novel in the Plantagenet and Tudor novels by Philippa Gregory and it was so great to be able to see where the series began.

One thing that is truly amazing about these books is that it takes a complicated event like the war of the roses and breaks it down to readers to understand. There are so many players that it gets confusing, but Gregory is able to make the historical figures come alive.

Jacquetta is a young girl when she married he Duke of Bedford. Through this connection, she is thrust into what will become the war of the roses, which is a war between cousins ultimately. Jacquetta is a strong character who learns from her experiences and tries to do what’s best for her family. I loved her relationship with her second husband, Richard. Gregory did an amazing job of portraying their love story in a way that people can relate to!

If you are a fan of historical fiction, then I recommend you check this one out!

Happy reading!