The Red Queen

A Novel

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

The inspiration for the critically acclaimed Starz miniseries The White Queen, #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings to life Margaret Beaufort, heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, who charts her way through treacherous alliances to take control of the English throne.

Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her Lancaster house is the true ruler of England, and that she has a great destiny before her. Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of all time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and awaits his opportunity to win the greatest prize in all of England.

The Red Queen is a novel of conspiracy, passion, and coldhearted ambition, the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined, by her piety and lineage, to shape the course of history.

Love the series

I love the series, this was just a harder one to get through and a little harder to follow for me. Still very good! And I am excited to start the next one!

Personal View

I love Phillips Gregory books I am in the process of reading all of them in chronological historical order. Even though they are fiction they help clarify the real history by bringing the people to life.

Best read after The White Queen

This novel is not my favorite of Gregory's stories, but I believe it is a wonderful accompaniment to her novels about the Cousins' War. I do think however that The Red Queen and The White Queen (possibly The Kingmaker's Daughter as well) could have easily been combined to produce a single compelling story, told from different facets. But alas that may not be as true to Gregory's style. I would strongly recommend reading The White Queen first, despite The Red Queen's storyline beginning slightly before. The latter book gives away too many elements of the other's unfolding plotline. Read this way, The Red Queen serves to answer questions that arise in The White Queen, filling in a few gaps and shedding light on some crucial but more obscure characters. All in all, a recommended read for anyone planning on reading/listening to the series. My only qualm with the audio version is the pronunciation of "Regina" which is completely wrong and distastefully close to a very very different word. This was a bit unexpected as the word is pronounced correctly in The White Queen. Made me wince a bit each time it was read!

Great Historical Fiction!

If you enjoy English History, this is a great book.:) I would highly recommend it.

Meh...

Not one of her better books. Disappointing by comparison to her other works. Oh well...