Title- The King’s Daughter, A Novel of the First Tudor Queen
Author: Sandra Worth
Publisher: Berkley Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publishing Date: December 2, 2008
Rating: 5 Crowns
Fiercely devoted to her beloved father and King, seventeen-year-old Elizabeth of York trusts that his dying wish has left England in the hands of a just and deserving ruler. With a young successor not ready to reign, the power is passed to Elizabeth’s uncle, Richard of Gloucester—a man her mother has never trusted. It isn’t long before Elizabeth fears that her own faith was misplaced. Upon Richard’s rise, her 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. How could her father have believed in a man capable of such treachery?
But one fateful night shakes Elizabeth to the core and leads her to question all of 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 always secretly belong to another, her heart forever belongs to England . . .
My Review:
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 exist. Fleeing into the safety of the sanctuary with her mother and siblings after her father’s brother Richard claims the crown as his own. Too soon, they are 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 Richard, the king that she loves.
My Thoughts:
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 heartstrings. 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.
I have to say that this book should be read by every fan of Tudor literature, for me it was a book that I will not forget.
Visist Angela Renee @ Renee's Reads
8 comments:
I do like this era, and would love to read more
Great review!
I read this book last year and LOVED IT! Oh my...it had me with so many emotions...I clearly remember crying my eyes out. I also remember appreciating the family tree chart...helped me a lot.
This book seems hard to find down here but I would like to read it although I don't hold with the belief that Elizabeth loved her uncle, Richard.
Oh, this one sounds good! It's rare to see Richard painted as a less-than-evil man, huh...
I haven't had the chance to read anything from this period yet, but this will now go on my wish list. Thanks for the review!
I Love The Tudors TV series and it really made me into every Tudor related thing.
Amazing review it really made me get more attracted to the Tudors...
This is a great review - I'm looking for it on my library's website now!
I love this site and I will put a link to it from mine :)
http://bookreviews.me.uk
Take care
Blodeuedd- This was the first book that I had read from Sandra Worth, and I loved the way she captured the era.
Ibeeeg- This has to be my favorite book from that era. It was a very emotional read. I too used the family tree from time to time. I can get quite tricky when numerous people share the same name.
Cat- Amazon would be a good place to look, I believe they had a few copies that were cheap. I also questioned whether Elizabeth was in love with her Richard, and then I did a bit of research and the British Library has a letter that is in Elizabeth’s hand (and I cannot remember who it is addressed to, but I believe it was to the Duke of Norfolk), asking for permission to marry Richard. So you have to wonder, it’s one of those things that make you think.
Amy- This book was amazing. I loved the way Sandra Worth portrayed Richard. When I was researching this period I realized the only source that portrayed Richard as this monster like, deformed person was Shakespeare, and Henry VII. So one wonders how Richard really was.
Dolleygurl-This is the perfect book to start with.
Nevey Berry- I too am a huge fan of the Tudors, although I wished that they would have started at the very beginning, with Henry VII’s reign. I also loved this book due to the fact it showed Henry VIII’s beginning.
Kate- This is defiantly a book to look for. Thanks for the link to your site. I will check it out.
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