READ THIS: THE LADY OF THE RIVERS By Philippa Gregory
Philippa Gregory is a literary Genius.
We have loved everything she has written, and The Lady of the Rivers is no exception.
Count down the days Until October 18th, because we Highly Recommend It.
The Lady of the Rivers is the first book that we have read after reading The Cousins War, which we also highly recommended:
However, we think you ought to read this first. Once you read The Cousins' War, you are going to know a lot of what happens in The Lady of The Rivers. We loved The White Queen and we loved The Red Queen, and when we read The Cousins's War after them, we loved the clarity that that gave us in ironing out the details. As you see we loved The Cousins' War and we wish we had read it after The Lady of The Rivers because for the first time, Peachy Deegan did know what was going to happen at certain points because of Gregory's dedication to being committed to as many factual details as we can rely on going this far back in time...so now we say in regards to The Cousins' War: spoiler alert!
In The Lady of the Rivers, we get to know Jacquetta better...you know she is the mother of The White Queen. But first, she grew up with Joan of Arc...and was from Luxembourg. In the war of England versus France, Jacquetta navigates the social and royal waters with both instinct and intelligence. As the plot thickens and she moves from mainland Europe to England, from town to country, Jacquetta's family grows and her relationships become complicated to a point where you may find yourself jotting down the family tree and social relations to be sure you have it straight for how it worked back in the days way before Facebook....
We don't want to tell you too much - because especially if you read The Cousins' War you know a lot already- just take our word for it, this is the latest in the hit parade by Philippa Gregory and it's not one to miss! We suggest you read The White Queen and The Red Queen after The Lady of The Rivers, and then read The Cousins' War after all three. And then maybe go back and read the three historical fiction novels because you cannot get enough of The War of the Roses! We can't and we can't wait to see what comes next.
Don't miss the big event coming up:
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From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author PHILIPPA GREGORY
The Lady of
the Rivers
**A November 2011 INDIE NEXT LIST PICK**
“Wielding magic again . . . . Gregory demonstrates the passion and skill
that has made her queen of English historical fiction.”
—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
“The best writers of historical fiction imbue the past with the rich tapestry of life and depth, and Gregory is surely counted among their number. . . . A worthy addition to this fascinating series.”
—Library Journal
“The suspenseful pace never flags.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The ethereal magic threaded throughout the story. . . . contrasts nicely with the power politics.”
—Booklist
With over 9 million copies of her books in print, #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory has brought the Tudor court to vibrant life for readers around the world through novels including The Other Boleyn Girl. Now, in The Cousins’ War series, Gregory brings life to the noble family that preceded the Tudors, the magnificent Plantagenets—a dynasty rife with complex rivalries, loves, and hatreds—chronicling the turbulent years of strife most commonly known as the Wars of the Roses.
In THE LADY OF THE RIVERS (On-sale October 18, 2011; A Touchstone Hardcover, $27.99; 978-1-4165-6370-9), Gregory masterfully weaves passion, adventure, and witchcraft into the story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, who would survive two reigns and two wars to become the first lady at the rival courts of both Lancaster and York.
Readers first met Jacquetta in The White Queen, as mother of King Edward IV’s commoner queen, Elizabeth Woodville. The Lady of the Rivers is the compelling prelude to this tale and begins with Jacquetta as a young woman of rare beauty possessing the mixed blessing of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, Lord John of Luxembourg, she meets the imprisoned Joan of Arc, who claims to see visions and speak with angels. A descendant of the water goddess Melusina, Jacquetta has also experienced visions and heard the singing of spirits. She sees herself partially reflected in the tragic young woman accused of witchcraft and, when Joan meets her horrific death, Jacquetta finally understands the full meaning of the “wheel of fortune” tarot card—and grasps the true danger of her own powers.
Jacquetta rises swiftly through marriage to the Duke of Bedford, English Regent of France, who introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Yet the Duke shows little interest in his new bride beyond her ability to divine the future, and Jacquetta’s only solace in the great household is the handsome squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when she is left a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, eventually returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his queen, Margaret of Anjou.
The Woodvilles soon occupy a privileged place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat of revolt from the people of England. When the king slips into an inexplicable sleep, the kingdom is divided into the rival camps of Margaret and her untrustworthy advisors and the followers of Richard, Duke of York, who threatens to claim the throne. Jacquetta must navigate a treacherous path along both sides of the battle lines as the safety of her family and the rule of the House of Lancaster hang in the balance.
Philippa Gregory has spent her life as an historian of women, their place in society, and their struggle for power. The Lady of the Rivers incorporates her years of research into a sweeping, powerful story rich in passion and legend.
**The publication of The Lady of the Rivers coincides with a major North American tour, Gregory’s first in two years. Please see enclosed tour schedule for details.
**New this September from Gregory and historians David Baldwin and Michael Jones is The Women of the Cousins’ War, a nonfiction exploration of the fascinating lives of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, Elizabeth Woodville (The White Queen), and Margaret Beaufort (The Red Queen).
THE LADY OF THE RIVERS
By Philippa Gregory
On-sale October 18, 2011
A Touchstone Hardcover
978-1-4165-6370-9 / $27.99
For additional information,
please visit www.PhilippaGregory.com or www.SimonandSchuster.com.
