R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 7/2/2012 + 1438 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Elizabeth Woodville is a widow with two children who plans an encounter with the warring king whose forces killed her husband. The beautiful Elizabeth captures King Edward's heart and they fall in love. Married in a small chapel with few witnesses, she becomes queen when he declares his love for her when he announces the marriage. His mentor, Warwick, is furious because he married without his consent, married a commoner, and a widow. He becomes more furious when the queen's family takes all the plums which he hoped to secure for himself and his friends. Eventually, he decides to support the king's brother, George, unseat the king.

King Edward wins his wars, one after the other even when all seems against him. Yet George plots continually to replace his brother. When Edward can no longer forgive him, he is sentenced to death for treason. The king becomes ill and dies. The story continues with several factions warring with each other to gain the power of the throne.

A fascinating aspect of the novel is how the author wove the myth of Melusina, a European river goddess into the story, adding an element of fantasy which I love. Elizabeth and her mother thought they were descendants of Melusina and are accused of witchcraft time and again. Of course, the weather incidents that affect what happens add intrigue to the story. Did Elizabeth, her mother and daughter conjure the weather events that affected the war? It's all part of the excitement that Gregory brings to this story and I truly enjoyed it.

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