First Of The Tudors

First of the Tudors by Joanna Hickson
Published by HarperCollins
Ebook
Published 1 December 2016
528 pages
NetGalley

Connect with the author Buy the book: UK (affiliate's link) I was given a review copy by the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. WHAT'S IT'S ABOUT

Jasper Tudor, son of Queen Catherine and her second husband, Owen Tudor, has grown up far from the intrigue of the royal court. But after he and his brother Edmund are summoned to London, their half-brother, King Henry VI, takes a keen interest in their future.

Bestowing Earldoms on them both, Henry also gives them the wardship of the young heiress Margaret Beaufort. Although she is still a child, Jasper becomes devoted to her and is devastated when Henry arranges her betrothal to Edmund.

He seeks solace in his estates and in the arms of Jane Hywel, a young Welsh woman who offers him something more meaningful than a dynastic marriage. But passion turns to jeopardy for them both as the Wars of the Roses wreak havoc on the realm. Loyal brother to a fragile king and his domineering queen, Marguerite of Anjou, Jasper must draw on all his guile and courage to preserve their throne − and the Tudor destiny.

EXTRACT

FLASHES OF IRIDESCENCE GLEAMED like fireflies in the gloom of the small tower chamber.

WHAT I THOUGHT

I like to dabble in historical fiction every now and again. Thanks to Hilary Mantel I have a fondness for the Tudors. First of the Tudors sounded right up my street. I really enjoyed this book. It's flawless. The character are well developed and really come to life. I loved the plot. I know very little about the early days of the Tudors so felt I learned a lot from this book. There is fairy disturbing event in the book when a thirteen-year-old girl is married and falls pregnant. I understand this was fairly normal during the time period but it still made my flesh crawl. I thought this was a great historical fiction novel and look forward to the sequel. I'd recommend it.

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