The Lady of the Rivers

I still really appreciate the way that Gregory wraps so much real history into an entertaining, fictional package, but I think perhaps the history failed her this time. King Henry VI went out with a whimper rather than a bang, and the story kind of fell flat for me. I really love the bit of magic in The White Queen (written about Jacquetta’s daughter, Elizabeth Woodville) Jacquetta is a major character in that book, and she does become much more ambitious and conniving after her daughter takes the throne. I thought that a book centered around the beautiful and magical Jacquetta’s earlier life would be more interesting. But Gregory had her playing it pretty safe. I suppose that’s why she survived long enough to help her daughter become queen. I am coming to learn though that I have an affinity for Gregory’s more ambitious and slightly naughty characters. The ones who play it safe just aren’t as much fun to read about.

Publisher’s Summary: When the horrific death of Joan of Arc causes her to understand the dangers faced by strong women, Jacquetta, a psychic descendant of a river goddess, studies alchemy and becomes the secret wife of Richard Woodville before returning to the court of Henry VI, which is targeted by dangerous rivals.