duchessofreadin's reviews
2461 reviews

Elizabeth of York is one of the shadow queens of the medieval world. We know more about her mother than we do about this queen. While Elizabeth Woodville was a power in her own right, Elizabeth of York was better known as the wife of Henry VII, the mother of Henry VIII, and the sister of the missing Princes in the Tower. As we move through her life from birth to death, we see a life overshadowed by grief, murder and mystery. Samantha Wilcoxson has written this novel, with the intent of fleshing out the queen that everyone loves, but so little is known.


Elizabeth of York is a enigma in and of herself. She was one of the more patient queens that England had, and one who bore with grace the social ineptness of her mother-in-law, who at every turn slighted her. She bore her husband several children, all the while managing to hold her head high, despite the political turmoil and constant upheaval within her walls. While she was at first slighted for marriage, through Lady Stanley's insistence, and the crown withheld from her until she bore her first child, she remembered the grace and mannerisms of which she was raised. She bore with unrelenting patience the grasping and suspicion that was radiating through the palace walls, while her husband tried to cement his hold on England. When she died after childbirth, England wept. They wept for the daughter of their beloved King Edward, and they wept for the queen who while she had no real power of her own, managed to spread cheer and goodwill wherever she went.


As I was reading through this book, I was struck by several thoughts. The first of which was, how in the world could this woman bear to be shoved aside so rudely, and how in the world did she bear the constant heartache that was handed to her?
I was drawn into the book, and found it almost impossible to put down. You know you have a great read when the author of the book can create so many conflicting emotions within you. I went from happy, to sad, to anger, back to happy and then back through the round of emotions all over again. I found the way her husband treated her to be less than what she deserved most of the time, and wished that he had banished his mother long before he married Elizabeth. I feel that had she been given a true chance of being queen, she would have made one of the most extraordinary queens England would have ever had. She had such a wonderful loving heart and wanted the best for anyone, servant or highborn alike.

While I was reading about the disappearances of princes from the tower and Elizabeth's determination to discover what had happened to them, I was struck by the fact that she had waited so long for answers, so long to allow time to pass before looking for them, as if almost to allow for those who were waiting for her to make a wrong move to ease on their suspicion of her. Her mother could never quit her scheming, even it was to be detrimental for her daughters. Talk about a dysfunctional family! But with the mysteries and deaths surrounding them, it was no wonder they were so determined to have answers at any cost! I wanted Henry to push his mother to the side and make her leave, but she was a powerhouse of her own, and determined to hold one of the highest places at court. How much different life would have been for everyone if Richard III had actually executed her for the treason she had been convicted of! Elizabeth could have shined as the queen she was meant to be.

This was a great read, and one that I would recommend out to anyone!! Now to buy an actual copy so that I can get it signed by the author!

Thank you NetGalley for the book and the chance to review it

**Spoilers**

Gemma has her dream job.. she is working in the museum in her home town, and although it can drag at times, especially when she has to sort through dinosaur fossils, there are things that occassionally jump out at her. When she comes across a box that seems to be full of garbage, she finds a hidden treasure at the bottom. The tag on the box has her curiosity peaked, and she asks for permission from her boss to investigate it further, in order to build a exhibit for the museum. With permission granted she dives into an investigation that is going to reverberate much more than she is willing to admit. When her boyfriend dumps her unexpectedly, breaking their engagement, Gemma is shocked and hurt. She has no idea where any of this is coming from, and her best friend has been acting very odd since they got engaged. But that is just the beginning..

Rebecca and Sarah have been raised together since a young age, and when her mother dies, Sarah stays in the house to be Rebecca's companion and friend. While they are not related by blood, they are closer than friends and call each other sisters. In fact, Sarah even begins to call Mr. Winston father. As the girls grow older small cracks in their relationship begin to appear, especially when Charles begins to court Rebecca. They have been reared with the expectation that they should marry when they were older, but only if both were willing to do so. Sarah seems angry with Rebecca for getting the attention of an attractive young man, and seems bent on doing anything that she can to thwart the relationship. Soon afterwards, strange accidents and deaths begin to plague Hill Hall. First, Rebecca's mother tumbles down the stairs and breaks her neck, and then her father begins to suffer from heart issues, and shortly thereafter he dies as well. With her engagement broken off and her fathers will hiding a huge secret, Rebecca is unsure of how her future is going to turn out, that is until Sarah forces a confrontation, one that only one of them is going to walk away from.

Gemma has become so entwined with the history of Hill Hall and the mystery that seems to be hiding within its walls, that she spends her week off going through the archives at Hill Hall. She has to know what is going on, and at the same time, she is pondering the very strange twist that her own life has taken. Her best friend has become deceitful, stealing from Gemma and doing whatever she can to sabotage her life. She knows that it she is going to have to confront Nat, but the thought of it makes her sick to her stomach. After talking to Ben and smoothing things over with him, she knows that she cannot put the confrontation off any longer, especially after discovering the latest twist her "friend" had planned for her...

Kathleen McGurl has created a masterpiece of interwoven history. By combining the stories, you are drawn in to the characters, finding yourself despising some and pitying others. While you have an idea of what is coming next, there are so many twists that you begin to wonder if you are missing something! The end of the book left nothing hanging, and draws it all in neatly. This is a great weekend read!

This coming of age story deals with a young boy, Matt, who while left alone in the wilderness while his father returns home to fetch the rest of their family, learns to survive. He is "befriended" by a young Indian boy, whose grandfather has saved Matt from drowning, or dying from the many bee stings that he received. He is asked to teach Attean how to read, and learn English. During their summer and fall, the two form a strange friendship, each learning from the other as they move through the forest, and the many different stories and facets of their lives. They both realize that they have much to learn.

Their time together is cut short when the Indian tribe moves on, and they ask Matt to accompany them. As he wants to go with them, he knows that he has to stay and wait for his family. While he worries about his family, it is much later than he was expecting them to be there, he wonders if he will survive the winter alone.

This great story is one that everyone should read! Its so cute and a quick read! Kids of any age will enjoy this story.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry and his friends are off on another adventure, and this time is it more whirlwind than ever! As they battle through the forces that have been assaulting the school, they are determined to find out what is going on and who is attacking the students at Hogwarts.
When Hermoine is attacked, Harry and Ron know that they have to figure out just what the riddles are and who is going to be next. Will they be in time to save the next student?
Cute little book, easy read!

Follow the story of the March sisters, as they learn to live without during the time of war, and as they grow up.
Each sister has something that they struggle with, and as we follow their stories through this book, we see them grow, mature and become more than the children we meet in the beginning.

This is such a sweet story, full of dreams, hopes, unrealistic and realistic goals in life. As each one moves through the different times of their lives, they find they must not only be unselfish, but help others along the way. Some of them find that money is not everything and cannot bring true happiness, while the others find ways to content themselves with the rise and fall of life.
Put this one on the must read list, you wont want to pass this one up!

Johnny Tremain is the apprentice to a silversmith in Boston, and he is very proud of his work. He knows that he is the best apprentice in the area, and many people are trying to get him to come and work for them. One day while pouring silver, the crucible that he is using busts, and he is unable to continue as an apprentice. As he wanders aimlessly through the town, he wonders what will become of him. But he also makes friends with Rab.
As things in Boston begin to heat up with the start of the American Revolution, Johnny is fixing to learn that crippled hand or not, he can make a difference..

This was a great book and one that kids will enjoy! History without being boring, and a good story line to go along with it! I highly recommend this one!

When a young boy finds a treasure map in the chest of a dead pirate, he is all set for a grand adventure. However, loose lips and unscrupulous men lead for an adventure bigger than Jim and his small company bargained for.
When the squire hires men for a trip, he cannot help but talk about the treasure that they are going to find. As they sail through the seas, Jim overhears a conversation between two of the pirates, as they plan their mutiny. As the plan comes out and the pirates begin to take over the ship, Jim and his companions are not sure what will happen to them.
As they come upon the island where the treasure is buried the pirates make their move. But there is more to the small company of companions than the pirates give them credit for...

Any child will fall in love with this story! Let their imaginations take flight with these pirates and sail the seven seas in search of treasure and spoils galore!

Want to read the Iliad but not ready for the full version? You are going to want to read this one! Rosemary Sutcliff breaks down the story, to an easy to understand version just for kids! Get the full emotion of the story, but at the same time, retains the classic version of the story.

Join Helen of Troy, Paris and Hector as the battle for Troy erupts and then drags on for several years. This amazing retelling will have your children feeling as though they are in the city of Troy or the Greek encampment as they learn about the Fall of Troy!