DAUGHTER OF YORK

DAUGHTER OF YORK by Anne Easter Smith was read for the Pub 2008 Challenge and the Chunkster Challenge.

From the back of the book:

History tells us that the intelligent, wealthy, and powerful Margaret of York had everything any woman could want, except for love. The acclaimed author of A ROSE FOR THE CROWN takes us between the lines of history and into her heart.

It is 1461: Edward, son of Richard of York, ascends to the throne, and his willful sister, Margaret, immediately becomes a pawn in European politics as Edward negotiates her marriage. The young Margaret falls deeply in love with Anthony Woodville, the married brother of Edward's queen, Elizabeth. But Edward has arranged for his sister to wed Charles, son of the Duke of Burgundy, and soon Margaret is setting sail for her new life. Her official escort: Anthony Woodville.

Margaret of York eventually commanded the respect and admiration of much of Europe, but it appears to history that she had no emotional intimate. Anne Easter Smith's rare gift for storytelling and her extensive research reveal the love that burned at the center of Margaret's life, adding a new dimension to the story of one of the fifteenth century's most powerful women.

I've read quite a few books now about Edward IV and Richard III, but I didn't know too much about their sister, Margaret. Maybe I still don't.

The author took quite a bit of literary license with this book, inventing characters and also the main storyline of the book - the love between Margaret and Anthony. This is definitely not a criticism of the book or the author. This is historical fiction. I truly enjoyed this book, as I did Ms. Smith's first book. She was able to flesh out a character about whom not too much had been written.

While mentioning some of the important battles taking place at this time, the book was mainly about Margaret and her life. She painted a vivid picture of how the nobility lived and the behind-the-scenes negotiating that occurred to gain and maintain territory.

I'm looking forward to reading more books by Ms. Smith.