Scan barcode
cauldhamer's review
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - Not one of my favourite Conn Iggulden books. I actually preferred the previous two - [b:Stormbird|17830079|Stormbird (Wars of the Roses, #1)|Conn Iggulden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385271736s/17830079.jpg|24944890] and [b:Wars of the Roses: Trinity|22468475|Wars of the Roses Trinity (Wars of the Roses, #2)|Conn Iggulden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429823235s/22468475.jpg|41908196]. I didn't think that Edward IV came across very well - from the historical record, he was a strong king, older and wiser than his years when he came to the throne, but here he comes across as a stroppy teenager. Nevertheless, the descriptions of the areas and people are very vibrant and really make you feel like you're there.
Genre/s - Historical / Drama
Characters - Henry VI / Margaret of Anjou / Edward of Lancaster / Edward IV / John Neville / Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick / Elizabeth Woodville / George Neville / Richard III / George, Duke of Clarence
Setting - York & London (England) & Paris (France)
Series - Wars of the Roses #3
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 17/20
Genre/s - Historical / Drama
Characters - Henry VI / Margaret of Anjou / Edward of Lancaster / Edward IV / John Neville / Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick / Elizabeth Woodville / George Neville / Richard III / George, Duke of Clarence
Setting - York & London (England) & Paris (France)
Series - Wars of the Roses #3
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 17/20
akvolcano's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Vomit, Murder, Racism, Torture, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Classism, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Child death, Misogyny, and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Antisemitism, Child death, Classism, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Abortion, and Bullying
stinajohanns's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book, particularly because it's mostly through the eyes of Warwick. I had seen The White Queen based on Philippa Gregory's book and this one paints a completely different picture. Here it's Elizabeth Woodville who's the nasty one, not Warwick and his gang. It will be interesting to read the final book and to see how Iggulden handles Richard the third.
merlin2023's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was the best of the Wars of the Roses series so far. There was much more story to this one outside of the battle sequences, which I preferred. Can't wait to start the next one...
aliilman's review against another edition
5.0
Bloodline, the third volume of the Wars of the Roses series by Conn Iggulden.
I’ve ran out of superlatives to describe this series.
At the end of Trinity, Queen Margaret and her army caught Richard of York and his army by surprise. The deaths of Richard of York and Earl of Salisbury may have tasted like a victory for Queen Margaret, but it was to be short-lived as the sons of both York and Salisbury are unleashed. In Bloodline, revenge will be served, the best of friends will fallout. One’s loyalty will change.
After the battle of Wakefield in Trinity, Queen Margaret, King Henry VI and their supporters head back to London. At least, they tried to. They were refused entry into London. The bizarre Scots in the army raised concerns among the Londoners.
With uncertainties growing, Edward (son of York) and Richard (son of Earl of Salisbury) take advantage of the situation, resulting in Edward being crowned as Edward IV, the King of England. News of the coronation spread fast, and Queen Margaret and her army go into yet another bloodbath with the Yorkists.
I’ve ran out of superlatives to describe this series.
At the end of Trinity, Queen Margaret and her army caught Richard of York and his army by surprise. The deaths of Richard of York and Earl of Salisbury may have tasted like a victory for Queen Margaret, but it was to be short-lived as the sons of both York and Salisbury are unleashed. In Bloodline, revenge will be served, the best of friends will fallout. One’s loyalty will change.
After the battle of Wakefield in Trinity, Queen Margaret, King Henry VI and their supporters head back to London. At least, they tried to. They were refused entry into London. The bizarre Scots in the army raised concerns among the Londoners.
With uncertainties growing, Edward (son of York) and Richard (son of Earl of Salisbury) take advantage of the situation, resulting in Edward being crowned as Edward IV, the King of England. News of the coronation spread fast, and Queen Margaret and her army go into yet another bloodbath with the Yorkists.
herbalmoon's review against another edition
1.0
I only seem to have complaints about this series, so let's get on with it...
- Conn doesn't seem to realize that laird basically means "landlord" and trots it out like a noble title at every turn. If this (fictional) Andrew Douglas has a title, that should be used, not "laird".
- Several times in this book and a few in the last, Conn says that Queen Margaret has been making eyes at the Duke of Somerset.
WRONG SOMERSET!
Margaret was reputed to a have thing for Edmund Beaufort, his father.
In fact, Conn mentioned once or twice about Margaret having eyes for Edmund and then he magically changes it to Henry.
No?
- My fear that he'd introduce Elizabeth Woodville as an ice queen who actually practiced Witchcraft was unfounded.
He brought her in as a dirty country bumpkin instead.
WHAT?!
Her father had been promoted to Baron by Henry VI, her mother was the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, and she married the eldest son of another baron. How on Goddess's green earth does that make her a bumpkin?!
OH! And then he has the gall to return the dog he stole just so he can make-out with her in the front yard of THE HOME SHE SHARES WITH HER HUSBAND!
WTF?! Do you not think the servants would tattle that she'd been cheating? Or do you hope that they will, so Sir John would divorce her and you can put the two of them together?
Too bad THERE'S NO HISTORICAL EVIDENCE saying Elizabeth and Edward knew each other before they met that day on the road when she was a widow!
And then he glosses over the whole meeting on the road/wedding bit. Sheesh.
More to come as I find it.
- Conn doesn't seem to realize that laird basically means "landlord" and trots it out like a noble title at every turn. If this (fictional) Andrew Douglas has a title, that should be used, not "laird".
Spoiler
- Several times in this book and a few in the last, Conn says that Queen Margaret has been making eyes at the Duke of Somerset.
WRONG SOMERSET!
Margaret was reputed to a have thing for Edmund Beaufort, his father.
In fact, Conn mentioned once or twice about Margaret having eyes for Edmund and then he magically changes it to Henry.
No?
- My fear that he'd introduce Elizabeth Woodville as an ice queen who actually practiced Witchcraft was unfounded.
He brought her in as a dirty country bumpkin instead.
WHAT?!
Her father had been promoted to Baron by Henry VI, her mother was the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, and she married the eldest son of another baron. How on Goddess's green earth does that make her a bumpkin?!
OH! And then he has the gall to return the dog he stole just so he can make-out with her in the front yard of THE HOME SHE SHARES WITH HER HUSBAND!
WTF?! Do you not think the servants would tattle that she'd been cheating? Or do you hope that they will, so Sir John would divorce her and you can put the two of them together?
Too bad THERE'S NO HISTORICAL EVIDENCE saying Elizabeth and Edward knew each other before they met that day on the road when she was a widow!
And then he glosses over the whole meeting on the road/wedding bit. Sheesh.
More to come as I find it.
m_j_webb's review against another edition
5.0
If you enjoy historical fiction this series is a must.
The final book in Iggulden's Wars of the Roses trilogy lived up to extremely high expectations for me. The first two books I already thought were awesome, drawing you into the story with effortless ease in a charming, engaging way which left you wanting more and more. Well, book 3 surpassed even those epics and I can give no higher praise.
The stroryline is exciting and compelling, the characters meaty, diverse and rich, the writing impeccable, the battle scenes glorious.... Truly one of my favourite series of all time.
I admit to being jealous of Conn Iggulden. I wish I had his talent, his vision, his artistry... Well done son !
The final book in Iggulden's Wars of the Roses trilogy lived up to extremely high expectations for me. The first two books I already thought were awesome, drawing you into the story with effortless ease in a charming, engaging way which left you wanting more and more. Well, book 3 surpassed even those epics and I can give no higher praise.
The stroryline is exciting and compelling, the characters meaty, diverse and rich, the writing impeccable, the battle scenes glorious.... Truly one of my favourite series of all time.
I admit to being jealous of Conn Iggulden. I wish I had his talent, his vision, his artistry... Well done son !
kenshinj12's review against another edition
5.0
Really loved this one. It was action packed, engaging and a page turner. I couldn’t put the book down. ❤️❤️❤️❤️