The Queens Rival
(Hardback)
Available Formats
Publishing Details
The Queens Rival
By (Author) Anne O'Brien
HarperCollins Publishers
HQ
3rd September 2020
United Kingdom
Classifications
General
Fiction
823.92
Physical Properties
Hardback
544
Width 159mm, Height 240mm, Spine 45mm
770g
Description
The forgotten story of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York. A strong woman who claimed the throne for her family in a time of war
A compelling story of divided loyalties and family betrayals. Dramatic and highly evocative Woman & Home
One family united by blood. Torn apart by war
England, 1459: Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, is embroiled in a plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne. But when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecilys family flee and abandon her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own.
Cecily can only watch as her lands are torn apart and divided up by the ruthless Queen Marguerite. From the towers of her prison in Tonbridge Castle, the Duchess begins to spin a web of deceit one that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI, and to her eldest son being crowned King Edward IV.
This is a story of heartbreak, ambition and treachery, of one womans quest to claim the throne during the violence and tragedy of the Wars of the Roses.
Praise for Anne OBrien:
One of the best writers around she outdoes even Philippa Gregory The Sun
OBrien is a terrific story teller Daily Telegraph
OBrien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale The Times
A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue Woman & Home
The characters are larger than life and the author a compulsive storyteller Sunday Express
[A] fast-paced historical novel Good Housekeeping
This book has everything royalty, scandal, fascinating historical politics Cosmopolitan
OBriens page-turner vividly brings to life the restriction of women, and the compassion and strength of this real-life figure from medieval times Woman
A gripping historical drama Bella
Historical fiction at its best Candis
Reviews
A compelling story of divided loyalties and family betrayals. Dramatic and highly evocative Woman & Home
O'Brien manages to reinvent historical fiction by thrusting an untold story into the spotlight My Weekly
Dramatic and highly evocative Womans Weekly
This thrilling historical novel has it all high politics, drama, emotion, excellent writing It's a rollercoaster of a read Carol McGrath
Anne OBrien leads us on a deftly woven journey through the endlessly fascinating life of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York. Impeccable research shines through in the depth of detail to pull the reader into the highs and lows of the House of Yorks journeys around Fortunes Wheel Matt Lewis
Praise for Anne OBrien:
One of the best writers around she outdoes even Philippa Gregory The Sun
OBrien is a terrific story teller Daily Telegraph
OBrien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale The Times
A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue Woman & Home
The characters are larger than life and the author a compulsive storyteller Sunday Express
[A] fast-paced historical novel Good Housekeeping
This book has everything royalty, scandal, fascinating historical politics Cosmopolitan
OBriens page-turner vividly brings to life the restriction of women, and the compassion and strength of this real-life figure from medieval times Woman
A gripping historical drama Bella
Historical fiction at its best Candis
Packed with drama, danger, romance and history the perfect reading choice for the long winter nights The Press Association
Author Bio
Anne O'Brien was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire. After gaining a BA Honours degree in History at Manchester University and a Master's in Education at Hull, she lived in the East Riding for many years as a teacher of history. She now lives with her husband in an eighteenth-century timber-framed cottage in depths of the Welsh Marches in Herefordshire on the borders between England and Wales.
