The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

Amazon.com describes "The Red Queen" by Philippa Gregory as:

Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales.

Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret charts her own way through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. She feigns loyalty to the usurper Richard III and even carries his wife’s train at her coronation.

Widowed a second time, Margaret marries the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, and her fate stands on the knife edge of his will. Gambling her life that he will support her, she then masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of the time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize.

In a novel of conspiracy, passion, and cold hearted ambition, number one bestselling author Philippa Gregory has brought to life the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined, by her piety and lineage, to shape the course of history.  ~Amazon.com

This book was FANTASTIC!  Granted, I am a Tudor enthusiast and as such I have a devotion to the Grandmother of Henry VIII but still...this was a fast and furious read.  It was easy, engaging, enthralling, and delightful.  It is difficult to imagine the trials that this woman had and they started with her first marriage.  I thought it was interesting where Gregory ended the story and wished to find out more about her later years but I suppose most people are more interested in her beginnings.

Although listed as "Book Two" this book is actually number three in the series.  Currently I have not read the first one "The Lady of the Rivers" but will probably do so by year's end.  As a follow-up non-fiction book Gregory has written and released "The Women of the Cousin's War" discussing the three women she focused on in these three historical fictions.  I am sure that this will also be read by the end of the year. 

The ability to weave a tale from fact and embellish or fill-in-the-blanks is so masterfully done by Gregory that it creates in the reader a desire to know more.  Once you read one of her books, whether from this series or another, you will want to know more.  You will be sucked into the world she has created.  You will feel like you know the characters and can celebrate in their joys and mourn with their losses.  She helps us to understand an England of long ago, one that is not wholly understood in our modern world.  If you haven't read historical fiction I suggest you give her a try.  She is a master story-teller.  She is accessible in length, style, and word choice for those just starting down this road as well as for the seasoned traveler.  This book, "The Red Queen", will give you a new appreciation for a little known and little understood character in the Tudor Dynasty.

The Tudors by G.J. Meyer

Starred Review. Arguably the most famous rulers in world history, Tudor monarchs Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I were, according to journalist and author Meyer (A World Undone), cold and ruthless egotis[ts] whose self-created myths have prevailed over reality in our historical memory of them. Henry VII, the first Tudor, was a competent ruler who filled the royal treasury with gold, avoided war, and shrewdly consolidated his power by stripping away the nobility's autonomy. By contrast, Henry VIII's determination to enforce his religious change on his people led to a reign of terror, and his squandering of his riches contributed to the monarchy's later collapse under Charles I. His children fared little better, from the fervently evangelical boy-king Edward VI to the fanatically Catholic Mary, England's first woman ruler, who burned 300 of her subjects for heresy. Elizabeth is portrayed as selfish to the point of childishness, aspiring only to preserve her life and her rule. History buffs will savor Meyer's cheeky, nuanced, and authoritative perspective on an entire dynasty, and his study brims with enriching background discussions, ranging from class structure and the medieval Catholic Church to the Tudor connection to Spanish royalty. 4-color inserts, 1 map. (Mar.)
~Publisher's Weekly

Although this book is intended for those new to the Tudors I wouldn't discount it if you've already been enmeshed in their lives.  Included in the book are all of the Tudors, starting from Henry VII all the way to Elizabeth I.  Not only does Meyer talk about each reign but he includes a variety of additional information in the "Background" section at the "end" of each chapter. These backgrounds are, in fact, small chapters by themselves that provide readers with the information needed to understand more about what they just read.  This was a great book but very dense, it took me quite some time to read it. 

I originally went into this book thinking it was going to be a novel, as did my husband who bought it for me.  I'm am extremely glad that it was nonfiction though.  It gave me more information about another obsession I have and rekindled a long dormant fire.  Meyer's tone was academic yet inviting and I rarely got bored, although the beginning was a bit slow but that was probably because I was expecting something else. 

Would I recommend this?  Yes, definitely.  It may be a bit much if you don't like British history - or history in general - but if you like romance, scandal, history, war, life, death, and tyrannical kings and queens then this book is for you.  It's not an overnight read but it is definitely worth the reading.