Another wonderful historical novel follow up to Cecily from Annie Garthwaite that charts the life of Cecily,the Duchess of York, after the crown passes to her son, Edward, and she becomes the first titled "King's Mother". This book covers the well known part of history at the beginning of the War of the Roses between the houses of York and Lancaster for the English throne. What I found most interesting was the chosen angle of the author to cover the role of Cecily in some really pivotal moments in history including the marriage of Edward III to Elizabeth Woodville and the "Princes in the tower" and the making of Richard III as King.
This was well researched and intriguing book that deviates from the "myth" surrounding this era and the traditional Tudor version of events. I really enjoyed this read.

1461 sees Cecily’s eldest son, now King Edward IV, fighting to secure his crown, but Henry, the illegitimate son of Marguerite of Anjou, is trying to claim the crown for himself. Eventually Cecily receives news that Edward and his loyal army have secured his future following a bloody battle at York. He returns to London triumphant and peace is restored though that proves to be very short lived.

It soon becomes obvious that the Earl of Warwick, a cousin and one-time favourite of Edward is trying to usurp him, as are other cousins and relatives. Betrayal by former loyalists and certain family members soon becomes obvious and Cecily also finds that a number of her old friends have rapidly become former friends.

A powerfully written saga that is hard to put down. Annie Garthwaite brings vivid pictures into the readers mind and I found myself with tears in my eyes more than once. A wonderful historic chronicle.

An absolutely superb, historical novel, one of the best I have read in years. The King's Mother follows on from Annie Garthwaite's previous tour de force, Cicely, with the turbulent years of the mid-fifteenth century seen through the eyes of Cicely Neville, mother of King Edward IV. The writing is elegant and conjures up the historical world magnificently. The characters are complex and skilfully drawn, making them very real. Cicely is a fascinating protagonist, strong, clever and ruthless. Seeing this violent and complicated period through her eyes give it a fresh perspective. This is a splendid book and I'll be recommending it to all fans of historical fiction, in the bookshop and at the literary festival.

From the Wars of the Roses to the dawn of the Tudor age, this is a story of mothers and sons; of maternal ferocity and female ambition - of all they can bFrom the Wars of the Roses to the dawn of the Tudor age, this is a story of mothers and sons; of maternal ferocity and female ambition - of all they can build and all they can destroy.
I was keen to read more about Cecily & her ambitions for her son, the Crown through the war of the Roses ( The House of York verses the The House of Lancaster ) up to the Tudor Era ,but was sadly let down my all the dark Politics & in House fighting so to me some of the vital Female Characters including Cecily were swamped & I was left dashed & wanted better. I feel gutted that I cannot leave a more positive review. #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>,#<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.uild and all they can destroy.

Having eagerly awaited Annie Garthwaite's second book I was not disappointed. Once again her work is incredibly well researched and thoroughly readable. Despite the level of detail and number of characters, Annie's writing draws you in and ensures you don't loose track of who's who thanks to her clever style and discrete reminders. Based on actual events, Annie manages to convey a real sense of the time period and a true atmospheric setting in a succinct style, giving the reader a true sense of the setting without loosing the plot line through long wordy descriptions as others have done. I am a true fan of this author, thrilled to enjoy her second book as much as the first and will follow her career with enthusiasm.

Although a bit bit of slow burner, it is well worth sticking with this book. Beautifully written and truly a masterpiece.

4+

‘‘Tis strange….. but true; for truth is always strange; stranger than fiction….’ Lord Byron, 1823.

Never a truer word, especially when reflecting on this tumultuous period of English history. Treachery, treachery and more treachery. Let’s add in discontent, ambition, bitterness, jealousy, avarice, backstabbing, betrayal, and treason. Plots, schemes, rumours, mercy, vengeance, but also love and loyalty. This is Annie Garthwaites second novel featuring and starring Lady Cecily Neville, the mother of Edward IV, king of England from 1461 to April 1483, and Richard III, June 1483 to August 1485. However, there are other mothers too whose sons have a cause. There’s Marguerite of Anjou, wife of the deposed Henry VI and mother of Edouard, also Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV and mother of Princes, Edward and Richard, and finally, Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry Tudor. This is the latter stages of the of the Wars of the Roses, the bloody civil wars between two competing royal families, the houses of York and Lancaster. Many dead, a bloodied land and a multitude of devious machinations to win the prize of the crown of England. Is the current ascendancy of the House of York going to last? How secure is Cecily’s position as The Kings Mother?

Yet again, Annie Garthwaite does a good job in trying to clear a path through the complexity of this period of English history. I do think it helps to know something as they delight in keeping the same names, there are lots of Edwards, Richards, and Henry’s knocking about which can be confusing to say the least. The fact that the author has made women central to this tale is one of the very best features of the book. As history has wrongly written out a lot of women, it’s good to redress the balance and all the women here are portrayed very well as strong characters and some are more than a match for the men.

Cecily is quite the personality and an excellent central protagonist. She’s clever, politically astute, tough (which you need to be with all this going on) a realist, especially about her sons, in particular, the greed and all the rest of it of her son, George, Duke of Clarence. She’s straight talking, brave, not necessarily likeable, but she’s certainly admirable. I very much like the way that Margaret Beaufort is portrayed and the unexpected friendship between her and Cecily, another strong and clever woman. Elizabeth Woodville has a lot to put up with though her portrayal isn’t perhaps as strong as the other two, it’s still good as is the portrayal of Anne, wife of Richard III.

Edward IV’s personality shines through, he’s not likeable at all, but being the number one tough guy is essential and he does die of natural causes instead of being backstabbed and so enough said. I love the portrayal of Richard III probably because it chimes with my own view. Earnest, loyal to Edward, a great soldier, and I particularly like how the author deals with the thorny matter of Edward IV’s sons, the so-called Princes in the Tower. She’s right, there’s no conclusive evidence and I’ll say no more. Historians will argue about this one till the cows come home!

However, I can’t say I like the way that Henry VI is referred to, it jars with me. I dare say in 15th century conversation it fits with medieval attitudes but the author could’ve referred to the poor soul differently elsewhere but this is just my personal view.

Overall, it’s a very good read, though obviously take some things with a pinch of salt, but as much of history is about interpretation, this is hers. It’s historical fiction at the end of the day and very good historical fiction at that.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Penguin General UK for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Cecily is the focus of Cecily is the mother of the last Plantagenet kings, she has buried a husband and countless children, and she is a fierce champion of those remaining sons, who would face treachery and battles to keep power. This is told with such skill and flair, keeping the reader right there in the 15th century, authentic but not foreign to the modern ear.

LOVED THIS!
While I am fully aware that so much of Cecily's story, as told here, and the true history of those times and the powers that fought each other throughout Edward's reign and beyond, will never ever be known, I really loved this version of events.
It's a fascinating twist on the story of Edward IV, his brothers and their very unsettled time as the royal family of England.
The debate regarding Richard III's culpability in the disappearance of his nephews will never cease, and this argument is as likely as any other as to what may have happened. There are enough facts and true events woven in to allow for this level of supposition, which is what makes this book so gripping for anybody who loves a strong historical novel.
Cecily is indeed unlikely to have been a meek and mild woman caught in the tides of great men, and here she is perhaps given the celebration she deserves for her role in the Wars of the Roses, and her unimaginable losses - her husband, four sons and her grandsons.
Read it now.

The King’s Mother
Four mothers fight for their sons as the Wars of the Roses rage
by Annie Garthwaite

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction

I loved this book, I'm more familiar with later history, but have read a few set in this time. I've always read Richard very differently to how he is portrayed her, and this interpretation of him makes so much more sense.
Cecily was an incredible women, so determined and so cleverly calculating – and she needed to be in this turbulent time. She amazed me how she pushed forward, commanded so much respect at a time when women were still very much second class and property.
Edward – I can't imagine being king at just 18. It explains his actions, he was determined to be a good king, wanted to do the best for his country and yet still had the emotions of a teen. His actions caused trouble for so many women and children, and yet it wasn't done maliciously, but at a time when every misstep gets picked up by an enemy and used against that person.
There's so much emotion here, and we see just how determined mothers can be for their children. Especially the sons, as they would be the ones holding power. When I look at what the families went through I do wonder why any of them actually wanted the positions, it rarely brings happiness, just prestige for a time until someone else comes and takes over.
As before the story is so well written that I just fell into the past with the characters, drawn into the dramas of their lives, feeling the despair and fear, happiness over victories, and trying to keep up with the manipulations that were part of daily life. A fabulous read, with a new and interesting slant for me on Richard.

Stars: Five, a cracking read, pulling me back into history along with the characters.

ARC supplied by netgalley and publishers

*A big thank-you to Annie Garthwaite, Penguin General UK, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Having read the book on Cecily Neville, I was more than curious on the Author's vision on her later life. Cecily as the mother to three brothers, two of whom become kings, has the equisite sense of the power and the politics. She seems to be made of steel and to draw strength from other players' weaknesses, Cecily's loyalty towards her sons is steadfast despite her own reservations.
The book is fascinating, as is the history of the War of the Roses, and Ms Garthwaite's interpretation and presentation of the Plantagenets and especially Margaret Beaufort absolutely convincing. Both ladies were equally strong and totally devoted to their offspring. They played chess literally and figuratively, showing each other respect, however mercy was not the option either of them considered.
My sentiment for Richard III is supported by this novel, and I liked the idea put forward by the Author as regards the fate of the Princes in the Tower, the more that the mystery will most probably be never uncovered. Bravo, Ms Garthwaite!

The King’s Mother by Annie Garthwaite is an excellent historical fiction and is the sequel to the amazing novel, Cecily.

I absolutely loved Cecily, so I could not wait to read the continuation. As before, Ms. Garthwaite presents a stunning narrative in the voice of Cecily, wife of the late Richard of York, and mother to Kings Edward IV and Richard III.

This book takes us from 1461 to 1487. The research, the detail, the presentation…it is all excellent, engaging, and thought-provoking.
I devoured every moment of this gem.

The historical notes at the end to describe what happened afterwards also adds a lot to the novel.

I think my favorite parts were the interactions, discussions, and relationship between Cecily and Margaret Beaufort. It really drew me in.

I can’t recommend these two novels enough.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business, Viking for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/11/24.

Annie has done it once again! I absolutely loved this book. Hilary Mantel meets the Wars of the Roses in this page-turning novel. In this second book, we return to Cecily as she grapples with Edward’s reign, the Woodvilles and witnesses a new dynasty unfold in the shadows. I loved this book even more than CECILY, but I am extremely biased as Edward and Elizabeth are my favourite royal couple. Highly recommend for both historical fiction and literary fiction lovers!

Cecily Neville was a powerhouse of a human being and while of course it’s not possible to know for sure how she thought and felt during her lifetime, ‘The King’s Mother’ makes her ALIVE in a way that for this reader and 15th century history buff is absolutely thrilling. As with the first book, there is an immediacy to the writing that helps to make Cecily’s character relatable to the modern reader despite being very firmly situated in her own time period. Annie Garthwaite has done a terrific job of not attributing any present-day values or beliefs to her protagonist: Cecily thinks, feels and behaves like a noblewoman in the late Middle Ages. She may be frustrated with the limits of her power as a woman in a strongly patriarchal society, but she isn’t ruminating on proto-feminism or railing against her fate; she’s exercising her (considerable) influence and pushing the boundaries of her position through sheer force of will. As a result, she feels real to the reader and we care about what happens to her.

And a LOT happens. The relentless pace of the internecine squabbles and outright warfare of this time period must have been exhausting to live and strategise through. It’s hard enough sometimes to read about. It may be a cliche, but “I laughed, I cried” is also an accurate summation of my reading experience. Perhaps because the book is so fast paced, the occasional line paragraph depicting Cecily’s reflections on loved ones lost pack an outsized emotional wallop.

I am not sure how I felt about the ending of the book. It’s always interesting to see how authors (be they novelists or historians) interpret Richard III’s actions upon the death of his brother Edward IV, because even in the historical record they can come across as somewhat out of character. The way Garthwaite writes it up makes sense in the context of her characterisation of Richard and of Elizabeth Woodville, but I’m not entirely convinced Cecily would throw Edward’s children under the bus like that, regardless of how she felt about their mother.

I really enjoyed picking up Cecily's story where the previous book finished. Once again, this book focusses on events from her point of view and it covers a lot of ground. My own ancestors from this period would have been peasants and although their lives would have been hard, I think living a life at court would have been far worse in many ways. Married off to strangers, sent away from family, the pressures of having to bear male heirs, constant competition and political manoeuvrings, wars and loss of loved ones - the author piles all of this into this book and it's exhausting! The fact that Cecily was at the heart of power for such a long time and managed to outlive family, friends and enemies is astonishing.

I am no historian and I have no idea how accurate this story is, but it felt well researched and was a thought-provoking and exciting read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy for review.

A new take on an old stiry our story well if your British and along time ago War of the Roses time

So Ceillia King Edwards Mother the 1st offical Kings Mother's the heroine of this novel has a lot to do to keep the crown in the house of York. There are several Mother's desperate for their sons to be on the throne it was much more cut n throat than today even with the Harry, Megan dynamics, but ......Well different times.

Anyhow back to the novel there are so many twist and turns turncoats back stabbing it was about more than staying in power or trying to get it, you also had to stay alive. Trust no one even siblings this was a dangerous time to live let alone in the high society, and this novel coveys this and so much more. Its a great read.

So what is my rating I'm going to give it 5 stars it's gripping well written and thought provoking so yes 5 stars for me.

I was lucky to be invited to read this early copy of The King's Mother. . I had read the previous book , Cecily and this book certainly lives up to expectations .
This is a real page turner, I literally read it in one sitting. It's a compelling read and I found Cecily Neville an intriguing and resilient character.
The detailed historical aspects of the novel are interesting and the attention to detail is outstanding.Annie Garthwaite has incorporated her own interpretation of the character's reasoning behind their actions which I found both fascinating and thought provoking.
Cecily is a strong and sometimes ruthless character,, she is the driving force behind the scenes that everyone turns to.
I especially liked the relationship between Cecily and Margaret Beaufort, both resilient women , whose love and ambition for their children is boundless. Both women respect and distrust each other equally and underestimate the lengths each will go to protect the ones they love.
I also liked the Authors portrayal of Richard of Gloucester and his relationships between his brothers, his mother and his wife
I was sorry to finish this book and look forward to reading the next one. Thoroughly recommended

I was thrilled to hear Annie Garthwaite was working on a sequel to Cecily, which was one of my favourite reads of 2021! This book, although, a little slow at the start, does not disappoint. Once we were in the meat of the story, it raced along, covering decades of bloody history with an intimacy and level of detail that centred the internal lives of the characters. I greatly admire Garthwaite's talent for characterisation, particularly with her strength for dialogue. The tangible fierceness in her characters, particularly the women, is satisfying and thrilling to read, and as a reader, you find yourself even occasionally shifting alliances, such is Garthwaite's skill for making all her characters and their motivations understood. Highly recommended for fans of well-written historical fiction!

As a huge fan of historical fiction, particularly the Wars of the Roses, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this novel & I have to say that I loved it. Following on from Cecily, Annie Garthwaite’s debut, this novel covers many tumultuous years of the crown being passed backwards & forwards between York & Lancaster. As a huge Ricardian, I was slightly worried that the author’s sympathies may lie with Lancaster, but that proved not to be the case. The story is written from Cecily’s point of view & as mother to two York kings, her loyalties are obvious. The novel is beautifully written & reminded me of my absolute favourite author, Sharon Penman. I can give no higher praise. 10/10

The much anticipated next read from this author is here and it doesn't disappoint. The time period which is usually dominated by a male story and male lens sees a fresh look and a feminine take here. This is well received and definitely welcomed by this reader.

Steeped in historical detail making it a compelling read but with the fresh pair of female eyes, this makes it even more wondrous and thought provoking.