Daughter of York: A Novel [Paperback]

In this author's fictionalized history, Margaret of York leaves England in the late 15th century, during the last turbulent years of the War of the Roses, to be wed to Charles of Burgundy. When Edward IV takes the English throne, the York's ascendant at last, the country remains bedeviled by the armies of Margaret d' Anjou, wife of the incompetent Henry VI, on behalf of the Lancastrians. Margaret of York's marriage is meant to cement the relationship with Burgundy, forming a barrier to Louis of France, who manipulates behind the scenes for his country's advantage. Saddened to leave her brothers, Edward IV, George of Clarence and Richard of York, Margaret understands her duty; she has harbored dreams of romantic love, a scenario unlikely for one of royal birth, whose marriage is arranged for political advantage, love incidental and rare. Nevertheless she has set her affections on Anthony Woodville, married brother of Edward's controversial new queen, Elizabeth Woodville.

Edward has been expected to marry well at the diplomatic direction of "the Kingmaker", the earl of Warwick, but Edward shocks everyone by choosing Elizabeth, besotted with her beauty. Soon the clever new queen begins a systematic positioning of family members, upsetting the powerful Neville's. While Edward indulges himself with a woman who will bring as much trouble to his reign as did the infamous Margaret d' Anjou, Margaret of York has no such luxury, her only comfort the company of Anthony Woodville on the voyage to Burgundy. Knowing they are not meant to be together, Margaret and Anthony's unrequited love is the only balm the young wife will know for many years as Charles's mate. The Duke of Burgundy is an ambitious, warlike man, determined not to be like his womanizing father. Not at his best when dealing with the weaker sex, Charles does not require much of Margaret, nor does he give much.

Quickly realizing that her marriage will be far from what she had imagined, Margaret adapts, affectionately welcoming Charles's daughter, Mary, his heir, learning the language of her subjects and moving frequently from place to place to keep the peace against Charles' constant demands for more troops and taxes to fund his aggressions. Easter Smith portrays a courageous, lonely woman who is beloved of her people, unable to bear children and brutalized by her husband. Buoyed by secret missives from Woodville over the years, Margaret learns of England's continuing trouble from afar, Warwick's rebellion, George of Clarence's foolish ambitions and Louis's evil machinations, clinging to a fanciful love but enduring a painful existence. Ably written from the perspective outside England, the second half of the lengthy novel is more rewarding than the first, Margaret coming into her own through a series of challenges that she must face alone.

Margaret's drama is powerful, her heart with her country, yet also with her new home and her loyal retainers and counselors. It is a lonely place for a woman with enormous responsibility, who asks little from life but love. Easter Smith makes her fictional case, and well- by the end I am caught up in Margaret's world, hoping for the impossible only to be shocked by the final chapter and the Author's Note. Luan Gaines/ 2008.

The overwhelming romantic entanglement in this novel, set in 15th century England and Burgundy, is admitted by the author as possible, maybe probable. It has no basis in discovered fact. Though Margaret, sister to a King and a political pawn, possibly was enamored with Anthony Woodville, Lord Scales (Lord through his wife Eliza), the relationship doesn't have a lot of depth, although a lot of romantic emotion.

Charles the Bold of Burgundy is drawn two dimensionally as well, the anti-Anthony. His cruelty and implied misogyny in response to his father Philip's profligacy is well outlined by the author, but it's hard to believe he was thoroughly evil. The clothing of all concerned was well described.

Basically, this is historical romance, and not historical fiction. Entertaining perhaps, but little meat.

I was not only completely bored by the time I finished this book, I was also angry when I read the author's notes at the end and found that the entire love story between Margaret and Anthony never existed. She made it up. Wasn't that the basis of this entire book? Per her notes, she did say that two highly-qualified researchers of Margaret said it may have been possible because both Margaret and Anthony liked books. Huh???

The author even says in her notes she would be disappointed when her own research came up with facts that didn't fit in with the story she wanted to tell.

Case in Point: Margaret at one times adopts the care of a boy. In the book, this was put forth as the son of her murdered brother, George. Again, at the end, the author says there's no records that this was so (meaning, once again, she made it up). Actual records do show that Margaret did overtake the care of a boy, but later records have no mention of him.

As an avid reader of both historical fiction and non-fiction of English and European royalty and families, I'm well aware that certain liberties have to be taken in the form of fictional characters, conversations, and events. However, in my opinion, this was nothing more than a fictional novel where the author made an authentic person the main character, and then made up a story around her actual whereabouts and family.

If you want fiction, laced with boring stories about made-up ladies-in-waiting's arguments and secrets, and a some explicit sex scenes, this is your book. Otherwise, don't waste your time.

I tried to give no stars to this book, but I was required to give at least one.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 23 reviews  3.3 out of 5 stars