Red Rose, White Rose

Written by Joanna Hickson

Narrated by Chloe Massey

The powerful story of Cecily Neville, torn between both sides in the War of the Roses, from the best-selling author of The Agincourt Bride.

In fifteenth century England the Neville family rules the north with an iron fist. Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland, a giant of a man and a staunch Lancastrian, cunningly consolidates power by negotiating brilliant marriages for his children. The last betrothal he arranges before he dies is between his youngest daughter, nine-year-old Cicely, and his ward Richard, the thirteen-year-old Duke of York, England’s richest heir.
Told through the eyes of Cicely and her half-brother Cuthbert, Red Rose, White Rose is the story of one of the most powerful women in England during one of its most turbulent periods. Born of Lancaster and married to York, the willowy and wayward Cicely treads a hazardous path through love, loss and imprisonment and between the violent factions of Lancaster and York, as the Wars of the Roses tear England’s ruling families apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Dec 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9780007567249

Joanna Hickson

Joanna Hickson spent twenty five years presenting and producing News and Arts programmes for the BBC. Her first published book was a children’s historical novel Rebellion at Orford Castle but more recently she has turned to adult fiction, concentrating on bringing fifteenth century English history and some of its fascinating principal characters to life.She is married with a large family and gets inspiration from her Wiltshire farmhouse home, which dates back to her chosen period.

Reviews for Red Rose, White Rose

[Joey Loeffelbein · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good storyline but it was near impossible without backtracking to keep up with which of the characters were talking. I like this narrator very much but maybe even lowering her tone while portraying Cuthbert would have helped alot. Well written book though. I do have to ask though, why is there not one mention of the birth of Richard, the future King Richard III? Every other child born to Cecily and Richard are named but not one mention of the future king? I would have liked to have seen what the author would do about the relationship between his mother and father during his chikdhood before becoming a ward.

[Phyllis Legrand · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed this book so much
I grew up in the area of Yorkshire
The place Names and the Family names are still there
I shallisten to this Audio book again and again So well written and read
One to recommend to friends and. family
Thank you all for the pleasure

[Sara Petersen · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I so wanted to listen to the book. However,the narrator seems to be in a rush. It sounds the it is all one big run on sentence. It is almost like she is blatantly ignoring the punctuation. I know it is not the author because I have read others by her. Very disappointed.

[nicole_russell-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found the book to be interesting, but it was difficult to keep my interest as it flipped from Cicely to her half-brother. It also jumped time periods pretty rapidly as well. It was nice to get the chance to see Cicely as a young girl, rather than the widowed Duchess/mother of King Edward.

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting novelization of the life of Cecily Neville, the mother of Edward IV of England, and a critical figure in the 15th-century Wars of the Roses. Cecily makes for a like-able heroine, but through much of this novel, I felt as through events primarily happened to Cecily, rather than she influenced much, which may be historically realistic, but somewhat frustrating to character development. I did enjoy the addition of an illegitimate brother for Cecily and his story throughout the novel. A good piece of historical fiction for fans of the Wars of the Roses.

[rumuse · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lots of historical detail, but I became bored with the endless battles between the houses of York and Lancaster for the crown of England. The characters weren't depicted vividly enough for me to care very much about any of them.

[greatbookescapes · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A beautifully written historical novel about the War of the Roses. Joanna Hickson presents this novel crammed packed full of historical facts, from events, people and places. I always think that reading historical novels, written accurately is the most enjoyable way of learning. Maybe high schools should encourage pupils to read this way and then discuss what they have learnt in class?

The book is both interesting and entertaining, showing the strength and politic mannerisms of historical figures during that time. I often think about what it must have been like to live in the 15th Century with the tentative relationships between families stretching loyalties, and risking displeasure of others. Especially when loyalty to the King who was weak could be seen as disloyal to your own family and the risk of that could mean being killed as a traitor.

I loved the women characters, especially Cicely who matures from a child into an influential woman of her time. There is a great feel to the way each of the characters are portrayed in a way to give an authentic feel to what I was reading.

The bits that did not work for me:

I must admit I was unable to finish this book because for me personally, there was such a lot of information that I couldn’t manage to hold it all in my head. Not only does Hickson give copious amounts of accurate details she also includes minor information such as pet names for each person which totally confused me. Because I was struggling to remember it all I lost the excitement of story. Having said that I am sure that most people wouldn't have the same problem.

Would I recommend this book: Yes definitely, it is well worth the read.

Many thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review