The King's Curse
Cousins' War 6
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Ltd
Published:12th Mar '15
Should be back in stock very soon
The gripping tale of Margaret Pole reveals her struggles at the Tudor court. In The King's Curse, she faces betrayal and loyalty amidst a royal curse.
In The King's Curse, the life of Margaret Pole unfolds against the backdrop of the tumultuous Tudor court. As the daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, she is one of the last members of the Plantagenet dynasty, making her a potential rival to the Tudor throne. Margaret's journey begins with her marriage to a loyal supporter of the Tudors, which leads her to become the guardian of young Arthur, the Prince of Wales, and his future bride, Katherine of Aragon. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when tragedy strikes, plunging her into poverty and obscurity.
The death of the king offers Margaret a chance to re-enter the court, where she serves as a lady in waiting to Queen Katherine. Yet, as she navigates the dangerous waters of court politics, she finds herself torn between her loyalty to the increasingly tyrannical King Henry VIII and her friendship with the discarded queen. The tension escalates as Margaret harbors a dark secret: a curse that threatens the very foundation of the Tudor line, and she witnesses its ominous unfolding.
The King's Curse is a gripping tale of betrayal, loyalty, and the struggles of a woman caught in a web of power and intrigue. Philippa Gregory masterfully weaves historical detail with rich character development, bringing to life a period marked by ambition and treachery. Readers will find themselves captivated by Margaret's resilience and the perilous choices she must make in a world where survival often means compromising one’s principles.
'The book’s greatest strength is its first-hand, fascinating yet horrifying view of Henry VIII’s transition from handsome young prince to monstrous tyrant. . . . Gregory takes us beyond the seductive trappings of historical detail and makes us feel the terror of what living through that turbulent period might have been like' Miami Herald
'Without a doubt, Gregory has made another powerful addition to the genre (so much so that I hesitate to even call it historical fiction). This historian’s extensive knowledge of the English monarchy truly brings this famous story to life' The Sun News(Myrtle Beach)
'An excellent addition to the Tudor royalty genre, not only for its unique perspective, but also the easy flow of the narrative and the intriguing complexities of characters’ personalities' Historical Novel Society
'Infuses vitality into an oft-forgotten player in the aftermath of the War of the Roses—Margaret Poole, heiress to the defeated Plantagenet clan' Closer
'Margaret’s story is shocking, deeply moving and offers an alternative view on a much-told tale. Gregory is on form here; her depiction of Henry VIII’s transformation from indulged golden boy to sinister tyrant is perfectly pitched and seems more horrific still when we are made intimate witnesses to the devastation of Margaret’s family. . . . I defy anyone to remain dry-eyed as the story reaches its tragic denouement' The Sunday Express (UK)
'A gripping and detailed chronicle, with plenty of court intrigue and politics to spice up the action . . . . Highly recommended' Library Journal (starred review)
'Nobody does dynastic history like Gregory' Booklist
'Gregory manages to keep us in suspense as to what will befall her characters....Under her spell, we keep hoping history won't repeat itself' Kirkus Reviews
'An illuminating portrait. . . Gregory moves confidently through a tangle of intrigue, revenge, and tyranny toward a shocking betrayal' Publishers Weekly
'Loyalties are torn, paranoia festers and you can almost hear the bray of royal trumpets as the period springs to life. It’s a bloody irresistible read' People Magazine
'Bring on the blood, sex and tears! . . . You name it, it's all here' USA Today
ISBN: 9780857207586
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
624 pages