The King's Sister

Although I read a lot of historical fiction, I did not know anything about the subject of this novel, Elizabeth of Lancaster, the younger daughter of John of Gaunt and sister to King Henry IV. She sits directly in the middle of King Richard II's overthrow and Henry IV's subsequent ascension to the throne. All of which launches the Wars of the Roses.As a royal granddaughter of King Edward III (her father being a third son) Elizabeth is naturally used as a pawn to build alliances. At 17 she is forced to marry a wealthy eight-year-old boy to expand her father's influence. While waiting for her husband to grow up, she falls for her first cousin's (Richard II) half brother, John Holland, who becomes Elizabeth's second husband. And there's the conflict. When Richard II begins to show poor leadership and plots to dethrone him begin -- Elizabeth's husband, John Holland, supports his half-brother, Richard II while Elizabeth supports her brother, Henry IV. A sticky place to be in in a marriage.Their story of family conflict and rivalry is a good one, though I did not think the book was that well written. It struck me as overly melodramatic - which wasn't necessary since the story itself holds enough drama. There were long passages of Elizabeth describing her own angst, which became repetitious and tedious. (Yes, we get that she felt conflicted!) And those descriptions don't carry enough believable emotion, it feels more like just a lot of words. To me, this is a good way of learning about another important woman lost in history, but overly long and wordy.

Cover reads: "Sister. Wife. Traitor." Who can resist that? I certainly couldn't and my knowledge of Elizabeth of Lancaster was nonexistent. So I plunged into this novel and the world of Richard II, which is one of my favorite medieval periods. Anne has certainly landed a juicy heroine, and her story is lively, complicated, and intriguing. Since I don't know how much of this novel is historical and how much is fiction, I'm obliged to take the story on faith (as a control freak, this makes me very uncomfortable!). Elizabeth was the spoiled, headstrong, pampered daughter of John of Gaunt who originally did her duty and married her father's choice - a boy - but later saw fit to follow her own inclinations and behave in a most unladylike manner, throwing contemporary morals and customs by the wayside.Elizabeth's head was turned by the charming and rakish John Holland, half-brother to Richard II, and her indulgent father was obliged to reward her bad behavior rather than risk her eternal shame. Her tempestuous relationship with John takes up much of the book, and I felt the story crossed the line into Historical Romance, which is not a genre I favor. I see the necessity, however, because no one would put themselves into such a pickle unless their love affair surmounted every other consideration.Even after their marriage was settled, the story plunged into yet more trouble, as her brother Henry Bolingbroke went for the crown, pitting Elizabeth against her husband and his loyalty to Richard II. It was an impossible situation and tested their love to the breaking point. I got the feeling that our heroine was always destined to land on her feet, but she could have been happier if she wasn't so uncompromising. She made for an interesting character study.

I reviewed this novel at Historical Fiction Obsession.Anne O’Brien is by far one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and I am reminded of why this is after reading “The King’s Sister”. I can honestly say that I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster while reading this novel. I laughed, cried, felt angry, shocked, and sad as I completely lost myself in this book due to Anne O’Brien’s superb writing skills. Prior to reading “The King’s Sister” I knew very little about Elizabeth of Lancaster. She has always been a minor character who I “met” in passing as I read novels about King Henry IV or her famous father the Duke of Lancaster. However, after reading this book, I honestly felt as though I knew her. Ms. O’Brien really has a way of bringing her characters to life for readers. I’ve read several of her novels, and I’ve loved every one. The way that the author describes the everyday lives of her characters makes them seem so real. Obviously Elizabeth of Lancaster truly was a real person hundreds of years ago, but there was very little that was known about her. As with many important women from history, their importance was overshadowed by whatever the men at that time were doing. However, the way that the author portrays Elizabeth of Lancaster feels right, and it is easy to picture her just as described. Since I knew so little about her life, I was shocked when certain events happened, and I actually got teared up towards the end. To be able to really connect with a character, to me, is a priority when I read a novel. I want to love, and sometimes even hate, the character. I want to feel like I KNOW the character by the time I finish the novel. Nothing is more disappointing than reading a novel and being unable to understand the main character or to have any type of strong emotions for the character.“The King’s Sister” had my interest right from the beginning, and when I closed the book at the end, I wanted it to keep going. I have nothing but positive feelings and glowing praise for this novel, and it is a solid FIVE out of FIVE stars for me!

I thought I'd give this author another try after ploughing through The Queen's Choice without much enthusiasm, but this was even worse: I gave up on page 200, when the dull heroine was reunited with her dull would-be lover yet again, only to have the same dull conversation they'd already had a dozen times before.Superficial, repetitive and unconvincing, it's a cheesy Mills & Boon love story masquerading as historical fiction. I rarely write such a short, dismissive review, but this really is poor stuff.It's prompted me to dig out my well-worn copy of Anya Seton's Katherine, to remind myself how it should be done.

Well it seems that not only have I found new reading material, but I have found a new author to follow as well.Like a number of reviewers I have read many books about the Tudor period and more modern history e.g. Victorian and Edwardian period. But had very little reading experience of Lancastrian times. Well this book has filled many of the lamentable gaps in my knowledge!The author has a very pleasing style of writing which made this book enjoyable. The subject, Elizabeth of Lancaster, is at the centre of a fascinating story and Anne O'Brien has told it very well. After all she is well qualified to write historical books and has clearly done her homework.The love story between Elizabeth and John Holland is skilfully woven through the history of this time. I am not sure I always warmed to the character of John and I must say Elizabeth was far from perfect herself. But this is a portrayal of how their passionate love story unfolded and of the tragic culmination of their relationship. Eventually Elizabeth had a difficult decision to make. The events that followed devastated her, the depths of her grief is brilliantly portrayed by Anne O'Brien.The end of this book leaves Elizabeth at a stage where she has forgiven herself and is ready to move on, albeit with difficulty. There is hope.This fascinating period is brought to life with its intrigue, plots, dilemmas, love story etc. centred around Elizabeth of Lancaster, who hitherto is little known. A super book which I am sure will lead to further reading of this author.

This was my first Anne O Brien novel and I have to say I absolutely loved it. Like many readers, I am fairly obsessed with the Tudor period especially the women of that time. This book began fairly slowly, and I did wonder initially, if it was going to be the book for me. However, it didn't take long for me to become hooked to the point I could not put it down. From the 17 year old Elizabeth of Lancaster's sham of an arranged marriage to an 8 year old boy, to her passionate and life long love affair and subsequent marriage to the nefarious John Holland. Her divided loyalties, which tore the family apart reduced me to tears. I see the negative reviews on this book, and of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but for me (who has read everything Phillipa Gregory has to offer) I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be downloading another of Ms O Brien's works as soon as I have written this review!!

I gave up fairly quickly after dragging through the first few chapters, I could raise no enthusiasm, so gave up and returned to my to be read pile for something better. Having recently read an Alison Weir on Katherine of Aragon which was riveting, this book was such a disappointment, No more of this author for me!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. Elizabeth of Lancaster was only known to me by Anya Seton's book, Katherine. I haven't read Miss O'Brien's book about Katherine yet. Another very strong medieval woman air brushed from history. Miss O'Brien brought Elizabeth alive, and she became a passionate, strong woman. I will have to go to her resting place in Shropshire to see her effigy. This little church must be one of the few that was hidden from Henry VIII and his diabolical reformation.