From Joan of Arc to the Rose wars

Contrary to expectations, the reader, Ms. Gregory holds more so back to write a novel about Elizabeth of York and instead goes further into the past, to their grandmother. So far so good, because the expectations are first lowered somewhat because Jacquetta of Luxembourg is already in great detail in the novel, occurred about her daughter, "The Queen of the White Rose".

In this work, therefore it is even in a different historical period, namely, the Hundred Years War between France and England. As usual with Mrs. Gregory the female perspective ensures that Kriegsgeschenisse stand back, but that's not a big deal (in this case I can Rebecca Gablé "The guardians of the Rose" recommended). Because at the beginning of the book occurs Joan of Arc to a prisoner who lives in Jacquettas household. Between the proud high nobles and rebellious peasant girl to a strange friendship, which is but convicted of Jeanne's tragic fate at the stake to fail, but impressed nonetheless Jacquetta forever developing. However Jacquetta runs through a set of predicted then the attention of the Duke of Bedford to be who she married after the death of his wife. But in truth he is only interested in their alleged spiritual abilities while Jacquetta fallen in love with the squire her husband. The Wheel of Destiny continues to turn and the Duchess is the Hofdamme of the new Queen of England, the hotheaded Marguerite d'Anjou, which seems to be the opposite of her pious husband, Henry VI.. Jacquetta will accompany this woman until a looming disaster ...

Similar to the white queen is spoken very much about magic, which Jacquetta here is still clearly more cautious than in the earlier book. Rather, a time is credibly presented, where superstition and alchemy part of everyday life, whether historically accurate or not. By finer approach it is as I said a few exceptions credible, but the reader must be able to apply a certain acceptance of magic faith. However, the superstition is sent mixed with feminist ideas, but satisfy the time and thus generate compassion and depth for the figures.
In addition, the representation of Queen Margaret is very well done. It is certainly not a complex and rather superficial analysis, but nevertheless we understand how it could come to the Rose wars, the disaster in their own country according to the eternal war against France. Margaret is described as the main character alive and ambivalent, even if a scene strongly reminiscent of "The Other Boleyn Girl". Nevertheless always creeps at a figure like Jacquetta suspect whether she and her family were really so influential, as they are described as Mrs. Gregory the main character often appears very positive and significant, which is also due to the first-person perspective well.

Overall, I gained the impression that the author had in place only in the subject Rosenkriege, thereby improving the books in the course, because I believe this book for their best of the series so far. Incidentally, is the fourth volume not by Elizabeth of York, but from the Neville sisters who married the brothers Edward IV..