Edward IV’s sister Margaret and the War of the Roses – 3 stars ***

By Gabrielle Pantera

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/4/08 – “In my novels, I strive to serve those readers who are looking for accuracy in historical fact and yet also engage those who are looking for a good story with strong characters, a little romance and lots of period detail,” says ‘Daughter of York’ author Anne Easter Smith.

Smith’s second novel, ‘Daughter of York’ depicts the life of Margaret of York in the late 15th century England. “‘A Rose for the Crown’ and ‘Daughter of York’ are for readers who enjoy settling into a book and living with the characters for a good long time,” says Smith.

With the death of Margaret’s father and two brothers, her brother Edward who goes to war to reclaim the crown for the family. Thus begins the War of the Roses. Edward reclaims the crown and becomes Edward IV. Edward secretly marries Elizabeth Woodville. Eventually, Edward tells his councilors that he can’t marry a foreign princess as he’s already married.

Meanwhile, Margaret falls for Anthony Woodville, Elizabeth’s married brother.  However, Margaret is betrothed to marry Charles, Duke of Burgundy. Margaret embarks on a new life in Burgundy. Not a love match, Margaret learns the language and becomes very fond of her step-daughter.

Ann Easter Smith shows Margaret as an intelligent lonely woman constantly surrounded by courtiers. The first half of the book is set in England. The novel is long, with too much exposition making for slow reading.

The second half of the book is better. Margaret becomes a tireless woman who works for the people of the country she now calls home. She must help protect the people of her adopted country from her tyrannical husband and his lust for money and war.  Margaret faces the challenge of dealing with her loyalties to the house of York and her new homeland.

The historical details are interesting and many of the details Smith presents are fresh. However, overall it’s too dry. The surprise ending isn’t enough of a surprise. ‘Daughter of York’ could have been better by switching points of view, to mix it up with different perspectives and intersecting plots to keep the reader engaged for 600 pages.

‘Daughter of York’
By Ann Easter Smith
Trade paperback, 592 pages, $16.95
Publisher: Simon Schuster
Release date: February 12, 2008
ISBN 978-0743277310