Title : War of the Roses: Stormbird
Author : Conn Iggulden
Publication date : 10 October 2013
Publisher : Penguin Michael Joseph
Purchase eBook: Kindle
Purchase paper book: Amazon
Rating : 3 out of 5 LeeLee’s!
Wars of the Roses: the brand new historical series from Conn Iggulden – internationally best-selling author of the Emperor and Conqueror series.
King Henry V – the great Lion of England – is long dead.
In 1437, after years of regency, the pious and gentle Henry VI, the Lamb, comes of age and accedes to the English throne. His poor health and frailty of mind render him a weakling king -Henry depends on his closest men, Spymaster Derry Brewer and William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, to run his kingdom.
Yet there are those, such as the Plantagenet Richard, Duke of York, who believe England must be led by a strong king if she is to survive. With England’s territories in France under threat, and rumours of revolt at home, fears grow that Henry and his advisers will see the country slide into ruin. With a secret deal struck for Henry to marry a young French noblewoman, Margaret of Anjou, those fears become all too real.
As storm clouds gather over England, King Henry and his supporters find themselves besieged abroad and at home. Who, or what can save the kingdom before it is too late?
My Thoughts
Set in the year 1437 when Henry VI was acceding to the throne Conn Igguldens new series follows The War of The Roses. These were a series of dynastic wars fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York for the throne of England.
The story is focused around families and politics during the reign of Henry who was said to have been a weak King, not only does he have a weak constitution he is very poor in health, he is also heavily influenced by his corrupt advisors.
French princess Margaret of Anjou is the main protagonist in this first instalment to the series. Margaret is sold as a wife to Henry by her father to negotiate with England for the return of their land. She is only fourteen but a comes across as being a very strong and determined character.
Another big character in the story is Jack Cade who is made to feel like a powerful and noble character. He fought a rebellion with no less than 5000 men. Promised pardons and reforms, many of the rebels were instead declared traitors
Conn Ilguldens take on the War of The roses is a mixture of fact and fiction so you aren’t only being educated but also having the gaps filled in based on Conn’s version of how it all happened, although this is the first of his books I have read he has written many historical fiction books and knows his stuff!
Verdict
Stormbird is a novel of a genre that I personally wouldn’t normally read, its based on historical events and set 1437! You’ll usually find me curled up reading women’s fiction, YA and thrillers but nothing Historical.
What attracted me to this book is my love for The Game of Thrones television series and having been compared to same topic and theme as Game of Thrones and The White Queen I had to find out more.
This novel is true to the theme and has some brilliant gory battle scenes with lots of blood and killing, its very descriptive, I’d say it has more descriptive scenes than it does dialogue but still manages to keep the reader engaged and overall I enjoyed it.
I’d definitely recommend this to any fans of historical fiction and I’m trying to tempt the man to read it, certainly a perfect read for a male audience and anyone who shares a love of historical fiction. Its different to what I would normally choose to read but it still left me wanting to read more!
