Oct 14, 2009

The Tudor Rose by Margaret Campbell Barnes

Margaret Campbell Barnes' The Tudor Rose:  A Novel of Elizabeth of York is a historical novel that chronicles the final moments of Edward IV's reign in England and the usurpation of the thrown by Richard, Duke of Gloucester and later the conquest of England by Henry Tudor.

"Elizabeth came out of her own private thoughts with a start.  Her blue eyes stared almost uncomprehendingly.  During her short life she had become accustomed to being offered as matrimonial bait for some political reason or another; but the implications of her mother's words appeared to have neither rhyme nor reason."  (Page 55 of ARC)

Elizabeth of York, who is about age 17-19, is adrift in a family and country torn apart following the death of her father, Edward IV.  As she attempts to navigate the politics of a nation in turmoil and a family walled up in Westminster Abbey in sanctuary, she also has lost her sense of security and the love her father bestowed upon her willingly.  Throughout much of the book, Elizabeth vacillates from security and insecurity and reserve and outbursts.  In many ways, readers will find Elizabeth immature, particularly given her royal stature, and her character does not seem to improve much through out the novel--whether that is due to historical accuracy or not, it is unclear.

Despite the historical nature of The Tudor Rose, the narration flows like a contemporary novel and the dramatic revolving door of the kingdom is surprisingly easy to follow.  However, readers may find Elizabeth's actions a bit out of character in some places or seem to happen on a whim without much forethought, though the historical events in the novel follow what can be found on Wikipedia.  Barnes is a capable author of historical fiction, particularly of the Tudor period in England.  The Tudor Rose is a fast-paced read and will entertain readers with a series of plot twists.

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Margaret Campbell Barnes for sending me a free copy of this book for review.  

Sourcebooks has offered 1 copy of The Tudor Rose by Margaret Campbell Barnes for a lucky U.S. or Canadian reader.  To Enter:

1.  Leave a comment on this post about what time period you enjoy reading about in historical fiction.

2.  Blog, Tweet, or Facebook this post.

Deadline is Oct. 20, 2009, at 11:59PM EST

40 comments:

Toni said...

Hey.. I guess I'll go first. I love reading this time period .. The Tudor Dynasty is always compelling to read about. I love a shot to win this one. tonigomez (at) surewest (dot) net.

Anna said...

You know me, the WWII era is my favorite, but I'm open to all types of historical fiction.

I'm adding the giveaway to my sidebar.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I've been reading alot of Tudor England lately, but I enjoy most any period. Prehistoric Africa, ancient Egypt, WWII England, Civil War America...I'll try anything!

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

tweeted this: http://twitter.com/bookmonstrosity/status/4860137107

Thanks :)

Lezlie said...

No need to enter me in the drawing. I just wanted to say hello! :-) I'm not sure what my favorite historical period would be. I like most of them!

Lezlie

Linda said...

I enjoy just about any good HF novel regardless of era; but recently I've become very interested in pre-Conquest England; i.e. the Saxon series by Cornwell.

cqueen2 said...

i really like the earlys 1900's
thanks

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

Tricia said...

I have My Lady of Cleves by the same author to read. The Tudors are great, but I think the Victorian era is my favorite to read.

Julie P. said...

I would love to read this book! As far as my favorite time period, I think it's the Renaissance!

bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

Melanie said...

My favorite time period is Victorian. But I'll read about any time period becuase I enjoy learning while I'm reading.

Pam said...

To be honest, I don't have a favourite time period. I hated history when in school, found the dates and wars boring. As an adult, having traveled and started learning the stories of the people, I find all history fascinating. I like to read about all periods as the people, customs, and cultures are all so fascinating!

melacan at hotmail dto com

Jo-Jo said...

I love the Tudor period, but I also enjoy more of the recent historical fiction, like from WWII.

joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, babe. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

renee said...

I like the victorian era but wuold read any of them.
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca

Iliana said...

Oh I've read a couple of her books and found them wonderful historical stories so please put my name in the hat for this giveaway! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love this era.

Elizabeth is a difficult subject because not much is known about her personally. My guess is that as a daughter of a fairly young king who had two healthy male heirs suddenly finding herself as an heir to a great house was something she was not schooled for.

Just finished The White Queen, so this one should be interesting.

Rachel said...

I like the Wars of the Roses best. Thanks for the giveaway!


Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

Jenny N. said...

I like reading historical fiction that takes place in England. Whether is mediaval or regency period as long as it takes place in England.

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

Tammy D said...

I love reading about The Tudors, particularly Henry VIII. Please enter me in the giveaway!

tammy.duncan@sbcglobal.net

Monica (aka monnibo) said...

I love anything that has to do with the history of England. I just finished Guernsey which is post-WWII, and I also read The White Queen which is War of the Roses also. I loved Philippa Gregory's Tudor Series. I'd like to read this (because of your recommendation).

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I like reading about the Tudor period but I have to say my favorite is the old west.

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I posted this to my blog
dancealertreads.blogspot.com

dancealert at aol dot com

holdenj said...

I go through stages, but I always enjoy good historical fiction. The Tudor time is always interesting, as is Regency England!
Thank for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

heatherzilla said...

My favorites time periods are: Medieval, The Tudor Dynasty, and British Regency. Right now, I am really into the Tudors. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

heatherzilla said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/heatherzilla8/statuses/4910434389

Sarah E said...

My favorite time period to read about is the United States Civil War era.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

Darlene said...

Don't enter me Serena. I'm just starting this one-probably finish during the read-a-thon. I'm anxious to get to it as it's my favorite era to read.

Ladytink_534 said...

One of the very first historical fiction books I've ever read was A Brief Gaudy Hour. I was still pretty young when I read it so I'm sure it would be like a new experience if I read it again. Thankfully I still have my really old copy! I remember I liked it alot yet I never managed to read anything by else by the author.

My favorite time periods to read are around Henry VIII, the (American) Civil War, and the 1920-1940's.

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tammy said...

Most history I read seems to fall in late 18th through 19th century England.

Tammy, missporkchop AT yahoo DOT com

Tammy said...

I posted about the contest here.

Tammy, missporkchop AT yahoo DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

I blogged about the contest here.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

The Bookworm said...

This sounds excellent! I am fascinated by the Tudors.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Mozi Esme said...

Would love to read this! I love historical fiction in general. Probably biblical era is my favorite...

Carol M said...

I like all historical fiction. I'v probably read mostly about the Victorian Era. I've also read a lot about the Civil War.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Gwendolyn B. said...

Lately I've really liked reading about the time period encompassing WWI and the 20's. But actually, I just love historical fiction - especially British!
Thanks for the chance to win this book.

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I like from the turn of the century through the 1920s. It's such a romantic period.

Thanks for the possibility.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Julie said...

I enjoy reading about the Civil War

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Alyce said...

I really like reading about all sorts of different time periods (ancient history, English royal history, Russian Czars, etc.). I think my current favorite is actually World War II fiction though.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Belinda M said...

I like the victorian era

Please include me in your giveaway


Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Celticlady's Reviews said...

I enjoy reading the 1500-1600 timeframe especially the Tudor era.

I am a follower and I would like to be considered for the Tudor Rose. I have read other Margaret Campbell Barnes and she is fantastic

momkelly2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

LBeezee said...

I'm a fan of the Roaring 20s. All that rebellion, all the swishin' of dresses and pouting of lips: It was an exciting time!