Book Review: The Pretender by Jo Harkin

Author: Jo Harkin

Title: The Pretender

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 496

Expected publication April 22, 2025

Where I Got It: Netgalley for my honest and unbiased opinion

Summary: 

A sweeping historical novel in the vein of Hilary Mantel and Maggie O’Farrell set during the time of the Tudors’ ascent. The Pretender tells the story of Lambert Simnel, who was raised in obscurity as a peasant boy to protect his safety, believed to be the heir to the throne occupied by Richard III, and briefly crowned, at the age of ten, as King Edward the Sixth, one of the last of the Plantagenets.

In 1480 John Collan’s greatest anxiety is how to circumvent the village’s devil goat on the way to collect water. But the arrival of a well-dressed stranger from London upends his life forever: John is not John Collan, not the son of Will Collan, but the son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence, hidden in the countryside after a brotherly rift over the crown, and because Richard III has a habit of disappearing his nephews. Removed from his humble origins, sent to Oxford to be educated in a manner befitting the throne’s rightful heir, John is put into play by his masters, learning the rules of etiquette in Burgundy and the machinations of the court in Ireland, where he encounters the intractable Joan, the delightfully strong-willed and manipulative daughter of his Irish patrons, a girl imbued with both extraordinary political savvy and occasional murderous tendencies. Joan has two paths available her—marry, or become a nun. Lambert’s choices are similarly stark: he will either become King, or die in battle. Together they form an alliance that will change the fate of the English monarchy.

Inspired by a footnote to history—the true story of the little known Simnel, who was a figurehead of the 1487 Yorkist rebellion and ended up working as a spy in the court of King Henry VII— The Pretender is historical fiction at its finest, a gripping, exuberant, rollicking portrait of British monarchy and life within the court, with a cast of unforgettable heroes and villains drawn from 15th century England. A masterful new work from a major new author.

Review:

Seen this and knew I had to check it out! Love a good historical fiction!

After the arrival of a well-dressed stranger, John's life is forever changed. He finds out he is the son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence. He was hidden out in the country to protect him because Richard III has a nasty habit of removing his nephews. He is sent to Oxford to be trained and prepared to be the heir of the throne and is then sent to Ireland and he meets Joan. They form an alliance that will forever change the fate of the English monarchy. 

What an interesting take and viewpoint to read from. This is based off the true story of Simnel who was the figurehead of the Yorkist rebellion. I honestly don't recall the name personally, so I'll have to do some googling after writing this to freshen up my 15th century knowledge. 

The 1/3 and last 3rd were great! I was addicted and couldn't stop reading. I stayed up WAY too late finishing the book. The middle 3rd.....was a little rougher. It took me a while to get through it. I wanted to skim so badly, but I felt like I would miss some important stuff if I did. TBF - there was some trimming that could be done throughout. Some scenes went on for far too long. 

But yes, the detail and the writing style was refreshing and really made this story come to life. I'm now itching for more. I might have to try out the other novel by this author. 

There is a HUGE list of characters running amuck here, but the author did a good job keeping everything straight and keeping the reader in the know. We got the reminders we needed but yes, just keep that in mind that there is a big cast and you need to pay attention. Thus another reason why I didn't skim the middle bit. 

Ugh Joan. Not sure why, but she really rubbed me the wrong way. 

I adored John!! He was a gem. I loved watching him grow and try to find his way and his identity.

All-in-all, I did enjoy this. The writing style was great and the author just sucks you into the story. I felt like I was there! Sure there needs to be some trimming (especially in the middle 3rd), but I did appreciate the attention to detail. If you like historical fiction, keep your eyes out for this one when it releases! I'll give this 3 stars. 

- Favorite Character(s): John

- Least Favorite Character(s): Joan and Richard III

 

Movie Review: The King (2019)

Title: The King

Length:  2h 20m

Released: 2019

Genre:  Historical, Biography, Drama
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

Hal, wayward prince and heir to the English throne, is crowned King Henry V after his tyrannical father dies. Now the young king must navigate palace politics, the war his father left behind, and the emotional strings of his past life.

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

Been meaning to watch this. What a cast!!

Hal is a wayward prince and the reluctant heir to the English throne. After his tyrannical father dies, he takes the throne and now has to navigate palace politics, the wars his father left behind, and emotional strings. 

This made me sad for Hal. I felt so bad for him which I think was the whole concept. He didn't want the throne. He didn't want war. All he wanted was peace. How true that really is, who knows, but this version of Henry V touched my heart. I feel like I would be the same. I wouldn't want war. Just peace and happiness, but he is forced to fight France and I feel like that would happen to me too.

They make it seem like the war with France was just one big battle. I believe the war lasted nearly a year...maybe 6 months or so? I can't remember.

I also was a little annoyed that it just pretty much ended. If I didn't know anything about Henry V then I would think he and his new wife lived happily ever after. It would've been nice to have an epilogue or something that they normally do at the end of a historical film. I was surprised they didn't do that.

Now, the film was a little slow, but it worked. We slowly see things starting to escalate between Henry and France and Henry and his politicians. The slowness was nice. Which is weird to say. Hahaha. But we got to learn more about Henry V and the world. 

Overall, I liked this a lot. However, I wanted more of a conclusion in the end. I would say google after you are done watching if you don't know anything about Henry V. ;) I also wished that they showed more of the war. They could've trimmed some of the beginning to give us more war. But yes, if you like historicals watch this. I'll give it 3 stars.    

Book Review: This Son of York by Anne Easter Smith

Author: Anne Easter Smith 
Title: This Son of York
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Publication Date: November 10th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



Richard III. A man. A king. A legend.

He ruled England for only two years, but the legacy of Richard III remains both fascinating and divisive.

From his childhood in the intensely loyal and close-knit York family to his rise as a thoughtful but troubled ruler, This Son of York is a passionate and deeply personal account of the life of Richard III. A man who loved his family and his country. A king who struggled to overcome the challenges not only of a turbulent time but his own human frailties. A legend whose true life is only now coming to light.

Inspired by the discovery of Richard III's grave and its revelations, award-winning author Anne Easter Smith brings together her decades of intense research, five celebrated novels on the Wars of the Roses, and her sustained passion for Richard III in this culminating book on the last Plantagenet king.


Been an eon since I read a book by this author and this came out about Richard...so I couldn't resist giving this a try.

This follows Richard from childhood until his death on the battle field. This is inspired by the discovery of Richard's grave recently, so we get to have little glimpses of the team who uncovered the body. 

I have always been back and forth about Richard. I never believed he was the monster that is portrayed but was he a saint? Absolutely not. He was a man of his time for sure, but I don't really believe he killed his nephews...but did he know the truth? Probably. Who knows? 

The author is really good and I enjoyed the other book by her. I really must read more. She has such a way of bringing these characters to life and absorbing you into the story and the drama. She makes these characters complex and human. Love it!

Even though I have my doubts about Richard, I really enjoyed his story here. She didn't butter him up to be a hero or a villain. He felt real to me and this version is my favorite of him. I did even pity him at the end there. Poor guy. Lost everything. He was so disrespected in his death. Darn that Henry. BUT you can understand why Henry just wanted to bury him and forget about him. 

At first I wasn't a huge fan of the glimpses of the modern day uncovering of his grave. As we did get closer to the end I appreciated it then. 

Overall, I really did like this story. I was completely absorbed into the story and our characters. Richard felt so real and this was my favorite version of him. This is a must-read if you have any sort of interest in the War of the Roses. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.  

Book Review: Testament by Alis Hawkins

Author: Alis Hawkins 
Title: Testament
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published:   January 1st 2008
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



What secrets lie hidden in the Medieval college of Kineton and Dacre…?


Salster, England, 1385 

Master mason Simon of Kineton is building his magnum opus: a great college to rival any in England. 

But the Bishop of Salster, hostile to free education, is determined to sabotage Simon’s project. 

When rumours spread that the mason's son is cursed, the bishop sees an opportunity to undermine both Simon and the college. 

And everything Simon has worked so hard for could end up crumbling down around him… 


Salster, 2019 

Damia Miller has been employed to promote penniless Kineton and Dacre college. 

Delving into the college’s history, she becomes captivated by the vast grotesque painting that has recently been uncovered during renovations. 

It soon becomes clear to Damia that the painting holds the key to the past – a past which could reveal exactly what she’s been searching for… 

Ya'lls know how much I love my books that jump from the past to current. They are sooo fun. 

This story follows Damia Miller in modern day. She is hired to help save Kineton and Darcre college. Meanwhile in the 14th century we follow Simon who is the master mason who simply wants to help give education to everyone. 

A rare moment happened in this book for me....I was actually more intrigued with the modern story over the historical one! Whaaaaaaaaaaa? I know! Normally I just breeze through the modern tale but this time I wanted more of Damia and her story. SHOCKING!

I liked Damia a lot and I loathed Simon. Simon was a big jerkface to his wife and kid. Yesss, he is battling the Bishop and trying to help the people of England get education at the same time of being in charge of building these colleges. Lots of stress for sure. BUT I wanted to kick him. He was so terrible to them. Sure at the end he has a change of heart and regrets being so mean to his poor disabled son....but ugh. It made it hard to want to care about him and his struggles. 

Now...I did like Simon's wife. I am glad we got a lot of her POV so it saved that part of the story for me. 

Poor Damia. She has this hard task ahead of her and she is also trying to keep her relationship from crumbling as well. I felt for her. Lots of stress for her. 

The writing was great. It did capture my interest from page one. There was a lull there in the middle, but after getting over that lull I was hooked again. Just to try and finish this I stayed up til nearly 3 am. I couldn't keep my eyes open so I went to sleep and finished this first thing when I woke up. I had to know what was going to happen next! Eeee

The ending did not disappoint. 

I wouldn't classify this as a thriller. It was a nice historical and modern fiction for me. It had mystery for sure and I had no idea how everyone was going to fix and save their relationships/plans. It did worry me. 

Overall, I did really enjoy this story. There was a lull there and Simon was a hard man to want to follow, but I was hooked for sure. Simon DOES get better, but what do you expect from a 14th century man? The ending did not disappoint at all. Great writing and a good story. I'll give this 4 stars. 

  

Audiobook Review: Into the Dreaming by Karen Marie Moning

Author: Karen Marie Moning
Narrator: Phil Gigante
Title: Into the Dreaming
(Highlander #8)
Genre: Historical Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, SciFi
Pages: Audiobook
Published:  August 29th 2006
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Free him from his ice-borne hell . . .

Stolen from his beloved home in the Highlands of Scotland, imprisoned in the Unseelie king’s dark, frosty kingdom, Aedan MacKinnon endured centuries of torture before becoming the icy, emotionless Vengeance, the dark king’s dispatcher of death and destruction in the mortal realm.

And in his century you both may dwell . . .

Aspiring romance novelist Jane Sillee has always believed that she was born in the wrong century, but she’s managed to make a decent enough life for herself—if only she could stop having those recurring dreams about a man too perfect to exist.

In the Dreaming you have loved him . . .

Haunted every night of her life by a devastatingly sexy Highlander who comes to her while she sleeps, Jane tries to write him out of her head and heart. As a child he protected her, as a woman he loves her.

Now in the Waking you must save him . . .

Number 8 of the series! This has been one I've been curious about for a couple of books now. This is a novella more so. It is shorter than the rest...but not short enough to be a short story. 

The story follows Jane and Vengeance/Aedan. Jane is a modern woman who has dreamed of Aedan her whole life. He was a friend to her as a child and then it became more when she became a woman. Aedan was tricked into being the prisoner of the Unseelie king. He is twisted and tortured to the point he doesn't remember who he is and is now a warrior for the king. The light queen of the Fae has deemed he needs to be saved and the only way to do this is by true love. 

I adored Jane and I adored Aedan. Poor guy was super tricked! Darn that evil, dark king!!!!

The story was sweet but it had its darkness too. Aedan went through a lot and it will take a lot to unfreeze his memories of who he really is. Jane was much more patient and cunning than I would be. 

The ending was nice. However, it has raised more questions for me! WHAT IS NEXT? This is the last book in the series. WHAT??? Does it continue elsewhere? I must know more. More questions have been added. What is next for the light queen and her court? Will, she beat the Unseelie king? Will she turn away from being dark and return him to light? UGH! Maybe I'll read her other series. We shall see. 

I wanted this to be longer! Maybe it is my own greediness since I know this was the ending of a fantastic series.

But yes. This was a good one! I liked the narrator. He was good. His voice was perfect for all the characters even Jane and the queen. 

In the end, I am so sad to see this series go. It was so fun. I want moreeee. I feel like there is more stories to tell! Ugh SO many questions! Maybe someday she'll return and add more. Sighs. A good end to a good series. I'll stamp this with 5. Short, but good. 

Book Review: The Blood of Princes by Derek Birks

Author: Derek Birks 
Title: The Blood of Princes
(The Craft of Kings #2)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published:  February 9th 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)



A savage tale of love, treason and betrayal.
A bloody struggle for power at the heart of the royal court.

In April 1483, the sudden death of King Edward IV brings his 12 year old son to the throne.
Restless young lord and ex-mercenary John Elder is newly-appointed to the service of Edward, Prince of Wales, and charged with the boy’s safety. His first task, escorting the new king to London for his coronation, seems a simple one but the accession of a boy king raises concerns among the leading noblemen of the land. 
As old jealousies and feuds are rekindled, the new king’s uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, seizes control and plunges the kingdom into crisis. But is Gloucester young Edward’s enemy, or saviour? 
While John, outlawed and trapped, must wait to see how events unfold, other members of the battle-scarred Elder family are drawn, one by one, into his conspiracy. Soon they are mired so deep in the murky underbelly of London society, that there seems no hope of escape from the tangle of intrigue and murder.
In the end, all lives will hang upon the outcome of a daring incursion into the Tower of London itself.


This one took me a while to finish because I had to keep pushing this back on the back-burner. Finally completed!

The story takes places after King Edward IV dies and has left his 12-year-old son is now up for the throne. John Edler is newly-appointed to be in charge of the new King's safety. As we all know, the boy's uncle, Richard, takes over and plunges England into crisis. Now, John is outlawed. As events unfold, his family members are drawn into his conspiracy.

*wipes sweat from brow* There was a lot going on in this story. Lots of conspiracies, lots of back-stabbing, lots of drama. I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The only thing I know for sure is that everything was a lost cause for the boys in the Tower. Not a spoiler since we all know they were lost. Did Richard kill them? Toss them to the side? Did they run off? Did someone else murder them? We'll never truly know. And for me...that's sad and tragic. 

I did like John Elder and he really did get screwed over because of Richard and his take-over. Poor guy.

There is some backstory I feel I missed since this is book 2. However, I could overlook it, but I do have some questions. I did feel like I missed some references and character building. I recommend reading book 1 first to avoid this. 

I was worried about John and his family. 

The romance was bleh. Not a fan. THAT IS YOUR COUSIN GOOD SIR/MADAM! I know it was commonplace back yonder, but even they had an issue with it and how "wrong" it felt, but they still did it and felt how they felt. They kept bringing it up so it was at the forefront of my mind. Plus, I didn't feel their chemistry at all either so it made it more awkward. 

I also wished we had more POV from Richard. There was some, but I wanted more. Not that I didn't like John and his crew...but I wanted to see more from the inside. 

Overall, I did enjoy the story. Stinks that I had to keep putting it to the side to read things that were due, but I finally got a chance to finish it and it was good. I wasn't a fan of the romance aspect and I wanted more of that slimy Richard. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

Audiobook Review: Vlad - The Last Confession by C.C Humphreys

Author: CC Humphreys
Narrator: Collin Moody
Title: Vlad The Last Confession
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: Audiobook
Published: 2008  
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

"Trust nothing that you've heard."

Winter 1431, a son is born to the Prince of Transylvania.

His father christened him "Vlad."

His people knew him as "The Dragon's Son."

His enemies reviled him as "Tepes"-The Impaler.

He became the hero of a nation.

We know him as Dracula.

Vlad: The Last Confession is a novel about the real man behind the Bram Stoker myth. It tells of the Prince, the warrior, the lover, the torturer, the survivor and, ultimately, the hero.


Honestly, I'm glad I listened to this over reading it. I do not think I would've enjoyed it as much if I read it. 

The story was just bearly okay. What really and truly made the story was the narrator. I highly enjoyed his voice and his accents. He made the story come alive. I was able to keep focused and remember who was who because of the narrator. There were a lot of characters, but the narrator gave everyone their own voice...even the females. 

Vlad was an interesting character in history. So many different sides to that tale. This did justice. You can see all the sides and opinions and you can make your final choice on the man. Yes, he was a monster in some ways. Yes, he was a hero. Yes, he was a man who did what he thought was right. Yes, he was a creature of his time who was forged by his enemy. The enemy has NO ONE to blame but themselves. They trained him and raised him and unleashed him. Not Vlad's fault he decided to turn on them. I guess that is my take. I do not approve of his impaling ways but I do not fault him entirely. He did what he was trained to do and thought he had to do to win his war. The loser of a war always becomes a monster. The victor writes down history. 

Impaling is so gross. They went into some detail but it was done well. You get a general idea but it wasn't too over-the-top in the descriptions.

There were two parts that had me scratching my head. One, why didn't Vlad tell his friend the truth. Two, in the end...how? Seems a stretch to me. I cannot say more because I fear spoilers. 

Overall, the story was just okay. What truly made the story was the narrator. I highly encourage listening to this tale. I want to listen to more by this narrator. Super good. I'll stamp this with....*does complicated math* I'll give this 3 stars.