Cast That Book: The Red Queen

~'Cast That Book' is a weekly meme created by moi. This is just something I came up with, to share everyone who I would cast if a certain book became a movie. I got the idea from storycasting.com, so check them out! My secret dream is to be a casting director and this allows me to live it for just an hour or two. Anyone can join! You don't have to pick thebook I picked. Any book, any genre! However, I would LOVE to check out who you casted, so share the linkie to your post down below.~

Happy Saturday everybody.

This week I decided to share my "cast" for The Red Queen. I was a little unsure about sharing this one, but what the heck? For this "casting" I feel like showing the pictures of the real people next to the actor/actress. ^.^ Click THIS to check out the review I typed up for this book. Here we go! 

CAST:

Margaret Beaufort (The *coughs* Bitch *coughs*) - Keegan Connor Tracy

Edmund Tudor - Kevin McKidd (he's a little older than the original, but his face kept popping in my head)

Jasper Tudor - David Wenham (yummah)

~Original Jasper Tudor N/A~
























Henry Tudor - John Driscoll

Young Henry Tudor - Tommy Bastow

Elizabeth of York - Blake Lively

Sir Henry Stafford - Viggo Mortensen

Thomas Stanley - Richard Armitage

Edward IV - Gary Oldman

Richard III - Christian Bale

Margaret of Anjou - Marion Cotillard

King Henry VI - Ewan McGregor

I know I'm missing some major players in the game of War of the Roses, but I think I got the main ones of The Red Queen. Who would you cast?

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<3CaroleRae

Book Review: The Red Queen

Author: Philipa Gregory
Title: The Red Queen (Cousin's War #2)
Genre: Historical Fiction, War,
Pages: 382
First Published: 2010
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Krogers)


"The second book in Philippa's stunning new trilogy, The Cousins War, brings to life the story of Margaret Beaufort, a shadowy and mysterious character in the first book of the series - The White Queen - but who now takes centre stage in the bitter struggle of The War of the Roses. The Red Queen tells the story of the child-bride of Edmund Tudor, who, although widowed in her early teens, uses her determination of character and wily plotting to infiltrate the house of York under the guise of loyal friend and servant, undermine the support for Richard III and ultimately ensure that her only son, Henry Tudor, triumphs as King of England. Through collaboration with the dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret agrees a betrothal between Henry and Elizabeth's daughter, thereby uniting the families and resolving the Cousins War once and for all by founding of the Tudor dynasty"


This is the second installment of the Cousin's War series by Philippa Gregory. However, it can stand alone perfectly fine. Each book has a different heroine, so reading out of order is okay. I'm glad for this, because I have NOT read 'The White Queen' yet. I plan too, but this cover drew me to it and I couldn't resist it. Also, it was on sale at Krogers. Oh well. Even though I'm not a huge fan of Ms. Gregory's viewpoint of Anne Boleyn or Elizabeth I, I'll give her a chance in other areas of history; just like I did for this one. However, when I picked up this novel, I was a little worried I would be confused, because I'm not that knowledgeable about the War of the Roses (aka Cousin's war).  


Firstly, I give a nod to Philippa Gregory because she didn't assume that every reader is a historian on that war. Secondly, she wrote this series, so you could read all the novels out of order and NOT get confused. I love when series are like that. ^.^ Just these points made me like the novel! 


I loved how Philippa Gregory presents each character. She presents them with real human flaws and she even shows their positive points too. Even the main characters show their flaws AND this "heroine" of novel is very, very flawed! I couldn't stand the woman! If I had known her, I would have probably smacked her in the face. She was so annoying BUT I give Ms. Gregory major creds for presenting this lady as she was. She showed her as selfish, arrogant, self-conceded, independent, cold-heart, destiny-driven, holy, and proud. She would have given ANYTHING for her son the throne of England. 


I have not read one review that stated that they "loved" this character. No one likes her, but many love the book. How is that possible? Well, because the book was fantastic! I couldn't get enough of it either! It took a little bit to get into though, but after a certain point I could barely put it down. 


The only thing I didn't like about this book, was Lady Beaufort. That woman got on my nerves. In my head I called her "The Bitch". She did have some positive points, but she kept comparing herself to Joan of Arch and she thought that she was God's "chosen" and everyone should bow down and kiss her feet (well, she never really stated that, but she probably secretly wanted that). I think I would have preferred the story to narrated by someone else, but it was interesting to hear Henry VII's mother's view point.   


All-in-all, I really liked this book. It makes me want to check out the rest of the series. Maybe I'll even read more books set during the War of the Roses time period. This has become my second favorite of Philippa Gregory's novels, even though I hated the main character. Out of five stars I grant this one 5 stars. Yayy!


Favorite Character(s): Jasper Tudor and Lord Stanley (why? I don't know, but I loved that guy for some odd reason.)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): LADY MARGARET and Richard III

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<3CaroleRae

Music Monday & Movie of the Week Announcement

Happy Monday to all!

Okay! First of all, I want to say happy birthday to my cousin Morris. It's a little ironic that his birthday fell on 'Music Monday' because he loves music. He especially loves the King of Rock, the one and only Elvis Presley! Well, who honestly doesn't love Elvis? If I had a lot of money (which I don't) I would totally have a professional cake made and given to him, but since I'm a poor college kid dreams and pictures are all that I have to give. Here's the cake I would probably have made for him:

Now, on to the music!

First, here's my favorite song by The King:

This song (in my mind) is Lady Margaret Beaufort's theme song. She has a strong sense of destiny and fate. She KNOWS her child will rule England and she is anointed by God. Well, this is how Phillippa Gregory presents her in 'The Red Queen'. I will admit, I don't have much knowledge about Lady Margaret. The song is "Destiny" by Lenny Kravitz:

And here's 'Addicted to Quack!" by the hilarious Barely Guys/Barely Political. =D Enjoy:

AND......the next Movie of the Week is.......'The Young Victoria'. I've seen little bits and pieces, but I've never actually sat down and watched the movie. I'm really excited!

I hoped you enjoyed this week's selection of videos. ^.^

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<3CR