Rating: 
Summary: Just Short of Perfection
Review: I loved the book, and would highly recommend it. Ms. Penman performs one of my favorite literary feats: Taking on familiar stereotypes and standing them on their heads without bludgeoning the reader with hysterics or polemics. That being said, one or two things didn't ring quite true, or could have been added to strengthen the plot. One, she depicts the Tower of London as it became later under the Tudors -- a place of horror and torture. Under the Plantagenets, it was the official royal residence. It was used to house important prisoners like Henry VI and the duke of Clarence because it was the obvious place to put important prisoners. Two, she unaccountably leaves out mention of the tragedy of the earl of Desmond, murdered by Tiptoft at the behest of Edward's queen for an unfortunate, if true, remark. Richard III felt so deeply about this that he sent a personal apology to Desmond's son when he came to the throne. Three, Ireland, the most secure power base the Yorkists had, is barely mentioned. Four, the author gets a few things wrong about the Catholic Church -- although very slight, and they don't make a difference to the plot. However, if the reader can ignore these things, which, again, don't really harm the plot, the book is very enjoyable. Perhaps they could even be corrected in a future edition.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: I've just finished my second reading of this excellent book and really cannot praise it enough. All the characters are so real that I literally feel transported to the situations. I only have one complaint though: Penman has destroyed my interest in reading other writers- I find myself measuring them up with Penman's books (and found wanting!) *slight spoiler* The first part of the book was exciting and interesting, but I think the pace really picks up after Edward (Ned) dies...I practically read the last few hundred pages unstop, feeling for Richard as one disaster after another hit his life. Highly recommended indeed, although be warned that the ending is incredibly tragic indeed
Rating:
Summary: A superb look at Richard III!
Review: I was hesitant to read this book. As a trained historian, I tend to squirm at historical fiction. A friend introduced me to Penman. I am glad he did. This book is a sweeping look at Yorkist England. A new theory about the murder of the York princes accompanies a very interesting and sympathetic portrait of Richard III. read it slowly. Savor its length.
Rating:
Summary: It started an interest
Review: I've always enjoyed historical novels but the length of this one made me look forward to it with trepidation. However, once I started, I couldn't stop. It was brilliant and well worth reading. The relationships were beautifully drawn and the tension or love felt by the characters was passed on to the reader. As I knew the basics of the story of Richard III I dreaded getting to the end of the book as I knew he must die. This book brought history to life.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe a little too perfect?
Review: Whether or not you like this book will depend in large part in where you stand on the person and character of Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester and by the Grace of God, King of England, (however briefly).If you are an unswayable proponent of the "Black Theory" -- that is, that Shakespeare, More and Richard's other contemporary critics were correct, that Richard killed the Princes and a lot of other people as well -- you'd probably better move along. This isn't for you. If you haven't been persuaded yet, or are in favor of the "White Theory" -- that Richard was a good man, slandered by history -- then this is right up your alley. It begins shortly before the deaths of Richard's father, uncle, cousins and brother at Sandal Castle and follows the fortunes of Richard, his brothers -- the hapless and self-serving George, Duke of Clarence and the shining Edward IV, the Sunne in Splendour -- and the other major players in the War of the Roses through to Richard's own death on Bosworth Field. My only complaint -- and it's minor -- is that perhaps Richard as presented here is just a little too perfect, a little too saintly. I've no doubt he was honorable and decent -- yes, I hold to the White Theory -- and I believe he was loyal to his brother, but he comes across as someone who really never made a misstep, and I find that hard to believe. All the same, it's a vivid portrait of its time, and very readable. You're going to want to read more about the Lancasters and Yorks when you're done.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read
Review: This amazing book will have you spellbound within minutes. It is utterly brilliant. Sharon Penman breaths the very life into Richard the Third, Edward the Fourth and their contemporaries. Even if you are familiar with history and their story, you will never feel the same way about them again. Penman is an inspired writer and as such, she makes you feel as if you know the characters and truly understand their motivations. If you only read one book about the Wars of the Roses, this is the one to read.
Rating:
Summary: Shining, Glorious Book
Review: Penman writes beautifully of other times, bringing them to life, and making the reader care desperately for her characters. All her books are wonderful. This, however, is the best of the lot. It was a labour of love, written when she did not know that she would be a successful author. This story is the story she had to tell, and tell it she does. Even knowing how it will all turn out does not distract from the suspense she weaves. Whatever your opinion about the facts of Richard III's life, you will be drawn into this telling. Yes, the plot is determined by Penman's opinion about whether Richard killed the little princes or not. But that's not where the power of the book lies. The prose shines with clarity and grace. The characters seem real enough to touch. The pacing is splendid. The storytelling is compelling. This is a book to read and savour.
Rating:
Summary: A true revelation...
Review: UNFAIR, that's how I felt finishing reading this book. UNFAIR that we don't know the truth about Richard III and his rule, that we must rely on the inspiration and imagination of this brilliant author, describing those bloody and tumultous times. UNFAIR is how Richard III has been treated posthumously. Although he is described in the book as almost a faultless person, his consciousness and devotion being his drawbecks in those times when people were so treacherous, blood-thirsty, avaricious, striving for power and driven by their wildest ambitions (probably also that's why almost they all found their way to the block eventually, taking a few innocent along too), we must acknowledge that if a monarch can't punish those who threaten his personal safety or interests of the state, he's condemned to be deposed. At least Richard met his death with honour (although had he not rushed into the battle and wisely withdrawn to gain support, maybe Tudors, who now appears also had had rather a dubious claim to the throne, would not have founded their dynasty). His personal dramas only add up to the feeling that all Yorks and Lancasters were damned from the beginning. In general, I've tried before to understand the conflict between Y&L and read a couple of non-fictional book about it, but was lost in a whirpool of names, dates, titles and battles. Only after this book I have quite clear idea who was who in this war, how events developed and why this period is truly called one of the bloodes in the history of England. It's a long book, covering about 25 years of the period, but it can be our share of returning Richard III his good name. It would also be UNFAIR if you don't discover this book for yourself!
Rating:
Summary: Finally, One for Richard!
Review: I have read every book I could locate about Richard III. I even wrote my Englih paper in college about him. But I have never owned so many copies of the same book. This book is so enthralling, I have gone through four paperback copies. Once read, you can not help but read it again and again,finding some thing new each time.You can't help but feel the emotions of the characters in this book. MS Penman writes so that you are there,eating,drinking,fighting and living life during this incredible time in English hitory.Her explanations for the disapperance of the Princes is more beleivable then any Tudor historian, it makes sense.And ,for her explanations of Richards "character flaws",it shows a man too sensitive for his loves, lossess, and Kingship.It is that sensitivity that makes it impossible to believe he would put two innocent boys to death. I was so glad to read a possitive perspective on Richard's life. This book is as interesting as it addictive. Right on the level with Ms.Penman's Trilogy,Here Be Dragons.
Rating:
Summary: The Sunne In Splendour
Review: Penman effectively shows that there is a side to Richard III that has been forgotten over time. The novel teaches the reader about the kind man who was deeply devoted to a country, a family, and a woman he always loved. It also gives an explanation to the murder of the "princes in the tower" that shows Richard, not as the cold-blooded killer, but rather a man who trusted those who called themselves his friends, and would never have laid a finger on his brother's children. For anyone who finds English history interesting, this is a must read.
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