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Feb 18, 2011Mallory_MPL rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Red Queen is the sequel to Philippa's new trilogy, The Cousins' War, about the battle over the crown between the House of Lancaster and the House of York. This installment stars Margaret Beaufort, a pious young woman who was a 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. Margaret begs her mother to allow her to go to a convent and spend her life serving God. But because she is an heir to the throne, her destiny is one to produce sons and so is married to Edmund Tudor when she is only 12 and he is well in his twenties. Within two years of their marriage she becomes pregnant and is widowed before her son, Henry, is born. She has a vision that her son is meant to be King of England, and her destiny is to be the Queen Mother, Margaret Regina. From this moment on she devotes her life to the day she sees her son on the throne. No amount of lies, deceit, or murder will stop her from doing God's will. Philippa Gregory is known for her historical accuracy, and this novel is no excuse; anyone interested in learning more about this time period would benefit from reading the Cousins' War trilogy. I loved how self-righteous Margaret is. It takes her third husband to tell her that she is hiding behind God to do her own will. I literally cheered out loud when Princess Elizabeth said she didn't care who won the war because either way she would never have to be in Margaret's presence again!