The Kingmaker's Daughter

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

In The Kingmaker's Daughter, number-one New York Times best-selling author Philippa Gregory presents the riveting story of Anne Neville, her sister Isabel, and their ever-changing fortunes.

The Kingmaker's Daughter is the gripping and ultimately tragic story of the daughters of the man known as the "Kingmaker", the most powerful magnate in England through the Cousins' Wars. In the absence of a son and heir, he uses the two girls as pawns in his political games, but they grow up to be influential players in their own right. In this novel, her first sister story since The Other Boleyn Girl, Gregory explores the lives of two fascinating young women.

At the court of Edward IV and his beautiful queen, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne grows from a delightful child brought up in intimacy and friendship with the family of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, to become ever more fearful and desperate when her father makes war on his former friends. Her will is tested when she is left widowed and fatherless, with her mother in sanctuary and her sister married to the enemy. Fortune's wheel turns again when Richard rescues Anne from her sister's house, with danger still following Anne, even as she eventually ascends to the throne as queen. Having lost those closest to her, she must protect herself and her precious only child, Prince Edward, from a court full of royal rivals.

©2012 Philippa Gregory (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"The bonds of sisterhood infuse Gregory’s latest. . . . The stakes are high as Anne and Isabel Neville, daughters of the earl of Warwick ("The Kingmaker"), vie for their father's favor and a chance at the throne.... In addition to Gregory handling a complicated history, she convincingly details women's lives in the 1400s and the competitive love between sisters." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Gregory delivers another vivid and satisfying novel of court intrigue, revenge, and superstition. Gregory's many fans as well as readers who enjoy lush, evocative writing, vividly drawn characters, and fascinating history told from a woman's point of view will love her latest work." ( Library Journal

"Conspiracy and a fight to the death for love and power." ( Los Angeles Times)

Women's History

Beautifully narrated engaging story. The author does an amazing amount of research making the fast moving story an amazing look into history, from the women

Loved it!

An entertaining and thought-provoking imagining of the events related to the Cousin's Wars. The characters come alive, and seem to be speaking in the same room as you, thanks to the talented Ms. Amato!

Another great book

This is another great book in the series on the War of the Roses - the Plantagenets and the Tudors. I plan on listening to them all. This is my fourth. Now on to “The White Princess.” I also watched the series on STARZ. Also very good.

One of Phillipa Gregory's best books

Would you listen to The Kingmaker's Daughter again? Why?

No, I do not normally reread books

What did you like best about this story?

This book was written from Anne Neville's point of view. It was refreshing to get an inside view of the court and the inner relationships of Anne with Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary D'Anjou, Richard and her sister Isabelle. You could feel her emotion and struggles with these relationships.

Have you listened to any of Bianca Amato’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first Audio book!

Who was the most memorable character of The Kingmaker's Daughter and why?

Queen Mary D'Anjou and now I have added the Red Queen to my Wish List.

Any additional comments?

I really like historical fiction and Phillipa Gregory has been one of my favorite authors! This is by far one of her best books. It is told from the viewpoint of Anne Neville, the daughter of Earl of Warwick. She is a young girl at the beginning but is already enveloped in an adult world as part of the the Royal Court. It personalizes her struggles with her mother, Queen Margaret D'Anjou and Queen Elizabeth. Her relationship with her sister Isabelle is one of comfort and closeness and also one of pain and resentment. As the book progresses, you can see how Anne matures and becomes a strong women and fulfills her father's dream of seeing one of his daughters sit on the throne of England.

Excellent Historical Fiction-Sense being present

Of all the books of this series, this was my least favorite, not because it is not a good read. It is very well written. Ms. Gregory makes me feel as if I am there, in the great halls, standing at the edge of the battle fields, and eavesdropping on private conversations.

I think the reason that I liked this least of all of this series is the that father of the heroine of this story (The Kingmaker himself, Warrick) is a vile, treacherous, fence-sitter during the War of the Roses, one who "turns his coat" almost daily.

The history is good and accurate. I truly enjoy Ms. Gregory's works

The heroine is a pitiable character who has a horribly evil, greedy, petty, jealous sister, and a mean, thankless, nasty mother who makes her daughter's basically orphans due to her own cowardice. Yet despite all our heroine (being essentially an orphan and her sister's prisoner,) marries for love in a time when that is almost unheard of

I anxiously await the release of the next book in the series.

Very enjoyable historical fiction

This was my first book by this author, don't know how I missed her. I have since purchased all her books on good reads and cannot wait to listen to all of them.

Perspective is EVERYTHING!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys medieval historical fiction and Phillipa Gregory's works, in particular.

What did you like best about this story?

This is the third point of view of the same historical events I have read of Phillipa Gregory's accounts of the Cousins' War. I loved how each time the author has been loyal to her protagonist/narrator in each particular book.

What does Bianca Amato bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Bianca Amato has an extraordinary vocal range and portrayed the many characters with individual specificity.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

To thine own self be true...since it is impossible to trust anyone else!

Another awesome Philippa Gregory book.

What did you love best about The Kingmaker's Daughter?

The story was fantastic and so true to the history. The actress reading the book was perfect. Her proper English was very good and easy to understand.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Loved all the characters.

What about Bianca Amato’s performance did you like?

Her proper English was very good and easy to understand.

History Made Engaging

Would you listen to The Kingmaker's Daughter again? Why?

Absolutely. A tale of such magnitude and complexity requires more than one listen to absorb all of the nuances that were probably missed the first two or three times.

What did you like best about this story?

I thoroughly enjoyed the narration and the descriptiveness of the story.

Which character – as performed by Bianca Amato – was your favorite?

My favorite character was the younger daughter.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did not wish to listen to it all in one sitting because of its complexity, which required that I allow some marination time in my brain.

Any additional comments?

Phillippa Gregory is one of the greats when it comes to writing historical fiction, and her books are well suited to the audio format. This is the second Gregory audiobook that I have heard performed by Bianca Amato (among a cast of characters), and she was an excellent choice.

Enjoyed this book

I enjoyed this book as well as the othets in the series. Bianca Amato's narraration is marvelous