The Lady of the Rivers

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 19 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Passion. Danger. Witchcraft....

The Lady of the Rivers is number-one New York Times best-selling author Philippa Gregory’s remarkable story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the Wars of the Roses.

Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta always has had the gift of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, she met his prisoner, Joan of Arc, and saw her own power reflected in the young woman accused of witchcraft. They share the mystery of the tarot card of the wheel of fortune before Joan is taken to a horrific death at the hands of the English rulers of France. Jacquetta understands the danger for a woman who dares to dream.

Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, and he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire, Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of royal rivals. Not even their courage and loyalty can keep the House of Lancaster on the throne. Henry the king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret the queen turns to untrustworthy favorites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty.

Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen, and for her daughter, Elizabeth, for whom Jacquetta can sense an extraordinary and unexpected future: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York.

A sweeping, powerful story rich in passion and legend and drawing on years of research, The Lady of the Rivers tells the story of the real-life mother of the white queen.

©2011 Philippa Gregory (P)2011 Simon and Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

“Sexy… scandalous… smart.” ( Redbook)

“Gregory is a consummate historical author.” ( Historical Novels Review)

“Confident, colorful, convincing, and full of conflict, betrayal, and political maneuvering.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Love it!

This is one of the best series. On to the next one to find out what happens next!!!

Very enjoyable!

A great escape into a world of queens, kings, princesses and the like. Looking forward to the next one.

On to the next book

The narration was absolutely on point. I absolutely love this book and I'm obsessed with Jaquetta! I can't wait to read the next.

Philippa back on track

I was reluctant to download this book and devote time to it. Ms. Gregory's last book, The Red Queen, was weak both in story and in substance. I felt vested in the author's continuing telling of the War of the Roses characters and I knew I had some listening time so I committed the credit.

SO glad that I did ! The story of Jacquetta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford and mother to Elizabeth Wydville of "The White Queen," is fascinating in the extreme. This is, naturally, a novelization of her life, but Ms. Gregory fills in period details, politics and sociology in a beautiful blending of fact and fiction. The society's fixation on the unexplained as "witchcraft" is a theme of the novel which travels from Joan of Arc to the rise of King Edward IV (The Duke of York). It is a prequel to The Red and White Queen stories and both characters from the prior novels are re-introduced as children.

The narrator was outstanding. Her voice was extremely fluid and melodic. As I listened, I felt soothed while still being wholly entrapped in the story. It was like not being able to put a book down; I quite literally had my earbuds in my ears around the clock. Since I usually knit while listening, I got a LOT of work on my Christmas projects done. My sole criticism of the book is that, as with the Red Queen, there are a few too many repetitive passages -- I understood almost immediately that Jacquetta knew she shouldn't be telling fortunes with tarot cards; Ms. Gregory did NOT need to repeat the same passage of writing fifteen or twenty times.

All in all, a great read of a very good story. Good choice for fans of Philippa and also for those who want to learn about pre-Tudor English history without reading Allison Weir's non-fiction epics (which I also read).

loved it from cover to cover

never a dull moment and so much history... wish Philippa Gregory would have written all my School days history books, I might have taken more interest

Another fine work by Philippa Gregory

I have to say, I have learned more about European history from this author’s writing than I ever did in school.
While the stories are fiction, I went back and researched some of the events and people, because I wasn’t familiar with them. Ms. Gregory‘s work is spot on and tells of real events in such an exciting way that they cannot help but entrance the reader.

Surprise

This historical novel surprised me with its first person reflections in this tumultuous period. Hearing the Duchess’ inner thoughts and fears, personalized each battle and treachery portrayed.
I look forward to enjoying other books in her series.

loved

narrator is amazing 👏 very good, highly recommend for those who are fans of the white queen and princess starz series

Great book!

I read these a little out of order. They are all wonderful. Story can be heavy at times. To live during that time period was difficult. Loved the narration.

Good prequel

Recently watched the 3 Starz series: White Queen, White Princess & Spanish Princess. Enjoyed them a great deal & decided to listen to this story about the white queen’s mother. Not sure how historically accurate they all may be, but very good overall. I may now listen to the other books their series are based upon.