The White Princess

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 19 hrs

Publisher's summary

The newest novel from #1 New York Times best-selling author and "queen of royal fiction" (USA Today) Philippa Gregory tells the passionate story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of the White Queen, who gets caught in the middle of a battle for the crown of England.

The White Princess opens as the news of the battle of Bosworth is brought to Princess Elizabeth of York, who will learn not only which rival royal house has triumphed, Tudor or York, but also which suitor she must marry: Richard III her lover, or Henry Tudor her enemy.

A princess from birth, Elizabeth fell in love with Richard III, though her mother made an arranged betrothal for her with the pretender to the throne: Henry Tudor. When Henry defeats Richard against all odds, Elizabeth has to marry the man who murdered her lover in battle, and create a new royal family with him and his ambitious mother: Margaret Beaufort, The Red Queen. But, while the new monarchy can win, it cannot, it seems, hold power in an England which remembers the House of York with love.

The new king’s greatest fear is that somewhere, outside England, a prince from the House of York is waiting to invade and re-claim the throne for the house of York. Fearing that none of his new allies can be trusted, Henry turns to his wife to advise him, all the time knowing that her loyalties must be divided. When the young man who would be king finally leads his army and invades England, it is for Elizabeth to decide whether she recognizes him as her brother and a claimant to the throne, or denies him in favor of the husband she is coming to love....

©2013 Philippa Gregory (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

History comes alive

I enjoyed the story. the reader, however, distracted from the enjoyment. I found her too monotone and did not distinguish the voices one from another well. in all I would recommend the book

A fair beauty, Elizabeth of York

The relationship between Henry VII and Elizabeth of York is difficult to imagine in this age of free love. Philippa Gregory takes very challenging material and retells the story with directness and compassion. Elizabeth must make peace between the Tudor and York families, and this tests her to the core.

Sad when it ended

I always know a good book when I’m sad it is over. And Bianca Amato is my favorite.

Good but not my fav

I didn't like it as well as The White Queen, but still a good story. My audio skipped a bit sometimes so that's part of my rating.

Love this series

What made the experience of listening to The White Princess the most enjoyable?

I love Philipa Gregory's book series on The Cousins War. She has a fantastic way of telling historical fiction. I love European history and can't read enough about the Tudors, the Yorkshire. And so on. This book was really good. Well written. I would recommend reading the whole series.

What about Bianca Amato’s performance did you like?

Does a great job. Easy to listen to.

If you could rename The White Princess, what would you call it?

The Saintly Wife

fell in love with the family of the white rose

Would you consider the audio edition of The White Princess to be better than the print version?

the narrator reads the story in a way that depicts a perfect picture of that time period of england.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The White Princess?

When princess elizabeth was sailing down the river on her way to her coronation. Searching through the large crowds of people cheering for her, she spots her mother becuase of the flag she was waving. A white rose that looked almost like the one of the house of york, except for the tudor green background and barely visible red in the center of the rose for the house of lancaster. Forgetting her status for a moment she and her mother waved at one another enthusiastically. Her mother the former queen ran along side her daughters sailing boat holding the flag and cheering for her, daughter who was following the same royal path she did

What about Bianca Amato’s performance did you like?

Loved her voice, and am continuing to listen to the rest of the series.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When elizabeth realizes what she had done to Queen Anne. Openly showing affection to King Richard, she didn't understand how it must of felt for Anne until having to witness that very thing done to her by another young and beautiful woman taking the attention of her husband, Henry Tutor

On to the next book in series

I’m loving this series. I’m about to start the next book. Very easy listening. I enjoy the history and the plots and subplots. I feel like I’m there with the historical figures.

Great

Great book and great listen I highly recommend this and all of her books and stories!

Another amazing tale!

Thank you for the wonderful journey! This series is a hit! And, a true look at the twists and turns of the Tudor dynasty.

Princess destined for Greatness and never Got it

This was the last book of the Cousin's War series and I'm so glad to be done. The constant rise and fall of power was getting overwhelming I don't know how people lived through those times, well some lived. Just when you think Elizabeth's power would start her mother in law Mary Tudor would wrongfully over shadow her. Mary, one of the most vile characters in this series, uses her son to take over the English throne when they had little right to it. That along with Henry being a mama's boy was a bit too much to handle. As a result of his insecurity he ruins what could have been a loving marriage between him & Elizabeth just as she comes to love him. It's heartbreaking to see how Elizabeth goes from a beautiful girl heading for greatness only to become a queen by name alone. To see how Henry & Mary kill the fire out of her is truly sad.

However, as usual Philippa's writing & Bianca's narration is great and anyone who loves English history/fiction would likely enjoy.