Faithful Traitor: The Story of Margaret Pole

Plantagenet Embers, Book 2

De: Samantha Wilcoxson

Narrado por: Rachael Beresford

Margaret Pole is no stranger to fortune's wheel. From her childhood as firstborn of the heir apparent of England, she was brought low as the daughter of a traitor. After years of turmoil as the Tudor dynasty made its roots, Margaret finds favor with her cousin, King Henry VIII.

Will the remnant of the York dynasty thrive under this tempestuous king or will Margaret discover that there is a price to pay for having an excess of royal blood?

Step into Tudor England....

©2016 Samantha Wilcoxson (P)2017 Samantha Wilcoxson

Fictional history with a lot of actual history

This book really opens your eyes as to how ruthless and vengeful Henry VIII was. The people of this time period had to deal with so much loss, both from that caused by their King and health issues that are easily treatable now. There were so many miscarriage s and babies that died soon after birth. This book puts you there, feeling their heartache and frustration. Even if you think you don't like England's history or fictional history, you will enjoy this book and be wiser about the struggles they endured.

Pretty accurate and well written, but

As a European history buff, and with a long interest in the Tudor era, I confess to having high expectations when reading novels about this era. I’m pleased to say that Wilcoxson portrayed the era, including the attitudes and mores of the characters, very accurately.

I had not explored much of Margaret, Duchess if Salisbury’s, life before I read this book. Most of what I knew about her focused mainly on her birth Family, her role as Mary Tudor’s governess and her execution.

I found the novel quite interesting, despite the fact that much of the information about the Duchess’ adult life centered on her work trying to provide her children settled and stable situations in life as they reached adulthood.

Some scenes that I already knew about, such as Katherine Howard’s beautifully sympathetic kindness, were written in a way that brought new life to the event.

Unfortunately, the narrator began speaking mote and more slowly as the book went on. Further, her voice became more and more mournful, even when a tragic mood was uncalled for. It’s possible that she was trying to reflect Salisbury’s advancing age, but my 94-year old mother speaks more quickly than the narrator. This was a lengthy book to begin with, and it seems to me that the narrators frustrating drone must have added at least 2 hours to the recording.

It really is unfortunate, because the author obviously put much effort and diligence in creating a fine work of fiction, much of it spun from a small amount of information. But after a while I had to force myself to return to it because after a while listening to her voice was torturous.

Loved this except

This is a great series and I love the narrator but when she speaks with an accent or a male she has a lisp. It didn’t really bother me just thought it was funny. Please get the last two books in this series on Audible. Can’t wait to hear the next one.

Great historical fiction for Tudor enthusiasts!

I thought the narrator did a fabulous job, in contrast to some previous reviews. Her childlike voice was used when the character speaking was young or a child.

Narrators Ruin an An Interesting Series

I’m an avid reader of Tudor England fiction and non-fiction. The author’s focus on these three women offered many important insights into what their lives may have entailed in the hothouse of the Henry VIII era. Both of the narrators used in the series, however, are unbearable.

The first reader adopts a bizarre, high-pitched, sing-song style, even in scenes of high drama and tragedy. The second reader speeds through the text (I put it in .9 to make it through.) and offers odd pronunciations of common words. Both readers also do a terrible job with male characters and younger women. I finished the series but regret the investment of time, due to the choices of the narrators. I expected more of an Audible-produced work.