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The Queen’s Rival
- Narrated by: Elaine Claxton
- Length: 15 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
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Publisher's Summary
The forgotten story of Cecily Neville, duchess of York. A strong woman who claimed the throne for her family in a time of war....
One family united by blood. Torn apart by war....
England, 1459: Cecily, duchess of York, is embroiled in a plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne. But when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecily’s family flees and abandons her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own.
Cecily can only watch as her lands are torn apart and divided up by the ruthless Queen Marguerite. From the towers of her prison in Tonbridge Castle, the duchess begins to spin a web of deceit - one that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI and to her eldest son being crowned king of England.
This is a story of heartbreak, ambition and treachery, of one woman’s quest to claim the throne during the violence and tragedy of the Wars of the Roses.
Critic Reviews
"One of the best writers around." (Sun)
"A terrific storyteller." (Daily Telegraph)
"This thrilling historical novel has it all - high politics, drama, emotion, excellent writing.... It's a rollercoaster of a read." (Carol McGrath)
More from the same
What listeners say about The Queen’s Rival
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mary Lynn Cox
- 05-24-21
Not a fsvorite
This story had the potential to be a good book. I did not enjoy the format. Most of the was letters and prayers, not an actual story
4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ronda
- 01-28-22
Good
I did like the narrator & the story but much of it is correspondence back & forth. I didn't appreciate the numerous letters but this book is good & the narrator is great!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Antony Dayal
- 04-24-22
Living history
I love how the author brings historical figures to life and gives us an understanding of their motivations. A really good listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-23-22
This is medieval istorie of a powerful woman
Cecille Neville the Queen that never was wow !
I enjoyed very much as ever there are liberties taking however the base is very plausible. Again a writer have taken time to write and bring to light a life of intelligent power of a true heroine.
The Plantagenet dinasty.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kathy S.
- 03-27-22
excellent job
Loved it. It makes you look at the women of history as a mother, wife sister, grandmother...... very entertaining 👏
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sacco_Mom_21514
- 09-22-21
Fantastic book!
I never realized how much I overlooked in regards to what role the war of the roses truly played in Cecile's life. It's odd as I have read and seen so many different takes on that time in history but never fully appreciated the hardships and travesty's she had to bear. I found myself wishing the book hadn't yet ended. Fantastic writing and narration!
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Stephanie
- 08-14-21
Sorry
I can’t help but say it: just stick with Phillipa Gregory. She isn’t without her sins, but she knows how to tell a story. This is lifeless.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Chris Willmott
- 02-02-21
A good narrative
I found the flow really spoilt (and rather tedious) by the repetition of each name and full title in each of the letters.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Rosieb
- 01-24-21
Queens Rival
Written in the form of third party chronicles and letters . Not my favourite of this author’s books.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tracey
- 01-25-21
A most informative listen.
A wonderful reading of the life of Cecily, Duchess of York, mother to two English kings.
Although I was aware of Cecily due to interest in the family Plantagenet, listening to her life through some of the most tumultuous times in English history was both informative and interesting. It is so good to hear about those that play a second role, not always given their due place in our history and I found that to be true in this reading.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- S.Attenborough
- 10-18-21
Beyond Painful
Not sure why historical fiction writers mow down a good true story into something like a fairy tale of exaggerated twe-ness. Not recommended and after 1 hr of it I deleted it. The narration was also exasperating.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- SUE RYAN
- 09-11-21
Painful
A woman who complains all the time about how she has been wronged by her family.
I found it very boring.
