The Rose of York: Crown of Destiny

The many mysteries of the reign of King Richard III of England have occupied both popular fiction and academic writing for many years. Worth's fluid style makes the Rose of York series a pleasure to read, and those with a special interest in the period will especially appreciate her deft handling of the historical sources, to which she is absolutely faithful. It is especially gratifying to find that for once Richard's wife, Anne Neville, is not portrayed as a weak and ineffectual semi-invalid, but is instead shown holding court and dispensing patronage in her husband's absence in the grand tradition of the medieval noblewoman. Worth skillfully develops secondary characters like John Neville, George of Clarence, Anthony Woodville and Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. For example, Buckingham appears for the first time in Crown of Destiny at the wedding of the Edward IV's son Richard to Anne de Mowbray, one of the few times that the historical sources record that Richard and Buckingham met before Richard became Lord Protector upon his brother's death. Buckingham gained enormous influence with Richard in a very short time, a peculiar circumstance which Worth attributes to Richard's loneliness after the death of his beloved brother. One suspects that this influence will be a factor in the author's solution to the central mystery of Richard's reign, the question of whether he murdered his nephews in order to usurp the throne. But for that, readers will have to wait for the third book in the series, Fall From Grace. I, for one, am looking forward to it enormously!

In discussing Sir Thomas Malory's account of King Arthur's knights, Richard of Gloucester says to Anthony Woodville that his favorite part is when Arthur slays Mordred. While this initial comment might lead a reader to think that Richard is again displaying his brutal character, as he is depicted in history, it would be wise to hear his amplification of that comment, "Justice is done." Woodville responds, "But justice comes at high cost. To get at Mordred, the King must sacrifice himself." Richard replies, "You miss the point. The cost of treachery is what's high. Justice is all that's left." This lengthy interchange is worthy of significant notice as it parallels the main characteristic of Richard III as portrayed by Sandra Worth in this second novel of The Rose of York series about the King so often maligned in the accepted historical record. Yes, Sandra Worth and other Ricardian scholars and writers have come to a different conclusion - King Richard III always acted from a just and thoughtful analysis of the political facts and opinions available at the time in question. For it is the audacious and despicable behavior of the Woodvilles against King Edward IV, Richard of Gloucester's brother, and the rest of the Plantaganet clan that almost undoes England's respectable relationships with Europe and almost destroys England itself with civil and political war. Richard watches his brother evolve from an idealistic, strong ruler to a deluded, drunk, blind, and irresponsible weakling totally unaware that his few murderous acts were leading to a disastrous end. As could be expected under such conditions, former loyal advisors and servants become as decadent as their leader because of their own lust for ambition and power. What an education for a future king - and how brilliantly this author portrays the individual as well as the political climate under which this all occurs. So it is no small wonder that Richard becomes a man totally focused on justice - after watching his brothers and so many more murdered for base and mistaken reasons. His faithful and perceptive wife, Anne, can only comfort him so much but does help him preserve his sanity in the midst of even more horrific events. Indeed, he eventually even learns that his own family harbors momentous secrets that will affect the future of England and which he will not learn about until a most critical moment after his brother, Edward's, death - one for which his brother George was condemned to death by Edward. Sandra Worth knows how to write superb historical fiction! The reader comes to appreciate the depth of Richard's character in taut suspense through the spare yet plot-driven tale quickly emerging under Worth's deft, depictive skills. With meticulous research, this author proceeds to engage the reader in truly understanding where the term "blind justice" originated and what it truly means in the life of a respectable and memorable political leader of amazing stature! Congratulations,

King Edward IV secretly marries Bess making her his queen. When he dies in 1483, Bess makes a bid to stay in power willing to kill Edward's siblings to do so. One such brother Richard was loyal to his liege and weary of the civil war that engulfed England. He just wants to stay home with his beloved wife Anne and their son Ned. However, the machinations of Bess allied with another royal brother, avaricious George, leads to the murder of Anne's father, the "Kingmaker" Warwick. Richard concludes he must protect his spouse and their offspring while also keeping the heir to the throne his nephew safe. Fate takes a new spin when Richard learns he is next in line to the throne. If he accepts his destiny, he might prevent civil war, but at the cost of his happiness; if he declines as he so much prefers to do, a new war will ravage the country as two adversaries lay claim to the crown. History will prove whether he chose correctly rather than quickly. CROWN OF DESTINY, the sequel to Love and War, paints a radically different picture of Richard III from that of a despicable villain to a reluctant ruler trying to be the heroic savior and who is a firm believer in blind justice. This historical biographical fiction is well written as readers see a caring person struggling with responsibility and revolts. Most interesting is to the victors goes the history books. Since the Tudors won the battle (Shakespeare wrote under the rule of Queen Elizabeth, a Tudor), they become heroic and the last Plantagenet king becomes a vile villain; yet Richard's blind justice becomes a key ingredient in modern day democracy. Harriet Klausner

Sandra Worth's "Crown of Destiny", her second novel in a trilogy about Richard III, picks up shortly after the first book's conclusion, with Richard finally wed and attempting to safeguard his new family from the machinations of his brother Edward IV's court. This is a fast read, but one that never lags. Richard grows in this unusual portrayal of a humane man in an inhumane time, one who must confront challenging choices that threaten to rend his world apart, and contend with the own darkness in his own nature. It also paves the way for the third and final book in the trilogy. Once again, Ms Worth succeeds in bringing to life the tumultuous era of the last of the Plantagenets, as well as offering a different interpretation of a much-maligned historical figure, one that compliments the canon rather than detracts from it. In particular, Richard's love for Anne and his hopes for England are poignantly rendered, while the obvious meticulous research never intrudes on the narrative. A moving reading experience for all lovers of historical fiction, this book deserves its place on the shelf beside the other illustrious authors who have undertaken the difficult task of elevating Richard from the myths surrounding him.

Sandra Worth's Crown of Destiny takes up the story of the future Richard III of England in the years just before his brother, Edward IV, dies. Though it is a sequel to Love and War, it can easily be read on its own. Worth's Richard is an honest, moralistic man who wants what is best for his family and his realm. In following his elder brother's orders, he watches as Edward's wife's family drags him down to a shadow of the man he once was. Richard would gladly spend his life in the north, away from court intrigues and family arguments, but duty calls and he finds himself drawn into the fray when Edward dies suddenly, leaving Richard as Lord Protector of the Realm and his young son, Edward V. Worth's storytelling is always well-done and she brings Richard to life by showing that although he was not infallible, he did strive to do justice for all concerned. We feel Richard's anguish upon learning of his betrayal by close friends, and we are led to understand why Richard felt his only choice was to set aside his young nephew and take over the throne himself. Far from Shakespeare's despicable turn, this Richard is human and compassionate, though still capable of angry tirades and subterfuge at times. My biggest complaint is the relative shortness of this novel; I'm left hanging, wanting to know how Worth will bring this sad tragedy to its ultimate end, knowing it won't be pretty but that Worth will do justice to the man. This one is highly recommended!