The story is starting to wear thin

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The White Queen. I've read many of Philippa Gregory's book and they're always top notch. Likewise I enjoyed # 2, The Red Queen. By the time # 3 (The Lady of the Rivers) rolled around I was starting to worry a little about how things were going. I applaud the idea of taking the same basic story and telling (and retelling) it from different perspectives, but by the time I got to # 4 (The Kingmaker's Daughter) the idea was feeling overplayed. There was a lot of repetition in this book (the main character obsessing over the same thoughts and making the same points over and over) and I think this, coupled with the fact that the reader pretty much knows the story inside and out by this point, made for dry reading from time to time. Once you get passed the first 3 books the only thing new is the main character's inner thoughts and perspective so there's nothing really that makes this a compelling page turner. Nobody new joins the story, there are no big revelations, you know who is going to die and at what point in the timeline, etc. It's nice to know what Ann's thoughts were on everything, but that's just it, nice. I don't feel like it paid off in comparison to the time and money investment of buying and listening to the book. Having read the reviews for Book # 5 I don't think I'm going invest another 15 hours in this story, and I don't think I'll lose any sleep over it.

26 people found this helpful

The White Queen - Redux

The Kingmaker's Daughter is a repeat of the exact same story as Phillipa Gregory's The White Queen except told from the perspective Anne Neville. If you have read the White Queen don't buy this book unless you have credits to spare and want to read the same story again. It wasnt that I didn't enjoy listening to the book, per se, but it was waste of a credit. I am going to be returning the book. I agree with other reviewer's that this is grade B historical fiction and formulaic. It was an easy way for Phillipa Gregory to publish another book to make more money but doesn't add anything additional to the Cousin's War Series.

10 people found this helpful

Another great book by philippa gregory!

What made the experience of listening to The Kingmaker's Daughter the most enjoyable?

The narrator was superb and the story was fascinating that I could not stop listening to it

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kingmaker's Daughter?

When anne went to court at the christmas festives. I think it was one of the happiest times of her life.

What about Bianca Amato’s performance did you like?

Bianca Amato did an excellent job in giving each character distinct accents and different voice tones. Her performance was impeccable. I really enjoyed listening to her.

If you could rename The Kingmaker's Daughter, what would you call it?

The Nevilles, maybe......

9 people found this helpful

The Best One Yet!!!!

Lady of the River's may still be my favorite book of this series this one is a close second. Ms. Gregory does an amazing job of weaving together I single story with multiple points of view. Even though it is the pretty much the same story as the first 3 books, the reader gets a whole new point of view and a whole new Hero to love and Villain to hate. THIS IS A MUST READ!!!! But listen to the other books in the series first it will help with understanding.

9 people found this helpful

Marvelous Story Maker

Would you listen to The Kingmaker's Daughter again? Why?

The thing about Philippa Gregory’s books is you can always read them again! I find my self cross referencing her other books in this series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It’s amazing how you read one of the books in the series, and you are completely behind the main character. Then you read another and you change your mind completely. I think now that I have read all three, I need to read them again to decide which character is really my favorite.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Anne and Isabelle made up after fighting for so long. I think it was a perfect scene to show how sisters can have so much hate and envy towards each other, but sisterly love is forever. However, the most intense scene was when Isabelle went into labor on the ship. It was so intense and powerful. The scene set the tone for the events that followed.

16 people found this helpful

Philippa Gregory tells a great story

The story is told from the perspective of the daughter. She makes assumptions without knowing all the facts which gives her impressions of those around her. Her eyes are then opened as the story unfolds and she learns the truth. So many emotions in this story makes this book quite a roller coaster of feelings to read/listen to. Rarely was there a dull moment.

3 people found this helpful

good story made tedious

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Ffinally gave up, it was too dragged out both in the writing and the delivery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kingmaker's Daughter?

There are many great parts of this story. This is basically the Richard III story but told about the women instead of the men. It had great possibilities.

What didn’t you like about Bianca Amato’s performance?

Pretentious and dragged out.

Do you think The Kingmaker's Daughter needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

All these women who part of the story of the Tudor rise to the throne are so interesting. But so far I have been disappointed in the books. The reading makes the characters seem so weak and whiny.

Any additional comments?

Very disappointed.

6 people found this helpful

Too Long!

What did you like best about The Kingmaker's Daughter? What did you like least?

I love the history but this one went on way too long. I understand shaping and building characters but it got to the point I did not care what Ann had to say.

If you’ve listened to books by Philippa Gregory before, how does this one compare?

I enjoyed the other books I listened to but this one dragged.

What three words best describe Bianca Amato’s performance?

Women voices were Ok but the men left a little to be desired.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

12 people found this helpful

Tears, tears and more tears

If you could sum up The Kingmaker's Daughter in three words, what would they be?

melodrama of history.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kingmaker's Daughter?

There were no particularly memorable moments in this book for me though it was a solid read.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found the continual mourning of the main characters almost tiresome, though this book is no doubt at least partially based on true fact.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy Ms. Gregory's books and will continue to "listen" to them! Bring on the White Princess.

5 people found this helpful

Historically incorrect

This book is historically incorrect on many fronts but the most obvious is to suggest Anne Neville wife of Richard III was in any way instrumental in bringing about the disappearance or death of Edward V and Richard Duke of York - whether you believe their deaths were due to Richard III or not is one thing to suggest Anne had anything to do with it is to deny all historical knowledge and evidence. According to chroniclers of the time Robert Brackenbury was under strict orders from the king that anything to do with the Princes could only have been done on receipt of a royal warrant from King Richard himself to suggest he took it on himself at a mere suggestion from Anne is to defame the man's character.

Also Ms Gregory really needs to decide if she is writing an historical novel or a fantasy piece as it is doubtful any person interested in this period of history today would believe Elizabeth Wydville capable of witchcraft.

Furthermore the book is badly written the same points are made again and again and again it is repetitive and tedious in the extreme. There are several instances of use of the present day vernacular which strikes a discordant note in the narrative. I would suggest this book was written to appeal to a young audience who would not know or care about historical detail.

All in all I would not recommend this book.

16 people found this helpful