The King's Grace

Grace Plantagenet, illegitimate daughter of King Edward IV, leads a quiet life until a mysterious stranger arrives, claiming to be the rightful heir to the English crown. If that's true, he would also be Grace's long-lost half-brother, Richard, who has been presumed dead. Thus, a convoluted storyline of politics and intrigue ensues. Narrator Rosalyn Landor's dispassionate performance is as uninspired as this novel. Without a clear plot or much distinction between character voices, the story fails to come to life, and the listener cannot engage with the narration. However, diehard fans of Tudor historical fiction may find a pre-Henry VIII story refreshing. Further, those with knowledge of the period, characters, and relationship dynamics may also find Landor's narration more than adequate. A.R.H. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

December 8, 2008
Smith's newest historical fiction (after Daughter of York
) is a complex exploration of a turbulent period of English history, taking on one of its biggest mysteries: the fate of princes Edward and Richard, locked up in the Tower by Richard III. Protagonist Grace Plantagenet is the illegitimate daughter of Edward IV and had been confidant to his family—including her imprisoned half-brothers Edward and Richard. After Richard III is killed and the princes disappear, a man named Perkin Warbeck appears to challenge Henry VII, claiming to be the presumed dead Prince Richard. Determined to discover the truth of Warbeck's claim, Grace throws herself into the politics of the court, knowing that if Warbeck is Prince Richard, it could be drastic for Grace's family—especially for her half-sister Elizabeth of York, now Henry's queen. Examined through the eyes of a minor historical figure, Smith introduces readers to 15th-century political intrigue with thought, courage and honesty. Though her major historical figures (especially Henry VII) get the broad-brush treatment, Smith is careful to make Grace and her world detailed and engaging.