Daughter of York

October 29, 2007
Smith’s plodding second historical novel (after A Rose for the Crown
) opens in 1461 with 15-year-old Margaret of York mourning the deaths of her father, Richard, duke of York, and brother Edmund, recently slain in battle against the Lancastrians. Eldest brother Edward raises an army of his own, routs King Henry and Queen Margaret and marches into London, where he’s crowned king. The novel’s heroine falls in love with the married Sir Anthony Woodville, and their romance evolves slowly and passionately, though she is later married off to Charles, duke of Burgundy. Margaret’s new husband takes no pains to please her in bed or out of it, and she never bears any children. She keeps busy with court intrigue, though, as it falls to her to maintain the alliance between her husband and brother Edward. Smith’s sincere attempt to breathe life into two-dimensional historical personages is bogged down by superfluous detail and stilted dialogue.

Starred review from January 15, 2008
Smith, fresh off of her triumphant debut, "A Rose for the Crown", returns to the drama and intrigue of the York family in this stunning follow-up. Margaret of York, younger sister to Edward IV and elder sister to Richard III, is a powerful member of the York clan in her own right. Beautiful, witty, and intelligent, she quickly becomes a political pawn when Edward seizes the throne and is crowned king. Married off to Charles, Duke of Burgundy, Margaret blossoms in her role as an eloquent ruler of vast estates and immense wealth. In private, however, she struggles to survive the pain of her loveless marriage to a cold, temperamental brute and her vanquished youthful hopes of a fulfilling union with Edward's already married brother-in-law, Anthony Woodville. Unrequited love simmers throughout this richly detailed historical romance; Smith's vivid characters and deft handling of the passions and prejudices that so greatly influenced the events of this era in history make for a delicious read. Highly recommended for all popular fiction collections.Leigh Wright, Bridgewater, NJ

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