A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith
Once upon a time there was really a woman named Katherine Haute who received an annuity from Richard of Gloucester. Based on this scant information, Anne Easter Smith created the Katherine Haute of “A Rose for the Crown,” as the woman who was the unknown mother of Richard III’s illegitimate children, a woman to whom many believe he was faithful before marrying Anne Neville. Anne’s rise from a lowly girl on a farm to the mistress of the Duke of Gloucester seems implausible, but was presented in a way that seems possible.
Overall this was a good read. Kate was an interesting character and her love affair with Richard was sweet. Unfortunately, it suffered a bit for me having been read in the same quarter as “The Sunne in Splendor.” “A Rose for the Crown” was well done, and was an entertaining way to engage with the history surrounding Richard – I think it is an interesting lens through which to view Richard – but it just didn’t feel quite as hardy as ” The Sunne in Splendor.”
If you are a fan of historical fiction, read both this and “The Sunne in Splendor.” Just make sure to read this first, or to wait a year or so between books.
I do think books suffer sometimes because of when we read them. I don’t read much historical fiction – I’m not sure why – but this one sure does sound good.
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I LOVED The Sunne in Splendour. Read it years ago on an epic camping trip.
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I love this book! I really need to read more of the books in the series!
This sounds really good. Thanks for the heads up on the order. I hate when I read things out of order and realize too late that I’ve done it.
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I had a similar reaction. I liked this book, but I read it before I read Sunne in Splendour–or, really, any of Penman’s works. But the story of this book is interesting.
Love historical fiction! Sounds like I have a few books to add to my list!
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SOunds good! I love historical fiction
I will take a not of both the books you mention here. thank you for the recommendations!
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Other books about Richard III’s life tend to suffer a lot when read around The Sunne in Splendour! I remember thinking this one was okay and better than her next one. I haven’t read her third.
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I totally agree about Sunne in Splendour. I liked this, but it does pale a little in comparison to Sharon Penman’s tome!
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Good advice on spacing the books. I haven’t read either yet.
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I love Sunne! It’s been a few years since I read it though. I added A Rose for the Crown to my TBR.
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