The Red Queen

Nobody does theTudors better than Gregory (The Other Boleyn Girl), so it should comeas no surprise that her latest—the War of the Roses as seen throughthe eyes of Henry VII's mother —is confident, colorful, convincing,and full of conflict, betrayal, and political maneuvering. Gregorygives readers Margaret Beaufort in her own words, from innocentnine-year-old to conspiring courtier who stops at nothing to see herson on England's throne. Gregory devotees will note the differencebetween the supernaturally gifted Yorkist White Queen and LancastrianMargaret, who, despite saintly aspirations, grows worldly throughthree marriages; a powerless widow at 13, remarried and separatedfrom her only son by 15, it is not until she's 29 that Margaret isready to realize her most audacious ambitions. Gregory clones havemade historical novels from a woman's perspective far too familiar tomake this seem as fresh as her earlier works. Yet, like MargaretBeaufort, Gregory puts her many imitators to shame by dint ofunequalled energy, focus, and unwavering execution.