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A Soap Opera for the Medieval Ages

A story of political marriage, a truce between warring nations, and the secret dealings of the agents of the King...

Medieval England was so dramatic, it's hard to believe that these events actually happened. If this is not enough of a draw, Conn Iggulden's writing certainly was. I was impressed by how captivating, Stormbird, the first book in the Wars of the Roses series, was. It was a gripping, well paced drama that had me eagerly turning the pages...

The Drama

Iggulden did something amazing when he wrote Stormbird; he wrote through the eyes of peasants and great lords alike. Many historical accounts of great battles such as these will more often than not be told from the perspective of the leaders and the rich. We know that the Wars of the Roses began because of a feud between the English and French thrones, but what Iggulden dares to imagine is how the English landowners and peasants in France reacted to the political decisions made for them. He also looks at King Henry VI through the eyes of his wife, Queen Margaret, giving her a voice during a time that might have overlooked her importance. 

All of these perspectives create a rich, Shakespearean drama. It is not difficult to follow the story, as Iggulden seamlessly transitions between different lenses to give us a broad picture of Medieval politics and those affected by it.

Fight for the Throne

When the throne is in the hands of a meek and easily persuaded child, the vultures descend, and gain the favour of the King so as to sneakily promote their own agenda. Those who look after themselves and their interests tend to survive, while those who are honourable often meet tragic ends.

Sound familiar?

When I was first learning about the Wars of the Roses and Richard III in a history class, I remember my professor proudly exclaiming, "Game of Thrones is based on the Wars of the Roses!" Now, I do not know how accurate this claim is, but after learning about it and reading Iggulden's novel, it is easy to spot the similarities. That is not to say that GoT is not remarkably original--on the contrary, it is amazing and I love it--however, I think it is safe to say that those who loved George R.R. Martin's books will also enjoy Iggulden's novels. 

While I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, I feel like it is geared towards readers who are interested in the history of the English monarchy. If this is not a particular area of interest for you, then you might find yourself struggling to get through the story. Nevertheless, I give this book 4/5 stars.

As always, please comment below, or email me (theopinionatedbookworm@gmail.com) or follow me on Instagram (@theopinionatedbookworm1) to share any thoughts or recommendations. 

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