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The Queen’s Rival

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What to expect

The forgotten story of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York. A strong woman who claimed the throne for her family in a time of war…

‘A compelling story of divided loyalties and family betrayals. Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman & Home

England, 1459. One family united by blood. Torn apart by war…

The Wars of the Roses storm through the country, and Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, plots to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne.

But when the Yorkists are defeated at the battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecily’s family flee and abandon her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own.

Stripped of her lands and imprisoned in Tonbridge Castle, the Duchess begins to spin a web of deceit. One that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI, and to her eldest son being crowned King Edward IV.

‘O’Brien manages to reinvent historical fiction’ My Weekly

‘This thrilling historical novel has it all – high politics, drama, emotion, excellent writing … It's a rollercoaster of a read’ Carol McGrath

‘Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman’s Weekly

Critics Review

  • ‘A compelling story of divided loyalties and family betrayals. Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman & Home

    ‘O’Brien manages to reinvent historical fiction by thrusting an untold story into the spotlight’ My Weekly

    ‘Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman’s Weekly

    ‘This thrilling historical novel has it all – high politics, drama, emotion, excellent writing … It’s a rollercoaster of a read’ Carol McGrath

    ‘Anne O’Brien leads us on a deftly woven journey through the endlessly fascinating life of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York. Impeccable research shines through in the depth of detail to pull the reader into the highs and lows of the House of York’s journeys around Fortune’s Wheel’ Matt Lewis

    Praise for Anne O’Brien:

    ‘One of the best writers around … she outdoes even Philippa Gregory’ The Sun

    ‘O’Brien is a terrific story teller’ Daily Telegraph

    ‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale’ The Times

    ‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue’ Woman & Home

    ‘The characters are larger than life … and the author a compulsive storyteller’ Sunday Express

    ‘[A] fast-paced historical novel’ Good Housekeeping

    ‘This book has everything – royalty, scandal, fascinating historical politics’ Cosmopolitan

    ‘O’Brien’s page-turner vividly brings to life the restriction of women, and the compassion and strength of this real-life figure from medieval times’ Woman

    ‘A gripping historical drama’ Bella

    ‘Historical fiction at its best’ Candis

    ‘Packed with drama, danger, romance and history … the perfect reading choice for the long winter nights’ The Press Association

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