Journal Entry 1 by wyldetwo from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, November 27, 2010

Internationally bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings the tumult and intrigue of The Wars of the Roses to vivid life through the women of the House of Lancaster and the House of York, beginning with the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen. A woman who won the love of a king and ascended to royalty by virtue of her beauty, Elizabeth fought tenaciously for the success of her family -- her daughter who would one day unite the warring dynasties, and her two sons whose eventual fate has confounded historians for centuries: the Princes in the Tower. An active player in the power struggles that surrounded her, she made hard and courageous choices, always trying to protect those whom she loved. Informed by impeccable research and framed by her inimitable storytelling skills, Philippa Gregory gives an unforgettable voice to an extraordinary woman at the heart of a devastating conflict.  

Journal Entry 2 by wyldetwo at Hudson's, 122-124 Colmore Row in Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, November 27, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (11/27/2010 UTC) at Hudson's, 122-124 Colmore Row in Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Bringing to to this afternoon's meet-up at Hudsons. If not caught by one of the attendees it will probably end up on the OBCZ shelf.

Thanks for picking up this book and coming to the BookCrossing website to find out what it's all about. Welcome to the addictive world of BookCrossing!

I look forward to hearing what you thought of this book, and of your plans for it.  

Journal Entry 3 by Heaven-Ali at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, November 27, 2010

Taken from the huge pile of books at today's meet up - now on mnt TBR.


Will be going out on a ray after I have read it.

Bookray list

Heaven-Ali (int'l)
Katweeble UK (int'l)
silvia-pco Portugal (EU)
heartthumper USA (Int'l)
bookstogive USA (int'l)
debbie4osu - USA (USA)
valpete - USA (int'l)
BokOrm09 UK (UK)
fluffy-owl UK (EU)
teggers - UK - (EU) 

Journal Entry 4 by Heaven-Ali at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, January 22, 2011

The White Queen is the first in a new series by Philippa Gregory, following on from the amazing sucess of the Tudor series. This series follows the fortunes of the Plantagenates, and the family of Elizabeth Woodville the so called White Queen of the title. I knew enough of the history of Edward IV and Elizabeth, the princes in the tower and Richard III not to be surprised by the twists and turns of this dramatic tale, but still was enthralled by the story. Philippa Gregory is an excellent story teller, allowing the reader to be pulled right into the period of history she is writing about.
Much of the story is known to be historical fact - but this is a work of fiction and Philippa Gregory has woven in a supernatural element to the story, casting Elizabeth Woodville and her mother as witches, calling on the help of their ancestress Melusina - water goddess. This is of course fictional - as PG herself says in her authors note. I didn't much care for the supernatural element myself - it didn't add anything to the story for me, but neither did it detract.
For centuries historians have been baffled about what happened to the princes in the tower, here, Philippa Gregory gives us one possible explanation, a credible one, one differing to other books I have read, but it is fiction and we must remember no one knows still what really happened to those boys.
Overall however, this is a gripping page turner, a dramatic beginning to a series, with so many twists and turns, that if you don't already know the history of Edward IV and Richard III then this novel will keep you up late, as allegiences are changed and treasonous plots abound. 

Journal Entry 5 by Heaven-Ali at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, January 22, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (1/22/2011 UTC) at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Passing on to Kate today.

 

Journal Entry 6 by Katweeble at Wolverhampton, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, January 22, 2011

Thanks for this Ali I need to finish another ring book before starting, I am looking forward to it.  

Journal Entry 7 by Katweeble at Wolverhampton, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, February 04, 2011

1464,cousin is at war with cousin, as the houses of York and Lancaster tear themselves apart.......
....and Elizabeth Woodville, a young Lancastrian widow, armed only wither beauty and her steely determination seduces and marries the charismatic warrior king Edward IV of York.
She goes on to mother a large family including 2 princes who later disappear in the tower. I found the story quite believable apart from the witchcraft (Melusina) element. It was certainly very unsettled time for England exacerbated by the extreme ambition of all of the sons of York - including George and Richard the younger brothers of King Edward.
I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series.
 

Journal Entry 8 by silvia-pco at Murtosa, Aveiro Portugal on Monday, February 14, 2011

It's here! Mount TBR has a few books on the waiting list right now, but I'll try to pass this on ASAP. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 9 by silvia-pco at Murtosa, Aveiro Portugal on Saturday, December 24, 2011

This one has been with me for a long time now, and so I apologize for keeping it for so many months. I was finally able to pick it up and it was an excellent read.

As far as I recall, I had never read anything by Phillipa Gregory, and I was impressed. Historical novels aren't my go to genre either, but I do like to "get my hands" on one once i a while, and this was very worth it. The writing is beautiful and the story itself is very touching and compelling. I was not familiar with the story of Elizabeth Woodville but I think that the author really does a good job at pulling the reader to the period she is describing, as Heaven-Ali already mentioned.

This was a great book and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I already have heartthumper's address and the book will be traveling again next week :)

Thanks for sharing, and happy holidays! 

Journal Entry 10 by silvia-pco at by mail, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Released 4 mos ago (1/2/2012 UTC) at by mail, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

The book is on its way to hearthtumper. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 11 by heartthumper at Springville, Tennessee USA on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Released 3 mos ago (2/15/2012 UTC) at Springville, Tennessee USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I love her books and this one did not disappoint me. Off to bookstogive. 

Journal Entry 12 by bookstogive at Springville, Tennessee USA on Thursday, February 23, 2012

The bookray has arrived and since I am between books at the moment I will start it tonight and it should be ready to move on soon. I will go ahead and pm for the next address so as to help it move along timely. Thanks for including me!

Edit: debbie4osu has asked to be skipped so I will be sending the book on to valpete who is ready to receive it. 

Journal Entry 13 by bookstogive at Springville, Tennessee USA on Sunday, February 26, 2012

This is the story of Elizabeth Woodville and how she came to be Queen of England. Elizabeth was the first commoner to be Queen of England. The War of the Roses was under way with both sides the Tudors and Plantagents fighting for the throne. Elizabeth was the mother of the two Princes of the Tower(no one to this day know what happened to them) and 10 children by King Edward. I found the thought that Elizabeth separated her boys so that both were not in the tower a believable idea, it is what I would have done in her place. She spent her lifetime fighting for her family's rights and as a staunch supporter of her husband.

This was a a nice story and I really enjoyed it! It is now off to the new reader. 

Journal Entry 14 by bookstogive at Walnut Creek, California USA on Sunday, February 26, 2012

Released 3 mos ago (2/25/2012 UTC) at Walnut Creek, California USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Released to the next in line valpete.