This
was a fascinating page-turner with head-spinning plot twists and a rather
predictable ending. The cast is made up of mostly fictional characters,
including the two protagonists.
Simon
Roseblood is a loyal chancery clerk of John Beaufort’s Lancastrian household,
who are staunch supporters of King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou. Amadeus
Sevigny is a chancery clerk of the ambitious York household (Duke of York, his
wife Cecily Neville and their nephew Richard Neville) who have set their eyes
on the throne. Rivalry between Roseblood and Sevigny is further complicated by
intrusion on the scene of a vengeful group of French mercenaries who are bent
on annihilating the Beauforts, whom they blame for the massacre in a French
village years before. After many twists and turns, Sevigny finds himself in
love with Roseblood’s beautiful daughter and being hated by Cecily Neville for
a blame he is innocent of. It is enough to make him decide to change allegiance.
Real
historical characters are barely featured throughout the novel until the final
two chapters.
Overall,
it was an entertaining read with very meticulous descriptions of gore, stench
and filth of medieval London. I’m giving it 4 stars.
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