The King's Curse ( The Cousins? War) (Reprint) (Paperback) by Philippa Gregory

About the Book

"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author behind the Starz original series The White Queen comes the story of lady-in-waiting Margaret Pole and her unique view of King Henry VIII's stratospheric rise to power in Tudor England. Regarded as yet another threat to the volatile King Henry VII's claim to the throne, Margaret Pole, cousin to Elizabeth of York (known as the White Princess) and daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, is married off to a steady and kind Lancaster supporter--Sir Richard Pole. For his loyalty, Sir Richard is entrusted with the governorship of Wales, but Margaret's contented daily life is changed forever with the arrival of Arthur, the young Prince of Wales, and his beautiful bride, Katherine of Aragon. Margaret soon becomes a trusted advisor and friend to the honeymooning couple, hiding her own royal connections in service to the Tudors. After the sudden death of Prince Arthur, Katherine leaves for London a widow, and fulfills her deathbed promise to her husband by marrying his brother, Henry VIII. Margaret's world is turned upside down by the surprising summons to court, where she becomes the chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine. But this charmed life of the wealthiest and "holiest" woman in England lasts only until the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the dramatic deterioration of the Tudor court. Margaret has to choose whether her allegiance is to the increasingly tyrannical king, or to her beloved queen; to the religion she loves or the theology which serves the new masters. Caught between the old world and the new, Margaret Pole has to find her own way as she carries the knowledge of an old curse on all the Tudors"--

Book Synopsis

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author behind the acclaimed Starz series The White Queen comes the story of lady-in-waiting Margaret Pole and her unique view of King Henry VIII's stratospheric rise to power in Tudor England.

As an heir to the Plantagenets, Margaret is seen by the King's mother, the Red Queen, as a rival to the Tudor claim to the throne. She is buried in marriage to a Tudor supporter--Sir Richard Pole, governor of Wales--and becomes guardian to Arthur, the young Prince of Wales, and his beautiful bride, Katherine of Aragon.

But Margaret's destiny, as cousin to the White Princess, is not for a life in the shadows. Tragedy throws her into poverty, yet a royal death restores her to her place at young Henry VIII's court where she becomes chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine. There she watches the dominance of the Spanish queen over her husband and her tragic decline.

Amid the rapid deterioration of the Tudor court, Margaret must choose whether her allegiance is to the increasingly tyrannical Henry VIII or to her beloved queen. Caught between the old and the new, Margaret must find her own way, concealing her knowledge that an old curse cast upon all the Tudors is slowly coming true...

Review Quotes

"[A] gripping and detailed chronicle, with plenty of court intrigue and politics to spice up the action . . . . Highly recommended." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Infuses vitality into an oft-forgotten player in the aftermath of the War of the Roses--Margaret Poole, heiress to the defeated Plantagenet clan."--Closer

"Margaret's story is shocking, deeply moving and offers an alternative view on a much-told tale. Gregory is on form here; her depiction of Henry VIII's transformation from indulged golden boy to sinister tyrant is perfectly pitched and seems more horrific still when we are made intimate witnesses to the devastation of Margaret's family. . . . I defy anyone to remain dry-eyed as the story reaches its tragic denouement."--The Sunday Express (UK)

"The book's greatest strength is its first-hand, fascinating yet horrifying view of Henry VIII's transition from handsome young prince to monstrous tyrant. . . . Gregory takes us beyond the seductive trappings of historical detail and makes us feel the terror of what living through that turbulent period might have been like."--Miami Herald

"Without a doubt, Gregory has made another powerful addition to the genre (so much so that I hesitate to even call it historical fiction). This historian's extensive knowledge of the English monarchy truly brings this famous story to life."--The Sun-News (Myrtle Beach)

"An excellent addition to the Tudor royalty genre, not only for its unique perspective, but also the easy flow of the narrative and the intriguing complexities of characters' personalities."--Historical Novel Society

"Gregory ... always delivers the goods."-- "New York Post"

"Gregory's fans will recognize Margaret from 'The White Princess, ' but the character comes into her own in 'The King's Curse' as a multifaceted, ultimately sympathetic character. . . . The book . . . moves smoothly toward its harrowing finish. It is one of Gregory's best efforts yet."-- "Roanoke Times"

"If only grade-school history books were written so vividly."-- "Entertainment Weekly"

"In thoroughly researched, wonderfully realized settings, she can make a period come alive."-- "The Boston Globe"

"Nobody does dynastic history like Gregory."-- "Booklist"

"Philippa Gregory turns real-life historical royalty into royally entertaining novels."-- "Time"

"Sexy...Scandalous...Smart."-- "Redbook"

"The queen of royal fiction."-- "USA Today"

"There's no question that she is the best at what she does."-- "Associated Press"

"This rich tapestry brings to vivid life the court of Henry and Elizabeth. Meticulously drawn characters with a seamless blending of historical fact and fiction combine in a page-turning epic of a story. Tudor-fiction fans can never get enough, and they will snap this one up."-- "Library Journal (starred review), on The White Princess"

An illuminating portrait. . . Gregory moves confidently through a tangle of intrigue, revenge, and tyranny toward a shocking betrayal.-- "Publishers Weekly"

Bring on the blood, sex and tears! . . . You name it, it's all here.-- "USA Today, on The White Princess"

Gorgeous fun.-- "New York Daily News"

Gregory manages to keep us in suspense as to what will befall her characters....Under [her] spell, we keep hoping history won't repeat itself."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Loyalties are torn, paranoia festers and you can almost hear the bray of royal trumpets as the period springs to life. It's a bloody irresistible read.-- "People Magazine, on The White Princess"

The White Princess features one of the more intriguing theories about the possible fate of the princes.-- "The Washington Post, on The White Princess"

About The Author

Philippa Gregory is the author of many New York Times bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women's history. Many of her works have been adapted for the screen including The Other Boleyn Girl. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and was awarded the 2016 Harrogate Festival Award for Contribution to Historical Fiction. She is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London. She founded Gardens for the Gambia, a charity to dig wells in poor rural schools in The Gambia, and has provided nearly 200 wells. She welcomes visitors to her website PhilippaGregory.com.