Loved it. Wonderful, strong, complex female characters. Great sense of history and excellent tension. Really brings the period to life and nudges you to think about it in new ways.

Following on from Cecily her previous novel this story starts in 1461 when Cecily’s son Edward is now king. Now the Kings Mother and grieving for her husband and another son Cecily becomes the rock in her family who steers them through the politics of keeping the throne when so many would take it away from you. A novel that shows the role that women played in history and the support and strength they gave to the men in their lives and enjoyable read that has obviously had a tremendous amount of research done to enable the author to present these fabulous women in such detail. Manythanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review

A good historical fiction that brought me back in time and made me live in a dangerous time and meet strong and formidable women.
Compelling and intriguing
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Having gone into this book having read Cecily and knowing a little more about this period of history than I did about the years running up to Edward's rise to power, I was totally surprised by the tension within the story and the fact it was a much more thrilling and urgent read than I expected. I loved the family dynamics and the portayal of the women around Cecily, especially the other mothers whose sons had a claim to the crown. I also loved the new perspective it offered of Richard and the way it reframed my understanding of him. And in fighting to hold the position she fought so hard for, Cecily as a character is unforgettable - intelligent, powerful, formidable and ruthless. From her point of view, this complex period of history takes on new life and becomes a whole lot more memorable. In a nutshell, I liked Cecily but I loved The King's Mother.

I sped through Cecily as an ARC but only remembered how much I enjoyed it when I came to read this sequel. I knew nothing of Cecily Neville or the War of the Roses and subsequent history before reading, which added a sense of dramatic tension for me personally - I had no idea what would happen but this was literally tense throughout, the stakes being literally death as traitor. The sense of time period, of society, of the motherly bond with her children (even the dreadful George) was so well told and perfectly paced that I felt I was there. I wept for Cecily at several points, she is one of the strongest historical fiction female characters I have read ever. A triumph!

I picked this up in June because I got an advanced copy from Netgalley, but I put it down about 30% of the way in because it was very dense and I didn't have the brain capacity for it. But after a summer of watching Tudor based TV shows and needing something that was both character-driven AND fast moving, I decided to get it out from the library and read it. Excellent job me, well done!

'The King's Mother', contrary to some of the copy on the back of the dust jacket, primarily follows Cecily, mother to Edward 5th and Richard 3rd, and her wheelings and dealing as 'The King's Mother' as she attempts to keep her family on the throne during the Wars of the Roses. It moves at lightning speed between battles (these guys are always at war either with each other or with France), marriages, babies, deaths etc, detailing the beginning of Edward's reign to the sudden end of Richard's and the accession of Henry Tudor (this shouldn't be a spoiler, it's literally history).

In her bio, Garthwaite talks about how much she loves this period of history and as a fellow geeker of a very specific period of English history, that passion shines through. Cecily lifts off the page and I found myself completely engrossed in this complex web of tales - even if I did get confused between who was who sometimes because the Royal name pool, like their gene pool, is rather small. The writing is rich with detail and packed - you have to concentrate particularly hard because if you don't, you'll miss something - and she expertly weaves fiction and fact so well that you just assume these are all transcripts of conversations. It's so very Shakespearean in its execution that I consistently found myself wondering WHEN this was going to be turned into an epic television series, rather than if. Is this the next Wolf Hall we've all been waiting for?

I've immediately added 'Cecily' to my TBR and I'm sort of hoping that this author's next book might transition to Margaret Beaufort and how she managed the reigns of Henry 7 and the early one of Henry 8, because she is a fascinating figure in history.

CECILY is a super strong unwielding matriarch “for my son I’d kill anyone with my bare hands”
The first half of the book shows how her son, Edward IV attained the throne and kept it.
She’s a warrior, constantly there in the background, directing, guiding and defending her family
Then Elizabeth Woodville appears on the scene and Cecily has to bow to England’s new queen.
Such a sense of place that the historical period becomes so very real - living and breathing
It’s compelling and immersive
A must for any historical fiction fan
Thanks @anniegarthwaite @penguinukbooks & @netgalley for the compelling read

The King’s Mother - Four mothers fight for their sons as the Wars of the Roses rage by Annie Garthwaite is absolutely my jam! Firstly, I loved this so much that I will need to read Cecily by Annie Garthwaite also as the primary premise for this book is the silent force that was the mother in the Plantagenet to Tudor era's

This was a time when women were chattel and largely silent, or so they seemed and the King's mother taps into that to create a novel of treachery, cunning and maternal ferocity to rival the most powerful of Kings, Lords and generals of the time

The prose and pace are on point, the historical facts add a strong framework and the characters are uttely compelling. Oh yes, oh yes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business | Viking and Annie Garthwaite for this fantastic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I loved Cecily, and so I had to come back for the second installment in the story. Garthwaite really brings the Wars of the Roses to life from the perspective of the King's Mother and delves into what it takes to hang onto power rather than win it. Garthwaite's writing is sparse but powerful and really takes you into Cecily's mind for the many decisions and manipulations she needs to make to protect her family. If you loved Wolf Hall or any of Philippa Gregory's novels from this era, you'll love this!

When I reviewed Cecily, the precursor to this volume, I mildly complained that it was often a breathless rush through twenty years of history where political machinations and near-constant war gave us little time for introspection, We were stuck with Cecily Neville's viewpoint, with fingers in many pies but rarely on the battlefield. Well hold on to your hats because here come the next thirty-five years where Cecily continues to wield her political might on behalf of her sons: this should more strictly be called The Kings's Mother, as she was both mother to both Edward IV and Richard III (she was also still alive when Richard was overthrown by Henry VII - though its OK, because her grand-daughter Elizabeth married Henry VII. As you can see through birth and marriage Cecily remained connected throughout this whole period.

It is another, even more, breathless romp of stuff that we know happened, and behind-the-scenes wrangling (and don't worry, Cecily's foil Margaret Of Anjou remains in the mix). Garthwaite is judicious in her time jumps, though it is often quite jarring to see the book only slow down when something else bad is about to happen. But with three sons jockeying for position, grand-children ending up in the tower (it posits a bit of a mid-ground for the Princes In The Tower which probably won't please anyone), and a whole bunch of daughters and grandchildren being married off for security. Indeed despite being the mother of kings, and certainly both being the chief adviser and sometimes Regent, the overwhelming theme here is survival, as opposed to the accumulation of power that drove Cecily.

The King's Mother is a pretty seamless continuation of the previous novel, and is a very entertaining if still quite one-sided attempt to claim an increased legacy for Cecily Neville. As before, you wonder how any of the other characters would get out of bed if it wasn't for Cecily, and whilst it certainly isn't a hagiography, it does make her almost an all-seeing Machiavelli. That's not a problem, indeed it makes it all the more entertaining, and I certainly don't begrudge a stab at the Great Woman Theory of history.

The Kings Mother is a tumultuous history of the war of the roses shown through the eyes of Cecily Neville, mother to King Edward IV. I loved Annie Garthwaite's first novel Cecily but this one did not fly for me. Cecily Neville is a fascinating figure but I found the figures around her less nuanced.

After enjoying Cecily I was delighted to be offered a review copy of the sequel The King's Mother. Although it's a sequel it would work fine as a standalone book as it takes over the historical story from the start of Edward's reign.
This is a great historical fiction told from Cecily's perspective. Even though I knew the historical conclusion it kept me reading like a thriller.
Not spoilers if you know English history but I'd never fully thought through the enormity of outliving a husband and ten children despite this being a historical fact. Love the author's interpretation of the Princes in the Tower and the more rounded portrayal of Richard too.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A different perspective on the War of the Roses. Mostly told from the point of view of Cecily, the King's Mother, who is intelligent and politically savvy, in the days when women did not officially have any real power. The author has interpreted her version of the relationships between the women of the time, such as Elizaboth Woodville and her mother, and also Margaret, the mother of Henry Tudor. It is all the letter writing and talking behind the scenes, such as convincing the Mayor of London to hold out against Warwick, and regular talks with the King to shape his thoughts. A lot of this may have happened, as we know Cecily was deeply involved in intrigue and close to her sons. An interesting point of view and well told.

The continuing story of Cecily Neville, mother to two kings and witness to some of the most tumultuous years in English history. A stunning work of literary historical fiction that vividly brings the era to life, delving deep into the complex political machinations and humanising some of history's most hated figures. Annie Garthwaite is up there with the heavyweights of the genre.

I thought Cecily was an absolute tour de force so I was greatly looking forward to this second instalment in the story of the War of the Roses as shaped by Cecily Neville, wife to Richard of York and mother to two kings, Edward IV and Richard III.

While not quite as grippingly complex as Cecily was, The King's Mother is still an excellent, riveting read. Starting with the battles that led to Edward being crowned king after he defeats Henry VI, this book takes us through his reign, his death and the accession of his brother Richard to the throne of England. Cecily is still very much the formidable kingmaker, mother bear to her cubs, doing anything for her sons' success and succession. In doing so, she is pitted against other mothers who are equally motivated to promote their own sons - not least Edward's wife and widow Elizabeth Woodville, who hates the Nevilles.

We know the bare bones of the historical facts, but Annie Garthwaite puts flesh on the bones of the historical figures and succeeds in turning them all into complex, real people we are interested and invested in. I was particularly fascinated by the sympathetic portrayal of Cecily's youngest son Dickon who goes on to become Richard III - this is a very different man from Shakespeare's malevolent hunchback who has long been thought to have killed his brother Edward's young sons in order to hold on to the throne.

I thought Cecily was worthy of comparison with Dorothy Dunnett's historical novels. The King's Mother doesn't have the same depth and complexity, and I thought it suffered somewhat from covering too long a span of time so that the second half does feel a bit rushed. Still a hugely skillful and enjoyable retelling of an important slice of British history though. Recommended.

1461 and, after losing her husband and eldest son, Cecily Neville sees her second son, Edward, crowned king of England. He is young and impetuous and she needs to guide him in his early years of rule. However, Edward marries for love and to a commoner so Cecily has to adapt to this and to build a relationship with Elizabeth. He also manages to fall out spectacularly with his supporter Warwick and with his own brother Clarence.
I loved Garthwaite's previous novel about Cecily Neville and this is even better! Often the women of the 15th century are ignored, mentioned in name only, or they are fictionalised in an overly romantic way. Garthwaite treads a fine line by presenting Cecily in a historically accurate manner (the research is superb) but also in a literate sense. This book is a treat.

The previous book, Cecily, was one of my favourite reads of 2021 so I was thrilled to see a sequel, and even more thrilled that it did not disappoint in the least. What Mantel did for Henry VIII, Garthwaite has done for the Wars of the Roses.

This was a fantastic read, and I expected nothing less from Annie Garthwaite, especially after how incredible her novel ‘Cecily’ was. ‘The King’s Mother’ was enchanting, with Annie’s full care going towards honouring the lost points of view and filling her novels with an incredible amount of historical detail. The point of view follows on in the novel through Cecily’s eyes, as in Annie’s other novel of the same name, and Cecily continues to be smart and observant as she stands by her son’s rule. The female characters and friendships in the novel were yet again fantastic, with Cecily being a character that was honest and true, and not always likeable but I was still left rooting and cheering page after page. The novel as a whole was engaging, thought provoking, and all in all a masterful retelling of a story of a woman who’s ambition knows no bounds.
As I’ve said, this was a fantastic read, and one I will be recommending again and again to people.

Although the book is pitched as a battle between four women – Cecily Neville, Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort and Marguerite of Anjou – to see their sons become of King of England and therefore be in a position to claim for themselves the title of King’s Mother, the book is really Cecily Part 2 as we see events entirely from her point of view.

As in the earlier book, she’s a schemer and a behind-the-scenes fixer whose favourite game is chess and is not averse to creating her own rules in order to win. She frequently finds herself having the task of cleaning up her sons’ messes. For example, suppressing knowledge of her eldest surviving son Edward’s secret ‘marriage’ to a young noblewomen that might, if it was discovered, threaten the legitimacy of future offspring and, in the process, the succession.

When it comes to Cecily’s second son, George, Duke of Clarence, lets just say that if he’d have written his autobiography it probably would have been entitled ‘Spare’ so visceral is his anger at being continually passed over for the wealth and status he believes he deserves. It leads him to make some disastrous decisions having been manipulated by others for their own ends that see him eventually put to death for treason. An habitual drunkard, the manner of his death – possibly at his own request – is said to have been drowning in a butt of Malmsey, although the author gives us a slightly different angle on this.

Cecily’s youngest son, the man who will become Richard III, gets a flattering portrayal. He’s a skilled soldier, able administrator, loving husband and doting father who would surely never dream of doing away with two young princes.

For the first half of the book, although exerting what influence she can, Cecily is pretty much an observer of events. I’ll be honest, I found myself yearning for a little less historical detail, a bit more pace and something that would make me more invested in all the women’s stories. I did get that in the latter part of the book as Cecily jockeys for position with Elizabeth and Margaret Beaufort who, it turns out, is a pretty good chess player herself. Marguerite of Anjou, although having a key role in events, remains rather in the shadows throughout.

Even if I couldn’t be quite as enthusiastic as other readers, The King’s Mother completes the fascinating story of the life of a woman who was at the heart of events during a turbulent period of England’s history.

Having read and enjoyed Cecily, I was really looking forward to getting stuck into The King's Mother and it did not disappoint.
I am not convinced of Richard III's legitimate right to the throne, the premise on which the book is based, nor of the secret marriage of Edward IV and Eleanor Butler. For me, it is all too convenient.
However, I suspended my own understanding of the events of 1483 to sit back and enjoy the ride. Cecily is one of those great characters of medieval England - and the Wars of the Roses in particular - a matriarch, an astute politician and a stalwart defender of her family and dynasty. I do not doubt that she would do whatever she needed to preserve that dynasty.
Annie Garthwaite recreates the world of late 15th century England, as the Renaissance arrives and the country is on the cusp on the early modern era. And is still reeling from the devastation and death wrought on the country by the 30 years of warfare that was the Wars of the Roses.
The King's Mother is a thoroughly enjoyable read that draws you into the machinations, intrigue and drama of the world of Cecily Neville.