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This is the story of Lady Gabrielle Roberda Montgomery (Roberda), told to us by Roberda herself, which starts in France with 5 year old Roberda fleeing Paris with her family after her father was held responsible for the death of King Henri II of France. The French Civil Wars between the Huguenots and Catholics become a family affair for the young Roberda with her family's pride and ambition,battling against the enmity of the widowed, Queen Dowager, Catherine de Medici, and her quest for revenge for her husband's death. Roberda 's mother is fierce , determined and so driven that she is willing to take her children to the battle lines where they witness the brutal, grim and ultimately futile reality of war. Roberda is married to English Gawen, a reluctant, youthful groom whose ambition is to shine in battle or to take on a successful expedition like other men in his wider family. Rosemary Griggs brings to life Elizabethan politics and reveals the complexity of being a woman in Tudor England without slowing down the story's pace, and the book covers a lot of events and families without becoming confusing. The descriptions of Dartington Hall, the dress, food and giving birth really interested me, my only feeling was that the writing could have been richer in the variety of language/vocabulary used, a lot of the women 'dimple' and 'grin' and 'hiss' and I prefer it when speech is written that I am not told how it was said/shouted/screeched/ hissed. That said, Roberda's voice changes from angry, frightened child to compassionate woman as the story progresses and although there are characters who behave badly, Griggs gives context for this which makes for a more compelling read. Thank you for an advanced copy, I look forward to reading more by this author.

Original Review via Newt galley: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/book/343169

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