Philippa Gregory's third Cousins' War historical novel (after The Red Queen and The White Queen) tracks the fascinating story of Jacquetta of Luxembourg (1416-1472). Born to aristocracy and related to the English royal family, she first married the John of Lancaster, the Duke of Bedford, best remembered today as the prosecutor of Joan of Arc, whose execution Jacquetta witnessed. Still a teenager at her husband's death, she defies convention and ignores the king's will by secretly marrying a squire. This alliance of love produces sixteen children; one of them, Elizabeth Woodville, becomes the Queen Consort of King Henry IV. Gregory follows Jacquetta with sympathy and historical fidelity; indeed, modern readers will be heartened that her story's human issues have not blurred over time.

Wielding magic again in her latest War of the Roses novel (after The Red Queen), Gregory demonstrates the passion and skill that has made her the queen of English historical fiction. Her heroine-narrator, Jacquetta of Luxembourg, who possesses second sight, is but 14 when she witnesses the execution of Joan of Arc. Joan's persecutor, the duke of Bedford, marries Jacquetta the next year in a vain attempt to access her powers, but then leaves her a wealthy widow. Defying convention, Jacquetta chooses a new husband herself: the duke's handsome young squire, Richard Woodville, with whom she has a dozen children, including Elizabeth, the future queen. Richard serves at King Henry VI's court, and Jacquetta befriends his new queen. When the king's widowed mother weds Owen Tudor, tolerance spreads for women who defy convention. As in previous works, Gregory portrays spirited women at odds with powerful men, endowing distant historical events with drama, and figures long dead or invented with real-life flaws and grand emotions. She makes history (mostly accurate) come alive for readers (mostly women) by giving credence to persistent rumors that academic historians (mostly men) have brushed aside. (Oct.)

Gregory is one of historical fiction’s superstars, and The Kingmaker’s Daughter shows why . . . providing intelligent escape, a trip through time to a dangerous past.

Gregory returns with another sister act. The result: her best novel in years.

Wielding magic again in her latest War of the Roses novel … Gregory demonstrates the passion and skill that has made her the queen of English historical fiction.…Gregory portrays spirited women at odds with powerful men, endowing distant historical events with drama, and figures long dead or invented with real-life flaws and grand emotions. She makes history … come alive for readers.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The best writers of historical fiction imbue the past with the rich tapestry of life and depth, and Gregory is surely counted among their number. . . .A worthy addition to this fascinating series, once again distinguished by excellent characterization, thorough research, and a deft touch with the written word.” –Library Journal

“The suspenseful pace never flags.” –Kirkus

“The ethereal magic threaded throughout the story. . . .contrasts nicely with the power politics.” –Booklist

“This rip-roarer possesses the same intimate imaginative texture of Gregory’s classic The Other Boleyn Girl. . . . It’s about love, power and human weakness.” —USAToday.com

“The best yet, a lively tale . . . set amid civil wars in England and France.” –Associated Press

Gregory is one of historical fiction’s superstars, and The Kingmaker’s Daughter shows why . . . providing intelligent escape, a trip through time to a dangerous past.

Gregory returns with another sister act. The result: her best novel in years.

The best writers of historical fiction imbue the past with the rich tapestry of life and depth, and Gregory is surely counted among their number. Her third offering in the "Cousins' War" series (after The White Queen and The Red Queen) is the story of Jacquetta, mother of the White Queen, Elizabeth Woodville. Given first to a husband who desires only the magical powers she might possess, Jacquetta marries second for love, much below her station. Still, she manages to keep her family in the good graces of the ineffectual King Henry VI, placing them ultimately on the losing side of the Wars of the Roses. She and her husband hold on, however, finally settling in the country to raise their large brood and await the ascendancy of their daughter Elizabeth, who will bring the family to prominence again. VERDICT A worthy addition to this fascinating series, once again distinguished by excellent characterization, thorough research, and a deft touch with the written word. [With fellow historians David Baldwin and Michael Jones, Gregory is publishing in September a nonfiction account The Women of the Cousins' War: The Duchess, the Queen, and the King's Mother.—Ed.]—Pam O'Sullivan, SUNY Coll. at Brockport

Bianca Amato has a voice to rave about. Her narration is pure joy to hear. Add to that a fabulous story in this third installment of Philippa Gregory’s Cousins’ War series, and you have an audio experience to savor. Amato’s elegant diction highlights the life, loves, rivalries, and betrayals faced by beautiful, intelligent, and unconventional Jacquetta of Luxembourg, mother of Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen. Amato captures both the young Jacquetta, a descendant of the water goddess Melusina, and the more mature woman who makes life-altering decisions for herself, her husband, and her many children. Court favorite and confidante to Queen Margaret d’Anjou, Jacquetta rises to power in a male-dominated society, an achievement that proves controversial and dangerous. Amato’s striking performance draws lifelike portraits from Gregory’s blend of research and imagination. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

A duchess endowed with second sight is caught up in the War of the Roses, in another installment of Gregory'sCousins' Warseries (The Red Queen, 2010).

The story opens as Jacquetta, a young princess of Luxembourg, befriends Joan of Arc. Jacquetta's great aunt, the powerful Demoiselle, takes Joan into her household while the French and English decide the fate of the warrior maid.Near death, the Demoiselle informs Jacquetta that she is a true heiress to the powers conferred on certain women of her family by their ancestor, the water goddess Melusina. Teenage Jacquetta is noticed by the English regent of France, the Duke of Bedford, who demands her hand in marriage.Horrified at first (Bedford engineers the execution of Joan as a witch), Jacquetta soon learns that, rather than consummate their marriage, Bedford wants to employ her occult talents and her virginity in his quest for the Philosopher's Stone.Bedford's squire, Richard Woodville, worships the new Duchess from afar. After Bedford dies, Jacquetta risks her status as Dowager Duchess and heiress to a great fortune to marry Richard, her less-than-blue-blooded true love.The two attempt to retire to an English country house but are soon summoned to attend to Lancastrian King Henry VI and his volatile Queen, Margaret of Anjou.Richard is made a baron and given command of the English garrison at Calais.As two factions of English nobility, the Lancasters and Yorks, vie for control of the unstable realm, hard-won English territories in France are lost, further undermining Henry's sway.Then Henry lapses into a catatonic state, during which Margaret needs Jacquetta's help to keep the Yorks at bay. However, Jacquetta, who despite Richard's frequent absences has birthed at least 11 children (readers will lose count), resists exploiting gifts that some may see as witchcraft.

Although the complexity of the historical and political events threatens to overwhelm Jacquetta's story, the suspenseful pace never flags, although it's clear that Jacquetta has allied herself—at least for now—with the losing side.