The King's Concubine

By Anne O'Brien

Book Overview

A child born in the plague year of 1348, abandoned and raised within the oppressive walls of a convent, Alice Perrers refused to take the veil, convinced that a greater destiny awaited her. Ambitious and quick witted, she rose above her obscure beginnings to become the infamous mistress of Edward III. But always, essentially, she was alone... Early in Alice's life, a chance meeting with royalty changes everything: Kindly Queen Philippa, deeply in love with her husband but gravely ill, chooses Alice as a lady-in-waiting. Under the queen's watchful eye, Alice dares to speak her mind. She demands to be taken seriously. She even flirts with the dynamic, much older king. But she is torn when her vibrant spirit captures his interest...and leads her to a betrayal she never intended. In Edward's private chambers, Alice discovers the pleasures and paradoxes of her position. She is the queen's confidante and the king's lover, yet she can rely only on herself. It is a divided role she was destined to play, and she vows to play it until the bitter end. Even as she is swept up in Edward's lavish and magnificent court, amassing wealth and influence for herself, becoming an enemy of his power-hungry son John of Gaunt, and a sparring partner to resourceful diplomat William de Windsor, she anticipates the day when the political winds will turn against her. For when her detractors voice their hatred, and accusations of treason swirl around her, threatening to destroy everything she has achieved, who will stand by Alice then? Includes a readers guide

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451236807
• ISBN13: 9780451236807
• Release Date: June 2012
• Publisher: Berkley / Nal
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.4" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

4.5 star read!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟.5/5 A wonderful and insightful novel about the life of Alice Perrers. Even as an orphan in a convent, Alice always knew she was destined for greatness. Through a chance meeting, she is thrust into lady-in-waiting to Queen Philippa and eventually becomes mistress to King Edward III. Over the course of thirteen years, she becomes the trusted lover and confidante to the King who heavily leans on her for support. Her wits and status earn her many enemies and very few allies as she strives to make a comfortable future for herself in the event of the King's death. It took me some time to finish this book. I set it aside for months but when I picked it up again, I was thrust back into the intrigue of Alice's life. From accusations, trials to unexpected events, I blazed through the final 150 pages or so. This was the first time ever hearing of Alice Perrers and the author did not disappoint in bringing this character to life! I adored this novel! It had the perfect amount of romance and suspense!