A review of The Virgin Widow by Anne O’Brien

The Virgin Widow by Anne O'Brien

What separates the good from the great when it comes to historical fiction is the author’s ability to seamlessly weave fact and fiction whilst simultaneously transporting us back in time via an engrossing storyline and vibrant characters.

Another important factor for me is the author’s ability to incite interest in the ‘real’ historical characters through their portrayal of the fictitious ones.

Anne O’Brien’s The Virgin Widow checks all the boxes!

Essentially, it is a historical romance, but don’t be put off if you’re not “the romance type” because this story is set against the backdrop of 15^th century England with all the drama, intrigue, betrayal and treachery that you would expect from this tumultuous period.

It is the story of Anne Neville, the younger daughter of Richard Neville, 16^th Earl of Warwick—whom history remembers as ‘The Kingmaker’—and her love for the man that would become Richard III.

Although Anne was the daughter of a great earl, Princess of Wales as the wife of Edward of Westminster, and Queen of England as the consort of King Richard III, history has all but forgotten her.

As you would expect from someone in Anne’s position, she is used as a political pawn but she is not the passive, submissive character that you might anticipate. O’Brien’s heroine is courageous, brave and determined. She captures our imagination from the start and even once the last page is turned, she lingers, beckoning the reader to uncover more about her life.

I also found Richard of Gloucester particularly intriguing. He is a far cry from the deformed villain of popular culture and emerges as a much more complex character than I could ever have imagined.

I was immediately addicted and devoured much of the novel in two days. Even though I knew how the story would end, it didn’t detract from the suspense and excitement.

I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction and romance alike.

Read my interview with Anne O’Brien here.

Read a guest article by Anne O’Brien entitled ‘Who was Anne Neville? The Facts‘.