Genre: Historical fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Pub date: 09 January 2020
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Joan Vaux, who was brought up in the household of Margaret Beaufort. Upon Henry Tudor becoming King, Joan finds herself installed as a lady in waiting to Elizabeth of York.
As a young girl Joan made her first visit to the Tower of London to visit her mother and found herself fascinated by the inhabitant ravens. Joan had been told the tale that it was believed the ravens kept the Tower safe and if they ever left then the kingdom would fall.
Joan finds herself married to a courtier with a number of talents and who lives at the Tower of London, providing Joan with access to the ravens. Enlisting the help of a young boy who grows up to love the ravens as much as she does, Joan manages to ensure the ravens flourish at the Tower.
One man is not happy and aims to rid the Tower of the ravens. We all know the ravens are still at the Tower so thankfully they’ve managed to stay even obtaining royal permission.
What can I say? I absolutely loved this. It was a great story based around the legend of the ravens at the Tower of London but includes some very real characters.
I visited the Tower of London myself last year and have to say the ravens are fascinating! They’re not afraid of humans and make lots of wonderful sounds.
There’s also recently been a TV programme called Inside the Tower which has segments of the lives of the ravens and the ravenmaster.
I’d recommend the book, tv show and certainly the Tower itself to anyone with an interest in the time of Henry VII and the Tudors.
Little bit about Joanna Hickson
Joanna Hickson was born in England but spent her early childhood in Australia. At thirteen she returned to England and became fascinated with medeival history. After completing a degree Joanna spent twenty five years in the BBC producing and presenting programmes for TV and Radio.
Joanna now writes fiction in the period she loves. You can contact Joanna on Facebook (Joanna Hickson) and Twitter (@joannahickson)
The book is available for pre-order/purchase here:
Other books by Joanna:
- The Tudor Bride
- The Tudor Crown
- First of the Tudors
- Red Rose, White Rose
- The Agincourt Bride
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my review.
Amy McElroy 