Some of the Amazon Reviews
Jo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing and positive story
11 March 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Intriguing story of Richard III which begins with the Battle of Bosworth – you might think that means it must be a pretty short book, but you would be wrong! The author follows him into the afterlife and we see some events of his life in flashback as well as the struggle he has to come to terms with the consequences of the aftermath of his short reign and swift death. Historical details are accurate and it is clear that a lot of research has been done. The style of writing is flowing and descriptive with the mannerisms and character of Richard well captured. The part describing Richard’s reinterment in Leicester was also accurate as I can attest, since I was there during that time. A different kind of Richard III novel, but one I’m sure Ricardians will enjoy.
23 March 2019
An excellent read which I would highly recommend.
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26 April 2018
20 June 2018
3 January 2019
This a historical fiction novel about Richard III the story begins with his death at the Battle of Bosworth , but this is only the beginning of the story.
The author made a intriguing an interesting decision to follow Richard into the afterlife from here the reader gets to see events from Richards life in a number of flashback’s. We also get to see the struggles he might have gone through while coming trying to terms the decisions he made and the consequences they had. We also get to see him struggle with the reputation he gained and after his death due to Henry Tudor.
I’m no expert on Richard 111 but from what I do know I can say the historical details are accurate and it is clear that a lot of research has been done.
Well done to the author an excellent novel I was hooked from the first page and was sorry to see it come to end.
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17 May 2019
1 May 2018
22 April 2018
2 September 2019
16 October 2018
3 September 2018
20 July 2019
4 March 2018
19 March 2019
30 August 2018
9 March 2018
28 March 2018
13 December 2018
24 May 2018
King Richard III lies dead on the battlefield at Redemore Plain, his body stripped and thrown on the back of a horse ready for an unceremonious burial. And then he wakes up on the battlefield. Found and mentored by the mysterious monk, Gilbert, he learns that he is in Purgatory and must account for the past deeds of his life. This is done in a series of episodes covering all the controversial incidents of his short reign.
Naturally, the problem of the fate of the Princes arises and the author does not put forward some over-imaginative and previously unthought of personal theory but sticks with one that is universally recognised as a possibility and makes a good case for its likelihood. In doing so, Ms Skidmore may well elicit some sympathetic reactions towards the character and actions of her Richard.
Yet this a little more than just another retelling of Richard’s story: it proposes the possibility of reincarnation, of a spell in Purgatory where tests and trials are made to determine whether the ‘candidate’ is ready to enter the Kingdom, and also one man’s struggle for redemption when faced with the decisions he made whilst in his earthly life.
I have only two quibbles: the ‘tests and trials’ are not gone into at all and I was left wondering as to what they might have been – physical, mental, spiritual? The other beef is that the book is only 170 pages, possibly too long for a novella, but very much too short for a novel. And these are the only reasons, in my view, that I could not award with the 5 star rating that I would have liked to. Which is a shame because the writing is lovely, well characterised without being stereotypical and has an ending which is both emotional and thought provoking. The cover is attractive, too: the White King fallen at the feet of its victorious nemesis.
Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed this slightly new take on an oft written about subject.
Stumps
22 March 2018
30 July 2019
8 April 2018
22 July 2018
A gentle biased piece of literary work, as it should be, when written by a Richard III supporter.
The idea of purgatory is brilliant, would we all have the chance to see our past life and be able to find out the good & bad decisions we have made in our lives.
To bring His Grace into the modern world & to be able to view the finale of the history of the Plantagent King is wonderful, Marla the ending is sad but beautiful.
Highly Recommend
Can’t wait to read more
Kind Regards Mog & Sass
24 May 2018
“…the writing is lovely, well-characterised without being stereotypical and has an ending which is both emotional and thought provoking.”The cover was selected as a Discovering Diamonds Cover of the Month for May 2018
3 September 2018
16 July 2018
27 July 2019
8 March 2018
19 February 2019
2 March 2018
A good read for all as well as those who love historical detail
10 January 2019
1 March 2018