Toby Clements

Over the last five years, Thomas and Katherine have been able to enjoy family life at Marton Hall with their son Rufus and their friends John Stump and Jack, and Jack's wife Nettie. But the year is 1469 and trouble is brewing again in the north, with rumours that Robin of Redesdale is mobilising an army against King Edward, and their lives are upturned once again.

I find Toby Clements' ability to conjure up the past and create such memorable characters as Thomas and Katherine nothing short of show more extraordinary; this series has to count as one of my all-time favourites. The research gone into these books is first rate, and he manages to connect the many dates, events, and household and less familiar names and construct a convincing narrative that explains the complex allegiances at play during the Wars of the Roses, with the repercussions for the ordinary people, better than a history textbook could, which usually focuses on the movers and shakers. The result is a completely engrossing read – who says history is boring? show less

The last volume in the Kingmaker series covers the years 1470 and 1471, and therefore the endgame of the middle part of the Wars of the Roses, encompassing the second rebellion by the Earl of Warwick, King Edward's escape to Flanders into exile, his return and the two final battles against Lancastrian forces: the Battle of Barnet and the Battle of Tewkesbury. As before, Thomas and Katherine and their son Rufus are swept up in events, though this time there's also trouble brewing closer to show more home.

I absolutely loved this series, with its wonderful and relatable characters and the authentic depiction of a bygone age, especially the tense battle scenes, so much, in fact, that I was putting off reading it because I didn't want it to end. Sadly, though, Kingmaker: Kingdom Come is the weakest of the lot. The book doesn't really get going until over halfway through, but then the remaining 150 or so pages almost make up for the previous 275, but not quite. Still, the series stands head and shoulders above most other historical fiction titles, so four stars for the book itself and a bonus half a star for the series as a whole. I will miss spending time with Thomas and Katherine, but I'm sure that at some point I will pick up Kingmaker: Winter Pilgrims again and start over. show less

During the bitter winter of 1460, while simply going about their business, a nun and a monk from the Order of Gilbert of St Mary's Priory near Lincoln are attacked by a sadistic knight, his son and their violent company. Katherine and Thomas manage to defend themselves, but they have made enemies for life. Both are expelled from their order and flee, by coincidence ending up in the retinue of Sir John Fakenham, who is taking them to Calais, where they end up joining the army supporting the show more Earl of Warwick in the bloody civil war known as the Wars of the Roses.

This was a highly affecting and astonishingly mature debut novel, which brings the past vividly to life. The author has clearly done his research and cleverly interweaves known historical facts with fiction. There are many terms that are unfamiliar to the modern reader, but in my opinion they don't distract from the story but add colour and texture to the plot as the meanings are fairly easy to guess, if only in general terms. The characterisations in particular are astonishing, with characters so real they appeared to jump out of the page; incredible to think they've *only* sprung out of someone's imagination.

While many historical novels shine a spotlight on known historical figures, here the focus is very much reversed: the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of March – after the death of his father the new Duke of York and eventually King Edward IV – and William Hastings move into Katherine and Thomas's orbit, and even during the skirmishes, sieges and battles the author concentrates on telling the story of the common person, who usually had no choice about participation in the violence. As befits a novel focusing on the Wars of the Roses, it is a very violent book, while at the same time bringing out the humanity of the two central characters. The descriptions of the Battle of Towton in particular are breathtaking in the depiction of the slaughter and savagery that humans are capable of inflicting on each other.

Until time travel is invented, novels like these are the best option to explore the past. The next volume in the series is already on my shelf, and I'm looking forward to following Thomas and Katherine's path further. show less

In the aftermath of the battle of Towton, life in 15th century England has changed. King Henry is a fugitive and King Edward is on the throne. Various nobles have changed sides, pledging their loyalty to the ascending forces in the hope of retaining their lands and benefits. Kathryn is at Cornford Castle, impersonating Margaret Cornford and married to a blind husband. Thomas Everingham has lost his memory after the battle and is living on his brother's farm. Fate, however, has other plans show more and, as Thomas regains his strength and memory, Kathryn is forced to become a fugitive again as her skills as a surgeon lead to the death of a woman. Brought together they seek revenge on the Rivens and to plot a pathway through a landscape torn by feuding, war and betrayal.

I haven't read the first in the series and it took me a while to get into this book. This was mainly due to the fact that the story is not about the famous historical characters but focuses on 'ordinary' people, therefore the backstories were not familiar, even if the places and events were. After getting into the story I was completely engrossed. The years between Towton and Edgecote Moor are relatively quiet historically and this book incorporates the battles of Hexham and Hedgeley Moor which were little more than skirmishes but which encompass the game of 'cat and mouse' between Lancaster and York which took place over the North between 1460 and 1464. However the complexities of the revolt in the north and the fluidity of loyalties are clearly shown via their impact on the ordinary people and the fighting men. For this alone Clements' book is worthy but the quality of the writing and the thrill of the plot make it outstanding show less