The Lion Triumphant

I was pretty much disgusted throughout this whole novel. The main character, Catherine, is treated as an object by two men, which she freely acknowledges and fights against but she ends up falling in love with both of them. It is repugnant. Any other action pales against this horrible centerpiece. This is book two of a 20 book series following generations of women in English history and it does not make this any better that I have read book 3 and the same awful plot continues but worse in the next generation. The fact that is takes place in Tudor England also does not save it from this horrifying life view. I have read a number of other books in the series and at least she left this particular plot device behind, as far as I know. Just show more ugh, ugh, ugh. show less

I expect some misogyny in a Philippa Carr book, but here the author made some severely questionable choices that won’t allow me to give this book more than two stars. I am almost angry at myself for being entertained enough to finish this book.

I found this second novel in the “Daughters of England” series to be a vast improvement on the first. Where Book One was largely predictable and had too many slow sections, Book Two is of a much faster pace with a few surprising episodes that I didn’t see coming.

The varied conflicts, settings, and characters all gelled together to create an entertaining narrative. Didn’t think it so amazing that I should rate it five stars; however, it certainly deserves four.

Impressive.