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Title: The Sun in Splendour

Author: Jean Plaidy

Narrator: Jilly Bond

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-02-11

Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Reckoned by those about him to be the most handsome man in the country, Edward IV has risen to the throne with the help of Warwick, the kingmaker. But even Warwicks trusted advice cannot convince the king to ignore his passion for the beautiful widow Elizabeth Woodville and when she refuses to become his mistress the two are married. Beloved of the people, Edward proves himself to be a strong king. Despite his mistresses, Elizabeth is loyal to the illustrious king, provding him with many children, among them Edward V and Richard Duke of York. But Edward lives recklessly, and on his death an incident from his past comes to light that will change the course of history.

Members Reviews:

Sun vs Sunne

In 1982 Jean Plaidy wrote the Sun in Splendour, and Sharon Kay Penman published the Sunne in Splendour. Both novels feature the Wars of the Roses, specifically the characters of Edward IV and Richard III, and their stories are similar overall.

Plaidy's novel is well written and based on meticulous research. The Sun in Splendour is one of her finest titles, and it is very good, overall.

However, Penman's Sunne in Splendour is far richer in depth and detail. Penman does an excellent job of bringing her characters to life and exploring the details from so many different angles.

I enjoyed both novels but I prefer Penman's Sunne in Splendour. If you enjoy quality historical fiction, I recommend that version.

One last brilliant burst

This is the last book of Jean Plaidy's Plantagenet Saga and is a very good ending for the series. This tells the story of three kings. Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III. You are also very well introduced to Elizabeth Woodville and Anne Neville.

I read most of this book during a power outage and continued to read through the night because this book told a story I didn't know and kept me wanting to know more. I've only readThe Reluctant Queen: The Story of Anne of York (A Queens of England Novel)and that was told from Anne Neville's point of view and mostly concerned her love for Richard III. This book told that story and the stories of everyone surrounding them.

Most important to this tale, for me, was Edward IV. A supposedly handsome man he married Elizabeth Woodville without "permission" from Richard Neville, the Kingmaker, sparking all kinds of trouble. You don't really get a feel for the type of woman Elizabeth Woodville was like you do in Philippa Gregory'sThe White Queen: A Novel (Cousins' War)but you get the jist of their story. You really get to know Edward though and Jean Plaidy made me wish I could meet him just once as he seemed like a really fun person. Her writing style pulls him through.

I also really loved that she gave a lot of attention to the mystery of the Princes in the Tower. I've never read anything much on that and she does an amazing job on it. I'll also say she does a very good job and breathing life into Edward V. A king with such a short reign I nearly always forget about it.

Then there's the hated Richard III. Jean Plaidy's Richard isn't so bad. He's not 100% likable, but you don't hate him. I liked the treatment he received inThe Reluctant Queen: The Story of Anne of York (A Queens of England Novel)but unlike that book this one goes into his reign after the death of his wife.

Overall a very good ending to a wonderful series.