The Innocent: (War of the Roses, Book 1) (The Anne Trilogy)

by Posie Graeme-Evans

Book Overview

The year is 1450, a dangerous time in medieval Britain. Civil unrest is at its peak and the legitimacy of the royal family is suspect. Meanwhile, deep in the forests of western England, a baby is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743272226
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Atria
• Length: 406 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.2" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Loved this story, If you read Phillipa Gregory, you should try this author.

Fabulous historical fiction

I picked up this book on a recommendation from a fellow book publisher, and I couldn't put it down. Not only is the writing phenomenal (I had to delve into my bedside dictionary on numerous occasions), but the plot positively bursts with secret affairs, court politics, and and vivid descriptions of fifteenth century London. The story is bold, sexy, and vibrant; one of the best I've read in quite a while. My only critcism would be that the characters are a bit larger-than-life and therefore difficult to relate to. Many of them seem overly one-dimensional: Elizabeth is superficial and ridiculously high-maintenance, Piers is a horrific cad, and Margaret is always dignified and composed. We never see a variation in their behavior, and the same could almost be said of wholesome Anne and playboy Edward. I've just begun the sequel, and I'm hoping to see new sides of the characters, and a bit more raw emotion. Bottom-line: if you enjoy intelligent historical writing and tales of forbidden love, this book is a must!!

Wonderful historical novel!

This is one beautiful novel! Set in Medieval times, fifteenth century England, The Innocent tells the story of young Anne. Having survived an attempted murder when she was newborn, Anne is a peasant girl who works for English aristocrats. Anne is a beautiful young woman who would have had a much more difficult time in her workplace had it not been for her special abilities as a healer. Her gifts take her as far as looking after the queen. And then Anne meets King Edward IV. She moves into the palace to work for the royals -- where an intense, bittersweet affair with the king begins. There are various twists throughout the novel. I loved the language of this novel. The backdrop of the struggles the royals had in Britain is fascinating and the storytelling is lyrical and beautiful. The story of Anne touched me in many levels. I couldn't keep the book down as she endured all sorts of obstacles and succumbed to her passionate love affair with King Edward IV. The historical references are marvelous and the secondary characters, though in some cases underdeveloped, are compelling. Some readers have complained that this novel reads like a historical romance. There is a romantic subplot centered on Anne and Edward, but there are so many other elements to this novel. You only have to read the synopsis to know that there is some romance in the novel. It is too bad that the aforementioned aspect of literature isn't everyone's cup of tea. I like some romance in literature. Anyway, The Innocent is one of the best reading investments I've made this summer. I recommend this novel most highly and I can't wait to pick up The Exile.

What's wrong with a historical "romance" novel?

My primary reading choices for the past two years have been in the romance genre--historical romance in particular--and I picked this book up not because I assumed it was a historical romantic novel, but because I am a fan of well written historical fiction. The romance between Anne and Edward was an added bonus to an already intriguing novel. Most likely because I have a background in the romance genre, I found the sex and the romance not distasteful, in fact finding that it drew a defter hand in concern to the characters and their motivations. And for those who complain that "The Innocent" reads like a "romance" novel, not so, nearly everything that occured in this novel, even down to the detail to the history, is not something commonly found in the historical romance genre if I may be truthful. I recommend this novel to anyone with a love for history, a female protagonist strong for her times, and a warm love story that heightens the tension of the plot. I look forward to reading the second novel.

The smell of a pre-Tudor Rose

The great thing about this book is that you smell the smells (and there are plenty of them, not all pleasant), hear the sounds, taste the food (not always so great), and experience the sensations (biting cold, strange clothing, vermin)of a period far removed from our own.Posie Graeme-Evans is obviously obsessed with the minutiae of the period her heroine inhabits. She loves the houses and the countryside. She loves the stuff of Royalty and greatness. She loves the detail of the food and the sanitary arrangements. But above all she knows how to put it all together and tell a good story. This book rocks along. It's no Georgette Heyer shrinking violet. Here be throughly ripped bodices, here be wham-bam sexual mores, here be bloody intrigue and murder. And here be nailbiting jeopardy aplenty for a heroine with a considerable journey awaiting. I hear there are two more Anne books to come. Bring them on Posie! (What a great name for a writer of this genre!!!)

Brilliant Saga

This is a truly sensational read that will transport the reader into the high drama of Edward 1V's 15th century England as seen through the eyes of Anne, a young, beautiful peasant girl. Anne survives and flourishes despite powerful political forces who killed her mother. At fifteen, she travels to London and finds work for a wealthy merchant. Word spreads of her remarkable talents with healing and medicines. She is summoned to the palace to attend the fragile young queen. In this lonely and unfamiliar world of the palace the stirringly erotic and powerful journey swings into high gear and Anne finds herself entangled in a passionate love affair with Edward, the king.The Innocent has it all! Definitely one for the shelves at home. The author's research into the 15th century is authoritative and convincing. This book certianly leaves you craving for the next two books in the series.