Stormbird is the first of a series of novels which deals with The War Of The Roses. Stormbird reveals how tensions within the ruling families of England develop during the reign of Henry VI, the son of Henry V. Who should we support in this novel: the Lancastrians or the Yorkists? Iggulden guides us to favour the House of Lancaster and to see Richard, Duke of York, as a threat, if not an out-and-out villain.The loss of Maine, Anjou and Normandy, important English possessions at the time, lead to vociferous criticism of the king’s advisers and the aristocracy by many people, especially by those who have been dispossessed and forced to return to England from France. This leads to a dangerous situation bordering on rebellion.Who will prevail? Is the king strong enough to deal with the unrest? Can his French wife help him? Who will gain the most from the march on London by thousands of men from Kent? What will be the outcome for the people involved and for England?In this novel time is compressed. Several years elapse during the period covered by the action, although we are encouraged to accept that things happen over a shorter period. The approach works and I kept turning the pages. Disappointing and certainly not as advertised. Expecting a typical War of the Roses story, this time from the perspective of the Lancasters, particularly Margaret of Anjou, the narrative is lost amongst disorganized and underdeveloped low level characters with seemingly no fit into the greater story. The narrative opens with a young Margaret of Anjou in her homeland, awaiting her future marriage to England's Henry VI. At this time she is a shy and dutiful child. She becomes particularly attached to some of the older aristocracy - York, Suffolk, Somerset - who will in time fall to shifting fortunes of the war. The story then diverts to the "ground" level rebellion of Jack Cade and other commoners whose homes are lost when Henry VI forfeits his Plantagenet heritage in France. At this point the story becomes extremely disjointed as chapters alternate between these two perspectives. Unfortunately, so little care is given to developing these minor stories they seem out of place and irrelevant to the initial perspective.
What do You think about Stormbird (2013)?
I grew weary of the long,tiresome battle scenes. Too short on history and long on blood and guts.
—Jenn
Great book. Full marks. Read it in about two sittings. Can't wait for book 2!
—janekelly
Not at the same pace as Conn Iggulden's previous books but still a good read.
—bellabenitez10
Just love this author. Sucks me in- cant put his books down.
—ces
