Trinity by Conn Iggulden

1454: King Henry VI has remained all but exiled in Windsor Castle, struck down by his illness for over a year, his eyes vacant, his mind a blank. His fiercely loyal wife and Queen, Margaret of Anjou, safeguards her husband's interests, hoping that her son Edward will one day know the love of his father.
Richard Duke of York, Protector of the Realm, extends his influence throughout the kingdom with each month that Henry slumbers. The Earls of Salisbury and Warwick make up a formidable trinity with Richard, and together they seek to break the support of those who would raise their colours in the name of Henry and his Queen. But when the King unexpectedly recovers his senses and returns to London to reclaim his throne, the balance of power is once again thrown into turmoil.
The clash of the Houses of Lancaster and York will surely mean a war to tear England apart . . .

I've once again delved into the Wars of the Roses and Iggulden has been the best of guides. Trinity, the sequel to Stormbird, is a brilliant book full of great battles, skirmishes, attacks on the throne, families torn apart as they face each other on the battlefield supporting the two opposing sides - King Henry and his French Queen VS the Duke of York. I was once again amazed as I was taught pieces of history I'd never known and as history was literally brought to life before my very eyes. Or in my ears - I once again chose to listen to the audiobook as Roy McMillan is nothing less than brilliant. Iggulden has written some great characters and McMillan breathes life to them with his voice.

In Trinity, the story continues where it left off in Stormbird, and all around the feud is turning very bitter. York has ruled the country while Henry slept, but as the King suddenly wakes, he and the Queen waste no time in striking down the Duke - and so it all begins anew. England is torn apart as the people riot and huge forces clash. Powerful men lead them to their deaths as they struggle to gain more power or cling on to what little they have left. It was a terrible time, really - but it's a fantastic story to read. I can't wait to read the third installment, Bloodline.

TRINITY Wars of the Roses #2 by Conn Iggulden ISBN13: 9781405919487 Audiobook, 12h 6m / Published in 2014

Review by Iben Jakobsen, Borough of Books, 2016