THE PRETENDER

The War of the Roses comes to life in this fascinating novel about the political struggles and bloody battles between rival houses of the Plantagenet family. John Hollingworth portrays the innocent 10-year-old boy who is plucked from farm life and told that he's secretly the 17th Earl of Warwick, heir to the throne of England. As the boy is educated, Hollingworth's voice reflects both his growing refinement and his underlying uncertainty about whether he's truly the future king or merely a pawn in a high-stakes political game. Hollingworth smoothly delivers the rich narrative, which ranges from lyrical to bawdy, and provides color for the many fascinating power players across England, Burgundy, and Ireland. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2025]