First of the Tudors

By: Joanna Hickson

Narrated by: Tom Clegg, Non Haf

A stunning novel of the Tudors from the best-selling author of The Agincourt Bride.

Jasper Tudor, son of Queen Catherine and her second husband, Owen Tudor, has grown up far from the intrigue of the royal court. But after he and his brother Edmund are summoned to London, their half-brother, King Henry VI, takes a keen interest in their future.
Bestowing Earldoms on them both, Henry also gives them the wardship of the young heiress Margaret Beaufort. Although she is still a child, Jasper becomes devoted to her and is devastated when Henry arranges her betrothal to Edmund.
He seeks solace in his estates and in the arms of Jane Hywel, a young Welsh woman who offers him something more meaningful than a dynastic marriage. But passion turns to jeopardy for them both as the Wars of the Roses wreak havoc on the realm. Loyal brother to a fragile king and his domineering queen, Marguerite of Anjou, Jasper must draw on all his guile and courage to preserve their throne − and the Tudor destiny…

©2016 Joanna Hickson (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘A great tale… the golden thread that led to the crown of England’ Conn Iggulden'

‘An intriguing tale, told with confidence’ The Times

‘Rich and Warm’ Sunday Express

'Colourful and vivid' Elizabeth Chadwick

‘A big-hearted and engrossing novel.’ Elizabeth Freemantle

Praise for Joanna Hickson:

‘Thoroughly engrossing’ The Lady

A gripping and emotional story’ Woman

‘A bewitching first novel…alive with historical detail’ Good Housekeeping

'An enthralling blend of fact and fiction, drama and danger, passion and politics’ Lancashire Evening Post

Wonderful. Well written, FABULOUS narrators

I just love a well done, high-quality period historical. I wish there were more books like this.

book ends too soon, at least another 15 years

story ends too soon! it was 15 years after story ends that Jasper helped lead Henry to gain the crown as Henry VII. Do not know what happened to Jasper after that, nor any of his family

War of the Roses, Again

Beautifully performed, beautifully written. The voices were beautifully done, each distinctive, accents good, very identifiable. A huge problem with many audiobooks is that they are written to be read and many cues that make the story easier to follow are lost in the audio version. These were beautifully and easily handled. Each chapter was written from the perspective of a main character. Each chapter was introduced in the character's voice and also gave their location. It would have been nice if they always gave the year too because there were a couple jumps of several years. As an example: "Chapter X, Jane, Pembrook Castle and the Welsh Marshes, 1458. This made the story easy to follow and very enjoyable.