This novel was very well written. I did not much care for The Secret Dairy of Anne Boleyn so I was not sure how I would like this book. I have to say that the main characters Bessie-future wife of Henry VII and Queen of England and her best friend Nell were wonderful narrators. The story is being told by both ladies after the death of Arthur Prince of Wales to Henry VIII as a boy. ( )

“To The Tower Born” is a retelling of the infamous story of King Richard III and the “princes in the Tower,” or the “lost princes.” It is told from the two point-of-views of Bessie (the sister to the princes, and who would later become Queen Elizabeth to Henry VII), and Nell Caxton, a friend to the royal family.

As this is one of my favorite time periods and cast of characters, I was really hoping that the book would be better. Maxwell’s style of writing is a lot of telling instead of showing, and indeed a lot of the time it felt more like a regurgitation of historical "facts" than of a flowing narrative. She is rather heavy-handed with her plot devices; the one she most commonly uses being over-heard conversations. Almost every major development in the plot comes from one of the characters being in the right place at the right time and overhearing the right conversation.

It also doesn’t feel like the characters are products of their time period, they are very two-dimensional and generic. There are some glaring anachronisms which further serve to take the reader out of the story. For example, at one point a character refers to the times they are living through as the “wars of the roses”- a term that was not coined for many centuries after the fact. Actually, the whole book is a mess of anachronisms and debunked myths and old information.

All in all, Maxwell’s imagining of what happened to the princes is kind of interesting, though executed very poorly. There are plenty of books out there that tell the same story but with better writing and character development. I’d recommend any number of them before “To the Tower Born.” ( )

In 1483, Edward and Richard of York—Edward already King of England—were placed, for their protection before Edward's coronation, in the Tower of London by their uncle Richard. Within months the boys disappeared without a trace, and for the next five hundred years the despised Richard III was suspected of their murders.

In To the Tower Born, Robin Maxwell ingeniously imagines what might have happened to the missing princes. The great and terrible events that shaped a kingdom are viewed through the eyes of quick-witted Nell Caxton, only daughter of the first English printer, and her dearest friend, "Bessie," sister to the lost boys and ultimate founder of the Tudor dynasty. ( )

The disappearance of the Princes in the Tower in 1483 has captured the attention of historians for hundreds of years, and the mystery has never been solved.

What we do know is that following the death of King Edward IV, his eldest son Edward was placed in The Tower of London (which were then luxurious royal apartments) for his own protection prior to his coronation. He was later joined by his younger brother, Prince Richard.

Whilst in the Tower it was discovered that the marriage of their parents - King Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville - was illegitimate; King Edward was already married at the time. This made the births of the Princes illegitimate, and their Uncle Richard (the late King's brother) was crowned King Richard III. The Princes then disappeared and it was long assumed King Richard III was responsible for having the young boys murdered and their remains disposed of within the Tower.

Robin Maxwell tackles this famous mystery in To The Tower Born - A Novel of the Lost Princes, and successfully manages to build on these historical facts, taking the reader back to the era and providing a convincing account of what 'could have happened'. An alternate outcome if you will.

Told in alternating chapters from two different narrators, we get to know the young Princes prior to the events leading to their demise. The novel is rich in history and exposes the plotting and politics of those hungry for power in England, and those who will do anything to lay claim to the throne.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel, and am already a huge fan of Robin Maxwell's work, especially The Queen's Bastard, and The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn.

I would recommend this to any reader interested in delving into a well written novel featuring the mystery of the Princes in the Tower, or who is keen to learn more about the politics of the House of York in the period prior to the Tudors. ( )

Enjoyed this take on one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Though some of the adventures will a little far-fetched, it was a fun and imaginative read. I get the feeling the author really enjoyed writing the book... which I love. Would recommend it. Also, great alternative perspectives on some well known characters in history. ( )