Filled with the usual rich grasp of medieval life, and deep, convoluted plot lines, which she portrayed so well in her previous novels about the Astley family, "The Summer Queen" lacks the passion and romance which make nearly all of Ms. Graham's stories truly intriguing. The Summer Queen is worthwhile to read, but is forgettable by itself. I recommend that fans of historical fiction, first, find copies of her earlier novels, "Shield of Honor" and "The Vows of the Peacock", to find the real love stories behind this rather depressing tale of the direct ancestors of Lady Jane Grey.

"The Summer Queen" gives an insiders view to medieval life in the courts of Edward IV and his controversial Queen, Elizabeth Woodville during the bloody time of the War of the Roses. If the entertainment industry moguls of today were around during Elizabeth Woodville's life they would have made at least 3 movies of the week and a mini-series lasting several nights. Through the centuries she has been portrayed any number of ways but in "The Summer Queen" Ms Graham does an excellent job of telling Elizabeth's tale through the eyes of her daughter-in law Cicely, Marchioness of Dorset. And she also does the reader a kind favor. Cicely is an impartial observer. She neither paints Elizabeth Woodville as a heroine or as a murderous opportunist or the mysterious enchantress that so many think of her as. Rather she shows Elizabeth was a little of all of these things and more. So if you want a somewhat impartial albeit fictionalized version of Elizabeth Woodville and Edward IV and the times they lived in you might enjoy "The Summer Queen". I did.

THE HISTORICAL CONTENT OF THIS NOVEL WAS VERY INTERESTING. I HAD SO ENJOYED THE ON-GOING STORY OF THE ASTLEY FAMILY, THAT I HAD TO VISIT ASTLEY CASTLE AND CHURCH. The story of this family has so haunted me, that I continue to research what became of the family beyond this novel.