The Rival of the Queen

The long-awaited continuation of the royal cycle! Perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory. Will appeal to all who love «The Tudors», «Game of Thrones», «The Crown». «The Rival of the Queen» is the third book in Elizabeth Fremantle's series about outstanding women in English history. It tells the story of Penelope Devereux (married name Rich), who managed to win a place at court thanks to her strength of character. For the poet Philip Sidney, she was a muse, for Queen Elizabeth I – the daughter of a sworn enemy, for King James – «the beauty with a black soul». Penelope's life unfolded in the shadow of brilliant contemporaries, but Elizabeth Fremantle brought the heroine to the forefront. Gifted with beauty and charm, young Penelope and her brother, the Earl of Essex, arrive at court and quickly win the favor of the aging Queen Elizabeth. Penelope is in love with one man, but she is married off to another, for life at court is not only broken hearts but also ruined destinies. «The Rival of the Queen» is a story filled with love and hatred. It captures the final moments of Elizabeth's reign and the deadly struggle for power in a dying dynasty. This is the fate of an extraordinary woman worthy of applause. «To maintain an inner core and not break, while being caught in the whirlpool of political intrigues and losing those you love, to disregard the opinions of others – isn't that a feat for that time?» – ALEXANDRA MARINIANA, writer