This is a wonderful book. It is historically accurate, following Kendall's "Richard III", but also flows. Characters are well developed, and one finds oneself caring what happens to them. One especially cares about Anne and Richard, and Richard's final end is truly a tragedy.This is a very, very long novel. But, that is not a disadvantage. One hates to have it end.The biggest plus in this book for me was that it made the War of the Roses much more understandable. I already believed that Richard III did not murder the princes in the tower. Actually, I think Penman's solution makes more sense than Josephine Tey's solution.I highly recommend this book.