The First Princess of Wales

The First Princess of Wales is one of my favorite books. It is the love story of Joan of Kent and Prince Edward, famously known as the Black Prince of Wales. The story begins with a young Joan leaving her childhood home in order to become a ward of the Queen, her distant relative. Newly arrived at court Joan unknowingly meets the Prince of Wales thus sparking a love story that would survive for hundreds of years.

Courtesy of Karen Harper

The novel is beautifully written and the reader easily falls in love with Joan. One can readily relate to her free spirit and her internal struggle between love and revenge. At the same time Prince Edward is a noble love interest, truly devoted to Joan if at times misguided in his efforts to win her love. Although the story first brings to mind the late Princess Diana, on further reflection it is possible to see how the author may have been inspired by the true love story of Camila Parker Bowles and Prince Charles. Their love may have not been as glamourous, but proved to be more lasting than his marriage with the late Princess Diana. Just like Charles and Camilla, Edward and Joan face many obstacles including parental disapproval, but were ultimately able to have their happily ever after.

The Irish Princess by Karen Harper

Courtesy of Barnes and Noble

The Irish Princess by Karen Harper turned out to be a disappointing read. The novel tells the story of Elizabeth Fitzgerald, better known as Gera, a young woman who is forced into exile by the downfall of her powerful family and must learn to navigate the treacherous currents of Tudor politics if she hopes to ever find her way back to Ireland and also to the love of her life, Edward Clinton.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

While the story sounds promising Harper, whose novel The First Princess of Wales I so enjoyed, fails to create substantial characters other than Gera herself. We know very little about Gera's family members or even her beloved Edward. We rarely get a glimpse of their personality and see them only through Gera's eyes. Also Gera's relationships are not fully developed. She seems to go from love to hate in one step with no apparent explanation.

Furthermore, the story itself seems to jump around. While it is perfectly natural for a prologue to take place at a later time than the first chapter it is very strange that within one paragraph the story jumps years into the future with no explanation or a character ends up in a place with no account as to why she is there.


Overall, The Irish Princess could have been better, but does give some glimpse into the power players of the Tudor period.