Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory

My Rating: 4.8

As sisters they share an everlasting bond; as queens they can break each other’s hearts…

In Three Sisters, Three Queens, Philippa Gregory brings to life the powerful and often painful bond between three royal women destined to wear three crowns. Katherine of Aragon, Margaret Tudor, and Mary Tudor are bound not only by blood, but by ambition, rivalry, loyalty, and the brutal realities of royal marriage.

When Katherine of Aragon arrives at the Tudor court as a young bride, Margaret—the eldest sister—immediately takes her measure. With a single glance, the two women recognize one another as rivals, allies, and pawns in a political game far bigger than themselves. Alongside their younger sister Mary, the three form a unique sisterhood that will see them crowned queens of England, Scotland, and France.

Though united by family ties and affection, their lives soon place them at odds. Katherine commands an army against Scotland, leading to the death of Margaret’s husband, King James IV. Yet fate turns again when Margaret’s son becomes heir to the Tudor throne after Katherine loses her own child. Gregory masterfully shows how love, grief, and ambition can both bind and divide—even sisters.

At the beginning of this novel, I’ll admit I hated Margaret. I felt deep sympathy for Katherine, perhaps because the previous book focused on her story and had already won my heart. But as the story unfolded, my feelings completely reversed. Margaret’s struggles, resilience, and heartbreak began to shine through, while Katherine’s choices took on a harsher edge. Only a writer as skilled as Philippa Gregory can make you feel so deepl, and so differently, as history progresses.

As always, Gregory kept me spellbound. Her ability to humanize these iconic women while staying rooted in historical drama is unmatched. I turned the final page eager and excited to dive straight into the next book in the series.

If you love historical fiction filled with complex women, emotional depth, and royal intrigue, Three Sisters, Three Queens is a compelling and unforgettable read.