Review: The Oxenbridge King
Author: Christine Paice
Let me be honest from the outset. I am on a bit of a King Richard III binge. Ever since finishing Annie Garthwaite’s novels I have become obsessed with learning more about this King - the last English king to lose his life in battle. Annie portrayed Richard in such a modest way that would make many historians fire up in opposition - especially Shakespeare and his damning play.Therefore when this intriguing book came up promising an engaging spin - I was in!
‘The king with a crown that didn't belong to him, but all kings had blood on their hands. That's how they stayed king.’
The Oxenbridge King is such a unique and extremely satisfying read and, I promise, no prior knowledge on Richard III is necessary - but it certainly does increase the enjoyment. Inspired by the actual discovery of Richard III’s bones this book is a fantastical journey if you allow yourself to swim with the tide. With Richard’s soul trapped he is reliant upon a talking Raven (his link between heaven and earth) to become free and ascend to the afterlife. Yet, Richard is a very, very minor player in this tale.
‘Life happens, we're all caught and tugged by desires we claim not to know anything about.’
This is a tale of the contemporary characters and it is warm and funny, full of love and forgiveness in this life. No major events here except how souls can become lost when on earth and learning about the things that give us direction and make us feel love, getting us back on the right path. At first I thought,’this is a bit weird’ but then I just went with it and found it truly delightful.
‘… maybe one day we'll discover the great villain of history isn't so bad after all.'
If you are looking for something that is left of centre, a retelling from a different direction with a touch of magic then look no further. As the blurb promises, Oxenbridge King is ‘tender, lyrical, surprising, and magical - think Sarah Winman with a dash of Neil Gaiman’.
Title: The Oxenbridge King
Author: Christine Paice
Publisher: 31st July 2024 by HarperCollins Australia
Pages: 335 pages
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Rating: 5 cups
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.