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The Pretender imagines the story of Lambert Simnel, a pretender to the throne of England and a threat to the newly established reign of Henry VII. He was the figurehead of a Yorkist rebellion against the House of Tudor.

The story begins in 1480s England with John growing up in a village, believing that his father is Will Collan, but everything changes when he is told that a rich man wants to pay for him to study.

When the rich man arrives, he’s accompanied by a younger man and introduced as Maister Richard Simons, a scholar and priest, who is to take over John’s education. Not only that, Maister Richard informs John that he was John Collan, and now, he is Lambert Simnel � something that, of course, makes no sense to John. It is then explained that he is actually the son of George, the Duke of Clarence. By title, he is the earl of Warwick, meaning next in line to the throne. Nothing makes sense to the boy who thinks of himself as a peasant.

Oxford becomes his new home, but it’s far from feeling like the house he knew and misses. In exchange for this new life, he is told that he has a larger purpose.

Maister Richard is responsible for teaching the boy about history and courtly manners. Alongside his studies, he learns about the current situation involving the Tudor pretender to the throne, Breton Henry, as the unpopular King Richard faces pressure from those who wish to replace him. The boy may not understand all the scheming, but he does understand that he doesn’t want to be the next in line to be struck down from the throne. So he prays for Richard to stay long on the throne.

As power shifts like the wind amid political machinations, Lambert struggles with his identity and destiny. Is he a peasant boy or son of a duke? The changes in his name to protect him only create further confusion.

Written poignantly with literary prose, The Pretender explores the struggle of a young man whose identity becomes a pawn in the hands of ambitious men. These men, driven by political intrigues, tensions, constant scheming, and chaos, make it even harder for Lambert to find his footing. When he finally finds love, giving him a sense of stability, it, too, is shaken. Thus, The Pretender portrays a man who constantly questions his own identity.

The Pretender masterfully captures the mysterious figure of a peasant boy who claimed to be an heir to the throne, weaving a narrative filled with heartache, humor, conflicting loyalties, and the struggle of self-identity.

The story is written with such style that it takes a moment to get into it. There is crass humor and sexual escapades. The story has some slow moments and some highly engaging.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.