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notenoughnewts's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bowienerd_82's review against another edition
5.0
What a perfect, fitting end to a series that has proven a pleasure and a joy. There were a number of truly excellent books in the series, but the author saved the best for last, and wrote a lovely, moving finale for Cadfael.
I've always enjoyed that Brother Cadfael is a settled adult, comfortable with himself and tolerant of others, but one of the elements that really made this book work was the fact that for once, we get to see him in turmoil, and struggling, and unsure of himself and what the future will hold. His anguish and love and care for Olivier added a certain raw emotion that was rather uncommon for the series, and all the more touching for its rarity.
The whole book was also a very well done reflection of the bonds of love and loyalty, and how they shatter and break, and yet sometimes can still be repaired. So many of the plot threads of the book are woven together with this overarching theme, and they each come out in their own disparate ways.
I loved loved loved the passage where Cadfael is struggling with himself and his actions, and concludes "You do what you must do, and pay for it. So in the end all things are simple." The whole section is lovely, but that conclusion in particular really struck me.
I am sad to be done the series, because it has been such a pleasure through a year of reading it, but a really good ending can be hard to come by, and this book wrapped up the series beautifully.
I've always enjoyed that Brother Cadfael is a settled adult, comfortable with himself and tolerant of others, but one of the elements that really made this book work was the fact that for once, we get to see him in turmoil, and struggling, and unsure of himself and what the future will hold. His anguish and love and care for Olivier added a certain raw emotion that was rather uncommon for the series, and all the more touching for its rarity.
The whole book was also a very well done reflection of the bonds of love and loyalty, and how they shatter and break, and yet sometimes can still be repaired. So many of the plot threads of the book are woven together with this overarching theme, and they each come out in their own disparate ways.
I loved loved loved the passage where Cadfael is struggling with himself and his actions, and concludes "You do what you must do, and pay for it. So in the end all things are simple." The whole section is lovely, but that conclusion in particular really struck me.
I am sad to be done the series, because it has been such a pleasure through a year of reading it, but a really good ending can be hard to come by, and this book wrapped up the series beautifully.
tctimlin's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite of the Brother Cadfael stories so far. Not a mystery but a meditation on blood ties, the relationship between fathers and son, loyalty, treachery, and obedience.
michaelhold's review against another edition
4.0
This chapter if for Cadfael its journey to find his son that he has. From times before his Benedictine monk’s life when he has been in Jerusalem. On the way, he find out about murder and proves innocence of his friend just with the same man who has kept his son captive. Along with preparation on castle walls for medieval siege.
depizan's review against another edition
4.0
Reread: It is definitely more of a historical, and a story about fathers and sons. The murder mystery is practically an afterthought. I am a little skeptical of the way one of the central conflicts was resolved, but I don't know enough about English history to know that the story isn't just elaborating on something that actually happened. All in all, an enjoyable end to the Cadfael series.
I'll have to reread this again when I've actually read all the ones that came before it. Another of the series that leans more toward historical than mystery (though there is still a mystery, or more than one, depending on how generous we're being with the definition).
I'll have to reread this again when I've actually read all the ones that came before it. Another of the series that leans more toward historical than mystery (though there is still a mystery, or more than one, depending on how generous we're being with the definition).
margardenlady's review against another edition
Masterfully read by Derek Jacobi. It just makes it perfect to hear Jacobi's voice in these stories. This one was a saga of fathers and sons. ANd demonstrates that love binds us inextricably when we're blood.
shanijeanius's review against another edition
5.0
This is a re-read for me but I have not revisited this story for many years. Holding rather more action than some of the other novels int he series, this one is all about sons and their fathers, and maybe even about brothers, and their fathers. I wept a little at the end, and expected to, because there is no more story now.