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ailurophile_bibliophile89's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed this but I'm a bit disappointed with the ending. It just cuts off. Of course, everything ended up getting resolved that really needed to be resolved but I didn't feel satisfied.
Also, the there was a lot of build-up but once the actual "adventure" started it felt very rushed.
Not a bad story (though there's quite a lot of liberties taken with the historical content I feel like but I hadn't read the first novel so I may be missing information) but there could be more focus on the character development (even with the characters newly introduced that I'm assuming weren't mentioned in the first book), the plot details and the flow. The writing itself wasn't terrible but it was very juvenile compared to what I had expected.
As I said, I did enjoy the book but I'm giving it two stars for the reasons above.
Also, the there was a lot of build-up but once the actual "adventure" started it felt very rushed.
Not a bad story (though there's quite a lot of liberties taken with the historical content I feel like but I hadn't read the first novel so I may be missing information) but there could be more focus on the character development (even with the characters newly introduced that I'm assuming weren't mentioned in the first book), the plot details and the flow. The writing itself wasn't terrible but it was very juvenile compared to what I had expected.
As I said, I did enjoy the book but I'm giving it two stars for the reasons above.
kwurtzel3's review against another edition
4.0
Man. Oh man oh man oh man. Where do I start?
The good: I was MUCH more impressed with this book than I was with [b:The Canterbury Papers|212985|The Canterbury Papers (Alais Capet, #1)|Judith Koll Healey|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347955063s/212985.jpg|1406089]. In fact, I picked up The Rebel Princess before I realized there was a sequel, and read it mainly to get to this book. The prose and general style are much more developed and mature, and I thought that it made points clearer. As well, the subplot concerning the Cathar religion was fascinating - it was something I had never heard of before and will promptly be taking out several books from the library on it.
The bad: I thought that the situation with Alais and the papal legate was formed as a far too black-and-white situation; there are always two sides to a story, after all. I was not impressed with Alais's attitude in parts of the book. I was also very disappointed when I realized how different the situations were between the real Alys, Countess of Vexin and this Princess Alais of France.
Overall: If there's a sequel, I'll read it, because I want to find out what happens with William and Francis, dammit. 3.75/5.
The good: I was MUCH more impressed with this book than I was with [b:The Canterbury Papers|212985|The Canterbury Papers (Alais Capet, #1)|Judith Koll Healey|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347955063s/212985.jpg|1406089]. In fact, I picked up The Rebel Princess before I realized there was a sequel, and read it mainly to get to this book. The prose and general style are much more developed and mature, and I thought that it made points clearer. As well, the subplot concerning the Cathar religion was fascinating - it was something I had never heard of before and will promptly be taking out several books from the library on it.
The bad: I thought that the situation with Alais and the papal legate was formed as a far too black-and-white situation; there are always two sides to a story, after all. I was not impressed with Alais's attitude in parts of the book. I was also very disappointed when I realized how different the situations were between the real Alys, Countess of Vexin and this Princess Alais of France.
Overall: If there's a sequel, I'll read it, because I want to find out what happens with William and Francis, dammit. 3.75/5.
jennysaisquois's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment of the Alais Capet series. I've been a major historical fiction fan (particularly medieval history, particularly mysteries) for most of my reading life, and I'm making an effort to read more about historical women. While of course this isn't a biography or nonfiction, it's clear that Healey has researched and relies on the historical source materials as much as possible. This doesn't mean it's dry or slow-moving at all; there's plenty of intrigue and adventurous travel that serves to highlight the lifestyles, customs, and politics of different parts of medieval France.
For more intrepid, intelligent women in a similar time period, I'd STRONGLY recommend Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death suspense series, set mostly in England during Henry II's reign; and Elizabeth Chadwick's Eleanor of Aquitaine series, which opens in her youth and is a great window into the complicated politics of medieval France and England.
For more intrepid, intelligent women in a similar time period, I'd STRONGLY recommend Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death suspense series, set mostly in England during Henry II's reign; and Elizabeth Chadwick's Eleanor of Aquitaine series, which opens in her youth and is a great window into the complicated politics of medieval France and England.
robinwalter's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
HUGELY disappointing. The first in the series was an appealing historical mystery with a strong, independent female protagonist, who relied on her wits. In this one, she relies on visions, dreams and the "second sight". Le sigh!
tklassy's review against another edition
3.0
If I could this book would be rated a 2.5. I loved the characters but I felt much of the plot was slow and rather unsuspensful. The ending was also anti-climactic.
kimmerp's review against another edition
4.0
More like 3.75. Read this for the joy of being one with a strong woman. The plot is adventurous without significant tension and the characters are well drawn. I wish there were more in the series, but at the same time the best books in the Outlander series (similar premise with some romance of a strong, smart female and a knightly male) were the earlier ones, those before the offspring had larger roles.
artemishi's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The second in the Alais Capet duology, this book was slightly more difficult to get into. The sense of urgency was somehow lacking until the final third of the book, when stakes turn deadly. I suppose it's partly because we don't get introduced to Alais, who is cunning and observant, as well as blessed with a 'second sight' ability. The story follows the build-up to the first (and very bloody) Christian-on-Christian crusade, though dates are fudged a bit to lend tension. Alais doesn't really have a central part in the intrigue, but she functions as a sort of detective, motivated by her personal passions. Most of her value in the story is extended through repetitive observations and thoughts, which didn't help with the slow pacing or the (very little) character development. I do like that it didn't end on a happily ever after note, as fitting for a historical fiction around the time that an entire culture in what's now the south of France was wiped out. But for the most part, the book was 'meh' for me.
krkay128's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sstallryan's review
3.0
This story dragged a bit but, in the end, it was an enjoyable piece of historical fiction. I didn't realize it was a sequel until I'd already started it so maybe reading the first one would have helped me feel less lost in this book.
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