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agamemnon_hickory's review against another edition
5.0
I read the first book in the series and was curious to see where the adventure lead. I found this book to be an interesting read and wanting to now read the third book. Well written book. Excellent character development. Interesting historical fiction. I also read the first book kind of wondering wear the LGBTQ portion was as I'd seen that tag for her as an author. Slowly developed in a way that made sense and was aligned with a story timeline rather than forced.
Recommend the read and I am starting the 3rd book.
Recommend the read and I am starting the 3rd book.
scottish_kat's review against another edition
Reading it was starting to feel like a chore but it could be my mood. I may return to it.
olurin's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
salvapomata's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
booksbybindu's review against another edition
5.0
‘The City of Tears’ is a stunning piece of historical fiction that evokes the period to the extent that you feel completely immersed in the story. You know that when you pick up a Kate Mosse book that you are going to get a book ripe with details and descriptions that are rich in colour. It is clear Kate does extensive research and this comes across in her sublime writing. Yes, you are learning about history but it's entertaining at the same time. Also you can trust that what you are reading reflects that time in history and this allows you to delve into Google and traverse many a rabbit hole. A very large hole indeed when it was about the fashion of the French court during the wedding!
This is the second book in this series and follows on from ‘The Burning Chambers’ but you are able to read it as a standalone. However, in this case I would recommend reading the first one to allow you to pick up on the small details and nuances that are peppered through the book. Plus you need to read the scenes that coined ‘The Lady in the Mist’ descriptions!
I first came upon Kate’s work after watching the tv adaptation of ‘Labyrinth’ and quickly devoured all the books in that series. For me now Kate is an auto-buy author. I wouldn't even have to look at the blurb before buying as you know that you are going to be reading an exceptional piece of writing. ‘The City of Tears’ was no different. It was packed full of plotlines that gradually intertwined to reach an explosive finale. Every single scene came to me in images as if I were watching a film and it allowed me to fly through this book in a day. I can still picture those final island scenes weeks later and this us what a great book does. It stays and worms into a part of your mind and won't let go. I read ALOT of books and the majority of the plots are forgotten pretty instantly, but I know that this one will stay with me. It has whetted my appetite for more, especially after that cliffhanger! There better be more coming…
This is been a great standard of books on the blog today as this is another 5 ⭐ review! Let me know if you pick this one up.
This is the second book in this series and follows on from ‘The Burning Chambers’ but you are able to read it as a standalone. However, in this case I would recommend reading the first one to allow you to pick up on the small details and nuances that are peppered through the book. Plus you need to read the scenes that coined ‘The Lady in the Mist’ descriptions!
I first came upon Kate’s work after watching the tv adaptation of ‘Labyrinth’ and quickly devoured all the books in that series. For me now Kate is an auto-buy author. I wouldn't even have to look at the blurb before buying as you know that you are going to be reading an exceptional piece of writing. ‘The City of Tears’ was no different. It was packed full of plotlines that gradually intertwined to reach an explosive finale. Every single scene came to me in images as if I were watching a film and it allowed me to fly through this book in a day. I can still picture those final island scenes weeks later and this us what a great book does. It stays and worms into a part of your mind and won't let go. I read ALOT of books and the majority of the plots are forgotten pretty instantly, but I know that this one will stay with me. It has whetted my appetite for more, especially after that cliffhanger! There better be more coming…
This is been a great standard of books on the blog today as this is another 5 ⭐ review! Let me know if you pick this one up.
henrymarlene's review against another edition
3.0
Kate Mosse’s strengths are in her ability to research history and replicate it into fiction – “The City of Tears” transports you with so much realism into the streets of Paris and Amsterdam that when you look up and take breath, you forget you are not in the middle of these cities. The religious politics, the torture and persecution and civil conflicts were captured so well. I do recommend you read the first one so you get an idea of what has happened thus far. I wonder if the sheer intricate detail of the time overtook some of the character building that I was longing for?
I disliked Vidal more and more as the book went on, and found him a very weak character, as well as being weak of character. I did become connected to Minou Joubert and Piet Reydon’s children and family a lot more than I expected to, however I longed for more of Marta’s story. It was interesting to see a little of history repeating itself with the disappearance of Marta – as a child character she was a little grating, but as an adult, more interesting. With assassination attempts, weddings, violent conflicts and disappearances, there is certainly no loss of unrest that is intermingled with the catastrophic events of religious clashing in the 16th century, compounded by the separation of mother and daughter.
I disliked Vidal more and more as the book went on, and found him a very weak character, as well as being weak of character. I did become connected to Minou Joubert and Piet Reydon’s children and family a lot more than I expected to, however I longed for more of Marta’s story. It was interesting to see a little of history repeating itself with the disappearance of Marta – as a child character she was a little grating, but as an adult, more interesting. With assassination attempts, weddings, violent conflicts and disappearances, there is certainly no loss of unrest that is intermingled with the catastrophic events of religious clashing in the 16th century, compounded by the separation of mother and daughter.
robatk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5