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catsncoffee's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
webz's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I got as far as page 384 so I think it makes sense to write a review as I got almost halfway into this. I have never learned more about Ireland than in reading this book. That is part of what kept me reading it. I wish that the characters had felt more rounded and fleshed out. They didn’t feel flat but to me seemed somewhere in between round and flat, which is part of why I started struggling to continue the story. I didn’t feel like I was very attached to the characters in an overall sense. Probably the first generation that was focused on I felt the most attached to and interested in. One thing I did like is how I got to see the characters throughout generations and saw those characters for a much longer span of time than what I am normally used to.
I don’t know if I just had a harder time with this author’s writing style. It felt dry in the Viking section and further from there. I appreciate the history that was presented, but at the same time sometimes certain parts of aspects of history just felt drawn out. Like going on about the patterns that were painted and drawn by monks in books when they copied the gospels. Even though at times there were bigger events going on, for example a battle the characters were actively involved in, the whole pace of the book still felt fairly slow. I really did want to enjoy this more but I felt like I gave it a decent shot. I really liked the concept but don’t see myself trying to read anymore by this particular author. Obviously he put a lot of thought and research into the book which you can definitely be impressed by.
I don’t know if I just had a harder time with this author’s writing style. It felt dry in the Viking section and further from there. I appreciate the history that was presented, but at the same time sometimes certain parts of aspects of history just felt drawn out. Like going on about the patterns that were painted and drawn by monks in books when they copied the gospels. Even though at times there were bigger events going on, for example a battle the characters were actively involved in, the whole pace of the book still felt fairly slow. I really did want to enjoy this more but I felt like I gave it a decent shot. I really liked the concept but don’t see myself trying to read anymore by this particular author. Obviously he put a lot of thought and research into the book which you can definitely be impressed by.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Violence
Minor: Slavery and Injury/Injury detail
Human sacrifice, beastialitylinnea1m's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
chaoticmissadventures's review
4.0
This was a chunkster.
Reading both the physical and audio together helped me get through it.
There are so many characters! It spans from 430 AD to 1500ish.
I thought it gave a good, very brief, look at pre Christian Ireland and the move towards Christianity, from tribal life and politics to The Crown. Rutherfurd did an excellent job keeping the characters individualized and I didn't have any trouble following along. I loved how women were represented throughout. They were strong, capable, and smart. There are a few scenes where the women really showed up that will stick with me for awhile (flashing a monk who decided to join the monastery instead of marrying you? Good for you Kayla!). I probably will not read the 2nd one but this was very good. I also liked how religion was spoken of. My only negative is I didn't always get as much of, or the closure I wanted, on some characters.
Reading both the physical and audio together helped me get through it.
There are so many characters! It spans from 430 AD to 1500ish.
I thought it gave a good, very brief, look at pre Christian Ireland and the move towards Christianity, from tribal life and politics to The Crown. Rutherfurd did an excellent job keeping the characters individualized and I didn't have any trouble following along. I loved how women were represented throughout. They were strong, capable, and smart. There are a few scenes where the women really showed up that will stick with me for awhile (flashing a monk who decided to join the monastery instead of marrying you? Good for you Kayla!). I probably will not read the 2nd one but this was very good. I also liked how religion was spoken of. My only negative is I didn't always get as much of, or the closure I wanted, on some characters.
protagonistspub's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
crawef01's review
3.0
While I greatly enjoyed POI the book, in my opinion is rather slow going and I found it very challenging at times to pick it up. to be honest, if it weren't for the fact that it was the only thing I brought with new for my lunch hour at work, I probably never would've finished it on my own. So, that wad the bad bit, now lets talk about the good. I love the history as pet of the book, as if it.was a really creative text book that I actually was cool with reading. the stories of the characters really drew new in and is definitely what made the book great. Without these families the book itself would've just been boring history and no fun at all. Overall, go book and a long, slow but pretty good read.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
3.0
The Princes of Ireland follows the story of several Irish families, from the year 430 to 1538. Their stories are set against the larger backdrop of important battles and events in the history of Ireland.
This really felt like three novels in one. The transitions between generations were very abrupt. I liked the first story, but the other two were just okay. They could have been part of a book entitled, A History of the English in Dublin. It was interesting to see what Kings Henry II and Henry VIII got up to in Ireland, but I really wanted to know what was going on in Ireland itself.
The female characters were terrible. They were almost all willful to the point of stupidity, impetuous, blind to anything they didn't want to see, and driven by some insane need for revenge.
One other thing that bothers me in all books that skip around in time: if the author isn't going to give me some sort of obvious clue like, "Forty years later, Henry VIII did this...", I really wish that he or she would put dates at the beginning and end of the chapters. I find myself flipping back and forth a lot, because after 60 pages, I've forgotten what year I was in last.
This was good enough, I just expected something different. If you want to know a little about Ireland as it changed from a druidic religion to Catholicism, and a lot about the way the English influenced events in Dublin, go ahead and read this. Just don't expect a lot of independent Irish history.
This really felt like three novels in one. The transitions between generations were very abrupt. I liked the first story, but the other two were just okay. They could have been part of a book entitled, A History of the English in Dublin. It was interesting to see what Kings Henry II and Henry VIII got up to in Ireland, but I really wanted to know what was going on in Ireland itself.
The female characters were terrible. They were almost all willful to the point of stupidity, impetuous, blind to anything they didn't want to see, and driven by some insane need for revenge.
One other thing that bothers me in all books that skip around in time: if the author isn't going to give me some sort of obvious clue like, "Forty years later, Henry VIII did this...", I really wish that he or she would put dates at the beginning and end of the chapters. I find myself flipping back and forth a lot, because after 60 pages, I've forgotten what year I was in last.
This was good enough, I just expected something different. If you want to know a little about Ireland as it changed from a druidic religion to Catholicism, and a lot about the way the English influenced events in Dublin, go ahead and read this. Just don't expect a lot of independent Irish history.
lmburtc86's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
duparker's review
3.0
I have really enjoyed Rutherfurd's mix of history and story in the past and this book had a lot of the same complexity and mixture of moving a story along and characters being in the right place at the right time.
I am not sure I can put my finger on the exact reason, but the characters here did not grab into me. They didn't have the same connection that the ones in Sarum or New York did. I am glad I read it, but also glad that I found it for free. I am not sure I'll read part II, but I have a feeling it would be a good continuation.
I am not sure I can put my finger on the exact reason, but the characters here did not grab into me. They didn't have the same connection that the ones in Sarum or New York did. I am glad I read it, but also glad that I found it for free. I am not sure I'll read part II, but I have a feeling it would be a good continuation.
amunden's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0