Scan barcode
crayondall's review against another edition
5.0
When I first started this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it or if I'd be willing to read through 500 pages. Fortunately, it was a very slow day at the library and there was nothing else immediately grabbing my attention to read.
I loved reading this book and quickly became emotionally invested in all of the characters and couldn't help wondering how a resolution could happen in such a short time. It did and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it, after the slightly slower first few chapters. I believe my hesitancy was related to the complete lack of knowledge as to what the book might be about.
The characters were outstanding. While I didn't always love them or agree with them, I found several of them frustrating on occasion, by the end, I just wanted to spend more time with them.
All in all, it was excellent and I'm glad I took the journey with Maeb, Stephen, Raefe and Edmond.
I loved reading this book and quickly became emotionally invested in all of the characters and couldn't help wondering how a resolution could happen in such a short time. It did and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it, after the slightly slower first few chapters. I believe my hesitancy was related to the complete lack of knowledge as to what the book might be about.
The characters were outstanding. While I didn't always love them or agree with them, I found several of them frustrating on occasion, by the end, I just wanted to spend more time with them.
All in all, it was excellent and I'm glad I took the journey with Maeb, Stephen, Raefe and Edmond.
winterreader40's review against another edition
5.0
We follow Maeb as she relates the story of her life on her death bed, from when she becomes a member of the countess of Pengraic's household after her father dies leaving her nothing but his name right up till what happens after her death(as related by another).
When a very specific, very strange(end game being you spontaneously combust or die of fright) plague starts causing the death of virtually everyone in it's path, they travel to the Welsh marshes to try to escape it's wrath but it follows them. Maeb's mother's bloodline, who was one of the Old Ones (the Sidhe) protects her, even though she doesn't understand why. She becomes the new Countess after the plague passes. The plague is searching for the devil's diadem, it was stolen from him and he wants it back.
The true identity of the Earl and what several of the other characters become was amazing.
I love Sara Douglass's world and character building and I'm kinda sad that this is one of the last if not the last time I'll get to read one of her stories for the first time.
When a very specific, very strange(end game being you spontaneously combust or die of fright) plague starts causing the death of virtually everyone in it's path, they travel to the Welsh marshes to try to escape it's wrath but it follows them. Maeb's mother's bloodline, who was one of the Old Ones (the Sidhe) protects her, even though she doesn't understand why. She becomes the new Countess after the plague passes. The plague is searching for the devil's diadem, it was stolen from him and he wants it back.
The true identity of the Earl and what several of the other characters become was amazing.
I love Sara Douglass's world and character building and I'm kinda sad that this is one of the last if not the last time I'll get to read one of her stories for the first time.
ganitsirk's review against another edition
5.0
I want to write a wonderful, glowing review for this book but nothing could do it justice. It's beautiful and enthralling and amazing and I am crestfallen that it's over.
firerosearien's review against another edition
4.0
This book starts pretty slow, but then when it picks up it does so in a Game of Thrones-esque manner (okay it's not *quite* as graphic, but there are still a LOT of dead people)
The main character is a bit mary sue-ish, but the surrounding plot is well crafted, and even though the novel is explicitly a historical fantasy se in a pseudo 12th-century England, the author clearly had a good understanding of both 12th century history and politics.
The first part of the book is likely going to make you want to stop reading it, so I might even suggest just starting with part two - I found the payoff to be worth it.
The main character is a bit mary sue-ish, but the surrounding plot is well crafted, and even though the novel is explicitly a historical fantasy se in a pseudo 12th-century England, the author clearly had a good understanding of both 12th century history and politics.
The first part of the book is likely going to make you want to stop reading it, so I might even suggest just starting with part two - I found the payoff to be worth it.
davidlz1's review against another edition
2.0
Not a book I would have picked up nor is it a book I would whole heartedly recommend. The story was not bad but it was much longer than necessary. The author is masterful at surprising the reader but there was just too much extraneous material. I hear her other works are more impressive so I will reserve complete judgment until I have sampled another one of her novels. Though I dare not hazard a guess as to when that will be....
bearlienktc's review
4.0
The story took a few chapters to get in to. At first I thought it was just going to be a pedestrian historical novel set in a slightly altered world. But the pace and characters began to draw me in and the story revealed itself as more and more surprising and interesting as the chapters followed along. Definitely a story worth picking up to see if you get as pulled in as I was. I'd love to read more about Hugh, a character only briefly met toward the end of the tale.
aaaaalyssia's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to give it 5 stars but it dragged a little too much at the end. But otherwise it was all I wanted from a fantasy standalone I could ever want. I picked it up based mostly on the cover and I'm so glad I did!