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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
I admit it: I probably would have rated this book a star or so higher if I hadn't gone into it with such high expectations. I adore Bujold's Vorkosigan series, and I was expecting to really like this. But... eh. It never captured me, and while I grew to appreciate the world she created, it never excited or intrigued me. I fully predicted a handful of the major plot points.
The plot is original, and while the characters never spring to life, they aren't obnoxious. In the end, though, I just didn't really enjoy reading it. (It did make me want to go back and reread all the Vorkosigan books from start to finish, though!)
The plot is original, and while the characters never spring to life, they aren't obnoxious. In the end, though, I just didn't really enjoy reading it. (It did make me want to go back and reread all the Vorkosigan books from start to finish, though!)
I liked this book just fine. I'm on a bit of a fantasy binge and got the audio version for listening at work. The story treads well-traveled paths with some interesting tweaks along the way. I liked the elements of sorcery, enchantments, and the gray line between sanctioned and unsanctioned magic as overseen by the Catholic Church. Even the Abbot is a sorcerer, using holy magic to fight back the darkness. The heroine, Fiametta is intelligent and outspoken. Thur, the romantic hero, is brave and handsome, willing to do what he can with what he has to avenge his brother. Of course, Fiametta and Thur are thrown together for a sweet romantic plot.
There are enough references to Italy that the setting and political machinations feel very real. The characters are wonderful. Even the villains have their moments of doubt, betrayal, and triumph. Every major character grows, learns, and changes as they play out their quest to free their city and save the souls of the people they love.
There are enough references to Italy that the setting and political machinations feel very real. The characters are wonderful. Even the villains have their moments of doubt, betrayal, and triumph. Every major character grows, learns, and changes as they play out their quest to free their city and save the souls of the people they love.
I finished reading it and I'm glad I did. It improved quite a bit. I think the slower pace of the audio, and maybe the reader, didn't work for me.
An entertaining story written by one of my favorite authors.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
A bit rough— you can tell it's an early work— but delightfully full of adventure and mayhem. By the end of the book it was like EVERYTHING had been thrown into the plot pot. Invasions! Reformed warrior bishops! Metallurgy! Kolbods! Revenge! Black magic! Ghosts! Statues! Shriving!
I had fun.
I had fun.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The audiobook for this was free with audible and I highly enjoyed it. It’s set in the renaissance where the craftsman are mages. A delightful heroine and interesting magic backed by fantastic writing make it a good read. The author is famous for her sci-fi but did a great job with this and it’s too bad it’s a standalone genre wise.
This book was an impulsive buy at a used book store. I loved Bujold's Chalion series and was interested in exploring her other fantasy titles before tackling something like Vorkosigan. Written in 1992, it feels a lot like the sort of books I read in my tween years: a plucky young heroine and an unlikely but handsome suitor avenge their loved ones, storm the castle and conquer evil. Pretty standard for its time.
Bujold, however, always adds an element to overlay the standard. She has a way of writing about religion that recognizes its flaws without demonizing it. The Church of her stories is heroic and ultimately good, even if it is not always effective. Chalion takes this idea to form, but I can see the precursors in this novel.
She has other twists such as Master Beneforte not being anything like a traditional doting father, a sense of diversity that I don't remember from my 90s heroine fiction at all, and an intriguing magic system that all speaks to the talent of this author. While somewhat forgettable when compared against her other works, it's still a fun read, particularly if you're a fan of the McCaffrey, Lee, Pierce, Lackey style of hero.
Bujold, however, always adds an element to overlay the standard. She has a way of writing about religion that recognizes its flaws without demonizing it. The Church of her stories is heroic and ultimately good, even if it is not always effective. Chalion takes this idea to form, but I can see the precursors in this novel.
She has other twists such as Master Beneforte not being anything like a traditional doting father, a sense of diversity that I don't remember from my 90s heroine fiction at all, and an intriguing magic system that all speaks to the talent of this author. While somewhat forgettable when compared against her other works, it's still a fun read, particularly if you're a fan of the McCaffrey, Lee, Pierce, Lackey style of hero.
A fun story by one of my favorite authors. I just wish she would revisit this 'world' and write additional books for it.