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riaryan's review against another edition
3.0
A re-read for me, first time for it on Goodreads. A seasonal offering, and a really good story which is unfortunately smothered by a lot of dull narrative.
bookwrm526's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
blueshadow's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this Brother Cadfael mystery. At first glance, there is so much going on in this story - missing travelers and raiders - such that, at about halfway through, I was inclined to think that the murder mystery plot line wasn't even necessary to end up with a good length twisty-turny mystery novel. And perhaps it wasn't necessary, but it did contribute nicely to the story. The variety in the plot lines was refreshing, and the writing (as always) was excellent and a pleasure to read.
eososray's review against another edition
5.0
A snowstorm, outlaws, runaways, war and secrets create another wonderful mystery.
crazygoangirl's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
This is the sixth book in Ellis Peters Cadfael Chronicles, and my second audiobook experience. Unfortunately this turned out to be worse than the previous audiobook which was read by Johanna Ward. This one read by Vanessa Benjamin was awful 😢 I didn’t like the narrative voices for Cadfael or Hugh. Indeed all her male voices were unnecessarily loud and strident. Really diminished my listening experience and I took much longer to finish the book. I only used Audible, because these two books were free to listen to, but having discovered that the remaining series is not free to either read or listen to, will buy the books as and when I can. They are expensive and the older editions I want, not easily available.
That being said, the story itself wasn’t as appealing as the previous books. There was more focus on the ravages of the civil war between Empress Maud (now come to England from France), and King Stephen than there was on Shrewsbury Abbey and Cadfael’s life there. In fact, events here were focused on the Bromfield Abbey and happenings in its vicinity. The story focuses on two siblings, Yves and Ermina Hugonin, who have disappeared during their flight to escape the sack of Worcester. They are accompanied by Sister Hilaria, a young Benedictine nun. Things do not go as planned of course, and the three find themselves separated and at the mercy of bands of raiders who roam unafraid, pillaging the countryside.
Brother Cadfael travels to Bromfield to nurse an injured Brother Elyas, found near to death, with a broken mind as well as body. When the dead body of a young woman is found frozen in the ice, not far from where Brother Elyas was found, Cadfael must solve the mystery of her death in the midst of seeking the Hugonin siblings and discovering the raiders hideout. This he does with his usual stoicism and Hugh Beringar’s help. There is a lot of violence and fighting in this book that did not make for good listening. Also, the solution of the mystery seemed forced and rather random although the climax was surprisingly emotional, both for Cadfael and me!
I didn’t really like any of the characters in this story, except for Cadfael and Hugh. I missed the setting of Shrewsbury Abbey and Cadfael’s gardens and Herbarium. The Hugonin siblings got on my nerves, especially Ermina, a headstrong girl, who I think got away with a lot of dangerously stupid behaviour. Yves had the excuse of youth but annoyed me intermittently, although less than his sister. Brother Elyas I liked. He’s well written and his despair and redemption arc was at least believable. Olivier be Bretagne was suitably mysterious, but I need to see more of him in future books before I pass judgement 🫢
This has been my least favourite book in the series so far, more so because of the narration, the graphic violence and a very random villain with a very far-fetched motive. Hoping for a better experience with the next book.
That being said, the story itself wasn’t as appealing as the previous books. There was more focus on the ravages of the civil war between Empress Maud (now come to England from France), and King Stephen than there was on Shrewsbury Abbey and Cadfael’s life there. In fact, events here were focused on the Bromfield Abbey and happenings in its vicinity. The story focuses on two siblings, Yves and Ermina Hugonin, who have disappeared during their flight to escape the sack of Worcester. They are accompanied by Sister Hilaria, a young Benedictine nun. Things do not go as planned of course, and the three find themselves separated and at the mercy of bands of raiders who roam unafraid, pillaging the countryside.
Brother Cadfael travels to Bromfield to nurse an injured Brother Elyas, found near to death, with a broken mind as well as body. When the dead body of a young woman is found frozen in the ice, not far from where Brother Elyas was found, Cadfael must solve the mystery of her death in the midst of seeking the Hugonin siblings and discovering the raiders hideout. This he does with his usual stoicism and Hugh Beringar’s help. There is a lot of violence and fighting in this book that did not make for good listening. Also, the solution of the mystery seemed forced and rather random although the climax was surprisingly emotional, both for Cadfael and me!
I didn’t really like any of the characters in this story, except for Cadfael and Hugh. I missed the setting of Shrewsbury Abbey and Cadfael’s gardens and Herbarium. The Hugonin siblings got on my nerves, especially Ermina, a headstrong girl, who I think got away with a lot of dangerously stupid behaviour. Yves had the excuse of youth but annoyed me intermittently, although less than his sister. Brother Elyas I liked. He’s well written and his despair and redemption arc was at least believable. Olivier be Bretagne was suitably mysterious, but I need to see more of him in future books before I pass judgement 🫢
This has been my least favourite book in the series so far, more so because of the narration, the graphic violence and a very random villain with a very far-fetched motive. Hoping for a better experience with the next book.
erindigsegypt's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0