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rheren's review
1.0
Objectively I don't think this is too horrible of a book, but I rate books subjectively, based on how much I personally enjoyed them. This one I only made it about a third of the way through before I decided this is not for me. This was for 3 reasons:
1) the sex. I can take a little bit of sex, but so far there's been at least one lurid sex scene in every single chapter. At least nothing's been rape or BDSM or anything terrible but honestly, I can do without it.
2) the paganism. I understand that the Christian/pagan tension was a big deal at this time in history, so I'm not against including it as a major factor in the book. What I was rapidly tiring of, though, was how blatant the author's leanings are given away. None of the Christians in the book are anything except ruthless, grasping killjoys, and all of the pagans are the normal people. We're given a lengthly, loving description of a pagan fertility rite, but the Christian prayer gathering is treated with universal contempt by everyone, even the ones attending, and seen as worthless and boring. Bleah. It was getting positively annoying.
3) the contextualization. I hate historical fiction writers who write as if their characters are plucked out of modern Western culture and plopped down into a different world. People in the dark ages had an very different set of values and a wholly different worldview than we do today, and I wasn't getting that vibe from the book at all. It makes it far less believable considering how I understand the world.
1) the sex. I can take a little bit of sex, but so far there's been at least one lurid sex scene in every single chapter. At least nothing's been rape or BDSM or anything terrible but honestly, I can do without it.
2) the paganism. I understand that the Christian/pagan tension was a big deal at this time in history, so I'm not against including it as a major factor in the book. What I was rapidly tiring of, though, was how blatant the author's leanings are given away. None of the Christians in the book are anything except ruthless, grasping killjoys, and all of the pagans are the normal people. We're given a lengthly, loving description of a pagan fertility rite, but the Christian prayer gathering is treated with universal contempt by everyone, even the ones attending, and seen as worthless and boring. Bleah. It was getting positively annoying.
3) the contextualization. I hate historical fiction writers who write as if their characters are plucked out of modern Western culture and plopped down into a different world. People in the dark ages had an very different set of values and a wholly different worldview than we do today, and I wasn't getting that vibe from the book at all. It makes it far less believable considering how I understand the world.
indigodreamer6's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
themaxdog's review against another edition
3.0
Full review now available on my blog: http://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/2015/06/book-review-anvil-of-god-by-j-boyce.html
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There were so many characters and places (many with awkward or similar-sounding names) that by the end of the book I still didn’t have everyone straightened out in my mind! It was also a slow-burner. I didn’t really get into it until the end and I think a lot, especially at the start, could have been cut. It was quite long (440 pages) and not everything was necessary. A lot of it (i.e. the battles and the politics) I didn’t understand enough or wasn’t interested enough to care. Personally I would have liked more of the Christianity vs. Paganism storyline and less focus on the battle of succession.
The thing I liked most about Anvil of God was the attention to detail and the characterisation. Every single one of the characters really drew me into their lives and their stories, making me care about even the minor characters. They were all multi-faceted and intriguing – lifelike, but then I guess that’s easier when you have a real historical story as your basis to work from. It was hard to distinguish a distinct ‘baddie’ character because they all had good and bad points, and you could understand and sympathise with every character, which is one of the ultimate hallmarks of good writing. For every flaw or fault, there was a redeeming feature. No-one is ever truly evil through and through – it’s impossible – and Anvil of God recognised and addressed that.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There were so many characters and places (many with awkward or similar-sounding names) that by the end of the book I still didn’t have everyone straightened out in my mind! It was also a slow-burner. I didn’t really get into it until the end and I think a lot, especially at the start, could have been cut. It was quite long (440 pages) and not everything was necessary. A lot of it (i.e. the battles and the politics) I didn’t understand enough or wasn’t interested enough to care. Personally I would have liked more of the Christianity vs. Paganism storyline and less focus on the battle of succession.
The thing I liked most about Anvil of God was the attention to detail and the characterisation. Every single one of the characters really drew me into their lives and their stories, making me care about even the minor characters. They were all multi-faceted and intriguing – lifelike, but then I guess that’s easier when you have a real historical story as your basis to work from. It was hard to distinguish a distinct ‘baddie’ character because they all had good and bad points, and you could understand and sympathise with every character, which is one of the ultimate hallmarks of good writing. For every flaw or fault, there was a redeeming feature. No-one is ever truly evil through and through – it’s impossible – and Anvil of God recognised and addressed that.
amyborch's review
adventurous
informative
sad
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
4.25
Spoiler. The chronology of what happens after Charles Martel dies. His sons lay siege to one another. His daughter hiltrude marries Odilio of Regensburg. Nice love triangle. Descent history.
unabridgedchick's review
5.0
On the surface, this isn't precisely the kind of historical fiction I'm drawn to, a medieval tale of fathers and sons, conflict and war, a kingdom divided. But after seeing one rave review after another for this one, I jumped on the chance to review it, and I'm so glad I did.
Opening in 741, the novel follows Charles Martel (grandfather to Charlemagne) in his last days. Dividing his kingdom among his three sons Carloman, Pippin, and Gripho, Charles thinks to quell rebellion and infighting. Instead, pious Carloman chafes that the more pagan-minded Gripho has land, while Pippin is preoccupied with his mistress. Charles' daughter, Hiltrude, grew up indulged by her father to the point that she trained with a sword while wearing Saracen armor, but despite her wishes, is betrothed to a foreign prince to shore up his loyalty. Upon his death, Charles' plans are for naught as his children strike out on their own, and the resulting conflict has enormous implication.
This novel reads with the rich, lurid, dramatic, and soap opera-ish intensity of Marion Zimmer Bradley and Philippa Gregory. In addition to the battle between siblings, there is a war of religion, and Gleason's use of pagan spirituality is what lead to my Bradley comparison (although this is a decidedly non-magical novel). I'm not one for detailed descriptions of battle, especially in a book filled with battles, but Gleason marvelously described the events without making it a blur of weapons and tools and gore.
At 405 pages, this is a beast, but despite its size, the novel raced. Gleason's characters were distinct and huge with personality while the plot was, well, plotty! Shifting between the brothers and Hiltrude, Gleason kept hold of his story while stoking drama and tension. (There is a slight whiff of an anachronistic heroine in Hiltrude, the sword-fighting noblewoman, but I have to admit, I so liked how he handled her, her father's indulgence of her, and how she behaved through the novel that I didn't mind she danced the line between historical and wholly fictional.)
I have to admit I did give a small eye roll when I saw this is the first in a trilogy. Before starting, I thought surely there would be no more story to tell -- but I was wrong. Nothing dragged nor felt extraneous in this book, and when I got to the book's end, I could have easily dove into another 400 pages just to remain with everyone.
There are nice extras to help the reader -- a small map, a family tree, and chart detailing which noble belongs to which locale. Gleason's Author's Note is 9 pages long and footnoted, and covers the plot line, characters, and places in the book.
Although this is the first in a trilogy, I very much found it a stand alone novel as most everything is resolved (to a point), so one can walk away satisfied or, like me, be impatient for the next book. Fans of medieval fiction will absolutely want to get this one as well as those who enjoy the court/royal setting.
Opening in 741, the novel follows Charles Martel (grandfather to Charlemagne) in his last days. Dividing his kingdom among his three sons Carloman, Pippin, and Gripho, Charles thinks to quell rebellion and infighting. Instead, pious Carloman chafes that the more pagan-minded Gripho has land, while Pippin is preoccupied with his mistress. Charles' daughter, Hiltrude, grew up indulged by her father to the point that she trained with a sword while wearing Saracen armor, but despite her wishes, is betrothed to a foreign prince to shore up his loyalty. Upon his death, Charles' plans are for naught as his children strike out on their own, and the resulting conflict has enormous implication.
This novel reads with the rich, lurid, dramatic, and soap opera-ish intensity of Marion Zimmer Bradley and Philippa Gregory. In addition to the battle between siblings, there is a war of religion, and Gleason's use of pagan spirituality is what lead to my Bradley comparison (although this is a decidedly non-magical novel). I'm not one for detailed descriptions of battle, especially in a book filled with battles, but Gleason marvelously described the events without making it a blur of weapons and tools and gore.
At 405 pages, this is a beast, but despite its size, the novel raced. Gleason's characters were distinct and huge with personality while the plot was, well, plotty! Shifting between the brothers and Hiltrude, Gleason kept hold of his story while stoking drama and tension. (There is a slight whiff of an anachronistic heroine in Hiltrude, the sword-fighting noblewoman, but I have to admit, I so liked how he handled her, her father's indulgence of her, and how she behaved through the novel that I didn't mind she danced the line between historical and wholly fictional.)
I have to admit I did give a small eye roll when I saw this is the first in a trilogy. Before starting, I thought surely there would be no more story to tell -- but I was wrong. Nothing dragged nor felt extraneous in this book, and when I got to the book's end, I could have easily dove into another 400 pages just to remain with everyone.
There are nice extras to help the reader -- a small map, a family tree, and chart detailing which noble belongs to which locale. Gleason's Author's Note is 9 pages long and footnoted, and covers the plot line, characters, and places in the book.
Although this is the first in a trilogy, I very much found it a stand alone novel as most everything is resolved (to a point), so one can walk away satisfied or, like me, be impatient for the next book. Fans of medieval fiction will absolutely want to get this one as well as those who enjoy the court/royal setting.
amullen03's review
4.0
I love historical books. This book has a even amount of releigion and fights. I was suck led in from the beginning. Trudi is such an amazing female character. Even though the age this story takes place she is still so strong and sure of who she is.
I like how it was written so that even someone who hasn't read much historical can understand what is being said. A must read if you love historical reads! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I like how it was written so that even someone who hasn't read much historical can understand what is being said. A must read if you love historical reads! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
truebookaddict's review
4.0
I was so glad to be offered this book for review because I have not read any historical fiction surrounding the Carolingian dynasty. I am pleased to say that Anvil of God was a terrific introduction to the era. Gleason's impeccably researched novel takes us into the heart of the time period and tells us an exciting and interesting tale of a time when Christianity was striving to quash Paganism and warfare was a constant.
Struck with the reality that he is dying, Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) devises a plan for his sons to rule the kingdom and to make an advantageous marriage for his daughter to achieve political stability. However, his offspring are not so ready to cooperate. Having different views on religion and wanting to choose marriage for love over political advantage, his sons and daughter have designs on choosing their own paths in life. What we are left with is a story of the bonds of family and what factors can cause those bonds to break.
Gleason has written a fantastic historical novel. This being the first book in The Carolingian Chronicles, I am looking forward to the next book.
Struck with the reality that he is dying, Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) devises a plan for his sons to rule the kingdom and to make an advantageous marriage for his daughter to achieve political stability. However, his offspring are not so ready to cooperate. Having different views on religion and wanting to choose marriage for love over political advantage, his sons and daughter have designs on choosing their own paths in life. What we are left with is a story of the bonds of family and what factors can cause those bonds to break.
Gleason has written a fantastic historical novel. This being the first book in The Carolingian Chronicles, I am looking forward to the next book.
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