Reviews

Harlequin by Bernard Cornwell

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It was okay. A very quick and easy read, fairly well detailed (though not in the same educational regard as Warren Ellis's Crecy was), but even though I knew it was a series going in, I don't like books that give me no closure at all, so that was pretty annoying. I'll read Book Two and then you know for sure how I feel. So far, it's just sort of run-of-the-mill and middling for me.

rmichno's review against another edition

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3.0

My enjoyment of this book declined the longer it went. I thought the story would be more focused on the main character Thomas but he dropped out for long periods of time. Instead it seemed to spend more and more time describing in large battles in boring detail.

By the end I don't think I knew or cared about any of the characters and I'm not sure exactly what was happening in the battles because I skimmed the text so I could get through them.

I don't think I'll read any more in this series and frankly I'm not sure I'll read more by this author. I can respect what he's doing with this series but it's not interesting enough for me to stick with.

jodiehanley's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

tinnytree's review against another edition

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5.0

First Bernard Cornwell novel I have read and I'm impressed! Was thinking of giving it 4 stars but the Battle of Crecy and the Historical Note at the back blew me away. Such an epic battle strategically , historically and so well written. Need to get the next book in this series.

kitvaria_sarene's review

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3.0

5 stars for the beginning, 2 for the middle 3 for the end...

This rating is more than usual due to personal taste.
I would have wanted to stay closer with the main character - and have a narrower view of things. There was much talk of military plans and ongoings - but without the actual action itself there was quite some times I was bored.

When there was action it was really good and kept me well entertained, but I could have done without the love interest, and the tons of "who fought whom were and when". At times it felt a bit like reading nonfiction to me.

This might be exactly what others enjoy though, so I am definitely not saying this is a bad book - just not the right one for me.