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trm's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
planetbeth91's review
3.0
Despite Gregory's style, which I often find stilted, I am enjoying this series that I initially picked up for a song in the works. A valid examination of prejudice and fear of that which seems "other". The characters are bold and I enjoy Isolde and Ishraq's no nonsense attitudes and am curious to see how the series ends. They are short reads that vary between mindless and challenging (in terms of our own views - this latest installment particularly at this time of rising prejudice).
planetbeth91's review against another edition
2.0
Despite Gregory's style, which I often find stilted, I am enjoying this series that I initially picked up for a song in the works. A valid examination of prejudice and fear of that which seems "other". The characters are bold and I enjoy Isolde and Ishraq's no nonsense attitudes and am curious to see how the series ends. They are short reads that vary between mindless and challenging (in terms of our own views - this latest installment particularly at this time of rising prejudice).
teriboop's review against another edition
4.0
This is the fourth story in Philippa Gregory's Order of Darkness young adult series. The story follows Luca, an inquisitor for the Lord of the Order of Darkness in 1461, along with his band of friends, Brother Peter, Frieze, Isolde, and Ishraq. The men are sent out to investigate why a town of people have suddenly taken to dancing. They are not merely just dancing but are falling into a trance-like state and dancing through town to the beat of a piper and drummer. It is the job of the men of the order to find out why they are dancing and if it can be stopped. Isolde and Ishraq, the ladies of the group, join the men on their quest as they travel toward Isolde home where her brother has overthrown her and taken control of their home, Lucretili. The women are taken hostage by a con man disguised as a peddler.
This is a great series for young adults that introduces them to the history of the Inquisition. Although the story is completely fictional, it has roots in historical truth. Philippa Gregory never disappoints with her series of books. They are all well written and engaging and leaves the reader wanting to learn more.
This is a great series for young adults that introduces them to the history of the Inquisition. Although the story is completely fictional, it has roots in historical truth. Philippa Gregory never disappoints with her series of books. They are all well written and engaging and leaves the reader wanting to learn more.
mombond's review against another edition
1.0
Seriously one of the worst books I’ve read. The series started out just okay and has gone down hill from there.
lorac91383's review against another edition
2.0
When Luca met Ishraq
So MANY Spoilers!
So, I ship Luca and Isolde, for starters. It’s been kind of expected since the beginning and I never felt deep romantic tension between Ishraq and Luca.
My emotions may have colored my experience of this book. I wasn’t listening to it on a road trip to go to my dear friend’s funeral. I loved my friend deeply and truly. My friend was a man and I am a woman. We loved each other deeply as friends.
Therefore, I was disgusted when Luca decided that remembering all the things he loved about Ishraq made him IN LOVE with her. SERIOUSLY???! You can be friends with someone of the opposite sex, love them deeply and true and it doesn’t need to be a romantic/sexual relationship (which is a horrible heteronormative trope, anyway!)
And Ishraq slept with him because....? I get she is a free spirit, but chicks before d$&@s, man. She even told Isolde in Fool’s Gold that no one loved Isolde like Luca and than she sleeps with the dude like a bad one night stand!
The allusions to the Holocaust are pretty heavy handed, but if a young person was reading this book, that heavy handedness might be useful.
This series is very plot driven, but it never gets to where it needs to go. The characters never get the exploration they deserve. Why does Brother Peter stay? Why is Isolde torn about sharing her inheritance with her half sister when they were going to be together anyway. Why is Luca still a part of the Church?
Like the sucker I am, I’ll probably read the next book. I just hope Ishraq isn’t pregnant.
So MANY Spoilers!
So, I ship Luca and Isolde, for starters. It’s been kind of expected since the beginning and I never felt deep romantic tension between Ishraq and Luca.
My emotions may have colored my experience of this book. I wasn’t listening to it on a road trip to go to my dear friend’s funeral. I loved my friend deeply and truly. My friend was a man and I am a woman. We loved each other deeply as friends.
Therefore, I was disgusted when Luca decided that remembering all the things he loved about Ishraq made him IN LOVE with her. SERIOUSLY???! You can be friends with someone of the opposite sex, love them deeply and true and it doesn’t need to be a romantic/sexual relationship (which is a horrible heteronormative trope, anyway!)
And Ishraq slept with him because....? I get she is a free spirit, but chicks before d$&@s, man. She even told Isolde in Fool’s Gold that no one loved Isolde like Luca and than she sleeps with the dude like a bad one night stand!
The allusions to the Holocaust are pretty heavy handed, but if a young person was reading this book, that heavy handedness might be useful.
This series is very plot driven, but it never gets to where it needs to go. The characters never get the exploration they deserve. Why does Brother Peter stay? Why is Isolde torn about sharing her inheritance with her half sister when they were going to be together anyway. Why is Luca still a part of the Church?
Like the sucker I am, I’ll probably read the next book. I just hope Ishraq isn’t pregnant.
qvaeu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
eliclare's review against another edition
2.0
I like this series overall but it's really seeming to go down hill a bit. It was fun to read and everything but it got confusing. The writing was often blunt and the symbolism was very in your face. This book was interesting from a historical point of view and carried some very important themes which I really enjoyed. The characters were a little disappointing because I found them to be inconsistent with their personalities in the previous books. The love story took an extremely different turn than I was expecting but I am actually completely fine with it. Overall I will probably keep going with this series as it was a quick read that had its moments.
tellmeastoryxx's review against another edition
2.0
I Have not been the biggest fan of this series, although I am a huge fan of the author. However Ya Fantasy Historical fiction does not seem to be her forte.
It was much of the same as the other books in this series however there was no progression to an actual outcome of the whole situation. It has drama and intrigue but it is seems to be somewhat diluted. Maybe YA is just not my genre? This book did keep me more captivated than the other ones I have to say, the Dancing Curse was a little odd and out there and a few strange things happened along the way that kept my interest, however this was a case of “Do I actually care to find out what happens to these people?” If I was not such a stickler for not leaving a book unfinished I don’t think I would of bothered.
I’m just not feeling this series AT ALL.
It was much of the same as the other books in this series however there was no progression to an actual outcome of the whole situation. It has drama and intrigue but it is seems to be somewhat diluted. Maybe YA is just not my genre? This book did keep me more captivated than the other ones I have to say, the Dancing Curse was a little odd and out there and a few strange things happened along the way that kept my interest, however this was a case of “Do I actually care to find out what happens to these people?” If I was not such a stickler for not leaving a book unfinished I don’t think I would of bothered.
I’m just not feeling this series AT ALL.