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heather_boo's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great series, and the second novel has a particularly clever plot. I got lost in some details towards the end but was able to connect the overarching ideas without difficulty. I love the time period of medieval England during the 19 year strife between King Stephen and Maud. I read that the character of Hugh Beringar will appear again in future books, and I hope that is so!
ulrikedg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I liked book 2 better than book 1. Lovely series.
Audiobook narrator Patrick Tull gets 4.5 stars.
Audiobook narrator Patrick Tull gets 4.5 stars.
angeluslorelei's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hrdeckard's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
slippersocks's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
Great story from the godmother of Medieval Mysteries Ellis Peters. Her real name was of course Edith Pargeter.
I've seen the television adaption of this novel, the first episode of season one of Cadfael many times, and it turns out it was quite a faithful adaptation. Although the downside of TV adaptations is they tend to leave out a lot in terms of character development, and that was the case with Cadfael.
Nothing more is heard of Aline Siward after Episode one. They should not have left it like that, and at least mentioned that she married Hugh Beringar.
One think I like about the Cadfael series is that Pargeter was a historian. She was very familiar with the period and setting, and as such the books are very authentic. Yet they 'wear' it lightly, and it all comes over as very natural. I've read other historical novels in which the period details come over as superficial, or read like a school history lesson. Dropped in to show off learning.
Not so here. Well worth a read, especially if you've watched the series. The audiobook narrator, Stephen Thorne, also does an excellent job. Although I understand that some of the audio versions of the later novels in the series are narrated by Brother Cadfael himself- or rather Derek Jacobi.
The Kindle editions and paperbacks have some material the audiobooks lack, including a handy glossary and a Welsh pronunciation guide.
I've seen the television adaption of this novel, the first episode of season one of Cadfael many times, and it turns out it was quite a faithful adaptation. Although the downside of TV adaptations is they tend to leave out a lot in terms of character development, and that was the case with Cadfael.
Nothing more is heard of Aline Siward after Episode one. They should not have left it like that, and at least mentioned that she married Hugh Beringar.
One think I like about the Cadfael series is that Pargeter was a historian. She was very familiar with the period and setting, and as such the books are very authentic. Yet they 'wear' it lightly, and it all comes over as very natural. I've read other historical novels in which the period details come over as superficial, or read like a school history lesson. Dropped in to show off learning.
Not so here. Well worth a read, especially if you've watched the series. The audiobook narrator, Stephen Thorne, also does an excellent job. Although I understand that some of the audio versions of the later novels in the series are narrated by Brother Cadfael himself- or rather Derek Jacobi.
The Kindle editions and paperbacks have some material the audiobooks lack, including a handy glossary and a Welsh pronunciation guide.
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
A nice mystery, interesting setting, I am not sure if the solution was well done or not, but EXCELLENT character work done by Ellis, and I really enjoyed several characters in the book.
nataneu's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hannog's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0
maureen_fox's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0