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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
This is the fourth book in the shardlake series and although not as good in my opinion as the third, soverign, it's an exciting read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of bedlam, it was fascinating to learn about how they approached madness in Tudor times.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
I simply can't express just how much I love Sansom's Shardlake series! The writing is so engaging, it's a rare gem of a book that can be so utterly detailed, dancing around truths but all the while keep the reader completely engaged, griped to the very end! Matthew seems so real to me, a dear friend rather than just a character. Sansom brings him to life fabulously in his books, every character simply bursts off the page, each man and woman unique, no repeat mundane descriptions here! I cannot recommend this books enough, there is something for everyone here from mystery/detective/horror/religion/morals/Tudors. Just everything! I also think this is the best of his work I've read yet, I simply raced through it!
Excellent addition to a remarkable series. Like its three predecessors, this one was virtually unputdownable.
I do have a bit of a quibble, though, about two minor points which made me raise an eyebrow:
(1) A character is anachronistically referred to as "Mrs. Bunce" half a dozen times, before reverting to the period correct "Mistress Bunce".
(2) A major character is introduced as "Sir Gregory Hasrnet" but although he gets lots of screen time, not a single time does anyone refer to him or address him as the obvious "Sir Gregory".
Like I said, these are minor points but they stood out sorely for me in a series that had been so far extremely meticulous about period verisimilitude. I hope that editorial standards are not slacking now. Well, I'll have to find out in Book #5.
And, finally, a trigger warning. No, not about gruesome and grisly murders. You expect those going in, don't you? Something else which made me very sad.
I do have a bit of a quibble, though, about two minor points which made me raise an eyebrow:
(1) A character is anachronistically referred to as "Mrs. Bunce" half a dozen times, before reverting to the period correct "Mistress Bunce".
(2) A major character is introduced as "Sir Gregory Hasrnet" but although he gets lots of screen time, not a single time does anyone refer to him or address him as the obvious "Sir Gregory".
Like I said, these are minor points but they stood out sorely for me in a series that had been so far extremely meticulous about period verisimilitude. I hope that editorial standards are not slacking now. Well, I'll have to find out in Book #5.
And, finally, a trigger warning. No, not about gruesome and grisly murders. You expect those going in, don't you? Something else which made me very sad.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No