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rebzreads100's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't read the Sister Fidelma series in order, so this was my first one.
First impressions:
Wonderful historical detail - for a historian- this was a real treat.
Fidelma - Not incredibly kind , but a strong formidable woman. A bit arrogant at times, but, hey, she is a princess, it is to be expected!
The novel : I liked this story! I picked it up because of the plot - the selling of the wives of clergy to slavery did happen and I found it compelling. Why were these women forced into slavery for marrying but the men were not? It was unfair and vile. I am glad Fidelma discovered the culprits - I wasn't sure who all of the culprits were, but in the last few chapters I was pretty sure I had them all figured out and indeed I was right! I love reading a mystery series where the culprits are not obvious, but you can make an educated guess and be right.
First impressions:
Wonderful historical detail - for a historian- this was a real treat.
Fidelma - Not incredibly kind , but a strong formidable woman. A bit arrogant at times, but, hey, she is a princess, it is to be expected!
The novel : I liked this story! I picked it up because of the plot - the selling of the wives of clergy to slavery did happen and I found it compelling. Why were these women forced into slavery for marrying but the men were not? It was unfair and vile. I am glad Fidelma discovered the culprits - I wasn't sure who all of the culprits were, but in the last few chapters I was pretty sure I had them all figured out and indeed I was right! I love reading a mystery series where the culprits are not obvious, but you can make an educated guess and be right.
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
Fidelma's expert handling of complex webs of intrigue is always an enjoyable read
barbarahowe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
As a plot-driven intellectual puzzle it was OK, and it was interesting for its exposure of yet another atrocity in Europe's tangled religious history. But the writing was pedestrian, the dialogue wooden, and none of the characters felt three-dimensional. Plus there were some aspects of the plot that irritated me. The initial event has three men down--one dead, another drugged, the third unconscious from a blow on the head--and Sister Fidelma is the only person who suspects there was a fourth man involved? Seriously? This was the first Sister Fidelma story I've read; I'm not eager to pick up another.
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