Reviews

Cardinal Black by Robert R. McCammon

d_audy's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.75

mnyberg's review

4.0

I love the diverse and interesting co-star characters and Corbett is a solid main character. I have no idea if the 1700 period is accurately portrayed but seems real enough to me within the context of the plot. Wish the character Hudson was more prominent in the story. He and Corbett interact well together. Overall a solid book 7 but not sure I'll continue on with the series. This same plot theme keeps lingering on and I think it's run it's course for me.

barbtrek's review

4.0

I tend to think of the Matthew Corbett series as good wholesome historical fiction. I was reminded in this book that Robert McCammon is a horror writer & there is some dark & gory stuff in here.

iam_griff's review against another edition

4.0

This series is a superb series. The character development of Matthew has been a slow, but steady one. This book has a slightly faster pace than the ones before it as Matthew with Julian Devane in tow begin the task of hunting down Cardinal Black to get the potion book back that can restore Berry's memory back from the potion Dr. Fell gave her. This book you see that Matthew struggles with good/bad & that the world isn't just black & white as he makes decisions test conscience.

jimmypat's review

4.0

This series continues to become more ridiculously unbelievable and yet incredibly satisfying! McCammon continues to create the most fantastic and grotesque villains to throw at his early-American hero, Matthew Corbett. An absolute blast to read and I am eager for the next thrilling installment.

chazmo1431's review

5.0

The Mathew Corbett series has included some of Robert McCammon’s best works. These books have all been exciting thrillers. It helps to read them in sequence, but you can jump in here if you like! This book is an outstanding read (or listen). You escape to a different time period and McCammon’s gift is his ability to describe people, scenes, period clothes, and even food so that you are “really there.”

There’s always been at least a little of the macabre! For those who liked the early McCammon books and the horror genre that made him famous ... it’s really back in CARDINAL BLACK! But not so much the supernatural as the evil that lives in some men’s (and women’s) hearts and minds.

raforall's review

3.0

Review on blog and in March 1, 2019 issue of Booklist Magazine:

http://raforall.blogspot.com/2019/03/what-im-reading-inspection-pandora-room.html

Three Words That Describe This Book: unease, historical details, series character

digitalrob's review

5.0

While I loved this book, I'm a bit torn over my realization that this has really moved away from Holmsian discovery with a mix of action to 95% action/adventure with the occasional mystery to solve. For some reason my brain was insisting that these were mysteries. I love them regardless.

I think I've read this too close to Freedom of the Mask because I'm not sure which events happened in which novel. That said, the action in this story is outstanding. The tension at the auction is outstanding, and the events after from there forward seems to be non-stop thrills.

Elizabeth and Julian are both intriguing characters, and McCammon does a nice job of filling in their back story.

In the end, these novels remind me a great deal of Breaking Bad in how they both handle the concepts of good and evil. I'm not so sure that Julian is actually a bad man. His final actions at the end of the book would indicate that he really is a good man who does bad things. In the end, good and evil are a part of all of us, and sometimes bad things are needed to push the world forward in a good way.

barb4ry1's review

5.0

Cardinal Black, the seventh novel in Matthew Corbett's series, picks up the plot from Freedom of the Mask. First, Matthew has to strike a deal with Professor Fell to save his love and friend. Then, with a charming assassin, Julian Devane, he needs to recover the book of botanical wonders (potions, poisons, drugs) from Cardinal Black.
It's one of the fastest and most brutal books in the series. However, it also suggests Satanic forces may be at play, a thing to explore in the next book.
The series is brilliant, and McCammon's characterization skills are uncanny. Without spoiling too much, Matthew realizes sometimes you need a bad man (or to become one) to get the job done.
I can't wait for the next book in the series. I've binged seven books, 3 545 pages in a month. It's one of the finest series I've ever read.