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gifflesnooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
readingwithcats's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sttolkien's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jinxlerai's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
bowienerd_82's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, really. The plot was a bit slow to start, but once it really got going, it became interesting quickly. I'm fascinated at how the author worked her plots around the larger events going on in England in the 12th century, while still concentrating on the small scale.
catarnott's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sharon_geitz's review against another edition
4.0
Cadfael is an old favourite, love the historical setting and the characters.
bedneyauthor's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Devil's Novice by Ellis Peters is another one of the Brother Cadfael medieval murder mysteries. It begins with the arrival of Meriet, a new novice at the monastery who insists that he wants to become a monk as quickly as possible, but doesn't fully explain why. It rapidly becomes clear that he has a very dark backstory and that he hasn't turned his back on the world nearly as much as he'd like those around him to believe.
While Cadfael is investigating Meriet's background, he meets his family and the members of his household and the mystery deepens, especially once the body of a murdered man is discovered.
I enjoy this story a lot; it's not the first time I've read it and it's always good. My favourite character is Cadfael's friend Brother Mark, who is as adorable as ever.
I won't go into spoilers, but I have to admit that I don't much like Isouda, Meriet's father's ward. I know it's common to describe a strong-willed girl as being too pushy, but I also feel like if you swapped the genders of Meriet and Isouda it would be extremely obvious why she was fleeing into a nunnery.
I recommend it for fans of relatively light-hearted murder mysteries.
While Cadfael is investigating Meriet's background, he meets his family and the members of his household and the mystery deepens, especially once the body of a murdered man is discovered.
I enjoy this story a lot; it's not the first time I've read it and it's always good. My favourite character is Cadfael's friend Brother Mark, who is as adorable as ever.
I won't go into spoilers, but I have to admit that I don't much like Isouda, Meriet's father's ward. I know it's common to describe a strong-willed girl as being too pushy, but I also feel like if you swapped the genders of Meriet and Isouda it would be extremely obvious why she was fleeing into a nunnery.
I recommend it for fans of relatively light-hearted murder mysteries.