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cmbohn's review against another edition
2.0
Good times for Joliffe's group of players. They have been adopted by Lord Lovell, and under his patronage, things are looking up. But it comes at a price - he sends them off as a wedding gift to an underling, but with a secret mission. The bride's previous fiance died mysteriously. Lord Lovell wants to make sure it doesn't happen again. This book is darker than the first, with nasty little secrets at every turn and a much more adult feel. It also has a more dramatic and tragic ending.
I liked the first book better, partly because the second was darker, and partly because I figured out how the title works. I don't want to give away too much, but let's just say that it's a strong hint about what's going on in the book. So the "dramatic revelations" in the second book were not a surprise at all. Some nasty characters in that one too. I think I will read the next one, as I got the first four from the library book sale, and see if that one is closer to the first or the second. I liked Joliffe well enough, so I'm willing to give it another try.
I liked the first book better, partly because the second was darker, and partly because I figured out how the title works. I don't want to give away too much, but let's just say that it's a strong hint about what's going on in the book. So the "dramatic revelations" in the second book were not a surprise at all. Some nasty characters in that one too. I think I will read the next one, as I got the first four from the library book sale, and see if that one is closer to the first or the second. I liked Joliffe well enough, so I'm willing to give it another try.
cmcg's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
archytas's review against another edition
2.0
There's lot to like about this book - the world of the players remains compelling and the details of how performances are put together - but it is very hard to get past the portrayal of a victim of abuse as so unsympathetic, without being able to explore what might have made her so. I understand the need to reflect on medieval mores, but part of that must involve throwing light on the perspective of the victims, which I think is failed here to a great extent.
julieputty's review
4.0
I guessed part of the solution, but I didn't mind. This is a smoother book than the first in the series, and Joliffe is coming to life.
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