3.25k reviews for:

Conclave

Robert Harris

4.08 AVERAGE

book_worm_91's review against another edition

4.5

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I really enjoyed this, and despite watching the film first, still found it a good read! The film stayed true to the book as far as I can tell. It's well written, and gripped me from the beginning. The only reason it took so long to finish was due to me being too tired to read! Definitely recommend giving this a try. Would read other books by this author.

books_and_lattemacchiato's review against another edition

4.25

informative mysterious medium-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

klindholm's review against another edition

3.75

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

fixaidea's review

4.5

emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I got more or less the same feelings out of the book as of the film: Lomeli is a whole Mood and I would die for Benítez. (The -0,5 stars are for some national stereotypes I wasn't a fan of. Can't really fault the book for the lack of turtles, but the film gets an extra star just for them.)

aisling872's review

3.75

hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

losersfiction's review against another edition

5.0

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This is such a great story. It walks the fine line of respect to the Catholic faith and still deals with the dark sides. It also does a brilliant job of showcasing the mundane aspect of being a religious leader, it’s not just constant asceticism. Another strong point is the emphasis on how different individuals serve God in different ways and with different personalities.

Plus the twists are all excellent

lina_b's review against another edition

5.0

medium-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

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Just finished it. Maybe not the best time to write a review, but oh well. I'm in awe. Did not expect to like this book as much as I did. It was quietly intense. The pace ramps up with every single page until the last page. 

I'm not a catholic (I was brought up christian protestant), but you do not have to be even the slightest bit religious to enjoy this book. 

shlowee's review against another edition

4.0

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yes, chef- I mean pope!!!

rheagoveas's review

4.0

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

stevem0214's review

3.5

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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A little (or a lot) deep in details, but a wonderful look inside Conclave from now a historical fiction viewpoint.  About halfway through before you get into the intrigue, but once you do, Harris has you.  What a surprise ending!  I give it three and 1/2 stars only because it took a while to take off for me.  Well worth the read.