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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
This prequel took the story back to Kingsbridge to great success. A Column of Fire was too historically broad for me. The Evening and the Morning felt more centralized like the original. I found it refreshing to get a historical story set in these times that doesn't completely resolve around vikings. The presence of the vikings plays a role in events but only inadvertently. This book focused more on the few people who influenced the birth of Kingsbridge. If you're thinking about starting this series, I would recommend you at least read The Pillars of the Earth first before this prequel. It was satisfying to see the beginnings of landmarks and systems in Kingbridge that come to play such crucial roles in the future of the town.
I'll admit that it's a practice in patience to read about characters suffering continually. It's not the type of book for every reader, but I think it's the type that is hard not to find fascinating. I can't deny that I'm completely hooked, and also, I'm sad there's only one more Kingsbridge book left.
I'll admit that it's a practice in patience to read about characters suffering continually. It's not the type of book for every reader, but I think it's the type that is hard not to find fascinating. I can't deny that I'm completely hooked, and also, I'm sad there's only one more Kingsbridge book left.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was delightfully entertaining and made for quick travels as I read most of the way back home on a cross country flight. I was reminded that Follett is great at writing villains and fast paced novels, he can get a little formulaic in his writing, and doesn't seem very invested in the "historical" portion of his historical fiction. Still an author I will always read and he has a way with characters that gets me emotionally attached to them every time.
adventurous
dark
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:
No
adventurous
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, I have never been so conflicted on how to rate a book. This is the first time I have read a novel by Ken Follet, and I cannot deny that the man has amazing talent. Follet does a great job of immersing the reader into his world! He is not too descriptive to the point of boredom or confusion, but he provides enough detail to warrant connection. His characters are perfect for the roles they play in the story, and he managed to get me emotionally tied to a large portion of the cast.
However, this book was too vulgar for my taste. There is a lot of cruelty, injustice, hypocrisy, and wickedness that seems to never end. If the situation could get worse, it would. There was no relief during any of the intensely horrifying scenes, and my heart could not bear it. I understand that humans are capable of very evil things, and we should not turn a blind eye to that sad reality, but let us not forget that there is still good in this world! I feel like Follet did not balance this reality well throughout the novel.
I had not heard of Ken Follet until a friend recommended me this book, so I walked in completely blind. With that said, I was not aware how much suffering I would have to read and go through reading this book! (I know, first world problems
However, this book was too vulgar for my taste. There is a lot of cruelty, injustice, hypocrisy, and wickedness that seems to never end. If the situation could get worse, it would. There was no relief during any of the intensely horrifying scenes, and my heart could not bear it. I understand that humans are capable of very evil things, and we should not turn a blind eye to that sad reality, but let us not forget that there is still good in this world! I feel like Follet did not balance this reality well throughout the novel.
I had not heard of Ken Follet until a friend recommended me this book, so I walked in completely blind. With that said, I was not aware how much suffering I would have to read and go through reading this book! (I know, first world problems