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zombeesknees's review against another edition
4.0
I had this recommended to me by a coworker who knew of my love for the Brother Cadfael series; and while I'll continue to hold the Cadfael series in higher regard, this isn't a shabby cousin to that beloved medieval monk detective.
This series follows Sister Fidelma of Kildare, an Irish nun in 664 AD who also happens to have studied law and is the equivalent of a sheriff or judiciary in her society. There's a heavy focus on the religious turmoil between those who follow the Columba traditions of Ireland and the Celtic world versus those who follow the Roman traditions in Northumbria, and quite a bit about the politics surrounding the high king Oswy and his sons, who are low kings serving beneath him.
Fidelma herself is an interesting character, and her situation shines a light on an area of history I had little previous knowledge of. It was enlightening, learning how in ancient Celtic society women could often hold the same titles, jobs, and command the same respect as men. It was also interesting seeing how much the Church has changed over the centuries, from a time when nuns and monks could cohabit in houses of worship -- even have sexual relationships, marry, and raise their children together in their abbeys -- to the more strict and firmly celibate lifestyle of the religious in more recent times.
The mystery itself is entertaining but not incredibly so; the draw here is definitely the historical commentary, research, and atmosphere evoked by Tremayne. I enjoyed it enough to pick up the second book yesterday, and hope that Fidelma and her Saxon cohort Eadulf will only continue to impress me/endear themselves to me further.
This series follows Sister Fidelma of Kildare, an Irish nun in 664 AD who also happens to have studied law and is the equivalent of a sheriff or judiciary in her society. There's a heavy focus on the religious turmoil between those who follow the Columba traditions of Ireland and the Celtic world versus those who follow the Roman traditions in Northumbria, and quite a bit about the politics surrounding the high king Oswy and his sons, who are low kings serving beneath him.
Fidelma herself is an interesting character, and her situation shines a light on an area of history I had little previous knowledge of. It was enlightening, learning how in ancient Celtic society women could often hold the same titles, jobs, and command the same respect as men. It was also interesting seeing how much the Church has changed over the centuries, from a time when nuns and monks could cohabit in houses of worship -- even have sexual relationships, marry, and raise their children together in their abbeys -- to the more strict and firmly celibate lifestyle of the religious in more recent times.
The mystery itself is entertaining but not incredibly so; the draw here is definitely the historical commentary, research, and atmosphere evoked by Tremayne. I enjoyed it enough to pick up the second book yesterday, and hope that Fidelma and her Saxon cohort Eadulf will only continue to impress me/endear themselves to me further.
19minnie's review against another edition
2.0
Dit boek had mijn aandacht getrokken door de mooie cover. Toen ik de achterflap ging lezen dacht ik wel dat het intressant ging worden. Maar bij het lezen werd ik wat teleurgesteld. Het is een goed verhaal, maar een gewone zoek-de-moordenaar. Niet echt een boek dat ik graag lees.
mactammonty's review against another edition
4.0
As with any work of fiction the "facts" have to be taken with a grain of salt. So I was fascinated by the background of this book. A woman, a nun no less, who is asked by a King to investigate an important death during a major turning point in history.
The historical accuracy was so interesting. There were so many strong women represented in the story. It depicted how different cultures had such variety even then in their treatment of the sexes.
While this did capture my attention the characters were also very vivid. The two main characters played off each other very well.
In the end the murder mystery was really only secondary to me. It was more of a vehicle to explore the political and social dynamics of the time. That being true I still enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of the main characters.
The historical accuracy was so interesting. There were so many strong women represented in the story. It depicted how different cultures had such variety even then in their treatment of the sexes.
While this did capture my attention the characters were also very vivid. The two main characters played off each other very well.
In the end the murder mystery was really only secondary to me. It was more of a vehicle to explore the political and social dynamics of the time. That being true I still enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of the main characters.
regorama's review against another edition
3.0
I really like the Fidelma world. I've only read a few of the stories, so I'm making my way through the whole series, now.
vexedfox's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
An interesting exploration into a period and subject I knew little about.
veriditas's review against another edition
2.0
Ah, man. I wanted to like this book, and I will be reading the rest because I like Sister Fidelma.
But.
I knew who the murderer was as soon as she was spoken of by the murder victim.
Not because the author tipped his hand too early, but because the jilted lesbian murderer is stale. Please pick another stereotype...
But.
I knew who the murderer was as soon as she was spoken of by the murder victim.
Not because the author tipped his hand too early, but because the jilted lesbian murderer is stale. Please pick another stereotype...
jillianm's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-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? No
3.25
therome's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
franfernandezarce's review against another edition
2.0
*2.5*
for all intents and purposes, i would not normally worry about carrying on with a series if the first book was less than 3.5 stars. however , i'm feeling lenient. although i don't normally do so (too many books to read, too little time), i feel this series deserves a second chance.
don't get me wrong: even though there's some potential here, this story was nothing out of the ordinary. once again, i must present my quality marker of mystery novels: if i can figure out who the culprit is before it is revealed, the mystery is not good. and just like with [b:In the Woods|2459785|In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad, #1)|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1312518080s/2459785.jpg|3088141], the solution was too obvious to me.
i blame the historical setting. seventh-century britain is a far-removed context for an ordinary reader to be familiar with easily. unlike a victorian novel or even a renaissance one, the gaps between your imagination and your common understanding of the period might be too big for you to bridge them on your own based on sheer popular culture. you need the heavy historical explanations for you to understand what is happening--inevitably, everything else suffers in comparison. this is my explanation, at least, for why the mystery might have been relegated to a secondary role. i admit, not the greatest of strategies when writing a mystery novel--but i am willing to forgive it considering this is a first novel. everyone knows the first book wastes most of its length establishing the stakes and the world of the story; once that has been achieved, the story can be unleashed properly in future installments.
still--the fact that the second book is set in rome, thus making more contextualisation necessary to orient the readers is not the most encouraging of notes but, like i said, i'm feeling lenient. optimistic, even. besides, fidelma is too much of a bamf-character for me to drop so quickly. i need to support my strong women wherever i can find them.
for all intents and purposes, i would not normally worry about carrying on with a series if the first book was less than 3.5 stars. however , i'm feeling lenient. although i don't normally do so (too many books to read, too little time), i feel this series deserves a second chance.
don't get me wrong: even though there's some potential here, this story was nothing out of the ordinary. once again, i must present my quality marker of mystery novels: if i can figure out who the culprit is before it is revealed, the mystery is not good. and just like with [b:In the Woods|2459785|In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad, #1)|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1312518080s/2459785.jpg|3088141], the solution was too obvious to me.
Spoiler
to be honest, you just have to know who sappho was and you're set for it.i blame the historical setting. seventh-century britain is a far-removed context for an ordinary reader to be familiar with easily. unlike a victorian novel or even a renaissance one, the gaps between your imagination and your common understanding of the period might be too big for you to bridge them on your own based on sheer popular culture. you need the heavy historical explanations for you to understand what is happening--inevitably, everything else suffers in comparison. this is my explanation, at least, for why the mystery might have been relegated to a secondary role. i admit, not the greatest of strategies when writing a mystery novel--but i am willing to forgive it considering this is a first novel. everyone knows the first book wastes most of its length establishing the stakes and the world of the story; once that has been achieved, the story can be unleashed properly in future installments.
still--the fact that the second book is set in rome, thus making more contextualisation necessary to orient the readers is not the most encouraging of notes but, like i said, i'm feeling lenient. optimistic, even. besides, fidelma is too much of a bamf-character for me to drop so quickly. i need to support my strong women wherever i can find them.
tlsouthard's review against another edition
3.0
I am hoping that the other books in this series are better. In this first book the author got FAR too carried away with detail and names, names, names, names. And yeah, we get it, Mr. Tremayne, every single thing the Irish did was good, and pure, and holy, and wonderful, and, and, and every single thing that the Saxons (or the Romans!) did was AWFUL and terrible and no good and very bad. Such severe bias that I almost put the book down about 1/3 of the way through.
Perhaps he will loosen up in the next book, now that he's got all that out of his system. The story was not bad, hidden under all the layers. I'd like for the series to be good. But if they are all like this one, I won't have the patience for it.
Perhaps he will loosen up in the next book, now that he's got all that out of his system. The story was not bad, hidden under all the layers. I'd like for the series to be good. But if they are all like this one, I won't have the patience for it.