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snarf137 's review for:
The Burning Chambers
by Kate Mosse
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
No
Historical fiction can be great. I find it at its most compelling when it plausibly recreates a time and place through the details, the values, and lived experiences of those who inhabited those eras. This was not The Burning Chambers.
This plot was mildy entertaining and the climax was attention-grabbing, but I realized halfway through what was wrong with this book: despite dealing with dark and violent topics, including murder, ethnic cleansing, and torture, it still felt like a Disney story. Characters were weirdly one dimensional and anachronistic in their beliefs (the main character seemingly was an avowed 19th century feminist), and villains were evil either because they were homicidally disturbed or power hungry for the sake of it. The ending,when the main character anounced that she will not discriminate against Catholics or Protestants to a crowd of peasants is met with 'and then everybody clapped and lived happilly ever after' energy.
I wasn't that interested in the chaste romance that developed, and the mystery was gripping but not that original. The most interesting features, in my opinion, were the historical snapshots of life in 16th century France at the beginning of the wars of religion. Unfortunately, although the research seemed detailed enough (and taking into account I am unfamiliar with the French wars of religion), the author's introduction speaking of 'Louix IX' in the 16th century and her claim that Basque is closely related to Occitan made my critical eye take more discerning view. Frankly, it made it easier to doubt the overall veracity of the rest of her writing.
Despite it all, this wasn't a horrible book. It was entertaining and competently written in a family movie kind of way, and the historical dimensions were interesting. The characters were likeable, but one dimensional. Do I regret reading it? Not really - it scratched an itch. Would I read this author again? Probably not .2/5
This plot was mildy entertaining and the climax was attention-grabbing, but I realized halfway through what was wrong with this book: despite dealing with dark and violent topics, including murder, ethnic cleansing, and torture, it still felt like a Disney story. Characters were weirdly one dimensional and anachronistic in their beliefs (the main character seemingly was an avowed 19th century feminist), and villains were evil either because they were homicidally disturbed or power hungry for the sake of it. The ending,when the main character anounced that she will not discriminate against Catholics or Protestants to a crowd of peasants is met with 'and then everybody clapped and lived happilly ever after' energy.
I wasn't that interested in the chaste romance that developed, and the mystery was gripping but not that original. The most interesting features, in my opinion, were the historical snapshots of life in 16th century France at the beginning of the wars of religion. Unfortunately, although the research seemed detailed enough (and taking into account I am unfamiliar with the French wars of religion), the author's introduction speaking of 'Louix IX' in the 16th century and her claim that Basque is closely related to Occitan made my critical eye take more discerning view. Frankly, it made it easier to doubt the overall veracity of the rest of her writing.
Despite it all, this wasn't a horrible book. It was entertaining and competently written in a family movie kind of way, and the historical dimensions were interesting. The characters were likeable, but one dimensional. Do I regret reading it? Not really - it scratched an itch. Would I read this author again? Probably not .2/5