A review by webz
The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd

challenging informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

I got as far as page 384 so I think it makes sense to write a review as I got almost halfway into this. I have never learned more about Ireland than in reading this book. That is part of what kept me reading it. I wish that the characters had felt more rounded and fleshed out. They didn’t feel flat but to me seemed somewhere in between round and flat, which is part of why I started struggling to continue the story. I didn’t feel like I was very attached to the characters in an overall sense. Probably the first generation that was focused on I felt the most attached to and interested in. One thing I did like is how I got to see the characters throughout generations and saw those characters for a much longer span of time than what I am normally used to. 

I don’t know if I just had a harder time with this author’s writing style. It felt dry in the Viking section and further from there. I appreciate the history that was presented, but at the same time sometimes certain parts of aspects of history just felt drawn out. Like going on about the patterns that were painted and drawn by monks in books when they copied the gospels. Even though at times there were bigger events going on, for example a battle the characters were actively involved in, the whole pace of the book still felt fairly slow. I really did want to enjoy this more but I felt like I gave it a decent shot. I really liked the concept but don’t see myself trying to read anymore by this particular author. Obviously he put a lot of thought and research into the book which you can definitely be impressed by. 


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