Scan barcode
hellolaurenrva's review against another edition
2.0
The murder in this "mystery" seemed a footnote to the historical tale.
caitibeth's review against another edition
5.0
This is a unique Cadfael book because the good Brother does very little investigating, and is a largely passive observer in the sequence of events. The murder is a minor note in this story of Owain the Welsh prince, his estranged brother, their assorted liegemen, and a force of invading Danes. Cadfael and Brother Mark do have a minor role (as diplomats and hostages), but they are not major actors.
This actually works fine, though, and the story is a good one. Even as an observer, Cadfael holds the reader's interest, and Owain is a compelling character. Plus the romance is nicely done. But above all, I enjoyed the Welsh politics and the negotiations between Owain and the Danes.
This actually works fine, though, and the story is a good one. Even as an observer, Cadfael holds the reader's interest, and Owain is a compelling character. Plus the romance is nicely done. But above all, I enjoyed the Welsh politics and the negotiations between Owain and the Danes.
grahamjohnson's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mumsie_2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
haley_s's review against another edition
This book sounded like a short version of The Name of the Rose (which I adore), so I was really excited to pick it up. Unfortunately, it's nothing like it at all. The writing is overly flowery and provide overly emotional descriptions of other characters. The plot got lost among all the unnecessary language and I couldn't get past that. I tried to force myself to keep reading in the hopes that it would get better, but my hopes were dashed at every page turn. I don't like not finishing books, but I just had to stop, this one ended up being very boring for me.
sandylc's review against another edition
4.0
Even better than many of the Cadfael books, and I've liked them all. This one has Cadfael out of the abbey and back in his native Wales, accompanying Brother Mark from earlier books. He is happy to return to his home country and later to his chosen abbey home. The description of Wales and the lives of the Welsh during frequent invasions is interesting. Excellent.
telemwill's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
captlychee's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting for its historical background, but the mystery is not as good as in previous books. I'll have to re-read it to see if the first murder is every solved, but I didn't catch the solution the first time around. It may be that [a:Ellis Peters|4046|Ellis Peters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1242605103p2/4046.jpg] forgot she's put it in.
But it is interesting to know that Danes still had a kingdom in Dublin as late as the 12th century, and descriptions of their way of life as a force invading Wales are interesting, and there's something about an independent Wales that's nostalgic and attractive. Not that I'm odl enough to have experienced it, but this story does make those times more interesting to travel to.
But it is interesting to know that Danes still had a kingdom in Dublin as late as the 12th century, and descriptions of their way of life as a force invading Wales are interesting, and there's something about an independent Wales that's nostalgic and attractive. Not that I'm odl enough to have experienced it, but this story does make those times more interesting to travel to.