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gabby_reades's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The most beautiful book I have ever read!
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
5.0
Huge and immensely readable, "The Sunne in Splendour" is the second Sharon Kay Penman book I've enjoyed (I was very disappointed that the second book on Richard I is not yet published--ouch!)
"Sunne" is a terrific book to read on a Nook or Kindle because you can easily take Google tangents to explore more on various characters, battles, places, costumes, whatever. Penman covers these areas neatly, but your interest will be piqued and it's fun to have all that info at your fingertips.
A special pat on the back to the author for her handling of battles. Since rulers in the Middle Ages seemed to spend the majority of their time at war, the endless stream of one fight after another could cause a sort of reader's battle fatigue. SKP is able to make each description different enough that they do not all blend together, with enough tactical details to be interesting. This is a gift--how often do you skim over the battle segments in historical novels because they are cluttered with details or just dull? That won't happen here.
Highly recommended for that time when you really, really want to get into a book and stay there.
"Sunne" is a terrific book to read on a Nook or Kindle because you can easily take Google tangents to explore more on various characters, battles, places, costumes, whatever. Penman covers these areas neatly, but your interest will be piqued and it's fun to have all that info at your fingertips.
A special pat on the back to the author for her handling of battles. Since rulers in the Middle Ages seemed to spend the majority of their time at war, the endless stream of one fight after another could cause a sort of reader's battle fatigue. SKP is able to make each description different enough that they do not all blend together, with enough tactical details to be interesting. This is a gift--how often do you skim over the battle segments in historical novels because they are cluttered with details or just dull? That won't happen here.
Highly recommended for that time when you really, really want to get into a book and stay there.
catherinet99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.75
bethsponz's review against another edition
4.0
This is a huge book that I again took breaks with other shorter books. The author shines a light on Richard III than others books I’ve read about him. This author is much more factual and intense than Phillippa Gregory’s Tudor novels. Penman is a denser read and really knows her history. This is the second book I have read of hers and I plan to read another before the year is out.
jrjohnson1408's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Child death and Violence
Minor: Confinement
collinwillis's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
naomiimoan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
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? Yes
4.5
arthurian's review against another edition
3.0
it's impossible to be objective in historical fiction and that's not something i expect from my historical fiction. yet, the detail given to historical events and dates was remarkable.
i just think, it doesn't necessarily enrich the reading experience and a more succinct narrative could've worked better.
but the main reason i found myself giving 3.5 stars and not higher is the vilification of SO MANY women, margaret of anjou and elizabeth woodville mainly, to further the narrative in a direction that clears richard of all blame.
i just think, it doesn't necessarily enrich the reading experience and a more succinct narrative could've worked better.
but the main reason i found myself giving 3.5 stars and not higher is the vilification of SO MANY women, margaret of anjou and elizabeth woodville mainly, to further the narrative in a direction that clears richard of all blame.