bunniesandbooks123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
helm108's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
jmatkinson1's review
4.0
Minou has come through the worst of the religious wars around Carcassone but still there is not religious tolerance. She and her husband Piet travel to Paris for the wedding of Henri of Navarre to Margot, daughter of the King. However the catholic faction are opposed to this union and the Duke Of Guise orders the assignation of a prominent Huguenot leading to a massacre. The Reydon's escape but lose all including their daughter Marta but make a new life in Amsterdam. However Piet's nemesis Vidal is still on their trail and they are never safe.
This is the second in a proposed quintet and I enjoyed it more than the first. Possibly because the majority of the setting is around the events of St Bartholomew's Day and 'La Reine Margot' is one of my favourite books. I felt that the initial chapter set in South Africa was unnecessary, it was not returned to and was not referenced at all. Whilst it was link with the first book and presumably part of the thread throughout the five novels it was pretty isolated here. However for the rest, Mosse is getting into her stride and this is more like pure historical fiction rather than the slightly magical earlier novels which I didn't find as convincing.
This is the second in a proposed quintet and I enjoyed it more than the first. Possibly because the majority of the setting is around the events of St Bartholomew's Day and 'La Reine Margot' is one of my favourite books. I felt that the initial chapter set in South Africa was unnecessary, it was not returned to and was not referenced at all. Whilst it was link with the first book and presumably part of the thread throughout the five novels it was pretty isolated here. However for the rest, Mosse is getting into her stride and this is more like pure historical fiction rather than the slightly magical earlier novels which I didn't find as convincing.
jeremie_p's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
rioyoung's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
tdk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
rosekk's review
4.0
In the first book, Minou was the one with a hidden past, whose unknown parentage made her an heir to wealth and privilege. This time, it's her husbands turn. By some strange coincidence the villain that pursued her family through the last book have a whole new set of reasons to clash with our protagonists. The hand of the author is far to obvious in the plot; there's a narrative neatness that makes suspension of disbelief hard. Somehow, our heroes manage to be party to multiple major events. Being in the epicentre of one episode of civil unrest is unfortunate. Being at the epicentre of three looks like the hand of the author.
While the degree of coincidence in the plot got annoying at times, I was generally able to overlook it. What I liked best in the first book was how the historical setting came to life, and the same is true in this one. Because the moment-to-moment feel of the story was so easy to believe, it made the plot easier to swallow as well.
While the degree of coincidence in the plot got annoying at times, I was generally able to overlook it. What I liked best in the first book was how the historical setting came to life, and the same is true in this one. Because the moment-to-moment feel of the story was so easy to believe, it made the plot easier to swallow as well.
savidgereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
supergirls_2008's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars!!!
Book 2 in Kate Moss’ The Burning Chambers series did not disappoint! Set from 1572-1584, the book begins with Minou and Piet living a happy life in Puivert when they are invited to a royal wedding in Paris. They get caught up in the St Bartholemew’s Day massacre and their 7 year old daughter goes missing.
The writing is top notch and the author weaves history and fiction seamlessly so the reader is completely engaged in the novel. I enjoyed reading about Minou and Piet all grown up, and their characters were developed even more in this book. I’m not familiar with the time period but I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially anyone who likes World War II/ Holocaust books would devour this book, it has a similar feel.
I highly recommend The Burning Chambers be read before this book.
Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC so I could enjoy this excellent novel. All opinions are my own.
Book 2 in Kate Moss’ The Burning Chambers series did not disappoint! Set from 1572-1584, the book begins with Minou and Piet living a happy life in Puivert when they are invited to a royal wedding in Paris. They get caught up in the St Bartholemew’s Day massacre and their 7 year old daughter goes missing.
The writing is top notch and the author weaves history and fiction seamlessly so the reader is completely engaged in the novel. I enjoyed reading about Minou and Piet all grown up, and their characters were developed even more in this book. I’m not familiar with the time period but I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially anyone who likes World War II/ Holocaust books would devour this book, it has a similar feel.
I highly recommend The Burning Chambers be read before this book.
Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC so I could enjoy this excellent novel. All opinions are my own.