jennyn52779's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nigellicus's review
5.0
Constantinople, AD 802! Is there any place and period in history Cecelia Holland can't write about with confident authority? Hagen, Frankish warrior on his way home from pilgrimage to Jerusalem becomes ensnared in a nasty little power-struggle between the Basileus Irene and pretender to the throne John Cerulis. A complex, poisonous affair it ensnares court and city officials, diplomats, spies, courtesans and competitors in the hugely popular chariot races. Hagen is just looking for revenge, but he doesn't know what to believe or who, if anyone to trust.
There's some wonderfully manly stuff in this, between barbarian Hagen's fighting prowess, the single-minded charioteers, the hermit from the desert, the imperial treasurer, straining under the weight of empire, all men struggling in manly roles, yet all ruled by a woman. Holland excels at this.
There's some wonderfully manly stuff in this, between barbarian Hagen's fighting prowess, the single-minded charioteers, the hermit from the desert, the imperial treasurer, straining under the weight of empire, all men struggling in manly roles, yet all ruled by a woman. Holland excels at this.
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