marinhein2000's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
franny2111's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
alexiasophii's review against another edition
4.0
I was a little afraid when I started reading this book, I wasn't sure what to expect of it. But, honestly, I ended up loving it.
I feel in love with the main character, she is amazing. And the story itself, I enjoyed it.
The details, the scenes and the writing all conbined are wonderful and takes us right into the action of the book making us want to read more and more.
I can really say that I recommed this book for anyone that likes a historical novel
I feel in love with the main character, she is amazing. And the story itself, I enjoyed it.
The details, the scenes and the writing all conbined are wonderful and takes us right into the action of the book making us want to read more and more.
I can really say that I recommed this book for anyone that likes a historical novel
alexctelander's review against another edition
3.0
From Jeanne Kalogridis, author of the Vlad the Impaler trilogy, comes a novel of medieval France, Burning Time. In this book many issues come to play: pagan ritual, magic, the Black Death, as well as an appearance from Edward the Black Prince during the Hundred Years War.
Sybille is one of the Race, an embodiment of the pagan goddess Diana, who came into existence years before God, ad the two beliefs that exist in a world fighting for the belief in only one of them. Sybille has now been captured by the Inquisition and she is supposed to confess her sins (conducting magic against the Pope) to Brother Michel. Instead she is going to tell him her life story, from birth to present, of how she came to be a real-life embodiment of the Goddess, of thee powers and wars and plague that fight against her, and how Brother Michel is the key to it all, even though he does not know this.
While at certain points the story become confusing and overly complex with the magic and the ritual, as well as Kalogridis employing cheap clichés to make the plot work better (the use of bewitchment, where Brother Michel dreams of Sybille’s past), the book on the whole represents an interesting insight into the life and strife during the fourteenth century.
Originally published on December 3rd 2001.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
Sybille is one of the Race, an embodiment of the pagan goddess Diana, who came into existence years before God, ad the two beliefs that exist in a world fighting for the belief in only one of them. Sybille has now been captured by the Inquisition and she is supposed to confess her sins (conducting magic against the Pope) to Brother Michel. Instead she is going to tell him her life story, from birth to present, of how she came to be a real-life embodiment of the Goddess, of thee powers and wars and plague that fight against her, and how Brother Michel is the key to it all, even though he does not know this.
While at certain points the story become confusing and overly complex with the magic and the ritual, as well as Kalogridis employing cheap clichés to make the plot work better (the use of bewitchment, where Brother Michel dreams of Sybille’s past), the book on the whole represents an interesting insight into the life and strife during the fourteenth century.
Originally published on December 3rd 2001.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
treehuggr's review against another edition
2.0
I tried to read this book and just couldn't get into it. I am guessing this will not be an author that I will be able to really get into very well. I may revisit at another time.
assimbya's review
1.0
This turned out to be one of those rare books that I couldn't manage to make myself finish. Within the first fifty pages, it already had displayed a number of elements that irritate me in historical fiction - anachronistic insertions of Wicca? Check. Torture scenes during which the narrator remarks on the beauty of the victim's breasts? Check. A main character whose courage and selflessness is shown in her lack of reaction to the aforementioned torture? Check.
Also, I think the "smell of fear" cliche needs to be laid to rest immediately. It felt like Kalogridis attempted to prove the gritty realism of her Medieval setting simply by repeatedly referencing bad smells.
"Pagans in the Middle Ages" is a fine premise for a novel, but why are these pagans always generic Marion Zimmer Bradley-"all goddess are One Goddess" pagans? Where's the novel about an organization who's secretly preserved the Eleusian Mysteries for several centuries? That would at least be interesting.
Also, I think the "smell of fear" cliche needs to be laid to rest immediately. It felt like Kalogridis attempted to prove the gritty realism of her Medieval setting simply by repeatedly referencing bad smells.
"Pagans in the Middle Ages" is a fine premise for a novel, but why are these pagans always generic Marion Zimmer Bradley-"all goddess are One Goddess" pagans? Where's the novel about an organization who's secretly preserved the Eleusian Mysteries for several centuries? That would at least be interesting.
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