Scan barcode
soniapage's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time getting into this book but it got better after the first chapter or so. I had given up reading it a while back because I found it boring, but that's just the beginning. Not much happens but I guess it's an introduction to the character of Captain Alatriste and the series of books the author has written about this character. A quick, easy read. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie version with Viggo Mortenson.
andrejt's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Reminiscent of The Three Musketeers, but the romantic youthful flair of d'Artagnan is replaced by the tired and fatalistic realism of Alatriste. No surprise here: the story is set in Madrid at a time when the Spanish Empire has already started its long decline. There are many literary references, but they're much less subtle than in Perez-Reverte's another famous book, The Club Dumas.
josemarolv's review against another edition
3.0
Es una historia simple y clásica. Sin embargo el tipo de escritura de Pérez Reverte podría ser clasificada como barroca por todo los datos que le agrega a la historia.
En este primer libro se nos cuenta un poco del pasado del Capitán Alatriste, en este sentido es una buena presentación del personaje. Además de que el conflicto del libro surge precisamente de los principios que Alatriste sigue, por lo que le es imposible matar al heredero de la corona inglesa. Y sobre el final, es excelente pero muy predecible.
En este primer libro se nos cuenta un poco del pasado del Capitán Alatriste, en este sentido es una buena presentación del personaje. Además de que el conflicto del libro surge precisamente de los principios que Alatriste sigue, por lo que le es imposible matar al heredero de la corona inglesa. Y sobre el final, es excelente pero muy predecible.
jkimmel's review against another edition
3.0
Love the premise. Fabulous main character. But didn't connect to story as I hoped I would.
gjmaupin's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't really read this in Spanish, but I couldn't find it elsewhare on this site.
kristin_cello's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
- Overall I have mixed feelings about this book. I really liked the concept of a Spanish swordsman for hire and the story. However it quickly became a struggle to read due to there being so many names and words I had to look up. I did really like the plot when the captain was at the theatre and has prince charles fight along side him but from that point in the story to the end wasn’t a lot of plot/ most of the story was over. I found out that this is a series and was interested to see if I would want to read the second one. I think I will keep with just reading the first novel.
maelle's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jimenaa_sb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
nadiiaasn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75