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johnnyforeign's review against another edition
3.0
This is a relatively short novel. It essentially revolves around a single, epic plot twist--a very clever one--which, I believe, could have been arrived at in much quicker order. Such being the case, I think it would have worked better as a short story. It was an entertaining read, in any event.
aaronreadabook's review
3.0
In 1345, as a Lincolnshire village prepares to head to France to fight in the Hundred Years War, an alien scout ship lands on their own mission of conquest. Although superior in technology, they underestimate the fighting spirit of merry old England.
This is a very playful and silly novel, which surprised me as the previous Poul Anderson novel I read was a quite hard sci-fi physics type book. The guy obviously has a lot of range. This was a fun short little thing. It reminded me a bit of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom stories.
This is a very playful and silly novel, which surprised me as the previous Poul Anderson novel I read was a quite hard sci-fi physics type book. The guy obviously has a lot of range. This was a fun short little thing. It reminded me a bit of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom stories.
nonamethankyou's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
smiorganbaldhead's review against another edition
5.0
This book is awesome. It’s a super fun adventure, with a premise that seems implausible, but some clever explanation, light and humorous tone, and rule of cool made me more than happy to suspend disbelief that a bunch of medieval knights take on an interstellar empire. I’m not usually a big fan of comedy novels, but I found this one really funny, and I thought the humor enhanced rather than undermined the story. It’s not all humor, though, as there is a darker dramatic turn near the end that I thought worked very well.
I’m impressed with Poul Anderson’s versatility as an author, as he can write great books in many different subgenres with widely varying tone. For instance, this book is nothing at all like Tau Zero, but they’re now both on my favorites list.
I’m impressed with Poul Anderson’s versatility as an author, as he can write great books in many different subgenres with widely varying tone. For instance, this book is nothing at all like Tau Zero, but they’re now both on my favorites list.
rambleroam's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eric_conrad's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second book by Poul Anderson that I have read and I have to say I still find his work lacking. There tends to be an interesting premise at the heart of his books, but the telling of the story gets weakened by dull characters.
Some people found the story to be amusing. I did not, but maybe my expectations are too high. For me, the Arthurian love triangle was probably the best part of the book.
Some people found the story to be amusing. I did not, but maybe my expectations are too high. For me, the Arthurian love triangle was probably the best part of the book.
infrigaforzare's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0