Reviews

The Spirit Ring by Lois McMaster Bujold

tondola's review against another edition

3.0

I have wanted to read this book for years now, but it was always out of print. I finally managed to get hold of a copy and I'm wuite satisfied.
It's one of Bujold's earlier books, a stand alone. While it does not feature some of my favourite characters, it already shows her talent and skill in writing. I liked the renaissance setting and the strength of the main charachters (fiery and flamboyant for Fiammetta, calmed but solid for Thur).
Though I much prefer the setting of the Chalionverse, it is indeed a nice book to read

avonseeger's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Not my favorite bujold book-maybe because it’s a standalone so there’s not as much time to get to know the characters?

kvetch's review against another edition

3.0

Enjoyable read, interesting alternate-past setting.

merleita's review against another edition

4.0

This was quite good! The pacing was a bit uneven and you can definitely tell it's one of Bujold's earlier works, but like all of her works, it's still great. Fiametta is an excellent and enjoyable protagonist. Thur complements her well. The magic system was very interesting and I was particularly intrigued by its Catholic elements, as that religion is not often incorporated into fantasy magic (fantasy religious hierarchies based on it are a dime a dozen, but not usually the magic itself). And the climax of the book was particularly memorable, accomplishing one of my favorite literary challenges: creating a situation where the villains seem so insurmountably more powerful than the protagonists and then pulling off a believable way for the heroes to triumph. So while it's not one of my favorite Bujold works, I still certainly enjoyed The Spirit Ring.

eaendter's review against another edition

4.0

I LOVE Lois McMaster Bujold. This was not one of my most favorite of hers, but it was very good nevertheless. As always good, strong, interesting and complex female characters.

kbhenrickson's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I enjoyed this lighter fantasy that was fairly predictable but still fun. There were also a few moments where how the story was told was very clever and well done. Grover Gardner does an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

lawrenceevalyn's review against another edition

5.0

I don’t think I’ve re-read this book since “sixteen” was “impossibly grown up and mature” rather than “impossibly young and naive,” but it holds up incredibly well. The characters are vivid and charming, and the story builds it plot and setting wonderfully. A great example of good, solid fantasy and the pleasures thereof, without the implied burdens/expectations of a series.

bibliobeka's review against another edition

2.0

I got bored halfway through and skipped to the end.

foolish_shane's review against another edition

3.0

Probably more like 2.5 stars. I've enjoyed some of Bujold's other fantasy and sci-fi novels but this one seemed a bit dated for me. Maybe it just reminds me of books I read when I was younger. Also having a young female protagonist made it feel more like it was for teen girls than 43 year-old men.I also tend to like fantasy better if it's NOT set in the "real world" it makes the magic and other fantastic elements more believable for some reason.

I like the ending climactic battle, but got bored a lot before that. I would recommned [b:The Curse of Chalion|61886|The Curse of Chalion (Chalion, #1)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1322571773s/61886.jpg|1129349] instead if you want to read something in the fantasy genre from Bujold.

galaxywitch's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0