deeofbkb's review
It was written like you knew what was already going on as well as talked over my head like the reader was dumb cause they didn’t know stuff about obscure German history and people in the art and literature world.
lydaalexander's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
carolwk's review
2.0
Disappointing, considering how much I love the Amelia Peabody series. But perhaps the later ones get better.
trudecal's review
5.0
Just plain fun. And you'll actually learn a lot (as you always do with her novels) about history - this time it's German/medieval. :)
librovert's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't particularly like anything about this book. I've read a lot of reviews that suggest that Vicky really hits her stride in book 2, but nothing about her intrigues me to read more about her. Even written in Vicky's first person PoV, I didn't feel like I knew anything about her or connected with her.
The history seemed well researched (or at least suitably bullshitted, in the cases where it was made up for purposes of the story). The mystery was decent, but it didn't start to pick up until the second half of the book and left me wondering what exactly the purpose of the first half of the book was.
The history seemed well researched (or at least suitably bullshitted, in the cases where it was made up for purposes of the story). The mystery was decent, but it didn't start to pick up until the second half of the book and left me wondering what exactly the purpose of the first half of the book was.
nikshelby's review
3.0
>>> "Since there was nothing else to do, we went sightseeing. By Tony's definition, this activity includes frequent stop for liquid refreshment. The drinking places of Rothenburg are all charming; you can guzzle beer or drink tea in dark, raftered rooms or sit in a cobblestoned square admiring the view. We tried both, and since we couldn't decide which ambience was preferable, we tried both several times."
>>> "A scholar is supposed to keep an open mind. All our instincts are against a supernormal explanation, but instincts aren't logic. How do we know?
"Well, for one thing, this business is too corny to be supernatural...By some straining of the brain I could believe in ghosts; but I can't believe in a ghost that acts like Terror Comics."
>>> "It is setting a high value upon our opinions to roast men alive on account of them." Nobody ever said a truer word. But Montaigne came along too late for Konstanze, and the Essays were only the opening wedge of rationalism. If you think people are ever rational."
>>> "A scholar is supposed to keep an open mind. All our instincts are against a supernormal explanation, but instincts aren't logic. How do we know?
"Well, for one thing, this business is too corny to be supernatural...By some straining of the brain I could believe in ghosts; but I can't believe in a ghost that acts like Terror Comics."
>>> "It is setting a high value upon our opinions to roast men alive on account of them." Nobody ever said a truer word. But Montaigne came along too late for Konstanze, and the Essays were only the opening wedge of rationalism. If you think people are ever rational."
sjyudelson's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
2.5
tobyyy's review
3.0
The first in the Vicky Bliss mystery series by the author of the Amelia Peabody mysteries (among others). I believe this was the first book Elizabeth Peters wrote — or was one of the first at the very least — which explains the pacing and how uninteresting parts of the story were. She’s clearly still learning how to write successfully in her own style.
Overall not a bad story. Just a bit slow paced and dull at times (which is kind of sad given that the story dealt with medieval castles, poisoning, hauntings, sleepwalking, gaslighting, and several other normally-fabulous plot points!).
Overall not a bad story. Just a bit slow paced and dull at times (which is kind of sad given that the story dealt with medieval castles, poisoning, hauntings, sleepwalking, gaslighting, and several other normally-fabulous plot points!).