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ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
4.0
So far this is the best entry in the series (and I am willing to bet it’s going to end up as my favorite entry in the series).
It’s got everything you want in a good medieval drama: political intrigue, murder, betrayal and, backstabbing. It’s also so satisfying to see the pay off to all of the set up Druon did in the previous 3 books.
It’s got everything you want in a good medieval drama: political intrigue, murder, betrayal and, backstabbing. It’s also so satisfying to see the pay off to all of the set up Druon did in the previous 3 books.
ihavenouseforit's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
melineegout's review against another edition
4.0
Je crois que c’est le livre de la saga que j’ai le moins apprécié lire. L’intrigue met plus de temps à s’installer que dans les trois premiers tomes et se concentre sur des personnages que j’apprécie moins. Cependant, la troisième partie rattrape le tout avec des retournements de situations qui m’ont rappelé pourquoi j’adore ces livres. J’ai hâte de lire la suite qui promet encore plus de manipulations sadiques et le retour d’Isabelle que j’attends avec impatience.
estherounette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thisotherbookaccount's review
5.0
Vicious, delicious and dark. These are just some of the ways that you can describe the Accursed Kings series by Maurice Druon. This is the first time, however, that "heartbreaking" is the only fitting word to describe the ending to the series' fourth installment.
It's difficult to draw the line between fact and fiction for this series. As someone who is not well-versed in Medieval history, it's difficult for me to figure out the things that happened and the ones that came out of Druon's head. Nonetheless, Druon has created characters that I came to care deeply about, especially Marie de Cressay and Guccio Baglioni, the one beacon of hope and innocence in this dark, messed up world.
Between the scheming, the backstabbing and the betrayals, Marie and Guccio's story has always been a light at the end of the tunnel. Naive, perhaps, but it was pure and innocent. It is the one love story that isn't driven by political manoeuvrings and greed.
However, in this book, even that comes crashing down for the two characters, thanks to power-hungry assholes (Fuck you, Mahaut). It was painful to read the last chapters of this book, to see the two characters fall apart due to the villainy of others.
I have read a lot of Medieval fiction, but even those did not prepare me for Marie's loss. And to think that I have always been a supporter of Philip V's succession, his "victory" over the Duke of Burgundy and Charles of Valois left a bad taste in my mouth -- and I am sure his as well.
And, man, women were treated like cows for the slaughter back then, weren't they?
I'd say this is the best book in the series so far, and bold, too, for daring to bring a righteous king morally to his knees and killing off something beautiful. The worst part? Most of everything probably happened for real.
There are no winners in this story, only sinners. Sinners and greedy assholes.
It's difficult to draw the line between fact and fiction for this series. As someone who is not well-versed in Medieval history, it's difficult for me to figure out the things that happened and the ones that came out of Druon's head. Nonetheless, Druon has created characters that I came to care deeply about, especially Marie de Cressay and Guccio Baglioni, the one beacon of hope and innocence in this dark, messed up world.
Between the scheming, the backstabbing and the betrayals, Marie and Guccio's story has always been a light at the end of the tunnel. Naive, perhaps, but it was pure and innocent. It is the one love story that isn't driven by political manoeuvrings and greed.
However, in this book, even that comes crashing down for the two characters, thanks to power-hungry assholes (Fuck you, Mahaut). It was painful to read the last chapters of this book, to see the two characters fall apart due to the villainy of others.
I have read a lot of Medieval fiction, but even those did not prepare me for Marie's loss. And to think that I have always been a supporter of Philip V's succession, his "victory" over the Duke of Burgundy and Charles of Valois left a bad taste in my mouth -- and I am sure his as well.
And, man, women were treated like cows for the slaughter back then, weren't they?
I'd say this is the best book in the series so far, and bold, too, for daring to bring a righteous king morally to his knees and killing off something beautiful. The worst part? Most of everything probably happened for real.
There are no winners in this story, only sinners. Sinners and greedy assholes.
alternbruno's review against another edition
4.0
La cuarta entrega de los Reyes Malditos versa sobre la sucesión que llevó a Felipe V al trono. En este golpe de estado que protagonizaría el descendiente de Felipe el hermoso, hay además una continuación sobre lo que ocurre con Guccio y su esposa Maria de Cressay. Sus historias se cruzan cuando los bebés son cambiados ante la demanda de presentar a Juan I, que sólo vivió 5 días.
Más allá de todo lo que implica arreglar una sucesión, cabe destacar la habilidad de Druon para retratar el drama de una época convulsa y llena de incertidumbre. La forma en la que se mueve entre la corte, los banqueros lombardos y las lenceras de la corte forman un tapiz donde todos los hilos se van trenzando de manera formidable. Las frágiles alianzas, las discordias que pasan de tenues a escandalosas, todo este juego de grados que va volviendo operante la balanza del poder.
Más allá de todo lo que implica arreglar una sucesión, cabe destacar la habilidad de Druon para retratar el drama de una época convulsa y llena de incertidumbre. La forma en la que se mueve entre la corte, los banqueros lombardos y las lenceras de la corte forman un tapiz donde todos los hilos se van trenzando de manera formidable. Las frágiles alianzas, las discordias que pasan de tenues a escandalosas, todo este juego de grados que va volviendo operante la balanza del poder.