natashaball's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
belabart71's review against another edition
2.0
The first half was good— a bit repetitive on the history side of things and who was loyal to which religion etc... the second half was just tiresome—- simply too many words.... I actually stopped reading with about 100 pages to go! And I LOVED Pillars and World Without End. Oh well.
landshark4321's review against another edition
3.0
A big fall off from the first two Kingsbridge novels (which were both 5 stars for me).
Less focus on Kingsbridge and a larger more modern world took away from the charm and excitement of the other two.
Less focus on Kingsbridge and a larger more modern world took away from the charm and excitement of the other two.
eatingfiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Ken Follett is a master at bringing history to life. In A Column of Fire, we are immersed into the political upheaval during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The central events are ones I know fairly well. Mary Queen of Scots was one of my favourite historical figures to study after all, and we get to see her story play out in intimate detail. It's breathtakingly detailed, horrific, and thought-provoking. The familiar setting of Kingsbridge takes a backseat as we go across Europe and dine with royalty, smuggle illegal goods, wage war on the high seas, plot treason & uncover conspiracies.
The cast of characters, both real and fictional, is sprawling. Their lives interweave with the wider politics and their internal dramas -- but they are always the backdrop to the historical setting. This is not an epic character saga in the same way that Pillars is, and that is to its detriment. Ken Follett's storytelling truly shines when the characters are sharply drawn and the reader becomes tangled in the drama of their lives. But the characters in this novel never grow beyond the page.
The star-crossed romance is described at one point as "bittersweet", but to me it only tasted bitter. The ending of this book felt so deeply tragic, and maybe that was the point, but gaahhh. Nothing will ever compare to Pillars of The Earth.
The cast of characters, both real and fictional, is sprawling. Their lives interweave with the wider politics and their internal dramas -- but they are always the backdrop to the historical setting. This is not an epic character saga in the same way that Pillars is, and that is to its detriment. Ken Follett's storytelling truly shines when the characters are sharply drawn and the reader becomes tangled in the drama of their lives. But the characters in this novel never grow beyond the page.
The star-crossed romance is described at one point as "bittersweet", but to me it only tasted bitter. The ending of this book felt so deeply tragic, and maybe that was the point, but gaahhh. Nothing will ever compare to Pillars of The Earth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Murder, Torture, and Racism
Minor: Animal cruelty
jamie314's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first 2 Kingsbridge novels. Disappointing.
sarahrita's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know why I didn't connect with this one as strongly as the first two, but by the end I was almost in tears. Follett knows how to wrap a story up beautifully.
gregrace's review against another edition
5.0
Ken Follett never fails to keep me glued to his books.
I loved “A Column of Fire” as much as I loved “The Pillars of the Earth” and “A World Without End”.
In the Europe of the 16th century, characterised by religious and political turmoil, revolts, and international trade, Kingsbridge cannot be the focus of the story anymore. Do not despair, though, because some of its citizens will perfectly fit in the larger plot.
As usual, the author manages to mix history, politics, religion, and fiction and create the perfect cocktail, taking his readers from England to France and Spain, and back again passing via the Netherlands and the New World.
I loved “A Column of Fire” as much as I loved “The Pillars of the Earth” and “A World Without End”.
In the Europe of the 16th century, characterised by religious and political turmoil, revolts, and international trade, Kingsbridge cannot be the focus of the story anymore. Do not despair, though, because some of its citizens will perfectly fit in the larger plot.
As usual, the author manages to mix history, politics, religion, and fiction and create the perfect cocktail, taking his readers from England to France and Spain, and back again passing via the Netherlands and the New World.
mrbadger63's review against another edition
3.0
Not as compelling as the other two books in the series, but still an enjoyable read. The characters just never seemed to flesh all the way out to me and their actions and decisions never quite seemed like real people making them but created personalities just following a formula.
cathyli116611's review against another edition
4.0
In A Column of Fire, Follett deviates from the Kingsbridge Cathedral and his normal casts of characters in order to suit the setting of religious wars between Catholics and Protestants. Though deeper character development and Kingsbridge-centric storylines had to be sacrificed for the wider span of political intrigue, Follett certainly knows how to write an interesting story.
In fact, maybe he's too masterful a storyteller, since his books always have to be wrapped up neatly. For example, there is the rushed and illogical death of Sylvie to accommodate #Negery. Sylvie's been established as a smart person, and she clearly has survival instincts based on her actions in the massacre. She knows how dangerous Rollo is from things Ned said, so why would she follow him to the top of the cathedral after knowing what he is capable of?? Goes to show Follett's propensity to disregard development and common sense so his OG lovers can get a happy ending. Just saying - Sylvie (and all the other characters treated as filler) deserved better.
In fact, maybe he's too masterful a storyteller, since his books always have to be wrapped up neatly. For example, there is the rushed and illogical death of Sylvie to accommodate #Negery. Sylvie's been established as a smart person, and she clearly has survival instincts based on her actions in the massacre. She knows how dangerous Rollo is from things Ned said, so why would she follow him to the top of the cathedral after knowing what he is capable of?? Goes to show Follett's propensity to disregard development and common sense so his OG lovers can get a happy ending. Just saying - Sylvie (and all the other characters treated as filler) deserved better.
habeasopus's review against another edition
3.0
Follett’s pacing and knack for weaving in historical highlights is on full display in this anticipated follow up to his Kingsbridge novels. Unfortunately, so is his extremely convenient plotting, blatantly modern use of language, and tendency to graphically describe rape and torture, without much attempt to deal with the psychological damage you would expect in the characters.
I mean, the man twice describes women as “breast-feeding” in a novel set in the late 16th century. “Nursing” or even “suckling” perhaps?
All the same, the years roll by and the adventures pile up, while karma is served. Certainly a fun read for his many fans.
I mean, the man twice describes women as “breast-feeding” in a novel set in the late 16th century. “Nursing” or even “suckling” perhaps?
All the same, the years roll by and the adventures pile up, while karma is served. Certainly a fun read for his many fans.