Tim

Great start to what looks to be a great series

This was an interesting historical novel. It truly is a work of fiction, but it does capture the imagination.

This is the story of Uhtred who is taken by the Danes at an early age. He is raised to be a Danish warrior. But fate has other plans and England wants him back.

At first I was unsure if I was going to like this book at all. I almost gave up after about half way through. But boy that ending was fantastic. I was going to rate this book between 2 and 3 stars but the pace really picks up and does not let go. No spoilers but I think the twist of this book is really great. Plus Mystery and Sci-fi and I think late 19th early 20th century who would have thought up that combo. Look forward to the authors next book

Another fine book in the series

Great book for a causal read. Granted Magdalena is a bit harsher in this one. But I really enjoyed that this was set in a different town. And the characters are written so well. Wether it is the Milanese dignitary or the beggar king himself. I kind of hope we get to see these characters again in a future novel. Keep up the great writing can't wait to see where the next book take us. If you like an almost Bond like book set in medieval Germany, this series may be for you

Just when I thought I was getting out of fantasy comes this thrilling new take on fantasy. I truly enjoyed R. F. Kuang's writing style. So many times reading books with battles the author seems to forget they are also telling a story. I loved this book. I almost put it down when I saw it was the first in a series but now I cannot wait until the next one comes out. R. F. Kuang is not only a great new fantasy author she us a great young author.

Excellent read.

As i write this review it was a very weird week in the world. There is a school board in Tennessee that banned the book Maus which is about the holocaust in WWII. It was also Holocaust Remembrance Day this week. I did not know when I picked up this book it was about anti-semitism through the ages. As a novel it is not overly dramatic in that sense but it does bring about what has happened in the past.
The author writes in the novel “That to be a human being matters more than to be a Jew or a Muslim, Catholic or Orthodox.” I feel this is the heart of the book. It is a book about being a human and treating everyone with respect.
Another reason I loved the book is that I am one of those people who go into museums and think about the person who made an item and how it was used. Just trying to imagine what the item meant to people even if it was just a tool. I feel that in this book. It is the story of a book and the people who lived around the book. Very imaginative and full of life.
I cannot recommend this book enough.