The best parts of this book were all Phillipa! Lymond continued to do his best to sabotage them all, and very nearly succeeded, until Phillipa out-sabThe best parts of this book were all Phillipa! Lymond continued to do his best to sabotage them all, and very nearly succeeded, until Phillipa out-sabotaged even him. So much painful in this story. Just enough sweet payoff at the end to make it worthwhile....more
Didn't love this one. Something a bit condescending about the way Russia was portrayed; it felt in bad taste. Also, Lymond was back to his most closedDidn't love this one. Something a bit condescending about the way Russia was portrayed; it felt in bad taste. Also, Lymond was back to his most closed-off and unlikeable self, reminiscent of book 2. The redeeming grace, of course, is that this time he had surrounded himself with a band of true and loyal friends, who had his best interests at heart, even when Lymond himself didn't....more
I didn't enjoy this as much as book 1, even though I normally like identity shenanigans plots. I guess I just disliked Lymond making himself both ridiI didn't enjoy this as much as book 1, even though I normally like identity shenanigans plots. I guess I just disliked Lymond making himself both ridiculous and a misunderstood villain, again. We had enough of that in the first book. I don't like that he genuinely hurt good people who were close to him.
Despite those criticisms, this was still a Lymond book, which means it was brilliantly plotted and intricately woven. I also enjoyed how explicitly bi Lymond was when lavishing his attentions on the French court. The scene where the guy is on his knees in front of Lymond in the bedroom and they get interrupted... ...more
I first read this as a teen, a good 20 years ago, and had very little memory of the plot. This time I read the audiobook, and the narration was exquisI first read this as a teen, a good 20 years ago, and had very little memory of the plot. This time I read the audiobook, and the narration was exquisite. The Scottish accents really helped to firmly root the book in time and place. I adored the twisty plot, with the distant narrative and constantly shifting POV leaving the reader always just a step behind unfolding events. Slowly, slowly, we learn more of the truth, gain a clearer picture of Lymond's character, and finally are let behind the curtain into the POV of Lymond himself. The stakes couldn't have been higher, the tension was exquisite right to the end, and the resolution was very satisfying. Masterfully crafted!
The only low point for me was that sadly so much of the untranslated poetry and quotations still went over my head. I'm sure I would have gotten even more clues and depth from the story if I had understood more than half of the words that came out of Lymond's mouth ...more
I really hated this book when I read it about 5 years ago but I think it was more a case of me disliking the premise and the ending rather than any faI really hated this book when I read it about 5 years ago but I think it was more a case of me disliking the premise and the ending rather than any failing of the writing....more
Read this many years ago. I remember being deeply uncomfortable for most of it, although there were sections I really enjoyed. Certainly a cleverly wrRead this many years ago. I remember being deeply uncomfortable for most of it, although there were sections I really enjoyed. Certainly a cleverly written book though....more
I read this a few times as a teen and really enjoyed it. I'll probably do a re-read soon ahead of the new movie being released.I read this a few times as a teen and really enjoyed it. I'll probably do a re-read soon ahead of the new movie being released....more
Honestly I read this such a long time ago, in high school, that I don't remember much. Just that it was very well written but very heavy subject matteHonestly I read this such a long time ago, in high school, that I don't remember much. Just that it was very well written but very heavy subject matter....more
So much to love about this book. Daine is a master of her powers now, shaping them to suit her will precisely. The new setting was great, each encountSo much to love about this book. Daine is a master of her powers now, shaping them to suit her will precisely. The new setting was great, each encounter more delightful than the last. The dragons were everything I could have asked for, snarky and regal and powerful. All of the action culminating in an epic battle, and then a very unusual war council. I was so proud of Daine for the way she advocated for the rights of all creatures at the end. She's come a long way, for sure.
The only part of this book that made me uncomfortable was the romance. Not the relationship itself, which was well balanced, sweet and authentic. But the age gap... Eek. Last time I read these books I think I would have been Daine's age or younger, and I don't think it bothered me as much. But now, reading as a 30-year-old, the same age as Numair... Wow. I honestly can't conceptualise being interested in a teenager. I'm just going to... think about them later in their lives, instead. 25 and 39 isn't... so... bad... ...more
Here we see a Daine fully comfortable in her powers, finding her feet in a new, very colourful setting. I loved the new lore that was introduced, and Here we see a Daine fully comfortable in her powers, finding her feet in a new, very colourful setting. I loved the new lore that was introduced, and the tidbits about Numair and Daine's backgrounds. The age gap still bothers me, but, it is what it is. The Graveyard Hag is probably the most interesting character in the whole series! Ok, not really, but she's fun. Anyway, it's weird to review a book that I read many times as a tween and not for many years since. Suffice to say, it still holds up!...more
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