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Andy's Reviews > Conclave
Conclave
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Have really enjoyed other works by this author & was great to get my hands on his latest which intrigued me with its concept of more Roman politics albeit from a much later period in history from his Cicero series. And seeing as his Cicero series is one of my all time fav reads.....
As for the review..... I cant really say much at all as it would give a lot away perhaps even inadvertently so. I would even encourage you to avoid any reviews on the book at all! So a few brief thoughts/observations for you.....
The scene is set early, the pope is dead & a new pope must be chosen through the conclave. A fast flowing start as we’re straight into the story with the main narrative via a Cardinal Lomeli who is the Dean of the College of Cardinals & as such oversees the conclave, it’s a style that was used with great effect in the Cicero series with the main narrative coming via Cicero’s secretary. His character was one I had great empathy with throughout the story who in truth hooked me fully.
There’s great detail about the conclave, the Vatican & it’s machinations which I’m guessing would be of interest to many good RC’s (Ruddy Christians that is :) ). Before you know it yer over half way into the story & you might think well, what’s going to happen here then? Then “stuff� happens, “things� are said, folk do “things� & the conclave is played out through the papal ballots. That’s all i’ll say.
One word to the wise, as much as it’s hard not too, try not to flip ahead to see the ballot results..... you’ll only ruin it royally!!
Did I enjoy it YES, Did it hook me YES, was I intrigued YES, Could it have been more PERHAPS, is it as good as some of his other works MAYBE NO But it’s ambitious in what he’s done & would give it a high 3.* rounded upto 4 stars. The length of the book being spot-on too.
PS Dont read any of the comments below - they may contain spoilers!!
As for the review..... I cant really say much at all as it would give a lot away perhaps even inadvertently so. I would even encourage you to avoid any reviews on the book at all! So a few brief thoughts/observations for you.....
The scene is set early, the pope is dead & a new pope must be chosen through the conclave. A fast flowing start as we’re straight into the story with the main narrative via a Cardinal Lomeli who is the Dean of the College of Cardinals & as such oversees the conclave, it’s a style that was used with great effect in the Cicero series with the main narrative coming via Cicero’s secretary. His character was one I had great empathy with throughout the story who in truth hooked me fully.
There’s great detail about the conclave, the Vatican & it’s machinations which I’m guessing would be of interest to many good RC’s (Ruddy Christians that is :) ). Before you know it yer over half way into the story & you might think well, what’s going to happen here then? Then “stuff� happens, “things� are said, folk do “things� & the conclave is played out through the papal ballots. That’s all i’ll say.
One word to the wise, as much as it’s hard not too, try not to flip ahead to see the ballot results..... you’ll only ruin it royally!!
Did I enjoy it YES, Did it hook me YES, was I intrigued YES, Could it have been more PERHAPS, is it as good as some of his other works MAYBE NO But it’s ambitious in what he’s done & would give it a high 3.* rounded upto 4 stars. The length of the book being spot-on too.
PS Dont read any of the comments below - they may contain spoilers!!
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Reading Progress
September 11, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Hardcover Edition)
September 11, 2016
– Shelved
(Hardcover Edition)
September 11, 2016
– Shelved as:
crime-spy-politics
(Hardcover Edition)
December 14, 2016
–
Started Reading
December 14, 2016
– Shelved
December 15, 2016
–
15.97%
"Oh the posturing & politics of the RC church that we so detest for all its hypocrisy.... gonna like this one methinks"
page
46
December 16, 2016
–
48.26%
"Not too sure how this will all play out tbh..... but captivated by it so far"
page
139
December 17, 2016
–
88.54%
"Nearly there..... will be a short review for sure as to tell you too much will give it all away....."
page
255
December 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
crime-conspiracy
December 17, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-14 of 14 (14 new)
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Susie
(new)
Dec 17, 2016 06:25AM
I haven't read any Robert Harris yet, but he's quite high on my wish list at the mo. I love well-written historical fiction, especially when it's from a more ancient period.
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Good 4* review Andy; I hope to read this one soon.
Susie wrote: "I haven't read any Robert Harris yet, but he's quite high on my wish list at the mo. I love well-written historical fiction, especially when it's from a more ancient period."I would defo recommend his Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome series which features Cicero, Julius Caesar et al, the politics/manoeuvring involved is stunning at times
Frances wrote: "Good 4* review Andy; I hope to read this one soon."Thanks, I didnt want to say too much as it would give the ending away - i read a review from a friend (my bad!) that "hinted" at the ending & i twigged fairly early......
I seem to have mixed reactions with his books...some really hook me in but others leave me kinda cold. This one was not so hot for me, but I do have to give him kudos cause I Did Not see that final twist coming (though there had to be 'something'.) Anyway, I have Cicero to get started on in the new year.
Miss M wrote: "I seem to have mixed reactions with his books...some really hook me in but others leave me kinda cold. This one was not so hot for me, but I do have to give him kudos cause I Did Not see that final..."I've been lucky with him so far & not had a bad one. I think this book was a difficult subject matter to take on & he did it well for me, have to admit I was completely hooked at the 50% mark & was then thinking for why? as nowt had really happened! The twist was given away a few times for me, The Irish fellah O'Mallery was onto it as well & kept dropping things into the narrative...... perhaps being a bloke it was a bit more obvious?? :D but still it turned out a better than most thriller which is a genre I oft steer away from these days.
Enjoy Cicero, the first is maybe the hardest to get into but his character matures over the trilogy as does the writing.
The Switzerland allusion went right over my head... ; )
Even the unwrapped R***R.......?? O-O
Andy wrote: "I would defo recommend his Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome series which features Cicero, Julius Caesar et al, the politics/manoeuvring involved is stunning at times"Yep, that's the one that happens to be on my wishlist currently, along with The Gates of Rome and Roman Blood.
Susie wrote: "Andy wrote: "I would defo recommend his Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome series which features Cicero, Julius Caesar et al, the politics/manoeuvring involved is stunning at times"Yep, that's the..."
I enjoy Conn Iggulden immensely but haven't tried his Roman series having a rule (well nearly almost always.....) of keeping 1 author per time period/series in h/f but have to say you wont go far wrong with that series, lots of friends rate him highly & his Wolf of the Plains series was brilliant.
Andy wrote: "I enjoy Conn Iggulden immensely but haven't tried his Roman series having a rule (well nearly almost always.....) of keeping 1 author per time period/series in h/f but have to say you wont go far wrong with that series, lots of friends rate him highly & his Wolf of the Plains series was brilliant."I've heard good things about all three authors. Unfortunately it might be a few years yet before I manage to get around to reading them with my current TBR!!
Susie wrote: "Andy wrote: "I enjoy Conn Iggulden immensely but haven't tried his Roman series having a rule (well nearly almost always.....) of keeping 1 author per time period/series in h/f but have to say you ..."Haha Yes! Get them pruning shears out!
Nice review, Andy :)) Agree with you - this is a good book, and the length is as it should be :) Happy Xmas! :)
Beata wrote: "Nice review, Andy :)) Agree with you - this is a good book, and the length is as it should be :) Happy Xmas! :)"Thanks Beata, I see you enjoyed as much :)
