![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wilderthanThe Queen of Attolia (Megan Whalen Turner)
I quite liked the first book, The Thief, but this was far better, for me. There were a couple of points I worried about, as I read -- how the author would deal with disability, and how the romance would turn out -- but as I got to the end, I felt entirely satisfied with both.
The attitude to disability is refreshing. It happens, and the character reacts realistically, but goes through a process of healing rather than either remaining sunk in despair or just suddenly getting better as if nothing has changed. The character changes because of what happens to them, and that change isn't wished away, even after the intercession of the gods. I was so happy with this aspect -- as compared to other narratives involving disability -- that I ended up buying a couple of my friends copies of the first and second books of these series, because this kind of thing needs to be supported.
Another aspect of this book that I loved was the development of the Queens. They were interesting characters, in the first book, but very background. In this book, they both get a chance to shine, and some of the narration is limited to their point of view -- although the narration of this book is third person, not first person.
In terms of the romance, I thought it... rather sudden, at first, but as it developed a little I began to like it despite the suddenness. It isn't really surprising, given how much the narrative in the first book hides from the reader, that I didn't get any sense of foreshadowing of it.
Like the first book, this one contains a bit of a twist at the end -- perhaps a little more telegraphed than in the first book, and not quite as integral to the plot, maybe. Still, I thought it was a nice touch.
A Morbid Taste for Bones (Ellis Peters)
Medieval murder mysteries centered around a Welsh monk detective... how could I resist? And with both my parents enthusiastic about the books, too, despite Dad's tendency to read only non-fiction. It's a little taste of home, really: I can believe in the attitudes and beliefs presented as Welsh, even though I know it's likely to be a modern construct. The female Welsh characters, Sioned and Annest, are particularly enjoyable, because they're strong women in a genre of fiction that often still presents women as shrinking violets whenever it can. Cadfael is an enjoyable character too, of course -- knowledgeable and on the side of right, without being overbearing or ridiculous about it. A live and let live sort of philosophy. But it's the minor characters that stood out for me, 'cause they're none of them canon fodder. I cared.
One Corpse Too Many (Ellis Peters)
I love that -- so far at least -- these books aren't just historical fiction with a touch of mystery, or mystery with a touch of historical fiction, but solidly grounded in both. The political situation is inextricably linked with the mystery, too, even though the mystery is not vitally important to the political situation. It's lovely.
The characters are fun, too. Cadfael, of course, is clever and good, but I rather liked the background characters, particularly Hugh and Aline. The ending made me very happy. I suppose they aren't really clearly drawn and given depth, but they're still intriguing, and I hope to see them again in later books. I didn't like Godith as much, once I started liking Hugh, but I do like that Godith and Aline have as much of a part to play as anyone and aren't relegated to just being future brides of the main characters.
Monk's Hood (Ellis Peters)
Still enjoying this series a lot. I love the way the Welsh/English issues are woven in. This one is less political than the previous book, but it's still fully grounded in its historical setting. If you're looking for books that go straight to the mystery, it isn't these.
One thing I'm appreciating a lot, though, is that from the very first page, I'm trying to figure out what the crime will be, and who the suspects could be. I've mostly got it right, even from early on, but it's lovely to read on and find myself mostly right.
I didn't enjoy the characters in this book as much, but Cadfael remains wonderful, and the comedown for Prior Robert was amazing. And I'm quite fond of Brother Mark, if he sticks around, and of course, still fond of Hugh.
I quite liked the first book, The Thief, but this was far better, for me. There were a couple of points I worried about, as I read -- how the author would deal with disability, and how the romance would turn out -- but as I got to the end, I felt entirely satisfied with both.
The attitude to disability is refreshing. It happens, and the character reacts realistically, but goes through a process of healing rather than either remaining sunk in despair or just suddenly getting better as if nothing has changed. The character changes because of what happens to them, and that change isn't wished away, even after the intercession of the gods. I was so happy with this aspect -- as compared to other narratives involving disability -- that I ended up buying a couple of my friends copies of the first and second books of these series, because this kind of thing needs to be supported.
Another aspect of this book that I loved was the development of the Queens. They were interesting characters, in the first book, but very background. In this book, they both get a chance to shine, and some of the narration is limited to their point of view -- although the narration of this book is third person, not first person.
In terms of the romance, I thought it... rather sudden, at first, but as it developed a little I began to like it despite the suddenness. It isn't really surprising, given how much the narrative in the first book hides from the reader, that I didn't get any sense of foreshadowing of it.
Like the first book, this one contains a bit of a twist at the end -- perhaps a little more telegraphed than in the first book, and not quite as integral to the plot, maybe. Still, I thought it was a nice touch.
A Morbid Taste for Bones (Ellis Peters)
Medieval murder mysteries centered around a Welsh monk detective... how could I resist? And with both my parents enthusiastic about the books, too, despite Dad's tendency to read only non-fiction. It's a little taste of home, really: I can believe in the attitudes and beliefs presented as Welsh, even though I know it's likely to be a modern construct. The female Welsh characters, Sioned and Annest, are particularly enjoyable, because they're strong women in a genre of fiction that often still presents women as shrinking violets whenever it can. Cadfael is an enjoyable character too, of course -- knowledgeable and on the side of right, without being overbearing or ridiculous about it. A live and let live sort of philosophy. But it's the minor characters that stood out for me, 'cause they're none of them canon fodder. I cared.
One Corpse Too Many (Ellis Peters)
I love that -- so far at least -- these books aren't just historical fiction with a touch of mystery, or mystery with a touch of historical fiction, but solidly grounded in both. The political situation is inextricably linked with the mystery, too, even though the mystery is not vitally important to the political situation. It's lovely.
The characters are fun, too. Cadfael, of course, is clever and good, but I rather liked the background characters, particularly Hugh and Aline. The ending made me very happy. I suppose they aren't really clearly drawn and given depth, but they're still intriguing, and I hope to see them again in later books. I didn't like Godith as much, once I started liking Hugh, but I do like that Godith and Aline have as much of a part to play as anyone and aren't relegated to just being future brides of the main characters.
Monk's Hood (Ellis Peters)
Still enjoying this series a lot. I love the way the Welsh/English issues are woven in. This one is less political than the previous book, but it's still fully grounded in its historical setting. If you're looking for books that go straight to the mystery, it isn't these.
One thing I'm appreciating a lot, though, is that from the very first page, I'm trying to figure out what the crime will be, and who the suspects could be. I've mostly got it right, even from early on, but it's lovely to read on and find myself mostly right.
I didn't enjoy the characters in this book as much, but Cadfael remains wonderful, and the comedown for Prior Robert was amazing. And I'm quite fond of Brother Mark, if he sticks around, and of course, still fond of Hugh.
