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styxx's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Confinement, Gore, Murder, Violence, Death, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content
romonko's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I have been faithfully reading the Sister Fidelma series since the beginning, That is quite an achievement because this latest book is #32 in the series. For those who don't know Fidelma, she is a woman from Ancient Ireland (1st Century). Her brother is the king of his region, and Fidelma herself is a trained "Daleigh" - an advocate or lawyer. She always gets involved in solving very complex cases, and most of them are usually the result of a threat to her brother or his kingdom. This one is no different. Colgu is finishing his seventh year as King of Muman, and his rule will be undergoing a review by the princes in his kingdom. The book begins with the death of Colgu and Fidelma's mentor, the apothecary called Brother Conchobar. Before the end of the book a number of other deaths occur, and there is much discontent in Cashel where the king and his sister reside. Fidelma must sort it all out and determine who killed her mentor before the council vote which is being held to assess the worthiness of King Colgu. As always Tremayne's historical knowledge is front and foremost in this book, but my complaint with this book is that the book was too complicated and convoluted. It's difficult enough to follow the plot with all the Ancient Irish names and words, but in this book it is especially difficult. The cast of characters is huge and the suspect pool is practically bursting at the seams. I enjoy these books and I love Fidelma, and have enjoyed all the books in this series. I will still continue to comb through the new ones that Tremayne writes, but do hope that they are a little less confusing. It's not a book that you can read and take in if you don't give it your full attention.
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