Reviews

1636: Mission to the Mughals by Griffin Barber, Eric Flint

cj13's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

jameseckman's review

3.0

This is the start of a new story arc, so if you've read anything in the series you can read this one without being confused. The only bits I've read or seen about the Muhgals in India is their art so I can't vouch for the history bits, but the research for this series is pretty good. There's a fair amount of court intrigue, it's a dynasty a Borgia would love, even Lucretia, there's a few major women characters at court. There is some action as well and less technobabble than usual. Ends on a minor cliffhanger so you may want to wait for the sequel. I'm not sure how this collaboration worked but Griffin Barber gets some kudos for at least part of a first novel.

hteph's review

3.0

This is a very average book in the 1632 serial. My interest was peaked as india is a new culture and setting to explore, but in the end the experience is a pretty sun bleached one.
There is no characters that stand out, the exotic location is seldom mentioned (except more that that it is hot) and feels like an another germany and the cultural aspect is pretty much limited to mentioning harem, enuchs and slaves a couple of times each page.
We also gets a bit US patriotic blather, a bit Brit bashing (well deserved no doubt about that) and some display of islams failings (I really detests religions, but this feels a bit more connected to current events than to the actual setting) .
Sooo in the end, a unremarkable book with some failings, will probably not buy the next one by the same author couple (if there would be one).