Wow, I've never seen a post of yours without comments yet! Lucky timing.
I have to admit, I loved this book. Even the beginning didn't phase me that much because I already admired how well the characters were formed. I felt like in a few sentences Bujold was able to give the sense of a full, complete person, even if they were a minor character. The plot was well-crafted and I loved how everything worked out! I didn't expect Iselle's brother to die and I loved the religions pantheon as well. I was lost a bit with the pages and pages (or felt like?) when Caz defeated Dondo's brother. I was interested that this was based partially on some Spanish history back in the day, though it doesn't turn out in the novel as it did in real life.
I felt like in a few sentences Bujold was able to give the sense of a full, complete person, even if they were a minor character.
Yes, she did quite a good job of that. I was still pretty anxious though without much direction from the plot, but thankfully, those fears were alleviated!
I was interested that this was based partially on some Spanish history back in the day, though it doesn't turn out in the novel as it did in real life.
Really? I'd love to hear more about that, if you've got the time and/or links. :)
Yes like @aliciaaudrey said, it seems to me it's loosely based on Isabella of Castille and Ferdinand of Aragon. I believe I read somewhere that Bujold took a history class that inspired the story but I'm iffy on that.
My understanding is that Bujold was writing a fantastical version of the marriage of Isabella of Castille and Ferdinand of Aragon. This seemed quite apparent to me, but I'm slightly more versed in that time period than most people I know
( ... )
Suddenly get caught up in story, finished reading in 24 hours.
*laughs* YES!
I'm not as familiar with the setting, and in truth, I kept wishing for a map to refer to. It's quite fascinating to hear how this is loosely based on history, because my not being versed in any of this at all, it reads well as a straight fantasy, you know?
I didn't mention the curse, but I did quite enjoy how that was developed.
I think it could totally be read as a straight fantasy. The real world grounding I think was helpful--one of my big beefs with lazy fantasy plotting is that people are so into "Oh I can make up ANYTHING I WANT" that they make cultures that aren't realistic or believable. IMO, nothing wrong with grounding your work in an inspirational time and space.
I don't know if I'll read the sequel. Maybe. It's on my Nook wish list, though we'll see if I'll actually read it.
I loved the sequel largely because it has a widowed, middle-aged, previous insane heroine. That doesn't happen often! And it's a good story. I think it's well worth reading, but I admit to being a Bujold fan-girl and therefore biased.
The third book I found harder to get into but ended up really likely, but it's quite different from the first two. I hope she'll finish it off to five books one day.
I really loved this. The slow start wasn't an issue for me; maybe because I'm so in love with Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan books that I had utter faith that things would pick up later on. I was also enjoying the characterization of Caz. Bujold excels at writing protagonists who are not your typical young, strong, able-bodied heroes. Characterization in general is one of her greatest strengths; I felt that I knew all of the secondary characters well, and absolutely loved Umegat!
Hey, I know how it is when it comes to fun reading versus school. My last semester for grad school I didn't have hardly any time for fun reading (or any reading) at all!
Also, I just want to make sure, but I don't show you signed up for the book club. Which is FINE, and I'm only asking to make sure you get credit if you DID sign up and I somehow lost the entry. :-/
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I have to admit, I loved this book. Even the beginning didn't phase me that much because I already admired how well the characters were formed. I felt like in a few sentences Bujold was able to give the sense of a full, complete person, even if they were a minor character. The plot was well-crafted and I loved how everything worked out! I didn't expect Iselle's brother to die and I loved the religions pantheon as well. I was lost a bit with the pages and pages (or felt like?) when Caz defeated Dondo's brother. I was interested that this was based partially on some Spanish history back in the day, though it doesn't turn out in the novel as it did in real life.
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Yes, she did quite a good job of that. I was still pretty anxious though without much direction from the plot, but thankfully, those fears were alleviated!
I was interested that this was based partially on some Spanish history back in the day, though it doesn't turn out in the novel as it did in real life.
Really? I'd love to hear more about that, if you've got the time and/or links. :)
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Read twenty pages.
Put down for two days.
Read another thirty.
Put down for two days.
Read another thirty.
Put down for two days.
Suddenly get caught up in story, finished reading in 24 hours.
*laughs* YES!
I'm not as familiar with the setting, and in truth, I kept wishing for a map to refer to. It's quite fascinating to hear how this is loosely based on history, because my not being versed in any of this at all, it reads well as a straight fantasy, you know?
I didn't mention the curse, but I did quite enjoy how that was developed.
Do you think you'll read the sequel?
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I don't know if I'll read the sequel. Maybe. It's on my Nook wish list, though we'll see if I'll actually read it.
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The third book I found harder to get into but ended up really likely, but it's quite different from the first two. I hope she'll finish it off to five books one day.
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My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/111239737
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But know you can always come back to this. Just do it for the year's up if you want any points. ;)
And yes, I'm looking forward to the Butler. :)
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Hey, I know how it is when it comes to fun reading versus school. My last semester for grad school I didn't have hardly any time for fun reading (or any reading) at all!
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Frankly, I just adored this book. I think I've read it three times.
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Also, I just want to make sure, but I don't show you signed up for the book club. Which is FINE, and I'm only asking to make sure you get credit if you DID sign up and I somehow lost the entry. :-/
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