Bradshaw, Gillian - Island of Ghosts

[oyceter]

This is actually the first Gillian Bradshaw book I've read (cue gasps of horror?), but I'll probably be picking up a lot more on the strength of this one, except the one that yhlee found horribly sporky

Comments

[avrelia]

I recently read another book by Gillian Bradshaw - Beacon at Alexandria. Similar period - late Roman Empire, and similar problems. I cannot say I loved it though. It was very engaging, especially the middle - when it was impossible to leave the book, but the main heroine did seem too good and modern and open-minded. But maybe I ask too much - maybe it was all correct. the epilogue bothered me a little too - implying that with the fall of Rome all good things were forgotten till Renaissance.

The love story part is very nice and delicious, anyway, so I can honestly recommend it.

[oyceter]

Oh cool, I'm looking forward to it! It's been getting many good recs.

[avrelia]

Hee! It seems mine is the most critical one. But I really liked the book. Just you know, nitpicking. ;)

[oyceter]

I think yuneicorn has also lent me Beacon at Alexandria, along with this book. And I have taken note of your sporky review of the other book and shall avoid forthwith ;).

[gwyneira]

Yay, a Bradshaw convert!

I seem to recall that it was Alchemy of Fire that yhlee found sporkerific -- I agree and would recommend avoidance. Other than that, I think all of Bradshaw's historicals are worth reading. I'm particularly fond of The Beacon at Alexandria, and the other two Byzantium books, The Bearkeeper's Daughter and Imperial Purple (I've sort of a mini-review of all three here).

[oyceter]

Ah yes, I think that was it! And thanks for the link!

[anonymous]

I loved this book, and I like how Bradshaw makes the later Roman Empire involving and approachable--most of the Roman novels I've read fall somewhere between Julius Caesar and Vespasian. Admittedly, an interesting time, but it's nice to wander off the beaten path on occasion.

[oyceter]

I actually havne't read all that many historicals set in the Roman times (I dunno, I guess I just don't find it that appealing off the top of my head?), so the funny thing was I was thinking, "Oh, yet another book set in Britain during the whole Roman rule," since I've read more of those. It's probably all the Arthurian retellings or something.

But I really loved this!

[rilina]

Island of Ghosts and Beacon at Alexandria are my favorite Bradshaws; the rest I've found very variable.

[oyceter]

Yay! yuneicorn has indeed lent me Beacon and am looking forward to reading it!