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Jacquelyn H. (Blanco, Texas)
PROPHECY by S.J. Harris
I love historical fiction and this book filled the bill. It is the second book by S.J. Harris written with Giordono Bruno, the Dominican monk returning as it's lead character. I found the characters of the medieval world believable. The plot is interesting but drags some at times. Overall, this book is enjoyable and a good read but it will not win any literary prizes.
Kristine I. (Carmel, IN)
Slow Paced Thriller
This is a solid historical mystery, but for me it wasn’t what I would call an historical thriller as the cover claimed. I enjoyed the history of the book which sent me more than once to look up facts online. While I liked the narrator and felt that I connected with him, I found myself having trouble keeping the other characters straight in my mind because there were so many of them, they just didn’t come alive to me. It was as if the mystery was hidden because there were too many story lines rather than clever plotting. There were some story lines I would have wanted expanded a little more. I think fewer, richer
…more characters would have made the story a fuller, more satisfying read. (less)Unless you're a devout fan of S.J. Parris and have read the Heresy, the prequel to Prophecy, I wouldn't recommend this book. It was very slow and dark and it never grabbed me. Its being marketed as a historical thriller so I expected it to be a page turner like The Historian, but it was very hard to get through and unfortunately I didn't very much enjoy this read.
Anita S. (BOYNTON BEACH, FL)
Mediocre Mystery
When I started reading this book, I really enjoyed it. I liked the date and location where it took place. The use of historical figures in the story and the superstitious thinking at the time was interesting. But about 1/3 of the way through, I began to lose interest. The plots, subplots, intrigues and questions got tedious and I found that I really didn't care about the outcome. Maybe if I had read the prequel book, I may have found it more interesting. I wouldn't really recommend it to book clubs.
Katherine S. (seaford, VA)
Elizabethan Enigma
Prophecy is OK, not great. Many interesting details about Elizabeth I's reign in 1583 London; it's a fairly true to life story. It felt like it wanted to be a page-turner, but got bogged down with its' own history. Described as an Historical Thriller, but it is less than thrilling.
Sue Ellen S. (CEDAR FALLS, IA)
"The Plot Thickens..."
I love all things Elizabethan and so looked forward to reading this "historical thriller" set in the court of Queen Elizabeth Tudor. Indeed the stage immediately is set for the solving of a murder—"a virgin defiled in the very court of the Virgin Queen." What next? An attempted murder of Elizabeth herself on the 25th anniversary of her reign? My favorite parts of the book did not relate to murders (more than one) but rather to the accounts of various attempts to unseat Elizabeth from her throne. Always a central force in the story, Elizabeth actually appears in the story much too briefly for me. And yet when she
…more does, the author portrays her vividly—"this open-minded, unashamedly intellectual woman who, behind the generous smiles she bestows now on her fawning courtiers, must have a will of steel to have ruled so long alone in a world of men." I was left wanting more, but fans of mystery will find this a good read. (less)I was excited about reading this book since I love mystery novels and I love British history. I discovered that in the book Prophecy that I am not a fan of the two combined. I found the book a bit difficult to follow and since I had not read the first in the series, I found it hard to relate to the main character, Giordano Bruno. However, for those who enjoy historical fiction this book has it all. Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Catholics, Protestants, fair maidens, spies, monks, sorcery, evil and so on.
Norman G. (Diamond Bar, CA)
Love the Historical Fiction Genre, but not this title
Prophecy has a fine plot, decent characterization, and pages of historical detail, but it all goes together to make an average read. I cannot really feel strongly for the anyone or actually get emotional about the villains. The novel typifies the word average. I usually read a book in 2 or 3 days. Prophecy took ten. The story might work for some but I am just glad it was a free copy.
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