Search - The Illuminator

It is obvious the author did a ton of research for this novel. She intertwines historical figures in to make them and the story more real. I must admit, I cried through the last couple of chapters.

Wow... this book is very well written, but the subject matter is just too darn depressing! Late 14th century England... Lots of church involvement.

This is a well-written book, with a regular tapestry of a 14th century background and carefully drawn characters. It's also a bit more realistic than I thought it would be, and considerably less upbeat, but well worth reading.

Set in the 14th century, this book has all the good bones for a well-written, well-researched piece of historical fiction. There's a widowed noblewoman facing several difficult decisions, some serious villainry from those with the king's power and the church's power, and more than one romantic entanglement.

Unfortunately, the book is character-driven, and the characters themselves are interesting, but less than compelling. The characterizations are believable, but at no point do they do anything that truly surprises or inspires. Perhaps this is a commentary on the unequal distribution of power in medieval England, but it makes for characters who are seemingly helpless to change the tide of their lives.

The main plot is complex, and takes a long time getting where it's going. Some of the events which should have unfolded slowly throughout the book wrap up about halfway through. Finally, several twists near the end happen far too rapidly to be believable.

This is a book that initially made me eager to read what would happen next, but ultimately let me down. It is a story that could have been so much stronger than it is.

This books writing was very well done. I thought the history was wonerful. There are detailed crude scenes in this book.

Well Written