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1610 : A Sundial in a Grave
1610 A Sundial in a Grave
Author: Mary Gentle
Valentin Rochefort, professional duellist and down-at-heels aristocrat, arranges the assassination of Henri IV, King of France. Fleeing from the consequences, he makes for England, on the way picking up two companions - a young boy, Dariole, and a ship-wrecked 'demon'. Dariole is discovered first to be a girl, and then to be Rochefort's siste...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780575075528
ISBN-10: 057507552X
Publication Date: 11/25/2004
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 2

3.8 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Orion Pub Co
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
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althea avatar reviewed 1610 : A Sundial in a Grave on + 774 more book reviews
Mary Gentle is definitely one of my favorite authors. In 1610, she continues with some of the themes that run through much of her work historical settings, swordswomen, and hermetic magic.

Rochefort is loyal man to the Duc Sully, a member of the court of France. But when Marie de Medici embroils the unwilling Rochefort in her conspiracy to kill her husband the King and that assassination attempt is unexpectedly successful Rochefort must flee the country, also half-unwillingly bringing along the headstrong young duelist Dariole (whom he cant decide if he would rather kill or ravish), and soon acquiring a shipwrecked Japanese ambassador/samurai, Saburo. However, practically no sooner have the unlikely trio assembled themselves in England, that a separate group of conspirators want to compel Rochefort to assist in yet another regicide this time that of King James. And this conspiracy, headed by the mysterious Doctor Fludd, and backed by the Crown Prince, seems much more insidiously dangerous because the Doctor seems able to truly divine the future through his mathematical equations. And the future seen through these equations shows that much more than the fate of a kingdom may rest on the outcome of this conspiracy.

Although Gentle sets up a situation that would seemingly be very unlikely in the 17th century, her well-researched details make her theories at least seem possible. The device of having the book purport to be a computer-reconstructed version of a damaged manuscript works well, also. And with the addition of an awfully sweet sadomasochistic love story well, Id have to say that Id recommend this book to anyone who loves reading Alexandre Dumas, but cant help wishing for more spicy bits
reviewed 1610 : A Sundial in a Grave on + 71 more book reviews
I read about the first 1/3, then skimmed through the rest. Although very well written and had a very interesting premise, I somehow had little patience for it (perhaps another time?) and am ready to pass it on to someone who *really* wants it.


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