Customer Reviews

Scales of Gold

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is the fourth volume in the eight part House of Niccolo series. The House of Niccolo is definitely a series best read in order: the history, the intricate plotting and the characters develop throughout the series and the connections between the books can only be appreciated if read in sequence.

In this volume (covering 1464 to 1468), Nicholas returns to Venice from Cyprus and is met by a watchful reception and an attack. Nicholas's company is threatened with bankruptcy and those for whom he cares are also in danger. Nicholas embarks on a mission of his own: he will journey to the heart of Africa, to the fabled land of Prester John in search of the River of Gold. Nicholas is accompanied by some of the characters we have met in earlier novels and his life is, of course, complicated by various events along the way. From Venice to Timbuktu and all manner of places in between, Nicholas is acquiring wealth in all its forms, but will it be enough?

As is the case in earlier novels, the pages are action filled, the research is impeccable and the journey is fraught with danger and discovery. As a first time reader, reading these books as they were published, I agonised over the choices Nicholas had to make and wondered what would happen next. As a serial re-reader (I confess), I find new aspects to enjoy and admire in every read.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

First of all, let me encourage everyone reading this not to make the mistake of one of the other reviewers and read this book out of sequence! Dunnett's books are not like other books in a series where the order doesn't matter much. It does in this and the Lymond series.

I loved this book. I stayed up half the night last night to finish it even though I have huge graduate school exams in 2 days. Although I have loved the previous 3 in this serious, I didn't feel that Niccolo grabbed me in the way Lymond did until this book. In it Nicholas travels from Europe to Africa in search of the riches that will restore business and prestige to his Bank, which has been hurt by the dogged persecution of a new, powerful rival. With him go his priest, Goldscalc, friend Loppe, cousin Diniz, enemy Gelis, sister to the dead Katelina, and Diniz's mother's companion Bel, who comes along to watch out for Gelis and Diniz. This book is about Nicholas finding himself and peace, without reference to his family ties (?) with de Riberac and St. Pol. Never for a moment think that this peace won't be interrupted. This is Dorothy Dunnett, after all. I, too, was shocked and felt cheated by the cliffhanger, seemingly inexplicable, and out-of-character ending. BUT, Dunnett thrives on those feelings, as do her true fans. I have complete faith in Ms. Dunnett's ability to weave the rest of the series in such a way as makes everything before and since this book come together tightly, as in one of the expertly woven Charrety cloths.

Enjoy this book, the rest of the series, and read Lymond next if you haven't already!

Warning: don't even think about attempting to finish "Scales of Gold" without having "Unicorn Hunt" sitting right next to you. Probably the most amazing cliffhanger ever written. As someone on a discussion list said, "I don't know how all of you who read the series as it was published survived two years without medication."

I was hooked after the first book and have just finished Scales of Gold. The adventure, political intrige and lusty romance just gets better. The complex world of Niccolo is constantly changing as he creates his own destiny and changes the lives of his friends. Ms. Dunnett has brought her vast knowledge of history to our modern world and shows us people are the same regardless of the century. For all Niccolo's success, he still has not found the love he seeks.

I love Dorothy Dunnett's writing, and the way she describes the exotic places that our hero visits is extraordinary. This book covers the mysterious land of Africa. We see so much majesty and grandeur here, especially in fabulous Timbuktu. We see a much more mature Nicholas as he finds and admits real friends into his world. Godsalc and Loppe finally get to see some of the true Nicholas. Diniz is a real treasure and I really like this character. Nicholas' group faces real danger and privation in this book and none of them that attempt the adventure come back the same. Nicholas does manage to regain and even add to his fortune. Something that is different in this book is that there is not much description of what happened on the trip that Nicholas and Godsalc took to find Ethiopia. We also didn't hear much about the trip across the Sahara. This is indeed different for Ms. Dunnett, since these two events are what really changed Nicholas outlook and his dealings with his people. She always goes into quite vivid details about side trips that Nicholas has taken in previous books. Now why, after I have extolled all the virtues of this book have I only given it a 4 instead of a 5? Because I felt cheated at the end of the book. Yes, it's a clever cliffhanger, and it does make you want to continue reading the other books to find out if Nicholas does find his true love, but to me it seemed like "grandstanding", and that's not like the Dorothy Dunnett that I know and love. I won't reveal the ending for those of you who want to read the book because it would spoil it for you, but suffice it to say that there is nothing in the previous 500 pages to explain why she chose this way to end the story. Yes, I will continue to read the series, but I must admit that I was disappointed and angry after I closed the covers on this one.

I, too, was surprised - perhaps annoyed - at the ending of this volume of the Niccolo story. On further consideration, however, I believe that there WERE clues to support Dunnett's unexpected ending. Her red herrings and surprises abound, as always, and I had fallen into one of her marvelous traps. Only shows what a superior craftsperson she is.

In this book, the fourth chapter in the Niccolo series, Nicholas engages in to his biggest adventure yet. He is faced with the imminent bankrupcy of his bank, he therefore decides to go to Africa and reach the source of the gold traffic. He is aided by Loppe his ex slave and now his friend and companion.

In this trip he is accompanied by his priest, father Godscalc and he is forced to take Diniz and Gelis, Katelina's sister and a lady from Scotland, (friend of Diniz's mother, Lucia, also Simon's sister), who is there to chaperone Gelis and help Diniz out. The deat of his father and Simon's sale of his half property in Madeira has also left them almost destitute.

This is the most daring of books yet in the series. There are so many adventures they face and so many inknown places and such different people! The author describes in detail all the trails they have to go through to reach the source of the gold and its traffic. The kingdoms they pass with their different clans and beliefs, as well as the danger they face for there is a need to keep this source of gold a permanent secret

Once again, the marriage of fiction and real history is masterfully done and this is a great real and very, very enjoyable book.

I can't wait to read the next one....

Just when you think that Nicholas will finally find some degree of happiness ....... You will just have to read it to find out. Luckily I have the next book in the series ready to start tonight!

Read this and you will be happy. It is filled with action and continues to inspire the reader to care about these people. Do not hesitate to get involved in this series. THE HOUSE OF NOCCOLO

Dunnett's Niccolo series resembles a Bruegel painting, brimming with colorful life and extraordinary detail.