Customer Reviews

The Spring of the Ram

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

That was my reaction after reading this superb sequel to Niccolo Rising. Dunnett's blend of intricate plotting and historical depth is amazing. Here she concentrates on the little known period immediately after the conquest of Constantinople, when the Byzantine empire struggled to survive in a corner of the Black Sea. Their allies are possible more dangerous than their enemies, making a perfect setting for Niccolo's games. This past spring we were able to visit Trabzond as part of a 5 week trip to Turkey, and while the modern town is rather dreary, Dunnett's descriptions of past glories were still fresh in my mind. I'm finishing book 5 now, Unicorn Hunt, and she continues to capture the essence of each country that Niccolo explores. Her descriptions of Cairo can serve as a guide for modern travelers.

This is the second book in the House of Niccolo series, and sees our hero Nicholas journeying to the fabled city of Trebizond, the last outpost of the Byzantium empire.

Nicholas has become an influential trader and has the backing of the Medici. The Charetty company is becoming increasingly powerful, and Nicholas sees opportunities for trading with the East. As we travel with him we are treated to a first class ride through Renaissance trade, politics, espionage and intrigue.

The affairs of Nicholas are never straightforward and as he continues to grow more powerful he attracts more enemies. This is both a wonderful adventure story and a beautifully drawn fiction in an historical setting.

'Let all stand still, for the master of the house has come'

Highly recommended to those who love intricately plotted historical fiction and especially to those with an interest in this period of history.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

After being completely entranced by Dunnett's Lymond chronicles, I eagerly picked up her Niccolo books. This is book two, and is everything I could have hoped for, with plot twists, uncertain loyalties and a rich historical landscape. Encore!

Don't walk, run. Go buy the first of this series, and then the second, and then the third. But read them slowly, not only for the richness of the content, but because you will only get one chance to read them for the first time. The entire "House of Niccolo"series is unique and priceless and should be read by anyone who loves historical novels. .

Reading this book is like taking a magic carpet to a mystical place. Ms. Dunnett has the knack of taking her readers to whatever era and place in the world she chooses. In this book our Niccolo has matured somewhat but he still has some hard lessons to learn about how lonely it is to be a leader. He also has to learn that a true leader leads without his employees or friends knowing that that is what he's doing. In fact, these books of Niccolo could be used for demonstrating leadership. I'm surprised that no corporate videos have been made from them. This is a good book even though Niccolo fails to fascinate as much as Lymond does, but I don't think there ever can be another Lymond. I don't find the characters as likeable in this series for one, and Catherine is certainly no Philippa (at least not yet), but there is high adventure, intrigue and enough court gossip to keep anyone interested in the politics of the 15 century.

Length:: 1:23 Mins

Great continuation of the story

This is the 2nd book in an 8 book collection. The depth of character, the historical facts (and obvious research) and the directions of the plot(s) make this a fascinating series. I wish more people had discovered this author and read this and the Lymond Series.

This book picks up after the first with Niccolo once again on the run from his nasty family...It was refreshing to read a sequel that was not a recap of the first book...shame on Auel..It is high paced action filled high jinx account of Near East life in the 1400's. The imagery was evocative and beautifully done bringing the sights, sounds and smells of ancient Trebizond to the pages. Once again our characters know a little too much and if they "know" so much, why do they get into so much trouble? In spite of a few common sense discrepancies it reads well and has all the tension and drama of a classic Cliff Hanger. If you know your history it's fascinating to see how Dunnet weaves fact into fiction.

In this sequel, we see our hero, Claes or Nicholas, thrown into the complex situation in the middle east. Will the Sultan take over Trebizond where he has been sent as consul for Florence? If anyone can find succes in such a venture, Nicholas is the person, and he does. He succeeds not only in his trading, he saves his people from the Turks and also his step-daughter, Catherine.

Once again, the author has written a masterpiece. We are thrown from Florence to the middle east with all its complexities, but all the time we are rooting for our hero and he makes us proud!

And to think I still have more books to enjoy! I can't wait...

With all the adoration pouring from reviewers I thought I am in for a treat, what a disappointment. Niccolo Rising is just as bad.