Phew!! I struggled from the start to finish, and am glad that it is over. I didn't like it. Unlike the first two books which were centered around the characters and their struggles, this was about Catholics and Protestants, two decade long fight between Elizabeth and Mary for the throne. The first two books were more about the characters and their strife to survive each day. I elated in their small victories, felt sad in their pain, but here I didn't connect with the characters. Reading this fel...

Yet again another masterpiece..... Ken Follett follows The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End with a tale of espionage, political intrigue and extreme faith during a time of never-ending religious conflict. Full of adventure and suspense, A Column of Fire is an inspiring and thrilling portrait of one of Europe’s most perilous times in history. It is a journey not only through place but also through a dazzling number of key historical events. Beginning in 1558 and continuing through to 16...

A ver, que voy y me voy a despachar a gusto… (Y si eres fan a ultranza de Follett no sigas leyendo)Abandonado al 75% tras más de 850 página leídas (si se abandona con ese avance es que uno está quemadillo, ¿eh?).Que les den a los hugonotes, a los protestantes, a los católicos, a la reina Isabel I, a María Tudor e incluso a Felipe II.Y tras acabar con ellos que empiecen con los personajes del libro y sigan con el mismo procedimiento.(que bien me he “quedao”)Follett nos da un nuevo libro como los ...

Se Isto é Religião?!Esta obra recordou-me (e já vão entender porquê) um excerto duma cantiga de Chico Buarque que soa mais ou menos assim:"...mesmo quando minhas mãos estão empenhadas em torturar, trucidar, matar...meu coração fecha os olhos e, sinceramente, chora!..."Será religião queimar em fogueiras, torturar e massacrar?!...Aonde é que estão a paz e o amor pelo próximo que toda a religião apregoa?!...Foram múltiplas as guerras a que os caciques religiosos se entregaram. Esses anjos negros fa...

It seems the consensus among Kingsbridge fans is that A Column of Fire is their least favourite. I agree. Forgive my corniness, but A Column of Fire just didn't have the flame the previous two books in the series had. Ken Follett, one of the best-selling authors in history, has never been considered as a spectacular writer. This holds true again in this latest novel. Follett writes quick-paced scenes. His sentences remain as stilted as ever. His words are rigid, and perhaps this evens gives a ce...

Long a fan of Ken Follett and this series, I chose a return to the wonders of Kingsbridge and all that the author has to say about this place over numerous centuries. I have used my previous review as a foundation, peppering in some new insights with this re-read:Ken Follett again took a lengthy hiatus before penning this third novel in the series, which is reflected in the writing and shall be discussed below. Kingsbridge, with its cathedral and mighty bridge, again proves to be the initial bac...

My love affair with Follett goes as far back as 13 years, when I was first enraptured by Eye of the Needle. Since then, you've tucked me into bed several nights with your fabulous stories of espionage, romance, historical fiction, and oh so much more.This series makes me sigh as It wraps around me much like a caterpillar In a cocoon. It is fabulously rich in character and plot development and leaves me longing for the next big book you write -especially during the 16th century. I loved The Pilla...

I've had a whole month and 900+ pages to think about it-- and I just didn't enjoy A Column of Fire as much as The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. I think I know why, and I'll get to that in a second, but I'd first like to say that this isn't a bad book. I happily read right through to the end without feeling like it was a chore to finish. Some of Follett's tried and tested formula is present here - namely, a central starcrossed romance and despicable villains - which keeps the pages ...

I didn’t want to write this review, I’ve been weighing it up for a few days, but this book is so far removed from the previous two books that a negative review is unavoidable. A Column of Fire is way too short and way too predictable, which is a sort of odd comment to make about a book over 750 pages long with a huge cast of characters. But let me explain. Ken Follet is at his best when he writes massive historical yarns. He mixes the political and social issues of the age with the lives of some...

I've reviewed ~575 books in the last few years and don't often give out 5 stars. I can be a bit stingy as I want the book to just completely knock me over. Ken Follett is one of few authors who consistently impress, excite, and satisfy this thirst. The Pillars of the Earth came very close. World Without End hit the mark and is one of my top 5 all-time favorite books. In the third book in the Kingsbridge series, A Column of Fire, I am again thoroughly exhilarated and awarding 5 stars. I do think ...