Checkmate: Sixth in the Legendary Lymond Chronicles
by Dorothy DunnettSign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
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Read in March, 2008
The final book in the Lymond Chronicles and a spectacular finish! Checkmate opens as Lymond and his band of mercenaries leave England behind and travel to France to serve the French King in his battles with King Phillip. As Lymond is still set upon returning to Russia King Henri offers Lymond the annulment from Philippa that he desperately wants if he serves France for one year - if he doesn't Henri will do all in his power to block the annulment forever. Philippa comes to France to serve as lad...more
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Read in June, 2005
recommends it for:
lovers of history
The Lymond Chronicles books are quite possibly my all-time favorite books, or at least as an adult. There are six thoroughly-researched novels in the series, and each outdoes its predecessor in weaving historic details, compelling characters, and gripping plot twists.
The story follow Francis Crawford of Lymond, a minor Scottish nobleman, through adventures that take him from his native land to England, France, Malta, Greece, North Africa, Russia, and finally back home to Scotland. Along the...more
The story follow Francis Crawford of Lymond, a minor Scottish nobleman, through adventures that take him from his native land to England, France, Malta, Greece, North Africa, Russia, and finally back home to Scotland. Along the...more
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Read in September, 2008
Do not listen to anyone who tells you that this book is the best of the six. It isn't. (I think we've all agreed that Pawn was.) However, to devotees of the books it will seem like the best, because it's the one with the (relatively) Happy Ending. If you read any of the reviews online they all say the same thing: Dunnett seems to have lost some of her edge. This book pulls out all the stops and employs every last romance novel cliche you can think of. But it doesn't matter. It doesn't mat...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
historical fiction readers.
Number : 14
Read 8/30/06-2/11/07, 2/16-2/20/05
Checkmate finishes the amazing tale of Francis Crawford
of Lymond in breath-taking, stunning and wonderous fashion.
The book is set in France and almost anything else I could
possibly say plot-wise would be a spoiler. Instead, I'll just rave and say that in a series of books where each one rated a 10, this one was perhaps the best. Lymond is the most fascinating of characters, surrounded by other intricately drawn characters. I can't recommend ...more
Read 8/30/06-2/11/07, 2/16-2/20/05
Checkmate finishes the amazing tale of Francis Crawford
of Lymond in breath-taking, stunning and wonderous fashion.
The book is set in France and almost anything else I could
possibly say plot-wise would be a spoiler. Instead, I'll just rave and say that in a series of books where each one rated a 10, this one was perhaps the best. Lymond is the most fascinating of characters, surrounded by other intricately drawn characters. I can't recommend ...more
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The final book of the Lymond Chronicles, by far DD's greatest book, and the best book I have ever read.
This is Lymond and Phillipa's love story. It is also Lymond's redemption and the resolution of the question of his parentage and issues with his mother. He is a man with more burdens than a single human should be asked to carry, and his friends are all worried about his physical health and mental strength.
All that, a war in France, the marriage of a spoiled Scottish princess...more
This is Lymond and Phillipa's love story. It is also Lymond's redemption and the resolution of the question of his parentage and issues with his mother. He is a man with more burdens than a single human should be asked to carry, and his friends are all worried about his physical health and mental strength.
All that, a war in France, the marriage of a spoiled Scottish princess...more
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recommended to Susan by:
my uncle
recommends it for: everyone
recommends it for: everyone
No I won't swap my copy! I re-read it annually. It's a superb, if emotional, finale to a wonderful series, packed with thrilling action, vibrant characterisation and lightly-worn erudition.
Set in 16th century Europe - particularly Scotland and France - the Lymond Chronicles (which start with The Game of Kings) are not only intensively researched, but intricately plotted and beautifully written making them - IMHO - the best historical novels.
Dorothy Dunnett weaves the saga of her fictio...more
Set in 16th century Europe - particularly Scotland and France - the Lymond Chronicles (which start with The Game of Kings) are not only intensively researched, but intricately plotted and beautifully written making them - IMHO - the best historical novels.
Dorothy Dunnett weaves the saga of her fictio...more
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Read in April, 2008
Initially I was going to rate it lower, but it doesn't deserve a three. Not because it was bad -- I loved it (most of the time!), and I liked how everything was resolved, except that sometimes I felt like all possible romance clichés got thrown into this one.
And the angst! Oh the angst and the intrigue and the secrets and the lies. It would have been suffocating if not for the intricate plot.
Ah well. These six books have been fun. (And heartbreaking and funny and mildly traumatising.)...more
And the angst! Oh the angst and the intrigue and the secrets and the lies. It would have been suffocating if not for the intricate plot.
Ah well. These six books have been fun. (And heartbreaking and funny and mildly traumatising.)...more
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Read in January, 2003
recommends it for:
European 16th century history buffs
Francis Crawford of Lymond is perhaps one of the most seductive, unreal (and I actually mean totally implausable), brilliant 'hero' I have perhaps ever read. I'm not sure I can imagine how much research Mrs. Dunnett had to put into writing this series but I felt that I had ridden headlong through 16th century Europe and the Ottoman empire and come out battle scarred, terrified and absolutely raving. The cast of characters was immense but the true story is the history and the societies Crawford d...more
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This was one of my favorites. The denouement was awesome! And everyone got what they deserved. By this time, I was starting to understand better what Dunnett was doing with the chapter heading quotes, and when I bought the Companion, even more things became clear. It was the first book I ever purchased on eBay ( with the help of my daughter) and I paid more than I would have had to if I had the patience to wait for another copy. Later, I finished up my collection of Dunnett books, both Lymond...more
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Oh, the angst! Angst, angst, angst—both internal, in the lives of the characters; and external, in my life, as I tried to stay calm with the end of this series rapidly approaching—and failed, miserably. But never fear: I survived the experience with only minor trauma (er, that was someone else who had to set the book down one chapter from the end and go cry in the bathroom for an hour), as you'll I'm sure survive if you read these books. Which you should. Like, right now.
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Read in February, 2007
There is, I think, a line in one of Jane Austen's pieces of juvenilia which reads something like:
It was too pathetic for the feelings of Sophia and myself—we fainted alternately upon a sofa.
Yeah, that about sums it up.
It was too pathetic for the feelings of Sophia and myself—we fainted alternately upon a sofa.
Yeah, that about sums it up.
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
lovers of swashbuckling and politicking
Historical fiction, sixth and last of the Lymond Chronicles. As Lymond cannot return to Russia, he lends his battlefield skills to France. But despite his best efforts, his past becomes a threat to those he loves. Lots of wit, action, coldblooded politicking, and heartrending angst -- a very good conclusion to a very good series.
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Read in June, 2008
recommended to Nathan by:
Tracy Baker
Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles were some of the most painful books I've ever read -- but also one of the best series. It's very much worth the investment. This last book wasn't the best in the series but it really wrapped everything up very nicely (and was much more readable than some of the first books).
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I'll never forget reading the climatic last chapter(s) of this book for the first (of many) times - sitting on a subway car in Boston, trying not to scream and cry at the twist she threw in, not wanting to look like a total lunatic in public!
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The final, and best, in my favorite series ever written. A complex wrap-up of the story of an honest-to-god Renaissance man... poet, soldier, warrior, musician, artist... and tormented hero. One of my favorite books ever written.
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these two series by dorothy dunnett are my absolute favorite. nothing different to say about them; together, they will take you off the planet for a full summer and just might re-direct your life, as they did mine.
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Read in January, 2007
Absolutley wonderful series! Dunnett's next series(House of Niccolo) though written and named seperately are supposed to be an extension of the Lymond Chronicles. I need to have a break but will eventually get there.
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Read in January, 2005
recommended to Liz by:
Jennie Plattrecommends it for: Anyone interested in incredibly written historical fiction
Loved it. It's heart-wrenching, amazing story-telling at its best! There are scenes in this book I go back and re-read over and over still. The big disappointment? This is where the story ends!
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Read in January, 1999
It's worth reading all the 5 previous novels to get to this last great amazing breathtaking finale...
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The last of the series. You can finally draw a breath for the last few pages.
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