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307th out of 3,151 books
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13,812 voters
The Ringed Castle (The Lymond Chronicles #5)
For the first time Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles are available in the United States in quality paperback editions.
Fifth in the legendary Lymond Chronicles, The Ringed Castle leaps from Mary Tudor's England to the barbaric Russia of Ivan the Terrible. Francis Crawford of Lymond moves to Muscovy, where he becomes advisor and general to the half-mad tsar. Yet even as Lymond tri...more
Fifth in the legendary Lymond Chronicles, The Ringed Castle leaps from Mary Tudor's England to the barbaric Russia of Ivan the Terrible. Francis Crawford of Lymond moves to Muscovy, where he becomes advisor and general to the half-mad tsar. Yet even as Lymond tri...more
Paperback, 521 pages
Published
September 2nd 1997
by Vintage
(first published 1971)
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Another great book in the Lymond series. I live in perpetual awe of Dorthy Dunnett.
This one sees Lymond following Guzel to Russia after the events of the last book. There he builds up the Tsar's army with some help from old friends (Yay Adam Blacklock!) and tries to suppress all his emotions and make himself into a machine. Lymond was even more damaged and pulled back than he's ever been in this book and it was tough not to have a perspective of someone close to him. I know it's bad when I miss...more
This one sees Lymond following Guzel to Russia after the events of the last book. There he builds up the Tsar's army with some help from old friends (Yay Adam Blacklock!) and tries to suppress all his emotions and make himself into a machine. Lymond was even more damaged and pulled back than he's ever been in this book and it was tough not to have a perspective of someone close to him. I know it's bad when I miss...more
I remember this book as being the one where you have to slog through a lot of Russian things to get to the "good" parts, which are Philippa coming into her own in the French, Scottish, and English courts. I am beginning to believe that Dunnett actually wrote these books about Philippa, she just didn't know that's what she wanted to do until a couple of books in. Philippa's a much more compelling character than Lymond.
However, on a less-Philippa-centric reread, the Russia parts are actually quite...more
However, on a less-Philippa-centric reread, the Russia parts are actually quite...more
"The Ringed Castle", 5th of the Lymond Chronicles, is set in Muscovy, Russia. Here in the cold, frozen, ice covered landscape, Lymond becomes Voevoda Bolshoia, supreme commander to the half-mad Tsar, Ivan Vasilievich. Using his brilliance to create a Russian army machine, he is also trying to become one. In his burning desire to rid himself of all that has brought him pain, joy, sorrow and deep emotion, he is set to use all his gifts and talents to do anything necessary to become ruler and creat...more
Dunnett is the master of mature characters who still have so much to learn. The clues are so subtle as to what is really going on in each character's head that you can, as the people around them do, totally misread their motives and emotions. Until...the plot twists and you realize their real concerns and desires. The development of Phillipa's character alone is worth the concentration these books require. And, you soon realize that you're going to read the whole series again, more leisurely now...more
I was kind of disappointed in this one...not because it wasn't good, but because it's not as good as Dunnet has led me to expect out of her work. The scenery was fantastically drawn, as usual, and the plotting seemed tight.
I think it suffered from a lack of a major villain, but perhaps that's just coming down off the high of the brilliant evilness of Graham Malett in the middle entries on this series. The ending was odd and despite the clear attempt at an "AHA" moment to explain everything, thi...more
I think it suffered from a lack of a major villain, but perhaps that's just coming down off the high of the brilliant evilness of Graham Malett in the middle entries on this series. The ending was odd and despite the clear attempt at an "AHA" moment to explain everything, thi...more
Lymond and a select group from his mercenary army known as St Mary's have been hired by Ivan, Tzar of all the Russias, to train a formidable Russian army capable of driving out the Tartar hordes encrouching on Moscow, and to defend and extend his borders to regain territories lost in centuries past. Along with this he must help establish a trading system between Russia and England. As supreme commander of the Tzar's military establishment, Lymond must convince the Queen of England to provide men...more
This was my first Lymond Chronicles book. Not a usual place to start, but I was attracted by the cover in the library -- the ink and wash one.
I was also caught by the first line. "Not to every young girl is it given to enter the harem of the Sultan of Turkey and return to her homeland a virgin." It continued as intriguingly, and then it became clear it was an arranged marriage story, my favorite, and the rest is, well, an obsession! I remember the agonizing wait for Checkmate, which was delayed...more
I was also caught by the first line. "Not to every young girl is it given to enter the harem of the Sultan of Turkey and return to her homeland a virgin." It continued as intriguingly, and then it became clear it was an arranged marriage story, my favorite, and the rest is, well, an obsession! I remember the agonizing wait for Checkmate, which was delayed...more
This one kind of felt like it didn't get going until the last third or so, but then it REALLY got going. It's funny how in this one all the action stuff in Russia felt so secondary in comparison to everything that happens after Lymond gets back to England and sees Philippa again. That sledge race had nothing, NOTHING on that silly play in the Office of Revels for total breathless excitement--I can't even think about it without my heart stopping all over again. (I guess I should have expected by...more
After the heated intensity of Pawn in Frankincense, this fifth (and penultimate) volume of the Lymond Chronicles comes across as cool and subdued – which might be owing to it taking place in the more temperate climates of Russia and England instead of the sun-drenched Middle East of the previous novel. This does not mean, however, that The Ringed Castle is not an exciting novel, or that tension and emotions would not run high, quite to the contrary.
Things do start somewhat slowly, but that is a...more
Things do start somewhat slowly, but that is a...more
Dorothy gave us a much needed breather after Pawn in Frankincense, and so book five was considerably less intense. I enjoyed learning about the details of the Russian court and monarchy under Ivan the Terrible in Moscow (particularly in regards to the Catholic / Eastern Orthodox debates over images vs icons). Lymond's band of mercenary troops in Muscovy were developed, but not in the way we are accustomed from the last couple books. We certainly have feelings about Adam Blacklock and Richard Cha...more
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Book #5 in the Lymond Chronicles as Philippa matures and becomes a force to be reckoned with. "Not to every young girl is it given to enter the harem of the Sultan of Turkey and return to her homeland a virgin." Now that's what I call an attention getting opening! The Ringed Castle begins book #5 in the series as Philippa returns home to England a very self assured young woman and Francis has hitched his wagon to the mysterious Guzel and heads to Russia to bring Tsar Ivan and his army out of the...more
Apr 04, 2009
Elizabeth
added it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Elizabeth by:
Ellen Kushner, Sherwood Smith et al
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 09, 2007
Sarah Heffern
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
lovers of history
Shelves:
favorites,
historical-fiction
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 way...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 way...more
After reading the first four books of Dorothy Dunnett's literary masterpiece The Lymond Chronicles I was anxious, giddy and SO excited to continue on the journey with book number five: The Ringed Castle.
In this fifth installment Lymond travels to Russia with a small band of mercenaries. There he makes his mark and becomes commander of the armies of the tsar. Despite Lymond's efforts to cut his ties to his family and homeland, the past inevitably intrudes and sets Lymond in conflict with those he...more
In this fifth installment Lymond travels to Russia with a small band of mercenaries. There he makes his mark and becomes commander of the armies of the tsar. Despite Lymond's efforts to cut his ties to his family and homeland, the past inevitably intrudes and sets Lymond in conflict with those he...more
I don't have enough accolades for this series. Francis goes to Russia to avoid his past. At first I was confused about the sea route to Russia. Then I realized this was before Russia had any ports on the Baltic and the only sea route to Moscow was north. Brutal choices must be made in this brutal country while Lymond fights with his own inner devils.
What to say about this book? Lymond has turned himself into a cold and masterful leader after the trauma of the events of the last book. Guzel takes him to Russia and he proceeds to become commander in chief of Tsar Ivan's armies when he's sent back to England. The descriptions of Russia in the frozen north, the shipwreck, his struggles with Ivan and his princes - all are told with Dunnett's masterful writing, filled with terror and suspense. I shivered from the cold. I sobbed with the loss. I h...more
Jan 27, 2012
Rachael Bermingham
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
my-kindle
It's surprising that I rate this book at only 3* when I so love the series but I really can't warm to this one. I don't like most of the characters other than Chancellor and just don't find Lymond's rationale for going to Russia or his position there remotely credible. I read it because it's part of the timeline but I don't like it.
While not as intense as Pawn in Frankincense (though I find myself at a loss to imagine what book could be), I still enjoyed this an awful lot. The sections in Russia dragged a bit for me, both because I didn't find the atmosphere/surroundings delineated as vividly as I'm used to in Dunnett's works, and because there was no foil to set Lymond against. Without someone to bitch worthwhile to pitch himself against, the... less amiable aspects of his character become even more defined, and things dr...more
Excellent 5th book in the Lymond Chronicle series. This one follows the exploits of the Comte de Sevigny in 16th Russia as the country was forming under Ivan the Terrible. So much history brought to light - from the raids and influence of the Turkish empire to the South, and the mysterious peoples of northern Russia.
Some of the bits in Russia were a bit hard going - but Philipa goes from strength to strength. I find the Philippa sections the best to read - especially when she is interacting with Lymond.
It's like when someone you love is in the grips of alcoholism, walling themselves off from all who love them, willfully destroying themselves...Francis, enough self-hatred, we want you back.
I'm revising my original review mainly because I based my earlier one on memory and not on a fresh reading.
Although I love Dunnett's writing, her narrative works best when the characters are doing something. Her battles, hijinks, and verbal sparring often leave me breathless and sometimes in need of a de-fibrillator. Unfortunately, this one relies just a bit too much on setting the scenes: I got bogged down in all the descriptions of tapestries, robes, and jewels, and found myself skimming a lo...more
Although I love Dunnett's writing, her narrative works best when the characters are doing something. Her battles, hijinks, and verbal sparring often leave me breathless and sometimes in need of a de-fibrillator. Unfortunately, this one relies just a bit too much on setting the scenes: I got bogged down in all the descriptions of tapestries, robes, and jewels, and found myself skimming a lo...more
The penultimate book in the series, I only give it four stars (relative to the other books in the series) because it followed PIF and precedes
The finale.
The finale.
Again good. The history is interesting, the portrayal of Ivan the Terrible. The young Elizabeth is interesting.
Struggled with the middle of this book but it picked up in the end. The least interesting book of the series, so far.
This books is amazing for all the incredibly written scenes. Each book in this series can claim some great scenes, but really stands out about the Ringed Castle is the sheer number of beautiful and haunting scenes -- whether it's the description of nature, the action-packed races and wrecks, or a heart-stopping swoon by the hero. They're all so varied, and yet all so deftly written by the same hand. I'm so glad I've enjoyed the series just as much the second time around because it makes me a lit...more
What can I say. I am loving this series. Shocker! Another great addition to the Lymond Chronicles. I have to admit at times I became disenchanted with the main character, but I think the author wanted that. It was so hard to watch the main character lose his humanity, and become a machine with one purpose in mind, and then very touching to watch the ones who have come to love him try to salvage what is left of his person. Loved it, and I can't wait to read the next one. I recommend these to anyo...more
I never tire of reading Dunnett...over and over again.
You must read the whole series!
Once again, with the Lymond books, I have no idea how to write a review of this book. None, whatsoever. Francis continues to be wonderful, Philippa continues to be awesome, I particularly enjoyed looking at Russia through the eyes of Lymond's followers.
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Dorothy Dunnett OBE was a Scottish historical novelist. She is best known for her six-part series about Francis Crawford of Lymond, The Lymond Chronicles, which she followed with the eight-part prequel The House of Niccolò. She also wrote a novel about the real Macbeth called King Hereafter (1982), and a series of mystery novels centred around Johnson Johnson, a portrait painter/spy.
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“Verily, God hath eighteen thousand worlds; and verily, your world is one of them, and this its bright axle-tree.”
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“Not to every young girl is it given to enter the harem of the Sultan of Turkey and return to her homeland a virgin.”
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1 person liked it
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