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Tyrian purple, the colour that denotes Byzantine imperial power is embargoed and under close guard in Byzantium. To steal it is punishable by death.
However a Jewish merchant from Venice has sourced an illegal supply and Tobias, a minstrel, and his twin brother, Tomas, begin a dangerous journey to retrieve the dye and deliver it into the merchant’s eager hands.
But is this supply as secret as they had hoped?
Trade is cut throat, money is power, men are expendable and death awaits in a city of icons, swords and shadows.
This is Tobias – the story of a minstrel and a broken life…
Semi-finalist in the 2016 M.m. Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction (UK)
Shortlisted for the 2016 Chanticleer Chaucer Awards.
Gold medallion winner with the prestigious Indie B.R.A.G .
'Authentic characters and a twisting plot move this tale to a gripping end.' Christian Cameron, author of The Chivalry Series
'Although the time and the place of the story is very different, there was something ... that reminded me of the great Patrick O'Brian. For historical fiction, there is really no greater praise.' Matthew Harffy - The Bernicia Chronicles.
‘A powerful tale of violence, treachery, and intrigue, set in the cut-throat world of medieval trade.’ Ann Swinfen, author of The Chronicles of Christoval Alvarez.
‘An atmospheric journey through the seedy underbelly of medieval Europe.’ SJA Turney, author of Marius’s Mules.
'Tobias by Prue Batten is an epic tale of courage, rebellion, helping the right and fighting the wrong. With crisp dialogues and genuine emotions, Batten has created characters that will live for a very long time in your mind...' Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite, USA
However a Jewish merchant from Venice has sourced an illegal supply and Tobias, a minstrel, and his twin brother, Tomas, begin a dangerous journey to retrieve the dye and deliver it into the merchant’s eager hands.
But is this supply as secret as they had hoped?
Trade is cut throat, money is power, men are expendable and death awaits in a city of icons, swords and shadows.
This is Tobias – the story of a minstrel and a broken life…
Semi-finalist in the 2016 M.m. Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction (UK)
Shortlisted for the 2016 Chanticleer Chaucer Awards.
Gold medallion winner with the prestigious Indie B.R.A.G .
'Authentic characters and a twisting plot move this tale to a gripping end.' Christian Cameron, author of The Chivalry Series
'Although the time and the place of the story is very different, there was something ... that reminded me of the great Patrick O'Brian. For historical fiction, there is really no greater praise.' Matthew Harffy - The Bernicia Chronicles.
‘A powerful tale of violence, treachery, and intrigue, set in the cut-throat world of medieval trade.’ Ann Swinfen, author of The Chronicles of Christoval Alvarez.
‘An atmospheric journey through the seedy underbelly of medieval Europe.’ SJA Turney, author of Marius’s Mules.
'Tobias by Prue Batten is an epic tale of courage, rebellion, helping the right and fighting the wrong. With crisp dialogues and genuine emotions, Batten has created characters that will live for a very long time in your mind...' Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite, USA
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2015
43 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Prue Batten
32 books51 followersPrue was born in Australia and studied history and politics at the University of Tasmania. She has worked as a hotel cleaner, a cosmetician in a major department store, and a bookseller. But most properly, she was been a journalist/researcher for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Prue is a multi-award-winning cross-genre writer of historical fiction and historical fantasy. Her Historical fiction books of which there are two trilogies with more to come, are set in the last decade of the twelfth century.
She has collaborated in a number of excellent anthologies, including a number that raise money for cancer research, a cause that holds great meaning for her.
Her most unique contract is as an ongoing short-story writer for www. bopressminiaturebooks.com in the USA
Prue can be found at:www.facebook.com/Prue.Batten.writer
www.pinterest.dk/pruebatten
www.instagram.com/pruebatten/
Prue is a multi-award-winning cross-genre writer of historical fiction and historical fantasy. Her Historical fiction books of which there are two trilogies with more to come, are set in the last decade of the twelfth century.
She has collaborated in a number of excellent anthologies, including a number that raise money for cancer research, a cause that holds great meaning for her.
Her most unique contract is as an ongoing short-story writer for www. bopressminiaturebooks.com in the USA
Prue can be found at:www.facebook.com/Prue.Batten.writer
www.pinterest.dk/pruebatten
www.instagram.com/pruebatten/
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 22, 2022
Tobias is book one of the Triptych chronicles; historical novels set during the twelfth century. It begins in Venice and involves a group who sail to Constantinople to illegally obtain highly prized purple dye; an imperial colour strictly controlled by the Byzantian emperors.
Guy Of Gisborne, a renegade Plantagenet knight and merchant trader, has joined forces with a friend to steal some of the treasured dye. The group chosen for the enterprise include minstrel twins Tobias and Tomas and the story is told by Tobias.
What an adventure! The author brought the pages alive with the descriptions of the cities, boats and food; while some of the blasphemy of the era made me chuckle. I would describe this as a slow paced story with time spent building the scenes and providing great imagery for the reader. There were plenty of escapades for the twins as their story interwove with that of the purple dye.
I was very interested in the choice to use Guy Of Gisborne in this story. Many readers would connect him to the tales of Robin Hood, but here he has a small part and is depicted as a trader and spy based in Venice. The adventure will continue with the next book in the series.
Guy Of Gisborne, a renegade Plantagenet knight and merchant trader, has joined forces with a friend to steal some of the treasured dye. The group chosen for the enterprise include minstrel twins Tobias and Tomas and the story is told by Tobias.
What an adventure! The author brought the pages alive with the descriptions of the cities, boats and food; while some of the blasphemy of the era made me chuckle. I would describe this as a slow paced story with time spent building the scenes and providing great imagery for the reader. There were plenty of escapades for the twins as their story interwove with that of the purple dye.
I was very interested in the choice to use Guy Of Gisborne in this story. Many readers would connect him to the tales of Robin Hood, but here he has a small part and is depicted as a trader and spy based in Venice. The adventure will continue with the next book in the series.
August 31, 2015
Prue Batten has long been one of my favourite writers for quality of prose. Her word-spinning ability is at the top of her craft and anything she writes is enticing and enthralling, flowing across the pages with simple grace. The fact that the more she moves into the world of medieval historical fiction the more her plots also deepen and improve just adds to the reasons to read her work.
The Gisborne trilogy started out somewhere on the border between historical fiction and historical romance, and despite that not really being my thing, I read them it and loved it because, as I’ve said before, Prue could write a phone book and make it absorbing. But with the second and third volume in that series, the focus moved more towards the traditional historical genre and the action increased along with the intrigue, all without losing anything of character or style.
Tobias is the first novel in a series of standalone spin-off novels from that series and while it retains every aspect of skill and beauty I’ve come to expect from Prue, the novel also shows once again a strengthening of plot and deepening of knowledge and centrality in the medieval world. Here’s how Tobias as a novel really wins for me in 5 points.
The characters. Tobias and his brother Tomasso are two of my favourite characters from the Gisborne trilogy. They stand out as a fascinating pair and, being dwarves, there is a real depth to them, given the medieval fascination with such folk. They are written truly sympathetically and beautifully and rather than being so empathically written that their stature does not affect the tale, rather it does affect the tale as it should and the reader starts to see the world from that height, which is an amazing thing. The supporting cast are also excellent, in particular including Mehmet, who is again one of my favourite characters from the series and probably deserves a book of his own, Prue (hint, hint…)
The location. In addition to the ship on which the characters travel, the cast stop at Crete, which is one of my favourite places, and the plot centres very heavily on Constantinople, where the majority of the tale takes place. And Istanbul is one of my top 2 places on Earth, with which I am very familiar. So as well as loving the settings, I could feel the heady atmosphere of the place and picture every junction, facade and doorway.
The plot is beautifully crafted, like the ribbons around a maypole, each thread entwining with the others, under, over, under, over. For the plot given at the start of the book, and what drives our heroes into their long and fraught journey is only the opening salvo of what is a deep, complex and in places surprising plot, involving a clandestine business deal, a woman of great importance with enemies across Byzantium, a missing holy icon and a sinister force hunting the pair.
The interaction between the two brothers. The pair may be virtually identical to others but they are very different people and the growing rift between them and the way they deal with each other in their turbulent relationship throughout is perfectly done.
Atmopshere. In the Gisborne series, we have felt the cold, damp, dour atmosphere of Medieval England, the hot, dusty, dangerous atmosphere of Outremer, the glittering, cultured atmospheres of Genoa and Venice. Well now, Prue has turned her attention to that cultural melting pot that is Istanbul and the join between Europe and Asia. It is one of my favourite things to experience and I felt it oozing out from the pages, so well done there, Prue.
So there we go. I don’t think I’ve spoiled the plot for you, but if you’ve not read the Gisborne series, I heartily recommend them. If you have, you’ll LOVE Tobias. The novel can be read as a standalone if you so desire, but you’ll get a lot more from it if you’ve read the Gisborne books and have a grounding in the characters, so that’s definitely the best way to do it if you have the leisure.
Another Batten masterpiece. And it’s out today. Go get it and be entranced.
The Gisborne trilogy started out somewhere on the border between historical fiction and historical romance, and despite that not really being my thing, I read them it and loved it because, as I’ve said before, Prue could write a phone book and make it absorbing. But with the second and third volume in that series, the focus moved more towards the traditional historical genre and the action increased along with the intrigue, all without losing anything of character or style.
Tobias is the first novel in a series of standalone spin-off novels from that series and while it retains every aspect of skill and beauty I’ve come to expect from Prue, the novel also shows once again a strengthening of plot and deepening of knowledge and centrality in the medieval world. Here’s how Tobias as a novel really wins for me in 5 points.
The characters. Tobias and his brother Tomasso are two of my favourite characters from the Gisborne trilogy. They stand out as a fascinating pair and, being dwarves, there is a real depth to them, given the medieval fascination with such folk. They are written truly sympathetically and beautifully and rather than being so empathically written that their stature does not affect the tale, rather it does affect the tale as it should and the reader starts to see the world from that height, which is an amazing thing. The supporting cast are also excellent, in particular including Mehmet, who is again one of my favourite characters from the series and probably deserves a book of his own, Prue (hint, hint…)
The location. In addition to the ship on which the characters travel, the cast stop at Crete, which is one of my favourite places, and the plot centres very heavily on Constantinople, where the majority of the tale takes place. And Istanbul is one of my top 2 places on Earth, with which I am very familiar. So as well as loving the settings, I could feel the heady atmosphere of the place and picture every junction, facade and doorway.
The plot is beautifully crafted, like the ribbons around a maypole, each thread entwining with the others, under, over, under, over. For the plot given at the start of the book, and what drives our heroes into their long and fraught journey is only the opening salvo of what is a deep, complex and in places surprising plot, involving a clandestine business deal, a woman of great importance with enemies across Byzantium, a missing holy icon and a sinister force hunting the pair.
The interaction between the two brothers. The pair may be virtually identical to others but they are very different people and the growing rift between them and the way they deal with each other in their turbulent relationship throughout is perfectly done.
Atmopshere. In the Gisborne series, we have felt the cold, damp, dour atmosphere of Medieval England, the hot, dusty, dangerous atmosphere of Outremer, the glittering, cultured atmospheres of Genoa and Venice. Well now, Prue has turned her attention to that cultural melting pot that is Istanbul and the join between Europe and Asia. It is one of my favourite things to experience and I felt it oozing out from the pages, so well done there, Prue.
So there we go. I don’t think I’ve spoiled the plot for you, but if you’ve not read the Gisborne series, I heartily recommend them. If you have, you’ll LOVE Tobias. The novel can be read as a standalone if you so desire, but you’ll get a lot more from it if you’ve read the Gisborne books and have a grounding in the characters, so that’s definitely the best way to do it if you have the leisure.
Another Batten masterpiece. And it’s out today. Go get it and be entranced.
March 6, 2016
This is the first book of Prue Batten's I've read and it did not disappoint.
It is the tale of the eponymous hero of the novel, Tobias, a dwarf minstrel. To have a protagonist who has to contend with the struggles related to being born different, make for an interesting read and Batten brings to life the complexities of living with achondroplasia in medieval Europe. Tobias, his twin brother, Tomasso, and most of the cast of characters come from Prue Batten's Gisborne series of books, but they are all well-defined here and I felt I got enough of their backstory for the most part to understand their motivations and desires.
Batten's prose is rich and lush, like ribbons of embroidered silks trailing through the mind. The settings are vivid and real. It was easy to imagine the author had spent years of her life in the locales of Constantinople, Crete and Venice, but as she lives in Tasmania, I don't think this is the case. All I can assume is that she carried out exhaustive research and then fleshed it out with a delightfully detailed imagination. An imagination that sees every pebble on a beach, each bag of spices spilled onto the cobbles of the Byzantine harbour-side, every stitch on a sweat-stained gambeson. Batten is able to conjure each zephyr blowing over the Adriatic, the scent of sweet fruit syrup cordials drunk in the coolness of a merchant's walled garden, the icy bite of a steel misericorde blade slicing into pliant flesh. Her writing is sumptuous, and the plot, whilst quite straightforward, is well-drawn and leads the reader to the inexorable violent conclusion.
Although the time and the place of the story is very different, there was something about the interaction of certain characters, the absolute authenticity of the locations and the poetry of the prose that at times reminded me of the great Patrick O'Brian. For historical fiction, there is really no greater praise.
The only character I found hard to connect with was Tomasso. I found him unlikable and thoroughly unpleasant. It is clear that he is meant to be perceived that way and a large part of the plot revolves around his selfish and self-destructive behaviour, but by the end of the story, I didn't care whether he found redemption from his sins, or was utterly destroyed by his thoughtless actions. I wondered whether I would have felt differently if I'd read the previous trilogy, and whether the denouement of the plot would have been more heart-wrenching as a result.
This is a big story told through the eyes of a little person. Prue Batten brings us a rich tale of deceit, intrigue, politics and violence. And she does so with poetic writing and real verve.
It is the tale of the eponymous hero of the novel, Tobias, a dwarf minstrel. To have a protagonist who has to contend with the struggles related to being born different, make for an interesting read and Batten brings to life the complexities of living with achondroplasia in medieval Europe. Tobias, his twin brother, Tomasso, and most of the cast of characters come from Prue Batten's Gisborne series of books, but they are all well-defined here and I felt I got enough of their backstory for the most part to understand their motivations and desires.
Batten's prose is rich and lush, like ribbons of embroidered silks trailing through the mind. The settings are vivid and real. It was easy to imagine the author had spent years of her life in the locales of Constantinople, Crete and Venice, but as she lives in Tasmania, I don't think this is the case. All I can assume is that she carried out exhaustive research and then fleshed it out with a delightfully detailed imagination. An imagination that sees every pebble on a beach, each bag of spices spilled onto the cobbles of the Byzantine harbour-side, every stitch on a sweat-stained gambeson. Batten is able to conjure each zephyr blowing over the Adriatic, the scent of sweet fruit syrup cordials drunk in the coolness of a merchant's walled garden, the icy bite of a steel misericorde blade slicing into pliant flesh. Her writing is sumptuous, and the plot, whilst quite straightforward, is well-drawn and leads the reader to the inexorable violent conclusion.
Although the time and the place of the story is very different, there was something about the interaction of certain characters, the absolute authenticity of the locations and the poetry of the prose that at times reminded me of the great Patrick O'Brian. For historical fiction, there is really no greater praise.
The only character I found hard to connect with was Tomasso. I found him unlikable and thoroughly unpleasant. It is clear that he is meant to be perceived that way and a large part of the plot revolves around his selfish and self-destructive behaviour, but by the end of the story, I didn't care whether he found redemption from his sins, or was utterly destroyed by his thoughtless actions. I wondered whether I would have felt differently if I'd read the previous trilogy, and whether the denouement of the plot would have been more heart-wrenching as a result.
This is a big story told through the eyes of a little person. Prue Batten brings us a rich tale of deceit, intrigue, politics and violence. And she does so with poetic writing and real verve.
January 27, 2016
Prue Batten never ceases to amaze me with her embroidered prose, her unique characters and her meticulous research. Her new novel, Tobias, book 1 in the Triptych Chronicle, offers a gallery of unforgettable characters and so many delicious moments of beauty to her readers. With Prue Batten you can count on high quality prose.
The unusual hero of this new medieval tale is a dwarf minstrel, Tobias, with a sharp mind, a sharp wit, a beautiful singing voice, a love for books and a good story, who can as well handle a dagger, when the occasion occurs. The experience of seeing the world from Tobias ‘s singular perspective, the enchantment of his music, the gift of his sensitivity and the uniqueness of his persona make the narration of his adventures peculiar, gripping and also moving..
Minstrels were first and foremost entertainers. They have lived on in our imagination with their figure wearing bright parti-colored costumes riding on a costumed horse from castle to castle, singing as they went with a lutes thrown across their back. Tobias and his twin brother, Tomas, are not only minstrels, though, they are also spies at the service of Sir Guy of Gisborne and his wife, Lady Isabel.
Like any good medieval hero, Tobias, loyal to his Lord, has his own quest to fulfil and it is a risky top-secret one: he and his mates set out from Venice to find the mythical Tyrian purple, which makes their voyage at sea to Crete, Instanbul and Constantinople exotic, thrilling, epic. The Byzantine Empire and the golden Orient are at the same time so different from and yet so close to our modern world: an ancient reality characterized by a blend of races, cultures and languages, a greedy society focused on material welfare and unscrupulous ambition that so much reminds us of our own time's globised world.
Quick paced and packed with great twists and turns, Tobias will take you on an exciting ride which will fill your senses and your imagination of rewarding emotions till the unexpected lyrical finale.
(read my complete review at http://flyhigh-by-learnonline.blogspo...)
The unusual hero of this new medieval tale is a dwarf minstrel, Tobias, with a sharp mind, a sharp wit, a beautiful singing voice, a love for books and a good story, who can as well handle a dagger, when the occasion occurs. The experience of seeing the world from Tobias ‘s singular perspective, the enchantment of his music, the gift of his sensitivity and the uniqueness of his persona make the narration of his adventures peculiar, gripping and also moving..
Minstrels were first and foremost entertainers. They have lived on in our imagination with their figure wearing bright parti-colored costumes riding on a costumed horse from castle to castle, singing as they went with a lutes thrown across their back. Tobias and his twin brother, Tomas, are not only minstrels, though, they are also spies at the service of Sir Guy of Gisborne and his wife, Lady Isabel.
Like any good medieval hero, Tobias, loyal to his Lord, has his own quest to fulfil and it is a risky top-secret one: he and his mates set out from Venice to find the mythical Tyrian purple, which makes their voyage at sea to Crete, Instanbul and Constantinople exotic, thrilling, epic. The Byzantine Empire and the golden Orient are at the same time so different from and yet so close to our modern world: an ancient reality characterized by a blend of races, cultures and languages, a greedy society focused on material welfare and unscrupulous ambition that so much reminds us of our own time's globised world.
Quick paced and packed with great twists and turns, Tobias will take you on an exciting ride which will fill your senses and your imagination of rewarding emotions till the unexpected lyrical finale.
(read my complete review at http://flyhigh-by-learnonline.blogspo...)
July 11, 2018
Interesting
As a whole this book was good. Trying to read the mid century language at times was slow and many time I felt the author veered off topic . The story of shipping and markets in that era was fascinating.
As a whole this book was good. Trying to read the mid century language at times was slow and many time I felt the author veered off topic . The story of shipping and markets in that era was fascinating.
March 24, 2016
WordsAPlenty received a copy of Tobias (The Triptych Chronicle Book 1) by Prue Batten in exchange for an honest review.
Tobias and his twin brother, Tomas are dwarf minstrels traded at an early age to a Jewish merchant of Venice. The merchant, Gisborne, has arranged many a dangerous adventures for Tomas and Tobias. This adventure is no different – they seek to claim the Tyrian purple – a beautiful and controlled dye that only the most royal may possess and can only be found in Constantinople.
A slip from the lips of a small child, a greedy power seeking fool, and an empire that wishes to remove all those of the Komemna line create a most dangerous and deadly experience for the twin brothers.
An exciting book that introduces several characters all tied to one another in an intricate manner. This is a wonderful piece of historical fiction filled with adventure, danger and twists.
Prue Batten does an excellent job of developing the plot, exposing raw emotions, and connecting to her readers. Furthermore her character development is excellent. From the beginning the reader feels a connection to the twins but also their connection to one another. It is demonstrated throughout the book but most eloquently voiced by Sir Gisborne:
“Tobias, you and I have been kindred, have we not? For a long time. And I see in you what others may not. I see a heart that is bigger than a giant’s and you take so much into that heart. So I say this to you my friend. Feel your pain. Do not run from it but equally do not let it consume you. Eventually there will be a blink of a tie when you notice something inherently lovely. Do not reject it, let it enter your spirit. In time, your rage will quench and you will be able to live with your loss.”
Batten eloquently expresses emotions and thoughts fluidly and clearly revealing the character in all their brutal honesty.
I enjoyed the book as it was well written and captivating. I hated to see the book end. I cannot wait to read where life takes Mehmet, Ahmed, Tobias, Gisborne and the others.
WordsAPlenty gives this book a well-deserved five star rating.
Tobias and his twin brother, Tomas are dwarf minstrels traded at an early age to a Jewish merchant of Venice. The merchant, Gisborne, has arranged many a dangerous adventures for Tomas and Tobias. This adventure is no different – they seek to claim the Tyrian purple – a beautiful and controlled dye that only the most royal may possess and can only be found in Constantinople.
A slip from the lips of a small child, a greedy power seeking fool, and an empire that wishes to remove all those of the Komemna line create a most dangerous and deadly experience for the twin brothers.
An exciting book that introduces several characters all tied to one another in an intricate manner. This is a wonderful piece of historical fiction filled with adventure, danger and twists.
Prue Batten does an excellent job of developing the plot, exposing raw emotions, and connecting to her readers. Furthermore her character development is excellent. From the beginning the reader feels a connection to the twins but also their connection to one another. It is demonstrated throughout the book but most eloquently voiced by Sir Gisborne:
“Tobias, you and I have been kindred, have we not? For a long time. And I see in you what others may not. I see a heart that is bigger than a giant’s and you take so much into that heart. So I say this to you my friend. Feel your pain. Do not run from it but equally do not let it consume you. Eventually there will be a blink of a tie when you notice something inherently lovely. Do not reject it, let it enter your spirit. In time, your rage will quench and you will be able to live with your loss.”
Batten eloquently expresses emotions and thoughts fluidly and clearly revealing the character in all their brutal honesty.
I enjoyed the book as it was well written and captivating. I hated to see the book end. I cannot wait to read where life takes Mehmet, Ahmed, Tobias, Gisborne and the others.
WordsAPlenty gives this book a well-deserved five star rating.
September 14, 2015
Once again I was asked to preview the newest release by Prue Batten. Once again I was pleased to do so. Once again I was thrilled with the result. Tobias and his twin, Tomas, are dispatched on a perilous mission by their employer, Guy of Gisborne, one that could ruin the Gisborne family if the mission fails. Amidst the drama that unfolds considering the mission is the painful drama of the falling out between Tobias and Tomas. The lifelong bond shared by the twins is taxed to the limit and leads to reconciliation, retribution and finally revenge. The story exudes in excitement as the mission is beset by problems right from the start and only culminates after much opposition and suffering. The characters are painted in such a way as to enable the reader to soak up the texture of their feelings, their fears, their joys. As evidenced in other works by the author, her descriptive flair is in top form whether you are shipboard in a storm or just marvelling at Constantinople's majestic architecture. One illustration should suffice : "The biggest church in Christendom stood above him, the staircase could have been the one that led to Heaven for all he knew, so beautiful, so perfectly cut from marble, the basilica walls stuccoed and the colour of faded Judas blossom, windows underlying the gold leafed cupola like an imperial diadem. It sat almost in silhouette as the late afternoon sun sought to bed behind it." It is my humble opinion that Prue Batten has another winner on her hands and am certainly looking forward to book 2. 5 stars
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January 3, 2016
TOBIAS by PRUE BATTEN
I was gifted a copy of TOBIAS to read and write an honest review. I actually offered to read this book as I was sure it was going to be something I would like to read as I had previously read 3 other books by Prue Batten (Gisborne: King of Pawns, Gisborne: Book of Knights and Gisborne: Book of Kings which are Book 1 – 3 of the Gisborne Saga)
Tobias is about a dwarf minstrel Tobias and his twin brother Tomas. They set out from Venice to find Tyrian purple, a dye that is very highly valued in Eastern Europe. Aboard a boat Tobias and his brother head to Constantinople to find this dye for their employer Guy of Gisborne, who I became acquainted in the Gisborne series. The two minstrels get into all kinds of interesting situations on this voyage. There is always something exciting along every turn.
Prue Batten brings her characters Tobias, Tomas and everyone that is looking for the Tyrian purple to life before your eyes. She makes you feel that you are part of the journey……sailing along with them and sometimes even feeling a little seasick. Her writing makes you feel for Tobias and Tomas….as you wonder where and what they will encounter next. I love the suspense and even though I like a good mystery………….I would never have guessed the ending……….which you will have to read for yourself………..no spoilers here.
I would highly recommend TOBIAS to anyone who likes historical fiction, a little mystery and great writing. I am thrilled to know that TOBIAS is Book 1 of the Triptych Chronicles, which means there are more books to come. I can’t wait!!
I have given Tobias a 5 STAR rating!!
I was gifted a copy of TOBIAS to read and write an honest review. I actually offered to read this book as I was sure it was going to be something I would like to read as I had previously read 3 other books by Prue Batten (Gisborne: King of Pawns, Gisborne: Book of Knights and Gisborne: Book of Kings which are Book 1 – 3 of the Gisborne Saga)
Tobias is about a dwarf minstrel Tobias and his twin brother Tomas. They set out from Venice to find Tyrian purple, a dye that is very highly valued in Eastern Europe. Aboard a boat Tobias and his brother head to Constantinople to find this dye for their employer Guy of Gisborne, who I became acquainted in the Gisborne series. The two minstrels get into all kinds of interesting situations on this voyage. There is always something exciting along every turn.
Prue Batten brings her characters Tobias, Tomas and everyone that is looking for the Tyrian purple to life before your eyes. She makes you feel that you are part of the journey……sailing along with them and sometimes even feeling a little seasick. Her writing makes you feel for Tobias and Tomas….as you wonder where and what they will encounter next. I love the suspense and even though I like a good mystery………….I would never have guessed the ending……….which you will have to read for yourself………..no spoilers here.
I would highly recommend TOBIAS to anyone who likes historical fiction, a little mystery and great writing. I am thrilled to know that TOBIAS is Book 1 of the Triptych Chronicles, which means there are more books to come. I can’t wait!!
I have given Tobias a 5 STAR rating!!
April 7, 2016
Enjoyable story taking place int he late 12th century. The dwarf, Tobias, and his twin brother, Tomas, are sent to Constantinople to smuggle out of the great city some of the prized purple dye that cannot be obtained without the emperor's permission. They encounter charming scoundrels, endearing heroines, the magnificent Hagia Sophia, and assorted thugs as they sail from Venice to sparkling Constantinople in search of this great prize.
The story will keep your attention. There are a few things I did not understand about the story line, though. The author has a female character, Zoe "Comemna" - the family name was "Comnena". There is the appearance of velvet some several hundred years before it showed up in western Europe. And Zoe Comemna is supposed to be a terrible threat to Isaac II Angelus, the Byzantine emperor because she is a Comnena. While I have never read anything particularly complimentary about Isaac Angelus, I have never read that he had a great animosity towards the Comneni - especially since he was descended from them. I suppose it is possible, so I'll give the author a pass on it, but it is a bit of a stretch.
Overall it is an enjoying book that will hold a reader's attention.
The story will keep your attention. There are a few things I did not understand about the story line, though. The author has a female character, Zoe "Comemna" - the family name was "Comnena". There is the appearance of velvet some several hundred years before it showed up in western Europe. And Zoe Comemna is supposed to be a terrible threat to Isaac II Angelus, the Byzantine emperor because she is a Comnena. While I have never read anything particularly complimentary about Isaac Angelus, I have never read that he had a great animosity towards the Comneni - especially since he was descended from them. I suppose it is possible, so I'll give the author a pass on it, but it is a bit of a stretch.
Overall it is an enjoying book that will hold a reader's attention.
September 29, 2015
Adventures with characters you become attached to
Characters familiar from the author's Gisborne series take us on a journey to the exotic Constantinople in search of a rare and deadly substance that can save the fortunes of two families. But the bad guys are on to their purpose and are willing to kill to gain the profits. A story of adventures and relationships between brothers, families, and friends that meld and divide. The author, thankfully, allows consequences to occur, unlike so many who refuse to have anything other than miracles save the day. A refreshing change. Recommended.
Characters familiar from the author's Gisborne series take us on a journey to the exotic Constantinople in search of a rare and deadly substance that can save the fortunes of two families. But the bad guys are on to their purpose and are willing to kill to gain the profits. A story of adventures and relationships between brothers, families, and friends that meld and divide. The author, thankfully, allows consequences to occur, unlike so many who refuse to have anything other than miracles save the day. A refreshing change. Recommended.
May 20, 2016
My feelings are really mixed about this one. In the win column: the story is fantastic, the characters are full-bodied and the editing is nearly impeccable. The author has obvious talent and did extensive research, and was able to describe the scenes realistically.
On the down side? She was able to describe the scenes beyond realistically. The book is unbelievably long, with a lot of detailed depiction between important scenes. I don't hesitate to recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, who don't balk at lengthy books. Under normal circumstances, I would have been drawn into this story more, but I was simply in the mood for something more fun, with less investment.
On the down side? She was able to describe the scenes beyond realistically. The book is unbelievably long, with a lot of detailed depiction between important scenes. I don't hesitate to recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, who don't balk at lengthy books. Under normal circumstances, I would have been drawn into this story more, but I was simply in the mood for something more fun, with less investment.
September 21, 2015
I really enjoyed this novel. A great collection of characters, Constantinople, a quest, and twins in a changing relationship. I’ve not read a novel set in Constantinople and this time period since Eco’s Baudolino. Prue evokes all the life and energy and conflict of the great city.
June 8, 2016
We are proud to announce that TOBIS by Prue Batten is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
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