Monthly Group Reads: APRIL 2015 (Group Read 2) Winter Siege by Ariana Franklin

[Dawn]

This is the thread for the April 2015 Group Read of Winter Siege by Ariana Franklin

[Kris43]

this has caught my eye for some months now. im going to join and grab this as soon as i finish with my current book.

[Shomeret]

I have it on hold at the library and am still waiting for it.

[Daniel]

On the waiting list at my library, hopefully be here in time.

[Eileen]

I picked up another one of her books at the library, a medieval murder mystery. I didn't bother to read beyond about the middle of the book since I had already figured out who did it.

Still, she does have a fair number of fans.

[Dawn]

I'm hoping to get this one but my library is still processing it and they take forever to get them out to the public so we'll see.

[Aaron]

I'm just over halfway through and while I have an idea of what will happen, I cannot wait to see exactly how it will unfold. Even if you don't get the book in time for the April reading, you will want to pick this one up.

[Kimber]

Just purchased it on Kindle. I have to finish two and half books in the series i'm reading and then i'll be picking up this one for sure.

[Guy]

Just ordered my copy. I have read Franklin's books in her Mistress of the Art of Death series and thoroughly enjoyed them. So, looking forward to this story that her daughter finished.

[Taylor]

Just got my copy today. Mine is called The Siege Winter. Not sure why.

[Jane]

Library has informed me this book is sitting there waiting for me to pick up.

[Daniel]

got mine today, on deck. The Siege Winter, for those keeping track. :)

[Candace]

Taylor wrote: "Just got my copy today. Mine is called The Siege Winter. Not sure why."

Mine too, did they change it for the States? (And Canada, I guess!)

[Jane]

I think you are probably right, Candace. Sometimes books do have variant titles between the UK and U.S. I'm assuming it's usually a marketing decision--what will sell better where....

[Guy]

I am into chapter 9. Very good read so far. I like the back and forth story lines between the two groups of protagonists. Strong character development, dialogue, and action. Good historical backdrop of England's civil war of the 12th century.

[Dawn]

I'm still waiting for the library to finish processing this one but I'm glad it's looking good so far Guy.

I think it's a pretty interesting period of English history and am curious to see how the author writes about it.

[Dawn]

Anyone else started yet?? Or are we all as behind as I am? :)

[Dawn]

I've read one of her other books and she does seem to be an author that can grab your attention.

I'm glad you're enjoying it Sophia.

[Alicja]

I read the first 100 pages in 2 days. It is an engaging read and... archery. A bow wielding girl dressed as a boy. Yay! And the story and other characters are great too. Usually I'm more likely to read the ancient read in this group but loving this months medieval read so far!

[Daniel]

probably take me a bit to get to this one, but I hope to start it latter this week or early next one.

[Jane]

I'm with you, Alicia--usually I prefer the ancient read, but for a medieval read this is engaging. I might have figured out the perp but now is the "why" and of course, the progression of the siege where all characters come together.

[Dawn]

Well, I'm definitely more of a medieval fan though I don't think I would have read this one except that it's a group read.

Good to see so much participation.

[Simona]

I treated myself to this book too. Ariana Franklin was one of my favorite authors, I love her strong female MC.

[Gretchen]

is what the cover of my book will look like when I finally get it. The library system only has one copy and it's not due back until 4/17. I'm curious to see how this book will compare with When Christ and His Saints Slept.

[Guy]

As I progress through the book, I find it even more engaging. The intertwining of the plot with aspects of King Stephen and the Empress Maltida is well done. A real interesting mix of central characters.

[Dawn]

Has anyone got far enough to say how historically accurate it is??

I know very little about the period myself but I like history to be represented well.

[Alicja]

I'm not quite done but I have stumbled onto my first two disappointments in a bit of a rapid succession. Spoilers up to page 259.

(view spoiler)[First, the way Penda's femininity was discovered. I can't think of the name now but the whole girls-dressed-as-boy-gets-injured-and-therefore-discovered has been done before. I was hoping for something more creative, but was let down a bit.

Then a bigger let down when they turned Penda back to a girl. I do hope that she decides by the end of the book to blend the girl and boy in her together but a part of me fears that the story will progress with her being more and more feminized. Its a huge let down, but I guess maybe more historically accurate. I was just loving having her be such a bad-ass archer and warrior. (hide spoiler)]

Aside from those two issues, I am loving it so far and hope that the ending won't disappoint.

[Jane]

Enjoyable read [but not set in my beloved ancient times] :)

My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Guy]

Dawn wrote: "Has anyone got far enough to say how historically accurate it is??

I know very little about the period myself but I like history to be represented well."

Guy wrote: "As I progress through the book, I find it even more engaging. The intertwining of the plot with aspects of King Stephen and the Empress Maltida is well done. A real interesting mix of central cha..."

I believe it is fairly historically accurate in terms of the themes and broad aspects of that period -- fluid alliances, Maltilda's fight for the crown, warfare/siege, anarchy, war's impact on the common people, and the Church's "benefit of clergy".

[Dawn]

I share your disappointment Alicja and I haven't even read the book yet!

[Dawn]

The broad structure of the story is accurate and so far no one has had an issue with language or attitudes being more 21st century than 12th century??

Always a good sign.

[Jane]

Dawn wrote: "The broad structure of the story is accurate and so far no one has had an issue with language or attitudes being more 21st century than 12th century??

Always a good sign."

I did notice a few things : VERY FEW slangy stuff [such as Okay--but caught a Nope.] A few idioms, e.g. "cut no ice": Only one I remember off the top of my head. I wish I had written down others.

Also, as far as attitude: "falling in love" but I guess that could also be said of most hist fic books.

[Dawn]

I think those are liveable, small enough that I personally wouldn't even notice.

[Jane]

Oh good grief, yes. There was nothing blatant.

[Alicja]

Done. There was lots of crying at the end, a mostly love, but some disappointment as well. I can't wait until everyone catches up, there are some things that just need to be discussed.

[Simona]

What did disappoint you most, Alicja?

[Dawn]

Woot, the library has finally finished processing and sent the books out. I'll be able to pick this up next week .

[Kris43]

Dawn wrote: "The broad structure of the story is accurate and so far no one has had an issue with language or attitudes being more 21st century than 12th century??

Always a good sign."

heh you nailed it pretty well there. this is one of the main things that puts me off a book.

anyway. just started, so far looks good.

[Dawn]

It must be a good sign that no one has put me off reading the book yet. :)

[Jerry]

I have just finished the book and gave it a review yesterday. I had only one issue with it, where I felt it was little rushed at the end. But all told, I thought it was a good novel, always interesting, leading this reader at least to constantly want to know what happens next.

[Daniel]

I have begun today, seems that most reviews are relatively positive, so I am going to enjoy this I think.

[Gretchen]

Everyone loves a redhead ;)

[Guy]

Although I have a positive bias towards this author, I do agree with some of the comments on the ending. Some of the nastier people turned awfully nice! However, I enjoyed the book very much and I am sorry of the loss of Ariana Franklin.

Also, I think the monk represented evil -- pure and simple. He had no reasoning when it came to his treatment of other human beings.

[Simona]

Sophia wrote: "I wonder if the lack of explanation about the red-head fetish has something to do with the dual authors ... perhaps Arianna Franklin intended to explain while her daughter decided it was unnecessary."

I agree. I guess that some of the threads left hanging were so because Ariana Franklin left the book unfinished. (Even if I like how the daughter closed the book - I was afraid of something much worse).

[Gretchen]

I had read somewhere the daughter plans on continuing with the series. I really wish the one person who has the library's single copy of this book would hurry up and return it.

[Kimber]

I'm not reading this entire feed yet because I started this book last night around 11 pm. I'd just finished Dissolution by C.j. Sansom and was reluctant to start something new because the book after a great book is usually a disappointing book. I guess this was right up my alley though because the next thing I knew it was 4 am and I was 71% through the novel. Will be back tomorrow (after finishing) to remark on it.

[happy]

I look forward to hearing your remarks. I also thought it was very good.

[Simona]

Gretchen wrote: "I had read somewhere the daughter plans on continuing with the series..."

I'm not going there. The feel of the book is IMO different enough that I'll cherish my Ariana F. books, few that they are. I'll miss the lady.

[Jane]

Gretchen wrote: "I had read somewhere the daughter plans on continuing with the series. I really wish the one person who has the library's single copy of this book would hurry up and return it."

That's why I tried to whip through it; I'm pretty sure there is a waiting list and I didn't want to hold it up any longer than necessary. Glad it was fairly easy reading.

[Kimber]

Well I loved it. I agree that it seemed a bit rushed at the end and a few loose ends weren't tied up but I think we are all attributing that to the finish by the daughter instead of Franklin herself. I'll admit it...There was some heavy duty tears towards the last chapters. (view spoiler)[ Especially when the scribe said, "William." Lost it at that point (hide spoiler)] I'm devastated that we won't be hearing any more from this author and yet excited that I still can read several of the Mistress of Art and Death books in the future. They are already added to my TBR.