Monthly Group Reads: JUNE 2012 (Group Read 2): Inquisition by Alfredo Colitto

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Having two group reads this month for those who don't want to read Rome: The Emperor's Spy
Read both, (I'll be reading both) or read one. Whatever you would like.

The other June Group Read is:-

Inquisition by Alfredo Colitto
A mighty Archbishop. A brilliant scientist. And a killer about to strike . . . A.D. 1311. Mondino is a university anatomist - a man of science in a land governed by the Catholic Inquisition. But the corpse brought to Mondino's laboratory one stormy night defies natural law: The victim is a Templar knight, and his heart has been transformed into a block of iron. Is it alchemy? Or the diabolical work of an ingenious killer? Aided by his headstrong student Gerardo - a young man concealing a deadly secret identity - Mondino must outwit both ruthless Inquisitors and vengeful Templars if he's to stop a murderer who threatens to shake the very foundations of Christendom. Audacious, gripping, and lushly atmospheric, set against the dramatic backdrop of one of history's most dangerous eras

[Anne]

I have always liked books set during the Inquisition but when I checked this book it does not have many good reviews. In fact, other than one 4****, most ratings are 2** with a smattering of 1* and 3*** ratings. I would love to hear from anybody in the group who has read this or reading this as to what they think. Plus, I could not find it on Amazon.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Hi Anne,
I do wonder why the poor ratings. I will look for it on Amazn for you. Maybe their ratings will explain.

I will be curious to see if people who read the genre 'historical fiction' will see the book from a different angle to people who read it because they like mysteries.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Here you are Anne,
http://www.amazon.com/Inquisition-Alf...

[Anne]

It is temporarly unavalable-they do have used ones for 2 cents-LOL. But before I spend $3.50 s&h I still would like to know more. Thanks, Terri. I loved Captain From Castile by Samuel Shellabarger. It also takes place during the Inquisition. I read is more than once.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

You're welcome. :-)

Does your library have it, Anne?

[Anne]

I'll have to check-thanks Terri.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Happy to help. (just take back those overdue books..lol) :)

[Anne]

No, it isn't there. I just checked. And the books were all renewed but one, but she said we could bring it Wed. It has a hold. My good friend, Val lives here to help me because i can't walk and I stopped driving a few years back. she is a decent person, and I bless God for having her here. she puts up with my Phantom obsession-LOL.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Did you see if they could do an inter-library loan.

Don't want to force you to read the book..lol..although it may sound like it. But if you do think you may want to join the group read, there is time if you wanted to submit a request for a interlibrary loan.
Or there is the other group read.

It would be nice to have you along on one of them. :)

[Erin]

Where can I get this book? =P I wanna join. It sounds good.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Your library? Kindle? Other eReader?
If buying the paperback is not an option there are those options.
I will be borrowing my copy from the library. :-)

[Megan]

I'm going to try to read both the books this month along with the group. This one also looks interesting, so I'm going to check if my library can grab this one on ILL.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I don't know yet whether I am going to read them both at the same time, or one then the other...I think I may start with the other one...and then head into Inquistion approx 7 June.
It will fun to have other members doing both books too...but of course..with yourself it depends on whether your library can get them in, or do an inter library exchange.

[[deleted user]]

I posted on Group 1's board that I won't be participating in June. I have an urgent project that I must finish by July 1. I'll stick my head in to these boards but essentially I'll be hors de combat in June. (Most of May, too...)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

will miss you on these reads, Diana. But you have to do what you have to do.

[Megan]

My fantastic librarians have never let me down before! I'll keep you posted on how I plan to read. Like you, I will probably read one first, then do the other the next week or something. Which one will be based entirely on which comes into the library (or to my mailbox) faster.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I love librarians. They are always grumpy, but geez they do some good work! :D

Good luck and yes, keep me posted. I'll have them both here ready to go, one bought, one from library.
I bought The Emperor's Spy via The Book Depository SUPER cheap (with free shipping-love that) and I have fingers crossed it makes it to my letterbox by June 1..otherwise it will be Inquisition for me first.

[Anne]

I guess I'll have to check ILL for Inquisition. The other one looks anti-Christian and due to my beliefs would not be my cuppa.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Funny you should say that Anne. I have a GR friend who said he wouldn't read it because he was a Christian. Not being religious myself I did not know what he meant and now you too mention it. I shall have to read the book blurb again to see what I'm missing.

[[deleted user]]

Actually, I got the same impression when I read the blurb.

[[deleted user]]

Just a throwaway thought--
based on what I've observe on the read-alongs and the discussions and the quality of the books being read (whether or not there are something I personally care for, I can generally tell good quality) I wonder if there might be a way the Historical Fiction Group might make a general recommendation weekly or monthly to GR as a group on books to read...

On the other hand it might be a little too much like work.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I read it again and still don't pick up anti Christian. Interesting. I guess this will make for better discussion when some of us read it.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Diana wrote: "Just a throwaway thought--
based on what I've observe on the read-alongs and the discussions and the quality of the books being read (whether or not there are something I personally care for, I can..."

I am unsure of what you mean. *scratches head*

[[deleted user]]

Do you mean you don't know the expression 'throwaway'? (I suspet that isn't the case) or do you mean that I managed to garble the suggestion, which is far more likely?

It just occurred to me that an official HF group recommendation to GR as a whole, of a historical fiction read, made weekly, monthly or every other month would carry some weight with what I would decide to read, and probably with others on this site.

However, it would entail a lot of work, probably on only one or two people's part (groups being what they are).

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Lol. No, it isn't the throwaway term.

Oh gawd. Don't suggest anything that requires more work *gulp*.

[Simona]

Actually, one of the biggest benefits of following these threads is the quantity of recommendations I am enjoying from all the members. They are unofficial, maybe, but made by a healthy group of fans, often quite specialized and very well schooled in their area of knowledge. Diana herself, and Inge, and the new member that reads Viking novels in Danish (I'm STILL impressed!)
I think you can keep a couple of minutes for yourself, Terri. For today.

[[deleted user]]

Terri wrote: "Lol. No, it isn't the throwaway term.

Oh gawd. Don't suggest anything that requires more work *gulp*."

It took me years to learn how to say 'no' to someone who wanted 'someone with your talent and enthusiasm' to do something. (No, it didn't involve writing)

[Anne]

Ordered "inquisition" on ILL. Also will add to comment on why I felt the other book might be anti-Christian later as it is almost 5 and I have something mschedultd at five.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Simona wrote: "I think you can keep a couple of minutes for yourself, Terri. For today. ..."

*relaxes back in chair* Oh thank goodness.
Thankyou citizens of A&M. I shall use my spare couple of minutes wisely I promise...it will not be squandered...perhaps I shall go out into the sunshine. ;D Doesn't that sound lovely!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Diana wrote: "

It took me years to learn how to say 'no' to someone who wanted 'someone with your talent and enthusiasm' to do something. (No, it didn't involve writing) ..."

I like to say no every now and then. Saying yes just gets me into strife. :)

[Anne]

OK, Terri, here are my reason's. The boy sees a wounded revolutionary being brought out of a tomb, alive. I have a feeling they are going to perpetuate that myth(to me) that Jesus did not die on the cross or arise on the third day, but his body was spirited away by his disciples. I know some people spend a lifetime trying to debunk the miracle and that is their right. But to me it is truth.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Oh I see. I never would have noticed that if you hadn't mentioned it. I can understand your dilemma. :)

This is the benefit of having two group read books every month instead of one. If one doesn't suit, maybe the other will.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

For people trying to find copies of this book. You may want to try Abebooks for secondhand copies.
http://www.abebooks.com/

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I'll be starting this one June 1 now.

I had planned on starting the other group read first, but there has been a problem with its delivery (I accidentally bought the 'pre order' of it at the Book Depository instead of the edition they had in stock and it has only now been released...it won't arrive for another 14 days).

[Dawn]

I have the other one 'in transit' from the library already so I'll stick with it as my first read of the month.
Besides I'm pretty curious whether the story will be perpetuating the Jesus myth the Anne mentioned.

I'll get to this one later in the month.

[Anne]

Yes, let me know, Terri. It just might appeal to me after all.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

This Jesus thing now has me fascinated. We will definitely let you know Anne.

Actually, it probably works out well that I will start with this one and dawn will start with the other.

I had been waiting the two weeks for Dawn to get back from holidays in order to ask her to be a moderator of the group. As Ireney is busy with work and can't make it on very often anymore.
So that is good that we will start June on different group reads. A mod on each of the different books at once to help lead the discussions. Then when we reverse and those reading both books swap over to the other thread, we stick with our 'groups' so to speak.
Perfect! :-)

[Simona]

I gave a look to "Inquisition", and I'm not so sure that it wouldn't qualify as Historical Fantasy.
The origininal title is "Cuore di ferro", which means "Heart of Iron". At the beginning of the book the author describes how someone has been able to transform human parts in iron, supposedly using some kind of philosopher stone...maybe later there's a perfectly realistic explication, I just skipped the first pages out of curiosity - and I'm quite perplexed.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

From what I understood, they think it is supernatural, but it is the science that they use to explain it. Someone is doing it and they have to solve it. Somehow the killer is filling the victims hearts with iron and they have to work out how. The main character is a scientist and he uses science to explain how the killer does it.
That's what I got from the blurb and reviews.

[Simona]

We'll see! :-)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Lol! Bring it on! :D

[Silver]

I have not read this book yet, so I cannot say if it is actually supernatural or scientific, but is a book that features the use of Alchemy (which was treated as a legitimate science at the time and was genuinely believed in and practiced.) any more fantasy than a book that features Jesus as a character, as I understand the other book is said to?

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Yes, well, :), I think you make a very good point.
I too regard alchemy as science. Most Alchemy is ridiculous, but there is also some founding to some of it. And it is true. It is early science. For some who don't believe in Jesus the other book may certainly be regarded as fantasy too.

[Tim]

Without alchemy we wouldn't have modern chemistry

[Lia]

Terri wrote: "Having two group reads this month for those who don't want to read Rome: The Emperor's Spy
Read both, (I'll be reading both) or read one. Whatever you would like.

The other June Group Read is:-
[..."

Both books not available in my local library. I'll wait for the group review, then decide if I want to buy it or not. :(

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Oh, another one bites the dust. What a shame. They both seem hard to get through the library in the US.
I am surprised. Inquistion is being pushed in the stores right now and The emporer's Spy is by a well known author in the HF genre and the crime thriller genre.

[Marty]

I managed to find a $5 copy of this book through Alibris. There were several copies available, mostly in bookstores in the UK, but the one I found was from a bookstore in Texas. They still have a copy available for those of you who are stateside and having trouble finding it. It was only around $5 too. FYI

[Dawn]

Thanks Marty, I hope someone does get that copy. :)

[Simona]

Well, I couldn't find Manda Scott in my library. To make penance, I borrowed also the other two books by Colitto, following Inquisition.