Gloriana's Torch : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Gloriana's Torch
Review: A gorgeous book, stand-alone but probably most effective when read after the first two, FIREDRAKE'S EYE and UNICORN'S BLOOD.

GT is about the Armada, and features the characters from the earlier books, damaged warrior David Becket and clerkly but surprisingly resilient Simon Ames, as well as new personalities. Merula, the African shamaness, is portrayed skillfully, as a real person rather than a stereotype. Elizabeth, as in the earlier books, is a both powerful and human figure.

My favorite part of this book was the dream sequences, alternative-history bits in which the Armada actually lands; but I really wanted one more sequence, one offering resolution for Becket, who is seen at a very important moment only through Merula's point of view. I wasn't crazy about the repetition of events in different POVs; usually Finney had shown the character's reactions already from another character's point of view so that the repetition really wasn't needed. In general, though, I felt the plot was fast-moving, plausible and gripping.

Finney's work in general and this book in particular should appeal to readers who enjoy the work of Mary Gentle and Dorothy Dunnett.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Gloriana's Torch is the third in a trilogy of Elizabethan thrillers. It can be read and enjoyed by itself but it is helpful to have read the previous two (Firedrake's Eye and Unicorn's Blood). The story centers around the Spanish Armada and the race to uncover the mystery of the Miracle of Beauty. It is peopled with a cast of absolutely fascinating and complex characters-spies, inquisitors, galley slaves, fanatical priests, a knife wielding dwarf and a mystical African princess. No stereotypes or literary cliches here! The writing is beautiful, almost poetic in places. And it is obviously well researched without becoming pedantic. But its the drama of the story that will suck you in. There are fiery battles at sea, clandestine meetings between master and spy, desperate sword fights, passion, courage, betrayal. If you abandon yourself to the books twists, turns, surprises and resolutions you will finish breathless and with your heart in your throat. Lets hope Ms. Finney doesn't keep us waiting for her next masterpiece.


Rating:
Summary: Marvelous historical fiction
Review: It is very difficult to write a review on one of Ms. Finney's books. Her books are very complex and they are quite brilliantly written. This book is even more sweeping and majestic than the previous two in the David Beckett Series (Firedrake's Eye and Unicorn's Blood). If you want explosive historical fiction that is absolutely beautifully written and plotted, then I recommend this series. You probably shouldn't read this particular book on it's own either since the other two are required in order for the reader to fully appreciate all of Ms. Finney's characters. This book is written about the Spanish Armada and the Spaniards attempt to take England in 1587. It gives quite a unique perspective to this historical fact, and the book is peopled with characters who are also brilliant and alive. We see our old favourites - David Beckett and Simon Ames, but we meet some wonderful new characters - Merula, Snake, the Padrone and some truly evil villains - Pasquale and Edward Dormer. This book is not for the faint of heart either because Ms. Finney is just as descriptive with her killings, maimings and tortures, as she is with her bird's eye view of the sea from the deck of a Spanish galliasse and the most descriptive portrayal of an early sea battle that I've ever read! This is a wonderful, heartwarming and heartrending book that will tear you apart as you read it.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Thrilling, If Graphic Book!
Review: It is very difficult to write a review on one of Ms. Finney's books. Her books are very complex and they are quite brilliantly written. This book is even more sweeping and majestic than the previous two in the David Beckett Series (Firedrake's Eye and Unicorn's Blood). If you want explosive historical fiction that is absolutely beautifully written and plotted, then I recommend this series. You probably shouldn't read this particular book on it's own either since the other two are required in order for the reader to fully appreciate all of Ms. Finney's characters. This book is written about the Spanish Armada and the Spaniards attempt to take England in 1587. It gives quite a unique perspective to this historical fact, and the book is peopled with characters who are also brilliant and alive. We see our old favourites - David Beckett and Simon Ames, but we meet some wonderful new characters - Merula, Snake, the Padrone and some truly evil villains - Pasquale and Edward Dormer. This book is not for the faint of heart either because Ms. Finney is just as descriptive with her killings, maimings and tortures, as she is with her bird's eye view of the sea from the deck of a Spanish galliasse and the most descriptive portrayal of an early sea battle that I've ever read! This is a wonderful, heartwarming and heartrending book that will tear you apart as you read it.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous historical fiction
Review: This is the third book in a series by Patricia Finney, all centered around Queen Elizabeth I and the unsung heroes of her regime. This time Simon Ames (alias S. Anriques) and his old friend David Becket have no smaller task than attempting to foil the greatest threat to challenge Elizabeth's reign-- the Spanish Armada. There's a mysyery to be solved first, though, known as the Miracle of Beauty, which somehow plays a crucial role in the Spanish scheme for the conquest of England.

Finney's greatest talent is putting the history we know in the eyes and mouths of characters who might really have particpated in history. There are no dry historians or exuberant poets or slighted aristocrats for our heroes, but a slender expatriate Portugese Jew and a street-tough Tar from the underside of Elizabethan London. Both have faults, and become very dear to the reader as the book develops. She weaves them, and all of her characters, into the historical backdrop so skillfully that they seem to become real; a part of that nameless group of individuals who turned the tide of history yet go unheard of in the annals as we know them. Best of all, there is real grit to the language they speak and events that they experience, and Finney never minces words or excludes the worst of human nature from her narrative. The courage and loyalty of our heroes stands out all the more remarkably in contrast.

This is high historical fiction, and a suitable successor to Patrick O'Brian or Dorothy Dunnett for the best that the genre has to offer. I recommend only that you start with the first book of the trilogy, Firedrake's Eye, to get to know Ames and Becket better before embarking on this book.