Review of "The Withered Rose"

Well, this was supposedly my free day, but alas. It is unlikely I'll have time for a proper blog. Problem is that Grandpa has to go to the city to get his temporary driving licens (the real one got lost in transit somehow) and as icing on the cake, big brother was forced to volunteer my services at work because he has been instructed to get some humongous mirror from the city (again the city today. I'll feel all metropolitan, for crying out loud) meaning that the day will be gone before you know it. Grrr.
So, here's a review instead.

The Withered Rose: A novel of the count of Trall

by Marcus Pailing

5 stars in my 1 to 7 star system.

* * * * *

With this novel Pailing showed a certain eloquence in his writing. Good sentence structure without being too complicated. The world he created, one of consistency and detail, was a fascinating one, albeit lacking somewhat in plot. As I understand it, this story is a prequel to a Trilogy written by this author, so that might explain why it would come across as something of a…floater, if that makes any sense.
Still the author’s voice was clear, detailed (sometimes too much so even, because I—a lazy reader—got lost at times in the details of names, locations, protocols and whatnot) and pleasantly educational in the ways of medieval court life.

Character description was well done; I believed in Atela and her friends and was most regretful when at a certain juncture in the story the focus point shifted from her to the infamous Count. Not that Kieldrou wasn’t likable, he was, but I found myself floundering a bit when the character I was rooting for, suddenly disappeared. As for transient characters, there were so many names tossed about that I was forced to dismiss the majority of them lest I be completely confused.

The Villian: Though suitably unpleasant, I would have liked to see him fleshed out some more. Perhaps a scene or two from his side to show me something of his psyche. As it was, I found myself incapable of fully understanding why he was the way he was, and why he became downright evil throughout the story.

Violence: Detailed, appropriately grotesque as befitting the era of broadswords, horses, spears and the messes that combination could cause. Despite being vivid, it was suited to the depicted situations and not violence for violence sake. PG, I would think.

Conclusion: I found the story well-brought and certainly fascinating in regard to a way of life that modern-man only knows from books and movies. For the history buffs among us (and I can sure be called that) a good read with a solid foundation. Will have to read the trilogy at some point.