Book #19 in the multiple New York Times best-selling Ring of Fire series. After carving a free state for itself in war-torn 17th century Europe, citizens of the modern town of Grantville, West Virginia must contend with France's infamous Cardinal Richilieu, who is determined to keep his grip on power no matter what history says.
France, 1636 . . . It has been twenty years since King Louis took Aña Maria Mauricia, daughter of Spain's King Philip III, as his wife, and their union has not yet produced an heir. Under the guidance of his chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu, a plan is developed to remedy that situation. Once she is with child, Queen Anne goes into seclusion to guard her health and protect her from those who would prefer that the child is never born—France's foreign enemies as well as schemers such as Monsieur Gaston d'Orleans, the King's younger brother and heir. When the Crown's opponents make their move, factions inside and outside France must choose sides and help determine the future and fate of the Kingdom.
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I personally thought that the characters were superb, as was the story itself. Given the importance of France to the 1600s, I perfectly understand why this is just the first in what will obviously be a new series within the 1632 universe.
Walter Hunt has perfectly captured the spirit and the attitude of France under the Bourbon kings -- and even the dialogue. I was transported back to the Louvre as I read. Fantastic.
Richelieu, Servien, Mazarin, Louis XIII, and of course, Monsieur Gaston, are all well done. The USE component is well-covered by Maddox, formerly of the Wrecking Crew, and Colonel Eric Hand, whom we've seen in other stories.
I would give it more than 5 stars if I could. Excellent book. Walter Hunt has done a fabulous job, and my only complaint is that I have to wait for the next installment! :)
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Product ReviewNot as good as the rest of the books in the series. The whole book seems to be just moving pieces around the board and things only happen because smart characters make stupid mistakes.
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Product ReviewWish it had been told ahead of time it was only the first in the stream. did good development but seemed to just stop dead and leave way too ,much un stated. Not up to par with the rest of the books in the 1632 universe. As long as a second book is coming out to finish stream worth the cost if no book is forthcoming it would be a waist of money.
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Product ReviewLoved this book! I've always been a fan of the Cardnal and the 3 Muskteers stories.
On a sie note, the 1632 series is what finally pushed me into getting my ham ticket! I'm now a General Class ham.Posted on
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Product ReviewPretty good and it pushes the 1632 universe along nicely. A little bit more character development might have been in order but it's a good read. My only real complaint is that it should have been titled Cardinal Virtues: Part 1. It's an unfinished story that we'll probably have to wait another year or two to have concluded.
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Product ReviewWait for part 2. This is only the warm up. Or at least wait few weeks for the eBook release of this eArc at less than half the price.
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Product ReviewA worthy entry in the 1632 universe.
Some real surprises and moves the surrounding story line forward.
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Product ReviewIt felt like an unfinished book, with an interesting premise that unfolded slowly and predictably yet was never resolved. I love the setting, characters, and writing, and have read almost all of the 163x series, but this one was hard to get through and disappointed. Lots of unnecessary chapters, while I'd wish there were several more to flesh out the better subplots and move the story along, especially at the end. Kinda like more recent Weber in that regard, but definitely better.
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