Dunnett, Dorothy - The Ringed Castle

[oyceter]

Philippa is so cool. So very, very, very cool ^_^.

I keep blinking at just how formidable she's become.

So cool.

I think the main problem with Ringed Castle was that most of it felt like a big set up for the next book, plus the fact that it's pretty hard to top the sheer tension and angst-fest of Pawn.

I've already reread the part in which Philippa and Lymond make up verses and, frighteningly, Lymond falls in love. Lymond, in love. I mean, I knew this would happen, based on vague summaries, but the thought of it is still sort of mind-boggling. It is one of the few points in the series in which I actually feel sorry for him (the other being the end of Pawn). Other times I'm usually more daunted by him than anything else.

I do love how Philippa bullies him.

It took me a while to sort of figure out that the strange lack of fallout from the end of Pawn was in fact the fallout, and that it was supremely Lymond-esque to attempt to become a machine entirely, all mind, no soul, no heart, and to sequester himself away and build an empire as a reaction to the awful pain at the end of Pawn.

That said, I wanted to hug Sybilla when he just walked right by her during his meeting with Kate.

And I am so glad Philippa and company managed to stop him from going back to Russia.

I think I read this too fast, because now I've realized I only have one book to go, and the entire ride is over =(. Shall attempt to not read Checkmate at breakneck speed....

Links:
- rilina's review of Pawn and Ringed Castle
- rachelmanija's review

Comments

Languish Locked in L!

[cofax7]

Holy COW, I can't believe you finished RC that fast!

I have the hardest time reading the Russian sequences in that novel, and as a result it's probably my least favorite of the series, despite the marvelous stuff during the voyage, and Philippa at court, and the Hall of Revels stuff. I just can't handle the horribleness of Russia, and the coldness between them all. And poor Adam's whipping.

{{hugs Adam}}

I absolutely adore Alec, though. He's my Dunnetty Sekrit Boyfriend. I picture him played by a short version of Sean Connery. I also love Danny Hislop, but not the same way.

Have fun with Checkmate, but I warn you, it's terribly hard NOT to read at breakneck speed. I finished it the first time at 5 am...

[oracne.livejournal.com]

I think the main problem with Ringed Castle was that most of it felt like a big set up for the next book, plus the fact that it's pretty hard to top the sheer tension and angst-fest of Pawn.

I agree.

It took me a while to sort of figure out that the strange lack of fallout from the end of Pawn was in fact the fallout

Me, too. For a long while, I was like, huh? What happened? Then I caught on.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Try to slow down at the beginning of Checkmate...there is an utterly splendid scene that must be savored. (One word: traboules.)

My favorite male character was Austin Grey, despite the auctorial hand, though Danny Hislop was close.

[minnow1212.livejournal.com]

>Shall attempt to not read Checkmate at breakneck speed....<

Ha ha ha. Good luck with that. I finished that at 4 in the morning.

I've never gone back and reread the Russia parts of RC, but I adore the voyage. Chancellor is my sekrit boyfriend.