Game of Kings: Amazon.ca: Dorothy Dunnett: Books

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Product Description

From Amazon.com

Praised for her historical fiction by critics and devoted fans alike, author Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles took the romance world by storm some 30 years ago, firmly fixing Dunnett's reputation as a master of the historical romance. The Game of Kings, the first story in The Lymond Chronicles, sets the stage for what will be a sweeping saga filled with passion, courage, and the endless fight for freedom. The setting is 1547, in Edinborough, Scotland. Francis Crawford of Lymond returns to the country despite the charge of treason hanging over his head. Set on redeeming his reputation, He leads a company of outlaws against England as he fights for the country he loves so dearly. Dangerous, quick-witted, and utterly irresistible, Lymond is pure pleasure to watch as he traverses 16th-century Scotland in search of freedom. The Game of Kings is a must-have for the historical romance connoisseur. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Ingram

Dunnett introduces her irresistible hero Francis Crawford of Lymond, a scapegrace nobleman of elastic morals and dangerous talents whose tongue is as sharp as his rapier. In 1547 Lymond is returning to his native Scotland, which is threatened by an English invasion. Accused of treason, Lymond leads a band of outlaws in a desperate race to redeem his reputation and save his land. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

78 Reviews

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (78 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Has to be one of the most highly overrated authors EVER!, May 23 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Game of Kings (Hardcover)

I just couldn't see the point of this book. The prose is turgid and overwrought. Dunnett seems to think that throwing around meaningless similies (so many I started counting them per page) and quotes in foreign languages counts for style. I read "Queen's Play" because someone gave it to me and found it was just as horrific.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ever read a book and ask yourself "Huh"?, July 24 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Game of Kings ( First in the Lymond Chronicles ) (Paperback)

Dunnett's story is interesting enough, but this is some of the driest reading I've ever encountered. You really have to want to read this book let alone continue with the series

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5.0 out of 5 stars Francis Crawford of Lymond, 16C's James Bond?, Jan 27 2008

By	Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Game of Kings (Paperback)

What fun! Its 1547, Henry VIII is dead and his young son Edward VII sits on the throne, as does a very young Mary sit on the throne of Scotland. Negotiations were made and broken to betroth young Mary to Edward and cement the two countries - or will the Scots marry her off to the dauphin of France instead? Francis Crawford of Lymond, a disgraced nobleman accused of treason sneaks back into Scotland and thus the game begins (to clear his name? is he working for the English as a spy? to murder his brother so that Lymond can inherit the Culter estates?).

Francis and his band of "merry men" immediately begin to wreak havoc, including setting fire to his brother's estate after stealing the silver and holding the ladies (including his mother) at knife point for their jewelry. Throughout, Francis' brilliant wit, sarcasm and heroism keep the reader enthralled and at times laughing out loud. Lymond's escapades take him up and down the breadth of Scotland as Dunnett slowly peels back the layers of her story and keeps the reader guessing until the very end, finishing in a trial of ups and downs, twists and turns ala Perry Mason.

This is not an easy tale to get into, especially if you have no passing knowledge of the Tudor/Stuart courts and noblemen during the 16C. Dunnett also liberally sprinkles her text with quotes from Latin, French and Olde English, you can purchase her companion book if you must know every word and nuance but I did just fine without it -- just skip the Latin you won't miss it. However, it's well worth the effort to stick with it until you "get it" as you will be well rewarded with a jolly good yarn, with as much action, excitement and swashbuckling good sword play as you would find in any Dumas novel -- for me that is the highest compliment I can give any author. A solid five stars, and I am now starting book two in the series, Queens' Play.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Just keep on reading
There are two ways to read this book. If you are the kind of person who needs everything laid out nicely for them at every step of the plot, predictable, flat characters, then you... Read more

Published on Jun 24 2003 by Liloo

5.0 out of 5 stars Hello!!! What are you waiting for?
Out of all the series of books I've ever read this is the best. The absolute best. It's hard to get through the first book or maybe it was just me. Read more

Published on Mar 22 2002 by Sam G

2.0 out of 5 stars Must be a polyglot to enjoy this book
Although Ms. Dunnett clearly understands the time period in which this story takes place, her ability to use her large knowledge base to make an enjoyable reading experience for... Read more

Published on Feb 14 2002 by Pale Hose