Cursed in the Blood (Catherine LeVendeur)

Rating:
Summary: Not as satisfying as the others in the series
Review: I found the latest Catherine LeVendeur novel to be lacking much of the humor and charm of the previous books in the series. There is a much darker element to Cursed in the Bone that I was dissatisfied to see, although there are some new characters of whom I am fond. I am glad we know more about Edgar's antecedents, but I would have liked to see more of James in Paris before he got dragged off to Scotland! I like the more grown-up Catherine, but I hope Edgar does not become bitter. Don't want to give any more away!

Rating:
Summary: Newman's books are wonderfully vivid historical novels, but
Review: I have very mixed feelings towards this entire series. On the one hand, the atmosphere is incredibly vivid. I can't really judge if it's accurate, but I certain feel transported to another time and place that I can experience with all my senses.

However, plotting and characterization sometimes leave a lot to be desired. The male members of Edgar's family were so one-dimensional and melodramatic that I lost interest in what would probably have been a pretty good story. There were two exceptions: one is a brother who is gay, which at least is one of the nicer stereotypes about homosexuals; and his uncle who belongs in a sword and sorcery novel. I didn't much care for the ending. I think Newman may be getting herself into a corner, but I don't imagine that I'll read any more of the series, so I'll never know.

Rating:
Summary: Keeps getting better
Review: In this 5th of series, we learn why Edgar was able to leave his home and family for Catherine - and why he could love and respect her even though she is but a woman. I love this historical period, and enjoy glimpses of Abelard and Heloise in the earlier novel and, in this one, seeing more of E. Peters' Brother Cadfael's world. Edgar is so much more than a beautiful face. I want to know him and Catherine even better. I hope there will be more. I want Solomon to find a kosher wife and I want Catherine's son to grow up. I want to hear more talks with their Parisian friends. I am deeply satisfied with the characters in these five books - and I hope to meet the again.

Rating:
Summary: A So Real Interpretation of the 12 century.
Review: Sharan Newman's series is so real that it is sometimes terrible to read. She paints a true picture of what medieval life was like and no punches are pulled. The era and the characters come alive for the reader. We see a realistic picture of the "Dark Ages". Not only that, but she weaves an interesting mystery into each of her stories. This book is one of her darkest and in it Catherine and Edgar and their small son, James go to Scotland after Edgar's terrible father has summoned them. It is a country that is torn asunder with civil wars. The people are barbaric and superstitious. Catherine feels totally lost there, and it doesn't help that her and Edgar are separated from each other for most of the book. They both face their own dangers and overcome them in order to be reuinted again at the end. In this book we see a true villain in Edgar's father Waldeve. Catherine wonders how her gentle Edgar can be related to this monster. There's a lot of hate, and from that hate real revenge that makes Scotland a dark and ominous place. Really, the mystery in this book is secondary and not much of a one since it's easy to figure out, but this is a great historical novel and this is a cracking historical series. It seems to get better with each entry (as well as bloodier).

Rating:
Summary: Strong to plain still holds this book strong!
Review: When I first picked up this series, it was after I had read the Guinevere Trilogy, by the same author, Sharan Newman. My mom had gone to a conference for Mystery Writers and picked up a bunch of her books, including the first installment of her Catherine Levendeur Series. I fell in love with it, and each year my mom returns to the conference she gets me a signed copy of her latest adventure. The character was very headstrong then, but now, in this sixth part of the continuing series, Catherine has taken motherhood, and life in mideval France to a more mature level. It's very enjoyable to see how the characters of Edgar, Catherine, and their children have changed over the years in the stories, but it may not be as strong as in the first few.

In this novel, Catherine, her husband Edgar, and the rest of her family trek the miles to distant Germany to save her sister, Agnes, from an undetermined fate, as she was accused of the murder of her new husband. The conflicts are understandable and believable as we see her struggles to hold a family together in a time and place of racial anger and missunderstanding with the various culture clashes.

Sharan Newman's views and enterpretation of the time peroid are amazing and fantastic to see, but some of the plot becomes rediculous and confusing, as well as Catherine's strange newly-found, docile sense of motherhood. It seems that she is no longer taking on the mysteries of this novel, but leaving it to her husband. I enjoy this series very much. It is a must read! Take it from me, you should pick up this series, but don't be dissapointed if the attitude changes from book to book. The years do go by swiftly, and Catherine is, and always will be a little too headstrong for her family, no matter how any children she has! Try it out for yourself!