Beloved

Rating:
Summary: The Popcorn Historical
Review: This novel delivers a kernel of historical interest--concentrated information in a fictional shell. But the history is depicted with such zest and verve that I had to know more. I had to go study this queen Zenobia, her city Palmyra, and the events surrounding the reign of the Emperor Aurelian. This is why I call it a popcorn historical--it inspired me to go expand my knowledge. This, I believe, should be an aim of every historical novel, and it is achieved and then some here.

Rating:
Summary: The Popcorn Historical
Review: This novel delivers a kernel of historical interest--concentrated information in a fictional shell. But the history is depicted with such zest and verve that I had to know more. I had to go study this queen Zenobia, her city Palmyra, and the events surrounding the reign of the Emperor Aurelian. This is why I call it a popcorn historical--it inspired me to go expand my knowledge. This, I believe, should be an aim of every historical novel, and it is achieved and then some here.

Rating:
Summary: Next to her latest offerings, this one is a masterpiece.
Review: When I first read this book, I found the character of Zenobia to be extremely cold and unappealing, but since then I have given it another chance and have found that the story is tight, believable and very well told. Small's descriptions of the city of Palmyra are as always very beautiful and concise. This one is a little more violent than her earlier offerings (the very first scene kind of disturbed me a bit), but if you can get past that, you'll love this story.