Rating: 
Summary: AMAZING!
Review: One of the things I most enjoyed about Patton's first novel, _The Stone Prince_ was the richness and depth of setting. One knew that she had reams and reams of notes about customs and history. In _The Painter Knight_ she tells us of one of the darker chapters in Branion's history.The level of intrigue and backstabbing in this novel is matched only English history. The intense story filled with its wonderfully human characters (who have vices in proportion to virtue) kept me enthralled. If nothing else, Patton reminds me a bit of Robert Jordan in her ability to create dynamic women characters. And I give her all due homage for not sidestepping the issue of human sexuality. But, I did find one or two things a bit annoying. Kassandra's lisp and childish talk grates after about 20 pages, and though she's a bright child, I cannot believe that a 4 year old can make some of the incredibly adroit political moves she pulls off -- she acts like a 20 year old at times. Despite that, I've put noticible wear and tear on my copy, which is perhaps the greatest praise an author could ask for.
Rating: 
Summary: A well written return to Branion
Review: One of the things I most enjoyed about Patton's first novel, _The Stone Prince_ was the richness and depth of setting. One knew that she had reams and reams of notes about customs and history. In _The Painter Knight_ she tells us of one of the darker chapters in Branion's history. The level of intrigue and backstabbing in this novel is matched only English history. The intense story filled with its wonderfully human characters (who have vices in proportion to virtue) kept me enthralled. If nothing else, Patton reminds me a bit of Robert Jordan in her ability to create dynamic women characters. And I give her all due homage for not sidestepping the issue of human sexuality. But, I did find one or two things a bit annoying. Kassandra's lisp and childish talk grates after about 20 pages, and though she's a bright child, I cannot believe that a 4 year old can make some of the incredibly adroit political moves she pulls off -- she acts like a 20 year old at times. Despite that, I've put noticible wear and tear on my copy, which is perhaps the greatest praise an author could ask for.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down!
Review: This book suprised me by how good it was. The author does an extremely good job with character development. I read it from cover to cover almost in one sitting.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is a wonderfully written book that has beautifully portrayed characters. Its presentation of homosexual love is sensitive and not mocking (people in this universe do not care about sexual orientation - the people are bisexual). It has a fine mix of humor with seriousness. This book can be read alone from the other books in the series (the books are standalones within the same universe), and is probably the best in the series (although The Stone Prince completes for this honor).
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is a wonderfully written book that has beautifully portrayed characters. Its presentation of homosexual love is sensitive and not mocking (people in this universe do not care about sexual orientation - the people are bisexual). It has a fine mix of humor with seriousness. This book can be read alone from the other books in the series (the books are standalones within the same universe), and is probably the best in the series (although The Stone Prince completes for this honor).
Rating:
Summary: It's burning good!
Review: Wow. I must say, it's been a long time since I've read a book that I've had to pry from my hands so I'll STOP reading it! The characters are so engaging it makes even a conservative like me overlook their strange roles in the society she's created. A must read!
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