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The House of Niccolò #7
Caprice and Rondo
January 1474, in the deep cold of an ice-bound Danzig: a man is spending a frivolous winter not facing up to his responsibilities ... It is the merchant Niccolo, diviner, soldier, banker to Kings; shunned by all who know him after revelations of hismurderous mischief-making. But his talents are too great to be squandered, and a subtle political dance ensues as rivals in Poland, Venice, and Persia bid for his services in trade and war and diplomacy. Niccolo has lost his family; but he will discover a new purpose in life...
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First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Dorothy Dunnett
35 books859 followersDorothy Dunnett OBE was a Scottish historical novelist. She is best known for her six-part series about Francis Crawford of Lymond, The Lymond Chronicles, which she followed with the eight-part prequel The House of Niccolò. She also wrote a novel about the real Macbeth called King Hereafter and a series of mystery novels centered on Johnson Johnson, a portrait painter/spy.
Her New York times obituary is here.
Dorothy Dunnett Society: http://dorothydunnett.org
Fansite: http://www.dorothydunnett.co.uk/
Her New York times obituary is here.
Dorothy Dunnett Society: http://dorothydunnett.org
Fansite: http://www.dorothydunnett.co.uk/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
June 20, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down to 3
This is definitely a book of two halves: the Niccolo-on-tour half which is a travelogue through Poland, Crimea, Russia etc. gets a thumbs down from me - Nicholas has never been able to hold my attention alone no matter how many times Dunnett tells me he's a charismatic genius. But once we get back to telling the ongoing story of the company and family I perked up.
There are some developments (at last, after the stasis of the previous two books), some confrontations and the story finally clicks into place. That it's a repeat of Lymond now goes without saying: the quest for Nicholas's family history and identity becomes key.
Anna's the new Guzel, Bel is like Archie, and Gelis takes on a Philippa role investigating Nicholas's antecedents, uncovering a twisted family history. David De Salmeton is a half-hearted villain though and can't compete with Gabriel. And Nicholai de Acciajuoli finally comes out in the open about his Dame de Doubtance function.
With the momentum finally going up a gear, I'm looking forward to seeing all the ends tied up in Gemini. I wish this had been less self-indulgent though.
--------Original review --------
Firstly, do not read this if you haven't read the previous 6 volumes in this series: they really do matter.
Following the shocking revelations of Nicholas' plans at the end of To Lie with Lions, Nicholas has been exiled both emotionally and physically from his family and company. Gelis takes his place, trying to make reparation for what he has done, and hold the company together.
Adrift, emotionally scarred and unsure what to do with his life, Nicholas drifts to Poland in vague pursuit of his missing gold, only to get caught up in the increasing drama of Julius' marriage to the enigmatic Anna. And while he is away, Tobie and Gelis start to unravel some of the hidden secrets of his birth and childhood.
I have to say that I've never been as great a fan of the Niccolo series as I am of Dunnett's Lymond books, but re-reading them now I do think that they're much subtler and more intricate works. Dense, resonant, complicated and somehow maturer, they're never an easy read but always a riveting one. Here Nicholas reaches his late 30s and finally - by the end - becomes an adult. I don't want to spoil the plot for any new readers but the last part of this book is one of the highpoints, in my view, of Dunnett's writing. And the deliberate intertextual links with the Lymond series just add emotional depth to an already moving story. Very highly recommended, but do make sure you have the time to give this the space it needs.
This is definitely a book of two halves: the Niccolo-on-tour half which is a travelogue through Poland, Crimea, Russia etc. gets a thumbs down from me - Nicholas has never been able to hold my attention alone no matter how many times Dunnett tells me he's a charismatic genius. But once we get back to telling the ongoing story of the company and family I perked up.
There are some developments (at last, after the stasis of the previous two books), some confrontations and the story finally clicks into place. That it's a repeat of Lymond now goes without saying: the quest for Nicholas's family history and identity becomes key.
Anna's the new Guzel, Bel is like Archie, and Gelis takes on a Philippa role investigating Nicholas's antecedents, uncovering a twisted family history. David De Salmeton is a half-hearted villain though and can't compete with Gabriel. And Nicholai de Acciajuoli finally comes out in the open about his Dame de Doubtance function.
With the momentum finally going up a gear, I'm looking forward to seeing all the ends tied up in Gemini. I wish this had been less self-indulgent though.
--------Original review --------
Firstly, do not read this if you haven't read the previous 6 volumes in this series: they really do matter.
Following the shocking revelations of Nicholas' plans at the end of To Lie with Lions, Nicholas has been exiled both emotionally and physically from his family and company. Gelis takes his place, trying to make reparation for what he has done, and hold the company together.
Adrift, emotionally scarred and unsure what to do with his life, Nicholas drifts to Poland in vague pursuit of his missing gold, only to get caught up in the increasing drama of Julius' marriage to the enigmatic Anna. And while he is away, Tobie and Gelis start to unravel some of the hidden secrets of his birth and childhood.
I have to say that I've never been as great a fan of the Niccolo series as I am of Dunnett's Lymond books, but re-reading them now I do think that they're much subtler and more intricate works. Dense, resonant, complicated and somehow maturer, they're never an easy read but always a riveting one. Here Nicholas reaches his late 30s and finally - by the end - becomes an adult. I don't want to spoil the plot for any new readers but the last part of this book is one of the highpoints, in my view, of Dunnett's writing. And the deliberate intertextual links with the Lymond series just add emotional depth to an already moving story. Very highly recommended, but do make sure you have the time to give this the space it needs.
September 8, 2023
Settimo episodio della lunga saga storica rinascimentale che ha come protagonista il mercante e banchiere Nicholas de Fleury, “A Est di Bisanzio” pubblicato nel 1997 da Dorothy Dunnett [1923-2001] racconta le dure prove che il protagonista, partito verso la corte del principe persiano Uzum Hasan per allacciare nuove amicizie e rapporti commerciali, dovrà affrontare rimanendo invischiato nella ragnatela ordita, apparentemente a sua insaputa, da una femme fatale dalla quale non sarà facile districarsi e liberarsi. E non avrà il tempo di compiacersi della sua astuzia e lungimiranza che il suo esercito privato sarà impegnato in una letale battaglia che vale la sopravvivenza dei suoi armigeri. Apparentemente unico risultato positivo la possibilità di giungere ad un chiarimento, dopo otto anni di guerra privata, con Gelis, la splendida e orgogliosa moglie, madre del loro unico figlio, Jodi.
Intrecciando sempre con grande abilità fantasia e storia, la scrittrice scozzese regala un altro splendido scampolo della realtà rinascimentale nell’Europa della fine del XV secolo tra l’incalzare dei Turchi che cercano di espandersi nel Mediterraneo orientale a spese soprattutto di Venezia e Genova, approfittando delle invidie e antipatie che impediscono al mondo cristiano di allearsi contro il pericolo comune che minacciosamente incalza.
Intrecciando sempre con grande abilità fantasia e storia, la scrittrice scozzese regala un altro splendido scampolo della realtà rinascimentale nell’Europa della fine del XV secolo tra l’incalzare dei Turchi che cercano di espandersi nel Mediterraneo orientale a spese soprattutto di Venezia e Genova, approfittando delle invidie e antipatie che impediscono al mondo cristiano di allearsi contro il pericolo comune che minacciosamente incalza.
January 21, 2025
Despite liking the book very, very much, I think it's 4 stars only.
All the usual Dunnett ingredients are there: fascinating historical details based on thorough research, an almost flawless mixing of real historical persons in the fictional narrative, an intriguing plot, BUT.... I still felt in a way that it was too long and that Dunnett was mostly building up steam to eventually launch the last book of the Niccolo series.
Excellent narration by John Banks.
All the usual Dunnett ingredients are there: fascinating historical details based on thorough research, an almost flawless mixing of real historical persons in the fictional narrative, an intriguing plot, BUT.... I still felt in a way that it was too long and that Dunnett was mostly building up steam to eventually launch the last book of the Niccolo series.
Excellent narration by John Banks.
January 23, 2024
‘He had not known, until recently, that love could exist in so many different forms.’
January 1474 finds Nicholas de Fleury in Danzig. There are consequences from his vengeance in Scotland and Nicholas is in hiding. But Nicholas is not the only person at risk, and his need to protect those he feels responsible for including his estranged wife Gelis, their son Jodi, and many of his friends and associates, means that he is soon on the move. There is also a possibility that he may be able to recover the gold which was stolen from him in Cyprus.
Nicholas de Fleury is a fascinating and complex hero, and fifteenth century Europe provides a fascinating historical and cultural backdrop for his endeavours and adventures. While some of the action takes place in Western Europe, Nicholas travels to Russia and beyond. But then he returns, to face all manner of truths.
Three things make this series special for me: the larger than life character of Nicholas de Fleury himself; the way the fictional characters are inserted into history; and the way that the history itself comes to life off the pages.
This is the seventh volume in the House of Niccolo series, and to appreciate the series they really need to be read (and for some of us, re-read) in order. I’m writing this review having just concluded my fourth re-read of the book. Why? Because each reading has so far provided me with new insights and possibilities. Ms Dunnett’s novels are like that: complex, sparkling and full of possibility. I’m looking forward to my re-read of Gemini, the final book in the series.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 1474 finds Nicholas de Fleury in Danzig. There are consequences from his vengeance in Scotland and Nicholas is in hiding. But Nicholas is not the only person at risk, and his need to protect those he feels responsible for including his estranged wife Gelis, their son Jodi, and many of his friends and associates, means that he is soon on the move. There is also a possibility that he may be able to recover the gold which was stolen from him in Cyprus.
Nicholas de Fleury is a fascinating and complex hero, and fifteenth century Europe provides a fascinating historical and cultural backdrop for his endeavours and adventures. While some of the action takes place in Western Europe, Nicholas travels to Russia and beyond. But then he returns, to face all manner of truths.
Three things make this series special for me: the larger than life character of Nicholas de Fleury himself; the way the fictional characters are inserted into history; and the way that the history itself comes to life off the pages.
This is the seventh volume in the House of Niccolo series, and to appreciate the series they really need to be read (and for some of us, re-read) in order. I’m writing this review having just concluded my fourth re-read of the book. Why? Because each reading has so far provided me with new insights and possibilities. Ms Dunnett’s novels are like that: complex, sparkling and full of possibility. I’m looking forward to my re-read of Gemini, the final book in the series.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
May 24, 2011
The Lymond Chronicles is a tighter, more riveting and satisfying series. The House of Niccolo is raw and messily complex and the characters are deeply flawed. In most of the books that's been frustrating. In this one it made the story richer.
June 26, 2025
The start of this is really slow, and meandering, and doesn't seem to be accomplishing much. The last third picks up considerably, and is a lot better.
Several important people are killed (alas), but the plot advances, the bank is wrecked (again?), and Burgundy is dead in a ditch.
Dunnett can write a battle well, and the Grandson/Morat/Nancy campaign is handled beautifully. Much like King Hereafter, where the final battles were well-done there as well, it doesn't quite recover the plodding of the previous swathes of the book. I also feel like the characterization is lacking here, or has people operating differently from previous books. Maybe that's because we're 15 years on from the first one, but it still feels a little jarring.
This loses a star for the handling of Anna/Adelina, which was really disappointing to me. She was set up really great, and then the finale of her arc just went out like a weak souffle collapsing in the oven.
BUT ... it gains a star because of Nancy, and the triumph of Louis XI. My hero is so criminally underrepresented in historical fiction, and I cheered every step of the way for the crowning achievement of his reign with the destruction of Charles of Burgundy and his pretentions. I wish, of course, that more of that had been shown. There's a really fascinating contradiction that I think could've been demonstrated - the whole series of novels is supposed to be about the rise of merchant princes and trading empires and the power of towns, and the conflict between France and Burgundy was essentially a conflict between a ruler who understood and used that rising financial power (Louis) and one who did not (Charles). It would have fit very neatly into the series' themes, but Dunnett opts to basically ignore that and just pitch it as a dynastic struggle, which I think is a big missed opportunity.
So we end up back where we started, 3/5. There's enough brute determination left in the tank to finish the series next month, but it still pales next to Lymond.
Many thanks to my Dunnetteer buddy-readers who dragged me along on this adventure - Melindam, Alexandra, Roman Clodia, and long-suffering Nastya. See you on the other side!
Several important people are killed (alas), but the plot advances, the bank is wrecked (again?), and Burgundy is dead in a ditch.
Dunnett can write a battle well, and the Grandson/Morat/Nancy campaign is handled beautifully. Much like King Hereafter, where the final battles were well-done there as well, it doesn't quite recover the plodding of the previous swathes of the book. I also feel like the characterization is lacking here, or has people operating differently from previous books. Maybe that's because we're 15 years on from the first one, but it still feels a little jarring.
This loses a star for the handling of Anna/Adelina, which was really disappointing to me. She was set up really great, and then the finale of her arc just went out like a weak souffle collapsing in the oven.
BUT ... it gains a star because of Nancy, and the triumph of Louis XI. My hero is so criminally underrepresented in historical fiction, and I cheered every step of the way for the crowning achievement of his reign with the destruction of Charles of Burgundy and his pretentions. I wish, of course, that more of that had been shown. There's a really fascinating contradiction that I think could've been demonstrated - the whole series of novels is supposed to be about the rise of merchant princes and trading empires and the power of towns, and the conflict between France and Burgundy was essentially a conflict between a ruler who understood and used that rising financial power (Louis) and one who did not (Charles). It would have fit very neatly into the series' themes, but Dunnett opts to basically ignore that and just pitch it as a dynastic struggle, which I think is a big missed opportunity.
So we end up back where we started, 3/5. There's enough brute determination left in the tank to finish the series next month, but it still pales next to Lymond.
Many thanks to my Dunnetteer buddy-readers who dragged me along on this adventure - Melindam, Alexandra, Roman Clodia, and long-suffering Nastya. See you on the other side!
March 21, 2010
This is the seventh volume of The House of Niccolo series. This time, Nicholas travels to eastern Europe and the Crimea, with a brief foray into Persia before returning to Flanders. It's quite the tour de force of plot twists and character interactions. There is both a lot of change and a lot of resolution in this volume. Most importantly, a few of the overarching conflicts and questions of the series get resolved, making it clear that we are heading toward the climax and resolution of the saga.
Intestingly enough, the title of the book is also a description of its form. The opening episodes show Nicholas at his most wild. Then the meat of the story deals with recurrences of certain patterns and themes in the characters' lives. And resolves them at the end. All while telling a continually fascinating tale.
Intestingly enough, the title of the book is also a description of its form. The opening episodes show Nicholas at his most wild. Then the meat of the story deals with recurrences of certain patterns and themes in the characters' lives. And resolves them at the end. All while telling a continually fascinating tale.
May 29, 2011
I just this minute finished Caprice and Rondo, and all I want to do is run upstairs to my bookshelf and grab the 8th and final book of the series, Gemini, and keep on reading.
C and R was actually the MOST exciting of the books yet. Nicholas finds himself maneuvering against a hidden enemy, someone who is not what they seem...someone who endangers his whole family and everyone he loves. Nicholas also learns some secrets about how he was separated from his family, the de Fleury's, that help him make sense of his early life. The action is nonstop. And the ending left me breathless. I also appreciated the romantic rapprochement between Nicholas and his wife, Gelis...SO long in coming.
Onward to Gemini.
C and R was actually the MOST exciting of the books yet. Nicholas finds himself maneuvering against a hidden enemy, someone who is not what they seem...someone who endangers his whole family and everyone he loves. Nicholas also learns some secrets about how he was separated from his family, the de Fleury's, that help him make sense of his early life. The action is nonstop. And the ending left me breathless. I also appreciated the romantic rapprochement between Nicholas and his wife, Gelis...SO long in coming.
Onward to Gemini.
May 23, 2018
This was my second read of the 7th in the series - I have read the others 3x -- C and R has been my least favorite. I read more carefully this time, for the history, and maybe a little for Gelis. my opinion has not altered. Adelina is not a great villian, just a sordid one. Duke Charles still was an awful leader. Nl Gelis is not convincing. Still the best historical fiction ever.
February 1, 2017
Four point five stars. A few slow spots, though well needed to catch one's breath.
So, book seven of eight of the series is done. The cat-like hero has now (my opinion only) expended eight of his nine lives in the previous books. Imagine simply that 15th Century Europe and The Levant managed to survive itself! The 21st Century and we still have not learned that wars, deceit, vengeance, greed serve no useful purpose. Everything changes, yet everything remains the same.
As mentioned before, I will review the entire series when done. Just a mere 672 pages left ahead of me in Gemini to finish the marathon of House of Niccolo Series.
Strange, the book covers wouldn't load.
So, book seven of eight of the series is done. The cat-like hero has now (my opinion only) expended eight of his nine lives in the previous books. Imagine simply that 15th Century Europe and The Levant managed to survive itself! The 21st Century and we still have not learned that wars, deceit, vengeance, greed serve no useful purpose. Everything changes, yet everything remains the same.
As mentioned before, I will review the entire series when done. Just a mere 672 pages left ahead of me in Gemini to finish the marathon of House of Niccolo Series.
Strange, the book covers wouldn't load.
November 18, 2017
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2907300.html
Seventh volume in the series of eight about the life of medieval merchant Nicolas de Fleury (who has many other names), this one set in Poland, the Crimea, Moscow, Flanders and a brutal climax at the Battle of Nancy, and tying up some loose ends which had been dangling since the very first book. There is a pretty chilling scene with Nicholas and his estranged wife held prisoner together on a barge in the Flemish fog, threatened by an enemy who has only been recently revealed to the reader as such; the Genoese colony on the Crimea is vividly portrayed in its last days. Less hard work than some of the earlier books; I read it slowly because I did not want to put it down.
Seventh volume in the series of eight about the life of medieval merchant Nicolas de Fleury (who has many other names), this one set in Poland, the Crimea, Moscow, Flanders and a brutal climax at the Battle of Nancy, and tying up some loose ends which had been dangling since the very first book. There is a pretty chilling scene with Nicholas and his estranged wife held prisoner together on a barge in the Flemish fog, threatened by an enemy who has only been recently revealed to the reader as such; the Genoese colony on the Crimea is vividly portrayed in its last days. Less hard work than some of the earlier books; I read it slowly because I did not want to put it down.
January 26, 2023
It's hard to give these books less than four stars based on the scale of the achievement alone. I would say having Nicholas in exile for all but 50 pages was a hard ask in terms of investment in the adventure plots. Even though the pay off was good and somehow there was lots of momentum, I was mostly reading because I was desperate for Nicholas to go west again. I'm just super invested in Nicholas parenting plot tbh and I'm considering forgiving Gelis even though I don't want to at all. So a slightly grudging four stars this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2013
Maybe my favorite of the series. Nicholas is such a fascinating character. It was so satisfying to see him mature as an individual, and finally begin to realize the kind of relationships that he has always had/needed. It has been hard to watch such an incredibly gifted character exemplify such self-destruction, through undisciplined mania. I'm so excited to jump into the next and final installment of the series.
December 3, 2011
Ok in comparison with much historical fiction out there, this really is much better than a three-star novel but when compared to other Dunnett novels, I really do think this series had one book too many for reasons I will develop later -- when I have the time. I found the whole Adelina story line rather unnecessary.
February 10, 2015
Enjoyable if not the same intensity as Lymond.
December 31, 2015
This is the 7th book in the series. I have read the House of Niccolo Series of eight books, and I have found her characters to be deep and rich. They are not without flaws and make mistakes and suffer from the consequences. They are, most of them “bigger than life” in the sense they are so intelligent, learn languages and foresee events and plan for all the possibilities. She visits several settings in each book, each with it’s own set of characters, and great attention to detail in describing what it is like to live there everyday. She often has a grand event, for example Carnival in Venice that she describes vividly. She takes time to give rich details of the time period, her settings, and the backgrounds for her plots. Her impeccable research is second to none.
But that's not the only reason I love her work so much. What she does best is tell a great story. Her stories are full of action, adventure, daring successes and devastating setbacks set against the backdrop of the late 1500’s, when the Middle Ages were flowing into the Renaissance. New discoveries, strong trade amongst a wide variety of countries from the Mediterranean to Iceland and Scotland give the characters great opportunities to make and loose fortunes. She draws you into the book and then keeps you there like a river with a strong current that sweeps you along over rocks and rapids as well as thundering waterfalls of action and emotion. Dorothy Dunnett books stand the test of time, because great writing and story telling will never go out of style.
But that's not the only reason I love her work so much. What she does best is tell a great story. Her stories are full of action, adventure, daring successes and devastating setbacks set against the backdrop of the late 1500’s, when the Middle Ages were flowing into the Renaissance. New discoveries, strong trade amongst a wide variety of countries from the Mediterranean to Iceland and Scotland give the characters great opportunities to make and loose fortunes. She draws you into the book and then keeps you there like a river with a strong current that sweeps you along over rocks and rapids as well as thundering waterfalls of action and emotion. Dorothy Dunnett books stand the test of time, because great writing and story telling will never go out of style.
August 10, 2019
Goodreads tells me that it took me over 8 months to read this book. It *was* worth it ultimately, but I definitely stopped reading it for months at a time to read other books. I got totally bogged down a couple hundred pages in. Then, once I managed to get back into it and inch through the middle, I finished the last 200 pages in a week.
Spoilers for the rest of this review, so read at your peril:
Yes, the reveals were a little bit ridiculous..."You're related! And *you're* related! Everyone's related!" But I admit, they kept me interested when the rest of the story was starting to flag for me. I was over the Gelis and Nicholas feud several books ago, so I was incredibly relieved to have that finally over and done with, and in a satisfying fashion too. I was beginning to fear that my enthusiasm for the series was on the wane; this series (perhaps more so than Lymond, although I haven't finished it to be able to say with certainty) ricochets among implausibility rendered in somehow realistic and enjoyable fashion (how exactly Niccolo keeps succeeding in business is always vague but in an "Oh okay, I'll allow it" sort of way), signature Dunnett understated melodrama, and incomprehensibility. But there continue to be moments that amaze me, and it's far, far too late to turn back now...
Spoilers for the rest of this review, so read at your peril:
Yes, the reveals were a little bit ridiculous..."You're related! And *you're* related! Everyone's related!" But I admit, they kept me interested when the rest of the story was starting to flag for me. I was over the Gelis and Nicholas feud several books ago, so I was incredibly relieved to have that finally over and done with, and in a satisfying fashion too. I was beginning to fear that my enthusiasm for the series was on the wane; this series (perhaps more so than Lymond, although I haven't finished it to be able to say with certainty) ricochets among implausibility rendered in somehow realistic and enjoyable fashion (how exactly Niccolo keeps succeeding in business is always vague but in an "Oh okay, I'll allow it" sort of way), signature Dunnett understated melodrama, and incomprehensibility. But there continue to be moments that amaze me, and it's far, far too late to turn back now...
May 24, 2015
Nicholas, exiled from his friends and family, can be found carousing through the winter with pirates in the vicinity of Danzig. But when his old companion Julius and Julius's wife Anna settle into town the old Nicholas gradually resurfaces. Julius is the one of his company who unhesitatingly dashes into dangerous hijinks with Nicholas. Two of them in a row become near-deadly, and when the scene clears Nicholas is traveling with Anna into the Crimea.
Much as he loves his wife and son, Nicholas keeps heading east, away from them. He and Gelis have learned to interact on a special plane, so when at last he is forced back toward the west, she is waiting for him in spite of the enemies aiming at them and their son. Also for the first time, his friends understand him beyond judgment.
CAPRICE AND RONDO brings the satisfying resolution we have been waiting for. It isn't the last book in the series, but it does find Nicholas considering people as feeling friends rather than as pieces of a puzzle, and because of that, he is equipped for the events in GEMINI.
Much as he loves his wife and son, Nicholas keeps heading east, away from them. He and Gelis have learned to interact on a special plane, so when at last he is forced back toward the west, she is waiting for him in spite of the enemies aiming at them and their son. Also for the first time, his friends understand him beyond judgment.
CAPRICE AND RONDO brings the satisfying resolution we have been waiting for. It isn't the last book in the series, but it does find Nicholas considering people as feeling friends rather than as pieces of a puzzle, and because of that, he is equipped for the events in GEMINI.
July 13, 2014
Still working my way through these eight Dunnett novels. They're very well written and I'm liking them better as I go along. I got bogged down around books three and four, just hating the characters and getting irritated with the convoluted plots and abundance of foreign language quotes that are never explained. But now, reading book seven, I am more in the swing of the style and have seen enough redeeming qualities in the main characters that I'm no longer hating them.
I do have to say that certain plot devices are becoming rote. Whenever the hero is wandering alone on any street or path the reader immediately knows he's going to be mugged...in somewhat gory detail. Deception is also so common place in these books that readers become dulled by it, rather than surprised.
I do have to say that certain plot devices are becoming rote. Whenever the hero is wandering alone on any street or path the reader immediately knows he's going to be mugged...in somewhat gory detail. Deception is also so common place in these books that readers become dulled by it, rather than surprised.
June 18, 2011
7/8 of the way through the series, and I'm (a) very addicted and (b) sad that there is only 1 book left. Nicolaus continues to be an interesting and complex character, and his supporting cast is very interesting. This book has less natural beauty than the previous few, but the interpersonal relationships make up for it.
April 21, 2017
This may be my favorite of the Niccolo series, and it was truly wonderful to hear it on Audible. Somehow the details emerge more clearly, as does the emotion. It also feels like the end of the series... but of course there is another.
July 6, 2010
My least favorite of this incredible series, but that's probably because it was mostly about tying up a bunch of story lines and setting the stage for the finale final book. (Which I'm saving for my real honeymoon).
January 18, 2012
Dunnett hasn't quite finished the story yet, but appears to be running short on villains, so here is a "You what?" villain for your entertainment. 1 book to go in the series. Rated M for adult themes, moderate war violence and moderate coarse language. 3/5
July 15, 2013
Just can't praise this series enough. Excellent writing, characters to care about, genius plotting, and a sparkling window into a fascinating time. All seen with a very current sensibility. I can see why the author's fan club lives on well past her.
November 9, 2021
Loved it.
Dorothy Dunnett is as I have said before a master story teller.
It can be a frustrating read at times, but also mind blowingly beautiful and John Banks makes this book all the worthwhile and a read to remember.
Dorothy Dunnett is as I have said before a master story teller.
It can be a frustrating read at times, but also mind blowingly beautiful and John Banks makes this book all the worthwhile and a read to remember.
November 19, 2010
Nicholas redeemed. I did see the Anna bit coming, but that just added to the suspense. And the ending...oh, goodness.
October 28, 2020
Dense, chewy and deeply satisfying. Not the best place to start in the Niccolo series but for readers of the series another excellent novel
December 1, 2021
Oh lord, the highs and lows of these books! Anyway the journeys of these characters are astonishing and epic. Can't wait to read the finale next.
June 24, 2025
For the first 300 pages of this 550 page brick, the book was fine. 3 stars kind of fine.
Was I bored and annoyed? Only a few times.
Did I love it? Also only a few times.
I was very excited to see how everyone was faring after Nicholas was ousted from his own bank at the end of book 6. Nicholas doing god knows what with Pauel Benecke and Gelis visiting the three remaining parts (Bruges, Venice and the mercenaries) were some of the things that I liked the most.
The majority of the book takes place in two entire separate plots. Gelis, Jodi and the entire business occupy themselves with the various wars. Meanwhile Nicholas goes East with two travel companions I did not care much for. Neither Ludovico or Anna warmed to me much and while I loved the descriptions of the Mongol influenced people, whatever scheme Nicholas was concocting didn’t grab me.
I liked the life updates on Jodi and Kathi, and the interactions between Gelis and the bank far more. I did not have a Gelis and John le Grant friendship on my bingo card but I am here for it.
I guess that after 6 books, I’ve a much clearer image of the Burgundy-France-Italy side of the story and a much greater attachment to all the characters and stakes on that side of Europe. Everyone I know and care about is there, except Nicholas and Julius.
While a few loose ends were cleared up, I felt like those 300 pages were mostly set up. (The Ochoa-Benecke-Crackbene connection was nice though)
The first 60% has no mention of Henry’s parentage, which is a sword of Damocles bound to fall at this point. I was checking my watch, wondering when the Riberac-St Pols would appear with yet another assassination plot. Time’s ticking guys! You only have one book left to meet your ends.
And what happened to the Vatachino? Gelis didn’t fully bankrupt them so they’re still around. And when will the Scottish king find out how Nicholas played him? Find out next time, I suppose.
As for the other 250 pages, I read those in one day with an excitement I missed since the first few books. 4 stars for sure.
Gelis was getting the band back together and Nicholas got some much needed growth! There was finally some backstory to Nicholas, and some insight into what made him the guy he is. After 7 books, my man deserved it.
And he made up with Gelis. I might actually believe that they’ll happily grow old together, certainly there’s no one better suited for Nicholas OR Gelis around. I am glad that their personal character arcs went the way they did. The fact that it took nearly three sometimes arduous books for them to reach this point gave their reconciliation some weighted pathos. And I’m not immune, in fact it made me glad I stuck with this series through book 5 and 6. I will be thinking about them for 2-5 business days. Good for Jodi too.
I also think they can plot world domination together if they set their minds to it, hopefully that’s gonna happen in the finale.
While reading this series I've read a lot of reviews going Lymond this, Lymond that. It seems more Scottish courtly politics than scheming adventures and I didn't feel like picking up another long series of medieval melodrama since I started book 3, but after reading this one I feel 5% more inclined to do so because the length of the stories does pay off.
Was I bored and annoyed? Only a few times.
Did I love it? Also only a few times.
I was very excited to see how everyone was faring after Nicholas was ousted from his own bank at the end of book 6. Nicholas doing god knows what with Pauel Benecke and Gelis visiting the three remaining parts (Bruges, Venice and the mercenaries) were some of the things that I liked the most.
The majority of the book takes place in two entire separate plots. Gelis, Jodi and the entire business occupy themselves with the various wars. Meanwhile Nicholas goes East with two travel companions I did not care much for. Neither Ludovico or Anna warmed to me much and while I loved the descriptions of the Mongol influenced people, whatever scheme Nicholas was concocting didn’t grab me.
I liked the life updates on Jodi and Kathi, and the interactions between Gelis and the bank far more. I did not have a Gelis and John le Grant friendship on my bingo card but I am here for it.
I guess that after 6 books, I’ve a much clearer image of the Burgundy-France-Italy side of the story and a much greater attachment to all the characters and stakes on that side of Europe. Everyone I know and care about is there, except Nicholas and Julius.
While a few loose ends were cleared up, I felt like those 300 pages were mostly set up. (The Ochoa-Benecke-Crackbene connection was nice though)
The first 60% has no mention of Henry’s parentage, which is a sword of Damocles bound to fall at this point. I was checking my watch, wondering when the Riberac-St Pols would appear with yet another assassination plot. Time’s ticking guys! You only have one book left to meet your ends.
And what happened to the Vatachino? Gelis didn’t fully bankrupt them so they’re still around. And when will the Scottish king find out how Nicholas played him? Find out next time, I suppose.
As for the other 250 pages, I read those in one day with an excitement I missed since the first few books. 4 stars for sure.
Gelis was getting the band back together and Nicholas got some much needed growth! There was finally some backstory to Nicholas, and some insight into what made him the guy he is. After 7 books, my man deserved it.
And he made up with Gelis. I might actually believe that they’ll happily grow old together, certainly there’s no one better suited for Nicholas OR Gelis around. I am glad that their personal character arcs went the way they did. The fact that it took nearly three sometimes arduous books for them to reach this point gave their reconciliation some weighted pathos. And I’m not immune, in fact it made me glad I stuck with this series through book 5 and 6. I will be thinking about them for 2-5 business days. Good for Jodi too.
I also think they can plot world domination together if they set their minds to it, hopefully that’s gonna happen in the finale.
While reading this series I've read a lot of reviews going Lymond this, Lymond that. It seems more Scottish courtly politics than scheming adventures and I didn't feel like picking up another long series of medieval melodrama since I started book 3, but after reading this one I feel 5% more inclined to do so because the length of the stories does pay off.
April 14, 2012
Originally published on my blog here in February 1999.
The seventh Niccolo book starts as his various businesses are trying to recover from the revelation of his activities in Scotland and their probably effect on the country's economy, he himself being exiled from Western Europe on pain of having these activities made public. So he goes to Poland, where he embarks on a life of debauchery until the arrival of his old friend Julius, seeking to set up a business of his own there, distracts him. After he accidentally nearly kills Julius, Niccolo sets off on a journey of expiation, joining Julius' wife and the friar Ludovico de Bologna on his mission to stir up trouble for the Turks who pose such a threat to Christian Europe (during the second half of the fifteenth century).
The scenario is a fairly familiar one to those who have read earlier instalments in the series. Niccolo is gifted (to a positively unnatural degree), but flawed by a lack of moral purpose. He lives life as though he is playing a game in a rather self-indulgent way, very much for the moment regardless of the long-term consequences. Now that the long battle of the previous books is over, he is now fighting with himself to some extent, to overcome the consequences of his rather Pyrrhic victory.
Niccolo is remarkably like Dunnett's other major hero, Lymond. Both are immensely gifted (to an extent that they are difficult to believe in if you stop and think about it); both are willing to go outside the normal methods of living accepted by society; both have really difficult family backgrounds; both (particularly Niccolo) spend considerable time in parts of the world which form unusual settings for historical novels of their periods - Russia, Turkey, Africa. They are really one character rather than two, the main difference between the settings of the two series being that the Lymond novels are more romantic, the Niccolo ones more gritty.
Dorothy Dunnett owes a great debt to the works of Fernand Braudel dealing with the growth of commerce at the end of the medieval period; at some points, the Niccolo books read almost like a novelisation of some of his historical writing. This is a reasonable way to write a historical novel, to set characters (real and unreal - the series has an immense cast of both) walking through some of the most well known academic histories of the time. It also provides a way to test the historical theories, if the novelist is as good as Dunnett; if it seems wrong for your characters to act in a particular way, then the history shouldn't make them act that way.
One more criticism of this generally excellent novel (which doesn't apply to the other Niccolo books) is that Dunnett indulges in the rather pointless anachronism of the title of the novel and its parts which refer to pieces of music or plays (assuming that Circassian Circle is intended as a reference to The Caucasian Chalk Circle) hundreds of years later in date. I found this rather irritating, particularly as there seems to be no reason for it.
The seventh Niccolo book starts as his various businesses are trying to recover from the revelation of his activities in Scotland and their probably effect on the country's economy, he himself being exiled from Western Europe on pain of having these activities made public. So he goes to Poland, where he embarks on a life of debauchery until the arrival of his old friend Julius, seeking to set up a business of his own there, distracts him. After he accidentally nearly kills Julius, Niccolo sets off on a journey of expiation, joining Julius' wife and the friar Ludovico de Bologna on his mission to stir up trouble for the Turks who pose such a threat to Christian Europe (during the second half of the fifteenth century).
The scenario is a fairly familiar one to those who have read earlier instalments in the series. Niccolo is gifted (to a positively unnatural degree), but flawed by a lack of moral purpose. He lives life as though he is playing a game in a rather self-indulgent way, very much for the moment regardless of the long-term consequences. Now that the long battle of the previous books is over, he is now fighting with himself to some extent, to overcome the consequences of his rather Pyrrhic victory.
Niccolo is remarkably like Dunnett's other major hero, Lymond. Both are immensely gifted (to an extent that they are difficult to believe in if you stop and think about it); both are willing to go outside the normal methods of living accepted by society; both have really difficult family backgrounds; both (particularly Niccolo) spend considerable time in parts of the world which form unusual settings for historical novels of their periods - Russia, Turkey, Africa. They are really one character rather than two, the main difference between the settings of the two series being that the Lymond novels are more romantic, the Niccolo ones more gritty.
Dorothy Dunnett owes a great debt to the works of Fernand Braudel dealing with the growth of commerce at the end of the medieval period; at some points, the Niccolo books read almost like a novelisation of some of his historical writing. This is a reasonable way to write a historical novel, to set characters (real and unreal - the series has an immense cast of both) walking through some of the most well known academic histories of the time. It also provides a way to test the historical theories, if the novelist is as good as Dunnett; if it seems wrong for your characters to act in a particular way, then the history shouldn't make them act that way.
One more criticism of this generally excellent novel (which doesn't apply to the other Niccolo books) is that Dunnett indulges in the rather pointless anachronism of the title of the novel and its parts which refer to pieces of music or plays (assuming that Circassian Circle is intended as a reference to The Caucasian Chalk Circle) hundreds of years later in date. I found this rather irritating, particularly as there seems to be no reason for it.
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