Folks, alum is truly a thing of the past. In these modern times, the trendy kids have set their sights on sugar. And lo and behold, Cyprus turns out to be the perfect place for its cultivation. Coincidentally, Cyprus has become a battleground between two royal half-siblings, both vying for Niccolo's assistance in their quest for the throne. But why exactly? Oh, and let's not forget that the Genoese and Venetians are continuously weaving their intricate intrigues, locked in a fierce struggle for trade dominance in the Mediterranean Sea.

(There might be some comparisons to the Lymond chronicles in this review. Forgive me; let's just turn it into a drinking game.)

So, this book. Is it confusing and convoluted? Yes, perhaps a bit anticlimactic in the end as well. Yet, it is far more engaging than its predecessor (update: wrong!). Could it be because the evil seductress of her foster son is absent? Come to think of it, I might simply be overjoyed at not having to read anything about that annoying family Nicholas left behind in Bruges. Nicholas is intelligent, young, and finally free.

Nicholas, our hero, is finally emerging from the shadow of the magnificent Lymond (Take a shot!). I'm starting to enjoy this lad! (update: meh). Is he playing 4D chess? Absolutely! Is it frustrating to follow a main character who is always ten steps ahead of the reader? You bet! Mostly, my engagement with the story suffers. Yet, I feel I understand him better, although not fully. Apparently, he developed real feelings for Primaflora? When did that happen? (update: was shocked by this plot point once again!) Okay...

Primaflora, the courtesan with erect nipples... Is it just me, or does this series have more steamy scenes than the Lymond chronicles ever did? (Take a shot!) I'm not being prudish here; it's just surprising. And there's so much more jealousy. Which brings me to Katelina, a heroine with potential who has been wasted.

The spunky Katelina from the first book, where did you go? Did you fall victim to Niccolo's irresistible charm? The feminist in me sighs with disappointment. Okay, girl, get into that fridge already. But seriously, did anyone else buy her reasons for her illogical hatred towards Nick? I didn't either.

Now, let's talk about sexual assault as a plot device. At least, that's what it seemed like because Dunnett suddenly became cryptic for no apparent reason. So, if it was indeed what I thought it was, the handling of the aftermath was... well, it wasn't dealt with at all. It all boiled down to a personal reason for revenge. But for a writer who milked the trauma for the entire Checkmate series? (Take a shot!) Is it because the victim here is a man? Or did I just imagine it?

I'm 1500 pages in, and I'm finally getting curious and mildly engaged, and I've started to like the hero (update: girl, don't get too excited, the next book will punish you). There are still 3500 more pages to go (update: oh lord Cthulhu, give me strength!). At least I'll pick up the next book and see what happens then (update: *sigh*).

This series truly encompasses an extensive territory, filled with numerous competing entities.

We have a bastard King of Cyprus engaged in a battle with the Queen, and in the mix are people from various places such as Venice, Genoa, Scotland, Bruges, France, Egypt, and Turkey. Their loyalties, interests, and acts of treachery overlap in the most complex and captivating ways.

There is a wealth of fascinating history to be discovered within this series. It's like a rich tapestry of events and characters that draw you in and keep you intrigued.

And to make it even more exciting, I have at least 3 more installments in the series waiting to be explored. Each one is bound to offer new and thrilling insights into this captivating world of history and conflict.

It's a journey that I can't wait to continue, and I'm sure readers will be equally enthralled.

Success seldom teaches what is worth knowing.

Well, the author is rather unkind to Niccolo, hitting him with one blow after another, both literally and figuratively. By the end of the book, he must be in a much worse state than at the beginning, having lost one or two important people again. But this makes him extremely mature, and it is almost necessary to remind the reader of his age at the end. He becomes so much more serious and somewhat darker. I think this is the first book by Dorothy Dunnett where there is such deep insight into the character's thoughts - and what thoughts they are! They don't portend anything good for his enemies. Although one of them is definitely a perfect villain. There is something in the way Jordan de Riberac is described that makes him so sinister, as if all the joy is sucked out of the air when he is present.

In the review of the previous book, I praised the priest. This time, it's the doctors' turn to shine and tell the obvious truths. It takes two to make a child, demoiselle. Finally, finally, halfway through the book, someone had the courage to say that to Katelina. I was really sick and tired of her accusations and grudges.

I have to admit that while the final chapters brought clarity to some of the storylines, in general, it felt like a gloomy premonition of things yet to come. I wonder how long I will stay away from the series to let the impressions settle before the suspense gets the better of me.

Fantastic work!

I truly enjoyed the beginning of this book. And then, about one-third of the way through, it completely grabbed me. I simply couldn't put it down until I had finished it.

Niccolo (also known as Nicholas, Nikko, and Claes) is taken from war-torn Italy. There, he has been employed, trying to stay away from his step-daughters in Bruges. But then, he ends up getting embroiled in a civil war in Cyprus. The war is between two claimants to the crown, Carlotta and James. He realizes that he must pick sides, but which one should he choose?

To add more spice to the confusion, there is the political contest between Genoa and Venice. Also, there is the conflict between himself and his interests and Simon (his father) and his interests in Portugal. Many plans are laid out, and as the novel careens towards its conclusion, they come to fruition.

I have to give credit to Dunnett. She is not at all afraid of killing people off. Just like in her earlier novels, not everyone makes it to the last page. This keeps the readers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire story.

Nicholas really needs to come up with some better plans. It seems that every 60 or so pages, he is nearly getting killed. This is just not sustainable. He has to think more carefully about the situations he gets himself into and find ways to avoid such life-threatening scenarios. Maybe he could take some time to assess the risks before jumping into action. Or perhaps he could seek the advice of others who might have more experience or a different perspective. It's crucial for him to realize that his current approach is putting his life in danger far too often. He needs to be more strategic and cautious if he wants to survive and achieve his goals.

Otherwise, he'll continue to be in a constant state of peril, and that's no way to live or progress. He must make a change and start planning in a way that doesn't involve such high levels of danger every few pages.

Oh Dorothy...why am I so attracted to your novels when all they do is confuse me?

I kid (mostly), but if the plotting of any book deserves to be called "byzantine", this is certainly it. The story is so complex and convoluted that even with the semi-explanation given at the end, it could definitely do with a reread (or two, or three) to try and suss out who did what for what reason.

This is my second readthrough, but it might as well have been the first considering that the first time was almost two years ago, I think, and I remembered little except that Zacco & Carlotta were wrestling over Cyprus and Nicholas was helping Zacco for which he was rewarded with sugar estates.

Dunnett definitely likes to Impress The Reader with Niccolo's intelligence, but it's so opaque in this novel as to beggar belief and make you feel like a fool. I know Niccolo's up to something but heck if I know what it is, most of the time. And of course, everyone else has got their own wheels-in-wheels going too, which complicates things even further. I gather that it IS possible to figure it out, courtesy of the always-fantastic Marzipan yahoogroup who've analyzed these books to death, and maybe that's why I keep going back and rereading -- Niccolo challenges me to be as smart as he is.

I loved Primaflora, and I hope we see more of her later. One thing I didn't like, however, is Dunnett's tendency to draw an exceedingly thick curtain across incidents of rape. Both Tzani-bey's assault on Nicholas, here, and that-old-lecher-whose-name-I-forget's attack on Phillipa in Ringed Castle were handled in a rather隐晦 way. In the latter case, I only knew on a reread of the scene and its aftermath; for this one, I wasn't even aware there had BEEN a rape until alerted by other readers. Subtle is one thing, but Niccolo's hatred of Tzani-bey is a major driving point in the novel so for the cause of that hatred to be so obfuscatingly only-alluded-to was not a cool thing.

I wish I could give this a 4.5 but the stars don't allow it and the current rating is under a 4.5 so I give 5 to try and drag it over to what I think it should be.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

Race of Scorpions by Dorothy Dunnett is the third installment in The House of Niccolo series. It is a historical fiction that takes readers on a captivating journey.

The story is filled with complex characters and intricate plotlines that keep the reader engaged from start to finish. The setting is richly detailed, transporting the reader to a different time and place.

Dorothy Dunnett's writing style is both elegant and engaging. She has a talent for bringing history to life and making it accessible to a wide audience. The Race of Scorpions is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy a well-written story.

Overall, I would rate this book an 8 out of 10. It is a great addition to the series and a worthy read on its own. If you haven't yet discovered the world of The House of Niccolo, I highly recommend giving it a try.

There is no better historical fiction than Ms Dunnett's. Period.

Her works are a masterclass in bringing the past to life. With meticulous research and a vivid imagination, she weaves together intricate plots and complex characters that transport the reader to different eras.

Each novel is a rich tapestry of history, culture, and human emotions. The settings are described in such detail that you can almost smell the smoke from the battlefield or feel the soft breeze in a medieval garden.

The characters are fully realized, with their own motives, desires, and flaws. You become invested in their stories and root for them as they face challenges and overcome obstacles.

Ms Dunnett's writing is not only engaging but also thought-provoking. She explores themes such as love, loyalty, power, and betrayal, making you reflect on the human condition and the lessons of history.

In conclusion, if you are a fan of historical fiction, you simply must read Ms Dunnett's works. They are a literary treasure trove that will leave you spellbound and longing for more.

Loved it!

It was a fantastic journey. Nicholas, the main character, becomes more and more complex as this series progresses. His character development is truly remarkable. We get to see different sides of him, his strengths, his weaknesses, his hopes, and his fears. It makes him a very relatable and engaging character.

I'm really enjoying the ride so far. Each book in the series has been better than the last. The story keeps evolving, and there are always new surprises and twists. I can't wait to see what happens next in book 4. I'm sure it will be another exciting installment in this wonderful series.

This is a cracking if rather complex series.

I finished this ages ago.

I'm due to start book 6 soon.

This one is set around Cyprus and delves into the familial feuding of the ruling family.

The story unfolds with vivid descriptions of the Cypriot landscape and the intricate web of relationships within the family.

The author does a great job of creating a sense of mystery and drama as the feuds escalate and secrets are revealed.

However, this is a series that is best enjoyed if you start from the beginning.

Each book builds on the previous ones, and while this installment can stand alone to some extent, you'll get a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the story if you follow the series in order.

Overall, it's a great series that I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and family dramas.

I found this installment of the series to be even more enjoyable than the first two books.

It truly captured my attention from start to finish.

I would rate it 4 stars, but in all honesty, it's closer to 4.5 stars.

The story had a great flow, and the characters were well-developed and engaging.

There were several plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I also liked the way the author explored different themes and ideas.

Overall, this was a great read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre.

I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.