I have a deep affection for the Lymond series and have thoroughly relished everything else that the author has penned. However, when it comes to this particular series, I find myself unable to fully engage. Niccolo is constantly occupied with plotting and maneuvering, yet we catch only the occasional glimpse of what he is truly up to. After wading through hundreds of pages, a climax finally arrives, and some (but not all) of the mysteries are revealed. At that moment, I have the distinct impression that I should promptly return and reread the book, as now I can better follow the unfolding events. Perhaps the reason for my struggle lies in my lack of prior familiarity with that specific era and region of the world (unlike her other works). There are simply an overwhelming number of characters and numerous subtle undercurrents that make it difficult for me to keep up. I am left feeling disappointed. Nevertheless, maybe one day I will summon the courage to give it another try.

I firmly believe that with a second attempt and a more in-depth exploration, I might be able to unlock the true essence and charm of this series.

So, on the one hand, here we witness Dunnett's absolute command of her art.

The writing has reached new heights, with the twists being masterfully crafted and the details being picture-perfect.

Individual scenes are searing. Some specific moments, such as the valley of the moths and the part where Nicholas wonders about the cost of dyeing the sunrise, take my breath away just to recall, and I don't anticipate this memory fading anytime soon.

Also, I struggle to remember the last instance when I saw a male character motivated to avenge his own sexual assault. (It's entirely possible that another example is eluding my mind.) I think it is carefully dealt with and well-handled.

On the other hand... Well, it's not merely that Tzani-bey's characterization is very one-dimensional as the "evil foreigner."

I am as amazed by Dunnett's technique as always, but I find myself pondering the purpose of it all.

With Lymond, I was constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering if he would turn out to be the jerk everyone thought he was; I don't have the same sense of suspense with Nicholas, which drains some of the moral and thematic energy and makes the books seem more like a mental exercise.

That being said, Dunnett sure knows how to introduce a villain. I'm really intrigued to see what's going on with these Vatachino... So I'll likely keep going, no matter how slow my pace.

In this installment,

our intrepid mercantile adventurer finds himself smack dab in the middle of a tumultuous dynastic dispute within the Kingdom of Cyprus.

He becomes embroiled with a diverse cast of characters, including the Knights Hospitaller, the fearsome Mamelukes, the flamboyant gay lords, and the alluring courtesans.

After a rather confusing and bumpy beginning, this series is finally starting to establish a distinct rhythm.

Dunnett, the author, still maintains an air of mystery by not explaining every little detail, which in a work of such density can at times leave the reader a bit perplexed.

However, if one simply allows the story to wash over them and goes with the flow, by the end, all will be well.

Surprisingly, it turns out that it's all about the sugar, an unexpected yet central element to the plot.

This series is rated MA for its adult themes, intense violence, and spine-chilling horror scenes.

Overall, it earns a solid 4/5 rating for its engaging storyline and complex characters.

This is the third book in Dunnett's eight-book House of Niccolo series, which delves into the rich tapestry of Europe and the Mediterranean in the late 15th century.

I had read the first two volumes several years ago. However, the move to Boston, the rigors of graduate school, and a plethora of other distractions prevented me from continuing with the series.

Now, since I was in the mood for a long historical epic, I decided that it was high time I read the remaining books before I completely forgot the details of the first two.

The Niccolo of the title is Nicholas vander Poele, a captivating, astute, and extremely intelligent young man. He has ascended from being a dyeworks apprentice to the head of his own prosperous merchant and banking house.

In Race of Scorpions, Nicholas, along with a diverse cast of new and old friends and associates, becomes embroiled in the intense conflict between Carlotta and James Lusignan. These half-siblings are vying for the throne of Cyprus. Nicholas aligns himself with James, and he and his bank's mercenary company become deeply involved in both the military and political intrigues necessary to secure James' throne while simultaneously advancing Nicholas' own business and personal ambitions.

This book was an absolute delight to read. The plot is intricately woven, offering a wealth of action and political drama. The characters are multi-faceted and fascinating, adding depth and authenticity to the story. The pacing is, overall, excellent, with very few slow moments and no dull patches.

I particularly relished the fact that the plot explored locations and events that are often overlooked in historical fiction. This was especially appealing to me since I knew virtually nothing about Cyprus before reading the book. It provided a fresh and engaging perspective on a lesser-known period and place in history.

House of Niccolo, book 3, Another Worthy 15th Century Adventure!

Reading this series is an absolute delight. It's like watching a highly skilled juggler with a whopping 20 balls in the air, and you're sitting on the edge of your seat, hoping he doesn't drop a single one. You can't possibly remember all the characters or historical figures as you're swept along in the thrilling narrative, but you're so captivated that you don't even mind.

Set in 1462, this installment finds Nicholas at the age of 21. He's wealthy but facing new challenges. His beloved wife, Marian, has passed away, and his two stepdaughters have locked him out of the family business. So, he sets off to seek his future elsewhere. He and his private army are in high demand by both factions vying for control of Cyprus. Queen Carlotta and her bastard brother, James, are both eager to gain Nicholas' support.

As always, Nicholas has to deal with a complex web of adversaries and allies. There's Primaflora, the courtesan who becomes his mistress and then something more. And there's Tzani-Bey al Ablak, the Mameluke commander, an evil man who has cruelly used Nicholas, and Nicholas vows to get his revenge.

At the beginning, several things were a bit unclear to me, leftover from the last book. Why does everyone always seem to think the worst of our hero? Why does Katerina van Borselen hate him when it was she who came to his bed—twice? Why do his friends often assume his motives are bad? Well, this time, we get answers to many of those questions as Nicholas and his merchant team face numerous dangers and acts of treachery in Cyprus. It's a truly worthy story, and I'm already eager to move on to the next one in the series.

The House of Niccolo Series:

Niccolò Rising (1986)

Spring of the Ram (1987)

Race of Scorpions (1989)

Scales of Gold (1991)

The Unicorn Hunt (1993)

To Lie with Lions (1995)

Caprice and Rondo (1997)

Gemini (2000)

I was extremely disappointed. The task at hand was so uninteresting that I had to force myself to trudge through and finish it.

It was not only tedious but also very challenging to keep track of who was who. Every time I thought I had a handle on the characters, another one would pop up, adding to the confusion.

I found myself constantly referring back to previous sections, trying to make sense of the story. The lack of clear character development and a coherent plot made it a real struggle to stay engaged.

By the time I finally completed it, I was relieved but also left with a sense of dissatisfaction. I hoped that the next task would be more engaging and less of a chore.

Plot twists! And crazy political machinations! I'm not entirely sure what happened here, but I couldn't stop reading.

The story was filled with unexpected turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had figured out what was going on, something completely different would occur. The political machinations were equally mind-boggling. It was a web of power plays, betrayals, and secret alliances.

Despite my confusion, I was drawn in by the excitement and drama. I wanted to know how it would all end. The characters were complex and fascinating, each with their own motives and agendas.

On with the show! I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Would the plot twists continue? Would the political machinations lead to a satisfying conclusion? Only time would tell, but I was eager to find out.

You read these to find out how Niccolo is going to talk himself out of the latest situation.

Niccolo is a master of persuasion, and this time is no exception. He knows that he needs to be extremely clever and strategic in his approach.

He carefully analyzes the situation, considering all the angles and possible counterarguments. He formulates a plan in his mind, thinking about the most convincing points he can make.

As he begins to speak, his tone is confident and reassuring. He presents his arguments clearly and logically, using facts and examples to support his claims.

He also pays attention to his body language, making sure to maintain eye contact and use open and inviting gestures.

With his charm and charisma, Niccolo manages to win over his audience and talk himself out of the latest situation. It's yet another demonstration of his remarkable ability to handle any challenge that comes his way.

Some years ago, I came across an article where a witty person suggested having Dunnett themed parties, and one of the ideas was "Pin the scar on Niccolo". They really seemed to know what they were talking about.

In Book 3 of The House of Niccolo, our hero, Niccolo, truly gets put through the wringer, both physically and emotionally. He endures so many hardships and challenges that it's almost too much to bear. But at the end of it all, he emerges as a more mature individual. He is now a far cry from the callow, yet perceptive, Claes of the first book.

It's all a little overwhelming, to be honest. I think I may take a brief break before I tackle Book 4. However, it's clear that this series is exactly the getaway reading experience I needed right now. It takes me away from the real world and into a captivating and complex fictional universe. I can't wait to see what else Niccolo's journey has in store for me.

I must admit that I am a die-hard Lymond fan, and I haven't quite warmed up to Nicholas yet. It took me a considerable amount of time to plow through this novel. While I did enjoy it to some extent, I'm not exactly eager to rush out and get the next volume as I did with the Lymond series.

It's one of those books that I know I will have to read again, perhaps during a holiday when I have hours upon hours of free time to fully immerse myself in it. Reading it piecemeal over several weeks just didn't do it justice. I think a second reading, with more focused attention and a more relaxed pace, will allow me to better appreciate the nuances and details of the story.

Maybe then I'll be able to develop a deeper connection with Nicholas and his adventures. For now, though, I'm content to put the book aside and look forward to that future reading experience.

3,5 stars rounded up

After listening to and falling in love with The Spring of the Ram, my expectations for Race of Scorpions were sky-high. So, perhaps it was inevitable that I would have some mixed feelings.

I must admit that among the three books I've read so far from The House of Niccolò series, this one is my least favorite. However, don't let my previous statement mislead you. Even at her "worst" (and this book is far from bad!), Dorothy Dunnett is still a thousand times better than almost any other author I've read (except for Hilary Mantel, of course). She truly is in a league of her own. In the world of historical fiction writers, she is like the sun shining among a bunch of candles.

Yet, she did severely test my patience with the overly complicated plot of Race of Scorpions. It reached a point where it was just exasperating. The idea of her hero, Niccolo, single-handedly handling the geopolitical and economic upheavals in the Levante, Terbizond, Burgundy, and Portugal with his devious mind was a bit too much to swallow.

For goodness' sake, Dorothy dear, I had just managed to accept the basic Niccolò package 1.0 (minus the whole "he's so hot that everyone gets their renaissance equivalent of underwear/chainmail knickers in a twist over him") and now you're already trying to push me towards an upgrade?

- Melinda, while you're at it, can I entice you to Niccolò 2.5?

- No, you can't, my dear, sorry. But I'm completely sold on the secondary cast (Astorre, John Le Grant, Tobie, Crackbene, Loppe, and even Fra Ludovico). Your talent for bringing historic details, politics, scenery, atmosphere, and the development of Niccolo's company with its trading and banking to life has me completely under their spell.

I was fortunate enough to have visited Rhodes and Cyprus a few years ago, and I was very glad that I could relate to the places and events described in the book.

Narrator John Banks is, as always, absolutely fantastic.

All caught up in the web of political intrigue on the beautiful yet tumultuous island of Cyprus. It's truly a confusing and appalling situation. The complexity of the schemes and power plays is enough to make one's head spin. Quick, someone hand me the next volume so I can try to make sense of it all.

Edit: Katelina, poor thing, was deathly afraid of creepy-crawlies. And she had every good reason to be. In this nest of scorpions, where everyone seemed to be vying to sting each other to death, it was a wonder she could even function. This installment wasn't my favorite in the series. I didn't even have much affection for Niccolo in this one, and as for everyone else, they were even worse. Poor kitties, caught up in this mess too.