After the events of the previous volume, Nicholas finds himself literally swept up in the turmoil surrounding the contested Kingdom of Cyprus. On one side is Carlotta, and on the other is James (Zacco). The long-running feud between them is both soothed and rekindled by the events that unfold within the pages of this book.

There are several truly touching scenes that tug at the heartstrings. The story builds tension and drama as the events progress, and just when you think you have it all figured out, it takes a very interesting turn at the end of this book.

I am left on the edge of my seat, eagerly looking forward to what will happen next. Will Nicholas be able to navigate the complex web of politics and intrigue? Will the feud between Carlotta and James be resolved, or will it spiral out of control? Only time will tell, and I can't wait to find out.

I vividly remember the very first time I delved into the Lymond Chronicles. At that time, I would occasionally have to take a break from reading about Lymond. I simply couldn't read those books back-to-back without a respite. And I think something similar is happening here. I have perused these books previously, but unfortunately, my memory of them isn't all that sharp. As I reached approximately three-quarters of the way through this particular book, I found myself really longing for a break from Niccolo.

Make no mistake, this is still an astoundingly well-written book, and more often than not, it is a truly enjoyable read. However, I have decided that I will take a short breather from these books for a little while. I need to give my mind some time to process and perhaps come back to them with a fresh perspective and a more eager appetite for the captivating stories they have to offer.

I'm sure that when I do return, I will once again be drawn into the rich and complex worlds that the author has so skillfully created.

That November, God sent snow to north Italy, causing inconvenience to all those who had to travel on horseback.

In this, the third book of the House of Niccolò series, we rejoin Nicholas as he copes with the death of his wife Marian de Charetty. It is 1462 and Nicholas is 21 years old. The tumultuous events of Trebizond are now in the past. Nicholas is still pondering his future when choice is largely snatched away from him. He has joined Captain Astorre and his troop of mercenaries. However, after a battle, he is kidnapped. His skills are well-known, and he becomes embroiled in the conflict between Queen Carlotta and her half-brother James (the Lusignan 'Scorpions') over Cyprus.

In yet another of her complex, intricately plotted novels, Lady Dunnett places Nicholas at the heart of a fifteenth-century war for Cyprus. Competing religious and trade interests, along with some of Nicholas's old adversaries from the previous books in the series, add both excitement and action. Nicholas must navigate a path between bitterly opposed foes, somehow striving to avoid disaster and death. Not all his enemies are as blatant as the sadistic Mameluke commander Tzani-Bey al Ablak, and not all his plans will unfold smoothly.

This is a rich and fulfilling series (I have read it numerous times and still uncover new details). The House of Niccolò is my favorite among Lady Dunnett's two epic historical series. The trade of fifteenth-century Europe offers opportunities for our mysterious hero, whose skills and abilities (and perhaps the occasional flaw) are splendidly on display.

If you relish detailed historical fiction set in fifteenth-century Europe, if you delight in complex, multi-faceted characters embarking on high-stakes adventures, then you might also enjoy Lady Dunnett's novels. But if you do decide to enter the House of Niccolò, I strongly suggest reading the novels in sequence. Character development is crucial to these novels.

Highly recommended. Reading these novels can be demanding, but the rewards are truly great.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

The third installment of the Niccolos series brings with it several surprises and also evokes a sense of nostalgia for the place where it all started.

I have a hunch that I will be receiving the remaining books of the series for my birthday. That would be really cool.

However, if you want to embark on the Dunnett adventure, it is advisable to begin with the stand-alone novel King Hereafter, which might just be my favorite book.

This book offers a unique and captivating introduction to the world created by Dunnett.

It sets the stage for the subsequent installments and allows readers to familiarize themselves with the author's writing style and the overall tone of the series.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of historical fiction or simply looking for an engaging read, King Hereafter is definitely worth checking out.

So, don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the wonderful world of Dunnett's literature.

Okay but not my cuppa tea. This phrase implies that something is acceptable or fine, but it doesn't particularly appeal to one's personal taste or preference. It's a way of expressing that while there may be nothing objectively wrong with a particular thing, it just doesn't resonate with the individual. For example, someone might say this about a particular movie, book, or food. They might acknowledge that it has its merits, but it's not something that they would choose to engage with or consume on their own. It could also be used in a social context, such as when declining an invitation or suggesting an alternative activity. In essence, "Okay but not my cuppa tea" is a polite and diplomatic way of expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm.

Once again, I have immersed myself in the captivating world of Dorothy Dunnett's historical novels.

I first discovered her remarkable writing in the '60's when I read Game of Kings and embarked on the thrilling Lymond Chronicles.

Recently, I have devoured all of her works and have now begun anew with the Niccolo series.

The detail in her historical novels is truly astonishing, and the way she engages the reader, leaving them hungry for more, is simply masterful.

I find it impossible to choose a favorite between Niccolo and Lymond. They are截然不同的 characters, yet both are deeply complex and ambiguous, blurring the lines between hero and anti-hero.

Dorothy Dunnett has been my favorite author for years, and with each reading of her series, I uncover something new and wonderful.

Inspired by the beauty I have found in her novels, I credit Dorothy Dunnett as a major influence on my own writing.

Race of Scorpions, in particular, is one of the finest and most engaging installments in the Niccolo series, captivating readers with its intricate plot and richly developed characters.

A story with good prose is truly a delight. The way the words flow, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind, is an art form in itself. It can transport us to different worlds, make us feel a range of emotions, and leave a lasting impression.

And when that good prose is combined with a great plot, it becomes even more captivating. A well-crafted plot keeps us on the edge of our seats, eager to know what happens next. It has the power to surprise us, make us laugh, cry, or cheer.

But what if it's really long? Some might argue that a long story can be a bit overwhelming. However, for those who truly appreciate a good read, a long story gives us more time to沉浸 in the world created by the author. We can get to know the characters better, understand their motives, and become fully invested in their journey.

So, what could be better than a story with good prose, a great plot, and a nice long length? It's the perfect combination for a truly unforgettable reading experience.

While I was still somewhat reserved about the first two books of this series, I really thought this book was completely excellent. The main character, Nicholas, increasingly demands his place as a leader, positions himself firmly at the head of his company, and his decisions are all the more intriguing.

Dunnet clearly has a penchant for brilliant characters: here, too, Nicholas is a calculating wonder, but especially a genius in planning, devising, intriguing, and manipulating. He masters a plethora of languages, but that turns out not to be an extraordinary feat in that period.

After the near-death experiences in Trebizond, Nicholas and part of his company sail to Cyprus, initially very much against his will. But when it comes to certain opponents, you simply can't say no if you want to stay alive.

On Cyprus, Nicholas has to carefully find his way between two rival kings - well, half-brother and half-sister - both of whom lay claim to the throne. After all, he is at the court of one, but aren't there people in his environment who actually work for the other?

Ultimately, Nicholas also has a lot of deaths on his conscience here, albeit again indirectly. And yes, that clearly leads to some trauma, even though he himself physically comes out of Cyprus relatively unscathed. He is a whole lot richer, though.

This time, Dunnet manages - it could also be entirely my fault - to make it extremely exciting at times. Her main character is also much more layered, more complicated, and precisely because of that, you empathize more strongly.

Yup.

My full approval.

3.5 stars

Re-reading this, I still find Nicholas to be a rather challenging 'hero'. He is so enigmatic that as a reader, I often find myself trailing along, whining 'who? what? what just happened?' Dunnett deliberately crafts her writing in a way that is meant to intrigue, but she provides us with so few clues regarding what Nicholas and some of the other characters are doing, thinking, or feeling. This makes it more frustrating than stimulating.

However, I still have a great love for the solid period reconstruction and the complex narrative that weaves together history, politics, and trade. There are some truly standout scenes, especially those set during the siege of Famagusta. The book also contains careful pointers to the next installment, where Nicholas travels to Africa. I'm really hoping that some of the enigma surrounding him lightens up a bit.

This is the third book in the House of Niccolo series, following Niccolo Rising and Spring of the Ram. Nicholas/Claes is now an adult, but he is still tempted back into the irresponsibility of his misspent youth. After leaving his company and previous emotional entanglements behind, he attempts to join a mercenary army fighting for control of Naples. Instead, he finds himself being enticed, seduced, and forced to take sides in the deadly struggle between the Lusignan siblings for control of Cyprus. But every time he thinks he has escaped his past, it comes back to haunt him, even in Cyprus. And even emotional closures, however incomplete, fail to bring him peace.

If you haven't read Dunnett before, it's essential that you start at the beginning of the series. This is far from the average 'historical' novel. The plot is compelling, intricate, and full of twists. Nicholas is both a charismatic and enigmatic hero, and the overarching plot arc of the series is as much about delving into the depths of one man as it is about his world. That world is a fully-realized 15th-century one, where empires are being built and industries like banking and commodities trading are emerging. The people in this world eschew the sentimentality and politically-correct mores of much modern historical fiction and instead live the harsh, violent reality of a Europe emerging from its medieval roots and into what will later be known as the Renaissance.

4.5 stars. Dorothy Dunnett is truly superb as she always is. Her writing in this book is nothing short of brilliant. However, I have a rather silly issue with it. I found myself completely enamored with certain characters. The electrifying James of Lusignan, also known as Zacco, was simply captivating. His charm and charisma leaped off the pages. And then there was his canny mother, a former royal mistress who had been mutilated and was known as Cropnose. Her shrewdness and intelligence added another layer of depth to the story. Because of my intense enjoyment of these particular characters, I found myself impatient with the other plots and characters. I didn't give them the attention and appreciation that they perhaps deserved. But that's just a small quibble in what is otherwise an outstanding book.

Cyprus is a land divided. In 1463, it is partitioned between feuding rulers. One is a proxy of distant Christian Europe, while the other is beholden to the more local Muslim regional power. The larger part of the island is controlled by one faction, but the key cities of Famagusta and Kyrenia are in the hands of the minority.

However, this is not 1974 or any year since. It is a time when Dorothy Dunnett's Flemish hero Niccolo gets drawn into the dynastic dispute between the legitimate (but losing) heiress Carlotta and her very handsome half-brother James. There are beautiful women, fierce battles, and terrific derring-do. There is a brilliant scene with chemically impregnated clothes and a valley filled with snakes. There is also gut-wrenching, understated tragedy as Niccolo works through his own complex family back-story against the foreground of the Lusignan succession. It's all brilliant stuff.

In addition, for those who actually know Cyprus, this book holds particular attraction. Just like Dunnett's hero, I have an affinity with the Gothic cathedral in Famagusta. Much of the rest of the landscape, and a surprising amount of the architecture, remain familiar even today. Perhaps the same is true of the scenes in Burges or Rhodes, which I know rather less well. While it's not essential to enjoying the book, this added familiarity adds some much appreciated colour.

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This series is truly becoming more and more addictive with each passing installment.

The reading experience does demand a certain amount of effort, as it features complex storylines that keep you on the edge of your seat and a rich vocabulary that challenges and enriches your language skills.

However, the payoff is well worth it. The twists and turns in the plot are nothing short of phenomenal. They come out of nowhere, leaving you shocked and eager to find out what happens next.

It's as if the author has a master plan, carefully weaving together a web of mystery and excitement that draws you in and refuses to let go.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of the genre or just looking for a captivating read, this series is definitely one to check out.