Neal's books seem to have a consistent quality to them, but this book seemed to miss the mark in a general sense. There were definitely parts that were interesting and enjoyable to read at points though. I would think twice before picking up the next book in the series.

Ugh. I LOVE Neal Stephenson, and was looking forward to reading this, but I ended up hating it. I kept asking myself, "what's the point?" I almost set it aside several times, but kept telling myself that it has to get better eventually... It's Neal Stephenson, after all. I was wrong, it never got better. Very disappointed.

This book is too thick. In many occasions I thought of just leaving it unfinished. While the first book had the interesting scientific part, and Cryptonomicon has a thriller component, King of the Vagabonds is just a poorly written adventure book. I wish I hadn't had read it in order to continue with the saga.

The King of the Vagabonds by Neal Stephenson, is the highly enjoyable second installment in the Baroque Cycle. Though it annoyingly does not pick up at the end of the cliff-hanger that serves as the ‘conclusion’ of its predecessor, Quicksilver, it is a brilliant read in its own right, chronicling the life of “Half-Cocked Jack” Shaftoe, a syphilitic vagabond and Eliza, a beautiful woman of questionable background. It proves a fun, if improbable alternate history with brilliant descriptions that show a solid understanding of the period.


For my full reviews, go to www.sophyanempire.wordpress.com or go to the shortlinks for each of the three installments of the first volume of the Baroque Cycle, see below:


Quick Silver - The Baroque Cycle #1 - http://wp.me/pWa2h-8T

King of the Vagabonds - The Baroque Cycle #2 - http://wp.me/pWa2h-gl

Odalisque: The Baroque Cycle #3 - http://wp.me/pWa2h-A0

Oh my gawsh! This is such an amazing and witty book, it has blown me away. 6 more books in the series to go. Can't wait!

Faster-paced and more accessible than _Quicksilver_, _King of the Vagabonds_ is a swash-buckling and trader's paradise of a tale. It may be read apart from the rest of the Baroque Cycle, though there are elements and characters that are enhanced by having read from Book I.

I'd rank this a little lower than the first book though they're mostly on par with one another. The story is alright, but I don't find Jack or Eliza particularly likable characters. 2.5 stars

Such a change of pace, great fun. Half-cock Jack is such a great character.

Once again, the book begins with hangings, although this is a little more involved. Jack Shaftoe is the unlikely hero of this tale which starts at the start, with his brothers. Eventually, Jack is on his own but is well-known as "half-cocked Jack", the King of Vagabonds. This name does have an explanation that supports it, however, I am not going to go into that. You will just have to make an educated guess!
Jack is what is called, "The Devil's Poor", as opposed to, "God's Poor". "Devil's Poor " are the kind of poor that are not worth helping. However, Jack finds ways to help himself (even if its confused and sometimes backfires). His view on life and this world, Europe in the late 17th century, is often callous but there is real sincerity that just cannot help but shine through.
Jack has an involvement with a beautiful woman, Eliza, whom also narrates her own story throughout the book. It is Jack's care for her, which he is really bad at showing, but it proves his inner goodness. This story created so many emotions in me. I honestly cannot explain it exactly without giving away what happens. All anybody really needs to know is that The Baroque Cycle is incredible. The story leaps off the pages and into my heart.... I'm just going to say, I'm feeling some feelings, ya'll.

Hilarious and very clever!

This volume is just focused on Jack and Eliza and who doesn't love them, even stupid, mad, foolish Jack who makes me cry in the last chapter.

It's very much a divergence from the seriousness and science of the previous volume, and I loved it. Now onwards, back to London and science.

Well, this was a perfectly exciting book and the pace was much more entertaining than Quicksilver's. All of the scenes with Leibniz and Enoch were gold and I would have loved more flashbacks to Jack's other adventures. But the last thirty or so pages... Hmm. I guess treating women like sets of various orifices is historically accurate, but ugh, must everyone secretly be some kind of deviant? It can't be for shock value at this point, so I am left to assume it is either laziness or misanthropy on Stephenson's part.