The original article seems to be rather concise. Here is an expanded version:

This particular experience was truly tremendously entertaining.

From the moment it began, it had me completely engaged. The various elements that came together to create this entertainment were simply outstanding.

There were captivating performances, hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud, and a sense of excitement that never waned.

It was like being on a thrilling ride that took me through a world of pure enjoyment.

Every aspect, whether it was the music, the visuals, or the story, contributed to making it an unforgettable and tremendously entertaining event.

I found myself completely immersed in it, and when it finally came to an end, I was left with a feeling of satisfaction and a longing for more.

Overall, it was an experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for some top-notch entertainment.

I truly relished the tempo of the first book and believed that the translation was of the highest caliber.

Regarding the second one, I have the distinct impression that I am delving deep into the essence of Capt Alatriste and also witnessing the gradual deterioration of the Spanish Empire during that era.

In these books, I am uncovering a delightful form of escapism. The plots are relatively straightforward, yet the characters are ones with whom I can establish a connection. Strangely enough, there is a certain resemblance between our Captain and Jack Reacher - or perhaps it's the other way around - both possess a strong moral compass!

It's simply enjoyable and informative, especially about a period of history with which I was not previously acquainted. I have the intention of reading the remainder of the series throughout the summer.

This exploration into the world of Capt Alatriste has been a fascinating journey, and I look forward to continuing it and uncovering more about this captivating character and the historical backdrop against which his story unfolds.

This is the Alatriste that I have liked the most. The Inquisition and the autos-da-fé offer a lot of play, especially if they are in the Plaza Mayor of Madrid and the reader is "cat" and, therefore, can imagine the situation.

The failed movie that was made at the time overlooked this second adventure and focused more on other "easier" passages to film; a pity.

Let's see if HBO realizes the potential of these adventure books and makes a series up to par. I think half of Spain would watch it.

Moreover, the world of Alatriste is full of rich details and complex characters. The descriptions of the historical settings, from the bustling streets of Madrid to the shadowy corridors of the Inquisition, add a layer of authenticity that is truly captivating.

The relationship between Alatriste and his young sidekick, Íñigo Balboa, is also a highlight. Their banter and the way they learn from each other as they navigate through the dangerous world of 17th-century Spain make for an engaging dynamic.

If HBO were to bring this story to life in a series, it could be a masterpiece. The possibilities for exciting action sequences, intense drama, and thought-provoking themes are endless.

The main advantage of the Russian translations of Pérez-Reverte's books about the adventures of Captain Alatriste is the wonderful literary language. It is classically vivid, not overly convoluted, rich but not abstruse, and it is so rarely found in modern novels. It brings great reading pleasure and thanks to the translator.

Well, and I would especially like to note how, in essence, in such a seemingly unpretentious novel, which I personally plan to read to my son instead of "The Three Musketeers" when he is ten years old, in just a few literal pages, this work manages to brilliantly show the reader what hell the Spanish Inquisition was. This, friends, will be scarier than detective stories with dismemberment.

Diego Alatriste was as much of a son of a bitch as any other. However, he was one of those sons of bitches who respect certain rules.

He had a reputation for being tough and unyielding, but beneath that exterior, there was a code that he lived by.

Maybe it was a code of honor, or perhaps it was just a set of principles that he had developed over the years.

Either way, it made him stand out from the rest.

People might not like him, but they had to admit that he was a man of his word.

He would not betray his friends, and he would always keep his promises.

This made him a valuable ally, but also a dangerous enemy.

For those who crossed him, there was no mercy.

But for those who earned his respect, he would go to great lengths to protect them.

Diego Alatriste was a complex character, and his story was one that was full of adventure and intrigue.

I found this to be a rather disappointing swashbuckling adventure.

The book is written in the first person, with the narrator meticulously detailing the movements of his potential rescuer.

The issue with this approach is that the narrative voice seems to trap the story either in a descriptive "tell" mode, which can make it feel a bit flat and unengaging.

Or when it attempts to "show" the action, it encounters major credibility problems.

However, it's not all bad. There is still a certain amount of harmless fun to be had.

Perhaps if the author had found a more effective way to balance the description and the action, or if the credibility issues had been addressed, this could have been a more enjoyable read.

As it stands, though, it falls short of what one might expect from a swashbuckling adventure.

Nevertheless, for those who are simply looking for some light entertainment, it may still provide a few moments of diversion.

I really loved it. It must be said that the characters are eternal, participating in the story when they are needed and remaining until the end, even when they no longer have more dialogues. That is to say, even though I have finished reading this story, I feel that it is still happening, that the captain is going home and that the others, likewise, continue their lives. I won't give you more details so as not to have "spoilers".

I liked this one much more than the first book, although I read that one a long time ago, and perhaps reading it now I would like it just as much as this one. But I definitely recommend this one.

Enjoy this book and all the others that you read.

At the end, it ended very well and the second part of the book was very entertaining.

Alatriste wins the heart of the reader.

This character, Alatriste, has a certain charm that draws the reader in.

The story unfolds in a captivating way, with exciting plot twists and turns.

The author's writing style is engaging, making it easy for the reader to get lost in the world of the book.

As the story progresses, the reader becomes more and more invested in Alatriste's journey.

His actions and decisions keep the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next.

In conclusion, the book is a great read and Alatriste is a character that will stay with the reader long after they have finished the book.

Arturo Perez-Reverte has once again delivered a captivating work.

This is the sequel to "Captain Alatriste", and in this book, we find Captain Diego Alatriste and his young ward Inigo Balboa engaged in the task of rescuing a young noblewoman from a convent.

Unlike its predecessor, this book delves deeply into the religious, social, racial, and political mores of 17th Century Spain.

Not only is it a thrilling swashbuckler, filled with exciting sword fighting and intense gunfights, but it also provides a revealing look into Spain's Sangre Puro (Purity of Blood) laws and what it meant to be a "true Christian Spaniard".

The book features appearances by the inquisition and chillingly portrays the paranoia and fear that gripped Spain's nobility, fearing being denounced to the Inquisition as having Jewish ancestry.

However, a short warning to some readers: the book contains a significant amount of language related to anti-Semitism.

Overall, it is a complex and engaging work that offers a unique perspective on a fascinating period in Spanish history.

If I could give a minus rating, I most definitely would. Having come to this from a Sharpe/Aubry reading background, my expectations were significantly higher. Alatriste, the protagonist, has a pistol that he never seems to use. Instead, he resorts to stabbing his enemies. There is also an incident where he is attacked by a woman, and one can't help but think that he should have belted her in the mouth already!

Just like in Cornwall's Uthred novels, organized religion in this story wields WAY TOO MUCH power. Moreover, in Britain, the Spanish inquisition takes on Monty Python overtones, which is rather strange and out of place. I truly hope that the story gets better as it progresses. Perhaps a higher body count would add some much-needed excitement and action to the narrative. At this point, I'm left feeling rather disappointed and hoping for a significant improvement in the upcoming chapters.

Much of the appeal of the first Captain Alatriste book stemmed from the fact that it was a throwback romantic adventure in the Alexandre Dumas mould. However, Purity of Blood, the second book in the series, witnesses author Arturo Pérez-Reverte altering this charming formula, with mixed consequences.

Purity of Blood is considerably darker. Its title and plot are inspired by the persecution of Jews in 17th-century Catholic Spain, the setting of the book. Anti-Semitism, mob hatred, and the sadistic torture of the Inquisition are the predominant aspects of this Alatriste sequel.

Nevertheless, it still functions well enough. Pérez-Reverte's quality of prose is a high point of the book. The main characters remain interesting, although they hardly develop, and the book improves as it advances. The issue is that it doesn't conform to that romantic adventure ethos that is the great allure of the series. The anti-Semitism, torture, and public burnings are unpleasant to read. While this serves the author's intention to educate us that this Golden Age of Spain was often "a venal world built upon hypocrisy and spurious manners" (pg. 241), it is fatal in that it undermines any victory our characters might achieve in the plot. I felt that our hero, Alatriste, lost this battle. The good guys are thoroughly and painfully defeated, and the one bad guy to receive his just deserts gets it almost perfunctorily, in the epilogue.

When this is combined with other reversals in the plot, the lack of tension, and the narrator Íñigo's constant adoration for Angélica de Alquézar (who, with his full knowledge, attempts to have him killed and tortured), one easily grows tired of Purity of Blood and finds it a bit messy. It's not enough to make the reader want to harm the story, but it does give a concerning indication that this series may ultimately not be as good as it could have been.

I should probably put a spoiler warning here. However, I also think that spoiling the plot might save a significant amount of time for those who are intrigued by the book description.

The book description states that Captain Alatriste and his companions are going to attempt to rescue the daughter of a wealthy family from a convent with a corrupt priest. But here's the spoiler alert: that doesn't actually happen! They do try to save her, but a little kid in the captain's group gets captured by the Inquisition. As a result, they forget about the girl and spend the remainder of the book trying to figure out how they will save him.

At the end, the girl and the surviving members of her family are publicly executed. Meanwhile, the boy is saved just in the nick of time because one guy threatens to expose some corruption in front of most of Spain, including the Royal family. I read this at 2 AM, so perhaps I missed something crucial, but it all seemed to happen very quickly.

Then Captain Alatriste and his crew are like, "Oh, it's too bad we couldn't save her and her family. But at least we rescued Iñigo." What??? They were supposed to save one person, and instead, most of the family ended up dead. What was the point of this plot then? It feels like a waste of time. Fortunately, it was a short book.