In prose, this book is strikingly similar to the first one. As I had previously mentioned in the review of the initial book, Reverte's prose is truly remarkable. However, somewhat disappointingly, the plot of this installment leaves a bit to be desired. All the enigmatic characters that one would expect are present, yet, for some inexplicable reason, I have this nagging feeling that something crucial is lacking.

Nonetheless, it remains a quick and enjoyable read. It is a series that I am determined to continue with, as I believe there is still potential for growth and development. In the end, there is one memorable line that lingers in my mind: “Never trust a man who reads only one book.” This line seems to encapsulate a certain truth about the importance of a broad and diverse intellectual diet.

If you liked "El capitán Alatriste", you will like "Limpieza de sangre". It is another adventure of the captain and his young and loyal Íñigo, with the same structure, the same narrative style, and the same "¡Voto a Dios!" and "¡Pardiez!".

It also maintains the historical anecdotes, the digressions of the main plot that lead nowhere but are entertaining, and the lack of surprise in the story.

It is a second immersion in the Spain of Alatriste, so detailed and well-told that it almost seems as if you knew it before. And a second proof that Pérez-Reverte has a crush on Quevedo.

The story unfolds with the captain and Íñigo facing various challenges and adventures in the historical context of Spain. The descriptions of the settings, the characters, and their actions are vivid and engaging, making the reader feel as if they are part of the story.

Although the plot may not have many unexpected twists and turns, the overall experience of reading "Limpieza de sangre" is enjoyable and satisfying. It is a worthy addition to the Alatriste series and a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

Traveling with Captain Alatriste and his loyal little friend Iñigo is an adventure.

I have become very fond of the two characters, but not only of them, but also of the villains: Angélica, Alquezar, Bocanegra, Malatesta...

And how could one forget Francisco de Quevedo and his great friendship with our main characters.

The story unfolds with their exciting escapades and encounters in a world filled with danger and intrigue.

Captain Alatriste, a brave and skilled swordsman, leads the way, while Iñigo, with his youthful enthusiasm and loyalty, follows closely behind.

Together, they face various challenges and adversaries, always coming out stronger.

The villains add an extra layer of excitement, with their devious plans and malicious intentions.

And Francisco de Quevedo's friendship provides a touch of warmth and humor in the midst of all the chaos.

Overall, the journey with Captain Alatriste and his companions is a thrilling and unforgettable one.

Captain Diego Alatriste is a renowned sword for hire. The narrator of this captivating series is Íñigo Balboa, who presents the stories as historical accounts. However, he was just a boy when these events unfolded. Balboa's father fought and lost his life beside Alatriste in Spain's war in Flanders. Consequently, Alatriste has stepped into the role of the boy's surrogate father. The time period is the first quarter of the 17th Century, a time of great turmoil with the Spanish Inquisition in full swing.

The novels meander a bit, but in this wandering, we gain a significant understanding of the Inquisition. If a man's great-grandfather had converted from Judaism to Christianity, that "tainted" blood was believed to carry down through the generations. There was no way for a descendant to achieve purity of blood. And without this purity, one could not hold office in the government. But that was not the worst of it. Such a person could be discovered and burned at the stake. Families with such a history would hide and patch over it, as the revelation would not only threaten their way of life but also likely cost them their lives. Alatriste, who does not have a Jewish bloodline, has been hired to rescue a young girl hidden in a nunnery where the priests regularly abuse the novitiates. Or so he is led to believe. Eventually, we learn that this poor girl is merely a pawn in a power struggle.

This series stands out above the typical swashbuckler. There is nothing amiss with swashbucklers; they offer pure adventure and enjoyment. Here, however, we encounter something more sinister, and there is something for the reader to learn, especially for those who knew little about the Inquisition. Firstly, there is a principle that applies to politics (and perhaps to politics in any time period, even today): "They could care less about evidence," said don Francisco, taking possession of the jug of muscatel. "They fabricate it or they buy it. Money, after all," and between sips, he recited, "Can buy honor, and take it away, break any law, destroy any prey." Another aspect, related to fanaticism, but perhaps applicable to the low levels of education in the US today, is: "And worst of all is the person who acts as exegete of The Word -- whether it be from the Talmud, the Bible, the Koran, or any other book already written or yet to come. I am not fond of giving advice -- no one can pound opinions into another's head -- but here is a piece that costs you nothing: Never trust a man who reads only one book."

Because the author takes such a circuitous route to reach the adventure I thought I was signing up for, I was initially inclined to rate this only 3 stars. However, I found that the meanderings contributed more to the story than I had expected. This is not literature in the traditional sense. If I didn't have the rather stringent standard of awarding 5 stars to what I consider necessary reading, this would surely receive that 5th star. No, this is not essential reading, but I eagerly anticipate seeing if the author can maintain this level of quality in the next installment of the series.

The real vote is a 3.5, perhaps even less. I'll go with a 4 out of simple affection.

The best part is the initial one, which, however, resolves too quickly. The new assignment of Alatriste - involved in a story of monasteries, violated nuns, profit-making priests, and a murky atmosphere - unfortunately gives way too soon to a slower plot that, although interesting because we see the young Inigo prisoner of the Inquisition (which the author describes, as far as I know, with great historical expertise), remains rather static and, above all, is resolved in a final analysis by a deus-ex machina.

Regarding the style, it's the usual (brilliant) Perez-Reverte. Perhaps at some point the pen slips out of his hand, and so we have some historical overflows that may or may not be liked. Here and there a certain stylistic mannerism becomes evident, which can also be annoying. But on the other hand, few like Perez-Reverte manage to maintain a strong realism of emotions without slipping into the cliché.

It's the second book of the saga, but in fact I have already read all the others (except the third), so it may be that I have felt more some of the author's clichés.

The adventure series of Captain Alatriste is amazing! Executed in the best traditions of the adventure genre, in it one can feel the influence of a number of renowned authors. The action takes us to Spain in the 17th century, when Madrid is the capital of the world, but the signs of the corruption and decline of the Spanish Empire are already present. The novels are full of historical references related to the war in Flanders and the Thirty Years' War.

The second novel in the series, "Pure Blood", pits our heroes against the evil and all-powerful Inquisition, which has long had it in for them. The storytelling flows smoothly, the style of Pérez-Reverte is exciting, and the main characters are interesting and captivating. I recommend it to all lovers of the adventure novel.

Captain Altratriste is a Spanish war veteran who has now become a "blade for hire".

He is constantly engaged in duels and is mostly silent. He has powerful friends in the royal entourage, but he also has powerful enemies in the Holy Inquisition.

The plot of the story may be a little thin, but the characters are incredibly wicked and literate. The story is told through the eyes of Altatriste's young apprentice, an adolescent who is in love with a Spanish Lilith and is already in the clutches of the inquisitors.

Of course, all of this has to do with the fact that the Jews have converted to Catholicism to avoid persecution. I am extremely eager to read more about the adventures of the good captain and discover new characters. (Surely, as most of the characters in this book do die...)

I am looking forward to delving deeper into this fascinating world and seeing what other surprises and challenges await Captain Altratriste and his apprentice.

The unique setting and the complex characters make this a truly engaging read.

This is a review of a certain work.

The author comments that, as always, it has a great setting and is very well-written. It is entertaining, but the author still desires more.

Despite this, the author will continue with the series and gives it a score of 7/10.

This shows that although the work has its merits, such as a great setting and good writing, it also leaves some room for improvement in terms of satisfying the author's appetite for more.

However, the fact that the author will continue with the series indicates that it still has enough吸引力 to keep the reader engaged.

Overall, it seems to be a work that has both strengths and weaknesses, but is still worthy of further exploration.

Segundo de la serie.

I really enjoyed it a great deal.

This installment of the series had many elements that made it highly engaging. The story was well-developed, with interesting characters and unexpected plot twists.

The pacing was just right, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout.

The writing style was also very appealing, making it easy to immerse myself in the world of the story.

I can't wait to see what the next installment has in store.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good read.

It's definitely one of the best series I've come across in a long time.

I'm looking forward to following the adventures of the characters and seeing how the story unfolds.

Overall, it was a great experience and I'm glad I decided to give this series a try.

Kapteeni Alatriste -sarjan kakkososa jatkaa viihdyttävää muskettisoturiseikkailua.

These are good-natured, fast-paced books. The story is fascinating in how the plot actually revolves around something else rather than what could be more straightforwardly thought of, namely the fulfillment of Alatriste's mission as a mercenary. The significance of the background story grows.

Pérez-Reverte is an engaging writer. Many of his works are very different in style - these differ completely, for example, from the writing style of The Ninth Gate or The Queen of the South. In these, there is a light, linguistically exuberant tone.

Overall, the Kapteeni Alatriste series offers an exciting and enjoyable read, with its unique blend of adventure, intrigue, and a touch of humor. The characters are well-developed, and the plots keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or just looking for a good read, this series is definitely worth checking out.

Here is the rewritten and expanded article:

In this exciting story, we follow the adventures of a brave hero.

He is armed with a sharp sword

4.5 stars

I found Book Two in the Captain Alatriste series even more enjoyable (by a margin of.5 stars) compared to the first installment. The principal characters from the introductory book make a reappearance, and the multifaceted nature of the Captain is further explored and developed. Thanks to Perez-Reverte's masterful and eloquent descriptions, I was able to effortlessly transport myself to the 17th-century Madrid environs. This was especially true during the vividly描绘的 evening strolls along the Prado.

There is a touch of humor in the book as well. The poem by Conde de Villamediana, "In Madrid I do not go to the Pardo, for as much as it is praised, I know that its welcoming meadows are already overgrazed," adds a lighthearted element.

I also gained a significant amount of knowledge about the Continent's Inquisitions. I learned that while Spain's Inquisition was indeed horrendous, it was not the worst in Europe. However, I winced when reading about Inigo's experiences in Toledo and the subsequent auto-da-fe. In this event, those brought to justice (in a rather festive atmosphere) were ranked and punished according to the severity of their crimes, ranging from blasphemers and bigamists to Sodomites, Judaizers, followers of Mohammed, and, most shockingly, practitioners of witchcraft.

I am eagerly looking forward to continuing with Books 3 - 6 in this series. Moreover, I would absolutely love to see these captivating stories brought to the screen, as I believe they would make for an exciting and engaging visual experience.