Muy buena continuación de 'El Capitán Alatriste'. The style and prose of Reverte in this saga have completely fascinated me. It is truly a wonder to see the recreation of the Madrid of the Austrias. The details are so vivid that it feels as if one is actually transported back in time. The characters are well-developed and the story is engaging from start to finish. Reverte has a unique way of telling a historical tale that makes it both educational and entertaining. I can't wait to see what comes next in this wonderful series. Each page is filled with excitement and adventure, and I find myself completely immersed in the world that Reverte has created.

Uma aventura de Alatriste é uma história cheia de reviravoltas e intrigas da igreja.

Ele enfrenta rivais mortíferos e participa de autos de fé.

O capitão tem a importante missão de encontrar uma jovem noviça.

No entanto, a inquisição está novamente determinada a acabar com Alatriste.

Felizmente, ele consegue escapar mais uma vez das suas mãos e salvar a jovem de uma acusação falsa.

O título da obra remete a um período negro da História, quando a igreja pretendia "limpar" a sociedade dos hereges, como os judeus e indivíduos que eram contrários aos preceitos do Santo Ofício.

Esta história traz à tona as tensões e conflitos daquela época, mostrando a força e a coragem do protagonista na luta contra a opressão e a injustiça.

**Original Article**:
The importance of recycling cannot be emphasized enough. It helps reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and protect the environment. By recycling, we can make a significant contribution to a sustainable future.

**Expanded Article**:

The importance of recycling simply cannot be overstated.

It plays a crucial role in reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. When we recycle materials such as paper, plastic, and metal, we are essentially giving them a new life and preventing them from taking up valuable space in the ground.

Moreover, recycling helps to conserve our precious natural resources. For example, recycling paper can save trees, which are an essential part of our ecosystem. By reducing the need to extract and process new raw materials, we can also reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with these activities.

Finally, recycling is an effective way to protect the environment. By reducing waste and conserving resources, we can help to reduce pollution and preserve the beauty of our planet for future generations. Therefore, it is essential that we all do our part and recycle as much as possible.

No escogimos nacer y vivir en aquella España, a menudo miserable y a veces magnífica, que nos tocó en suerte; pero fue la nuestra.

⚔️

Alatriste is about to rejoin his Third in Flanders when Quevedo asks him a favor: to rescue a novice from the convent where strange things are happening that shouldn't be. And of course, how could he refuse to help... But ah, we have come up against the Church. And also with some old enemy.

This is the third book by the author that I have had the pleasure of reading, and it is the second in the Alatriste series. What I truly enjoy about these books is the stickiness of reality that they possess.

The moody protagonist, Captain Alatriste, is also a delight. He is almost an antihero, save for the glimpses of a moral streak that shine through. Yes, he is a bit of a stereotype - strong, silent, and deadly. However, when set against the backdrop of the 17th century Spanish Empire, with its constant war, deceit, and the Inquisition, the character works extremely well.

Pérez-Reverte does an excellent job of setting the historical stage for the Captain, who has witnessed far too much and taken too many lives. The moodiness of the character is also palpable in the atmosphere of the novel, and I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in it.

That being said, it does come at a price. The sentence structure can sometimes be a bit of a challenge to wade through and may not be to everyone's taste. For example, "Gallants lurked behind columns or beside the font to offer the ladies holy water; beggars sat on the steps outside the door, exhibiting their sores and pustules and the mutilations supposedly earned in Flanders, even Lepanto, and...." The sentence continues for another four lines.

But when there is action, the descriptions and the characters become clear and vivid. The Fencing Master, an aging master facing a last fight, was my favorite book of Pérez-Reverte's, but I will definitely be returning for more of the good Captain's bouts with life whenever I get the chance.

Arturo Perez-Reverte is an exceptionally brilliant writer.

When I was reviewing "Captain Alatriste", I couldn't help but comment on his relaxed style. It's as if you are actually sitting at a table in the Tavern of the Turk. The dust motes are glinting in the hot sunlight that streams through the window. The heady aroma of rich wine and the pungent smell of sweat assault your nostrils. You are listening intently as Inigo Balboa tells his tale. At times, he digresses, and sometimes there is wit and humour. But always, he keeps you completely riveted.

I read this book in just a matter of hours. I could hardly put it down. The opening grips you like a rottweiler in a dark alley. And the adventure unfolds in an almost casual way. A woman is found murdered in a sedan chair outside a church - there! Got the little nipper!! Diego Alatriste is asked to do a favour for his old friend, the poet, Quevedo. Young Inigo gets involved, and in the warmth of a Spanish summer's night, as the moonlight glows off a nunnery wall, all hell breaks loose.

It's simply brilliant! You are kept on the edge of your seat throughout as the blades slash, cloth and flesh tear, and the injustices pile up like faggots at an auto-da-fe!

Well,

I simply couldn't resist myself. As soon as the second book in Captain Alatriste's series was published, I immediately picked it up and started reading it the very next week. And you know what? I absolutely loved it!!!

The story was so engaging and full of adventure. It took me on a thrilling journey through the world of Captain Alatriste, a fearless and charming protagonist. The author's writing style was vivid and descriptive, making it easy for me to picture every scene in my mind.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put the book down. I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to find out what would happen next. The characters were well-developed and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure and historical fiction. It's a must-read for fans of the genre and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Seré breve y conciso, como las propias aventuras del Capitán Alatriste. The language is masterful, offering an immersive experience in the twilight of the Golden Age that is truly unforgettable. One must read these books, without a doubt. And even more so if one is Spanish.

The mordacity of Reverte, his critical style and his masterful prose, so archaic and evocative here, his love for the language and Spanish history, his analysis of human nature and the Spanish genius. It's a wonder with all the crudeness of what is real and mundane. Here you have it all. I don't like the academic, but he is a master.

Although it may seem unlikely: talking about the people and society of the 17th century is talking about us, about today. Human passions and appetites ignore the dizzying pace of scientific and technological advance, and books like "Limpieza de Sangre" attest to this. It is tragically revealing to see ourselves reflected, with our greatnesses and shames, in those compatriots who trod the long-gone Spain of Felipe IV. And this is one of the greatest virtues of these books that, paradoxically, still result in living (revived) history.

In the end, I haven't been so brief. Oh well.

4.5 stars.

It is historical fiction that is rich in machismo and action, yet it also contains elements of poetry and wisdom.

These latter ingredients are what I rely on to rationalize the intense emotional and psychological excitement that I experience while reading.

The combination of the thrilling action and the profound wisdom and poetry creates a unique and captivating reading experience.

The machismo adds a sense of power and adventure, while the poetry and wisdom offer deeper insights into the human condition.

It is this blend of different elements that makes this historical fiction truly remarkable and engaging.

As I immerse myself in the story, I am carried away by the excitement and the beauty of the words, and I am left with a sense of wonder and inspiration.

Overall, this historical fiction is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of words to touch our hearts and minds.

Siguen las aventuras de Iñigo de Balboa, Alatriste, Francisco de Quevedo y todos los demás protagonistas de esta historia. In this second installment, our protagonists, while preparing their incorporation into the Tercios, find themselves embroiled in a murky plot that makes them fully confront the Holy Office, involved in a power struggle against the Count-Duke of Olivares, the favorite of our King Felipe the Fourth.

Although he is still only 12 - 13 years old, we begin to glimpse the role that the beautiful and evil Angélica will surely play...

The story unfolds with excitement and mystery as the characters face numerous challenges and obstacles. Their actions and decisions will have far-reaching consequences, not only for themselves but also for the people around them.

As we follow their adventures, we are drawn into a world of political intrigue, religious fanaticism, and personal vendettas. The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative make this story a captivating read, leaving us eager to discover what will happen next.

I have said it before and I will repeat it again - Reverte writes so beautifully, vividly and engagingly that each of his books brings me true pleasure. "Pure Blood" is the second book in the series about Captain Alatriste.

The period is the 17th century, and the events are related to the Inquisition and the persecution of the Jews. The setting of the action is mainly in Madrid. The heroes are the same, and most of them were real historical figures. Out of curiosity, I read additional information about them. Reverte describes them so accurately as if he had been there. They are like the animated characters from the paintings of Velázquez. The narrative is once again enriched with beautiful poems from that era:

"When the last shadow falls
And the bright day drowns in deadly darkness
Back I will look, lightly clad —
My soul will be free again."

I recommend it to every lover of historical and adventure novels, of Spanish literature, of Dumas, in general, to everyone who is in the mood for lightly written events with a green-eyed captain ;)

A story that is much darker than the previous novel.

Although there is a plot twist that I didn't like too much, I'm going to give it 4 stars. It is a fast-paced novel that has captivated me from the beginning. I have loved discovering several terms in old Spanish, as well as adjectives that are like jewels rescued by a great connoisseur of our language.

We continue with the saga.

This novel takes us on a journey into a darker world compared to its predecessor. The unexpected plot twist, while not entirely to my taste, doesn't overshadow the overall engaging nature of the story. It's a page-turner that keeps you hooked from the start. The use of old Spanish terms and beautiful adjectives adds an extra layer of charm and authenticity. As we move forward with the saga, I'm eager to see what other adventures and surprises await.