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panichistory's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting little essay, but no citations makes it harder to totally accept.
I love Maitland and her work so I trust her more than some random person, but footnotes or even just a list of references at the end would have increased my rating by a star.
I love Maitland and her work so I trust her more than some random person, but footnotes or even just a list of references at the end would have increased my rating by a star.
owlbesatreading's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, so I'm a huge fan of Karen Maitland and I knew this was a short and sweet read. It was free on Amazon and I think it is well worth a read if you're fancying a bit of inside information on Maitlands ideas for her characters and storylines.
Firstly, there's a grizzly chapter on the things that medieval kids got up to. From murder and torture, to taking great pleasure in accusing people of witchcraft leading to many a death of innocent folk.
Then we get to a rather interesting chapter on poisons and how they were administered in evil and twisted ways to unsuspecting people.
And that, in turn leads to another chapter about antidotes and how to make lotions and potions to prevent or cure.
The author then continues with some extracts from two of her novels to whet the appetite, which it certainly did for me.
Karen Maitland is definitely 'Queen of the Dark Ages' whose books haven't failed to impress as yet, although I still have a few to get through. In my honest opinion, I can't fault her one iota.
4 star rating, only lacking in a star because I didn't want to read the excerpts and ruin it for myself as I will read more from her without a doubt.
Firstly, there's a grizzly chapter on the things that medieval kids got up to. From murder and torture, to taking great pleasure in accusing people of witchcraft leading to many a death of innocent folk.
Then we get to a rather interesting chapter on poisons and how they were administered in evil and twisted ways to unsuspecting people.
And that, in turn leads to another chapter about antidotes and how to make lotions and potions to prevent or cure.
The author then continues with some extracts from two of her novels to whet the appetite, which it certainly did for me.
Karen Maitland is definitely 'Queen of the Dark Ages' whose books haven't failed to impress as yet, although I still have a few to get through. In my honest opinion, I can't fault her one iota.
4 star rating, only lacking in a star because I didn't want to read the excerpts and ruin it for myself as I will read more from her without a doubt.
the_prickly_reader's review against another edition
2.0
It's a good job this was free because it wouldn't be worth any money. Just a quick summary of some child criminals and the beginning of her next book. Disappointing.
babiafi's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting but very short essay on 'wicked children', followed by excerpts of research and writing from Maitland's novel.