916 pages
English language
Published Sept. 11, 2017 by Viking.
"International bestselling author Ken Follett has enthralled millions of readers with The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, two stories of the Middle Ages set in the fictional city of Kingsbridge. The saga now continues with Follett's magnificent new epic, A Column of Fire. In 1558, the ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city torn apart by religious conflict. As power in England shifts precariously between Catholics and Protestants, royalty and commoners clash, testing friendship, loyalty, and love. Ned Willard wants nothing more than to marry Margery Fitzgerald. But when the lovers find themselves on opposing sides of the religious conflict dividing the country, Ned goes to work for Princess Elizabeth. When she becomes queen, all Europe turns against England. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country's first secret service to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions, and invasion plans. Over …
"International bestselling author Ken Follett has enthralled millions of readers with The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, two stories of the Middle Ages set in the fictional city of Kingsbridge. The saga now continues with Follett's magnificent new epic, A Column of Fire. In 1558, the ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city torn apart by religious conflict. As power in England shifts precariously between Catholics and Protestants, royalty and commoners clash, testing friendship, loyalty, and love. Ned Willard wants nothing more than to marry Margery Fitzgerald. But when the lovers find themselves on opposing sides of the religious conflict dividing the country, Ned goes to work for Princess Elizabeth. When she becomes queen, all Europe turns against England. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country's first secret service to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions, and invasion plans. Over a turbulent half century, the love between Ned and Margery seems doomed as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. Elizabeth clings to her throne and her principles, protected by a small, dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents"
It is a journey not only through places but also through a dazzling number of key historical events. I enjoyed the learning while reading it. Thank you, Ken!
I enjoyed this story all entwined with real historical characters. It had good momentum with one thing leading to another with quite a few exciting climaxes.
----------------SPOILERS AHEAD--------------------
Over and all I'm sad that the story of Kingsbridge is over, it was a wonderful story with many characters to remember.
But I have to say the ending was a bit cheap, Sylvie died, just that Follet can make the same ending as in every book in this trilogy. He killed her in a cheap fight with Rollo, so Ned and Margery can marry. I know that in all three books, the story is basically the same, and his books live with the whole world. That does not change that it was a bit annoying to know after the first few pages, how the story will end.
Never the less, a good trilogy and I will definitely recommend the trilogy to friends and other.
Because of the story issue I mentioned above, I'm not sure yet if I will give the prequel a try.
A worthwhile read. The fictional plots are at times predictable, especially if you've read many of his books, but the intertwining with historical events is still wonderfully done.
