The language just as sumptuous here as in Wolf Hall, the first of Mantel's ongoing fictional portrait of Thomas Cromwell, in this the second sitting darker hues of Cromwell's character emerge as he contrives to settle a personal score while managing the end of Henry's marriage to Ann Boleyn.

This is a populous novel (thankfully, the book includes a cast of characters), so it's a good thing Mantel's powers of characterization are up to the task.

Totally engrossing. I regret giving away Wolf Hall, as I will surely want to re-read the entire series once it's finished, partly for the pure pleasure of reading Mantel's sentences, partly because I know I've missed some plot connections in heedless pursuit of the next blissful prose-fix. Her next book can't come soon enough.