A really good follow-up to the 'Pillars...' book. Lots of intrigue, duplicity, avarice, sex and violence. Good range of characters, and plenty of story-lines set against some key events in medieval history. One of the more subtle elements is the early stages of the transition from feudalism to capitalism - all the economic and social pressures which brought this about...

An outstanding follow up to Pillars of the Earth. As you would expect from Ken Follett, beautifuly written and well crafted - a delicious treat!

compulsively readable.....i could not put it down!

Gripping - I loved every plot (and there were many), the characters jumped from page to page revealing a bit more about themselves with every turn. The story was easy to follow, and never once did I feel that it dragged on, quite the opposite I felt I wanted to know more.I highly recommend this book, you will not put it down, but be warned, do not read it before bed time or you will never get to sleep.... Happy reading :)

Another epic saga from the pen of Ken Follett. Just like The Pillars... full of drama and intrigue, love, hate, blind ambition, and machiavellian characters, some of whom one thought had disappeared only to find them poping up again. A trully spellbinding novel that you will not want to put down. A great insight into the history of the period.