Review: Revelation

Author: C J Sansom
Pages: 673
Star Rating: ✪✪✪✪

Synopsis for Book 1

England, 1537: Henry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church and the country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and the greatest network of informers ever seen. Under the order of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent through the country to investigate the monasteries. There can only be one outcome: the monasteries are to be dissolved.

But on the Sussex coast, at the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of control. Cromwell’s Commissioner Robin Singleton, has been found dead, his head severed from his body. His horrific murder is accompanied by equally sinister acts of sacrilege – a black cockerel sacrificed on the altar, and the disappearance of Scarnsea’s Great Relic.

Dr Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of Reform, has been sent by Cromwell into this atmosphere of treachery and death. But Shardlake’s investigation soon forces him to question everything he hears, and everything that he intrinsically believes . . .

CAWPILE

Character : 7/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Plot: 7.5/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 6.5/10
Enjoyment: 7.5/10

Total: 7.36 which is 4 stars

My thoughts

This is another book I like by this author. This is the 4th book in the series and is a little more fast paced than the previous book.

Even though these books are very heavy on religion, as they are based between 1509 – 1547 when King Henry viii was the king of England, the religion is part of the story and is not a way to push a religion on you.

I think the way it is weaved into the storylines of his books is done really well and really does add a lot of depth to the plot.

I thought the characters went through a lot in this book and started to question themselves and the way they see religion throughout, especially with the horrors which are unfolding. I liked the character developments and the way they were discreetly handled.

This series isn’t for everyone, as it can be very religion heavy but I would recommend giving it ago if you think it is something you would like.

-Happy Reading
xoxo