Ken Follett

Cécile Arnaud

Jean-Daniel Brèque

Odile Demange

Nathalie Gouyé-Guilbert

Dominique Haas

Une Colonne de Feu

"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"--

A Column of Fire

Ken Follett just never let‘s me down! I especially loved this timeframe out of the Kingsbridge series, although nothing will ever compare to the first one 

Lili

This may be one of my new favorite Ken Follett books.

I know a lot of reviews I've seen don't tend to enjoy this book as much as others in the Kingsbridge Series, because it's less focused on the people and politics specifically in Kingsbridge like it is in Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, but I actually really liked that we get to see more branches of the world as the world expanded. Due to the age being discussed, it would have been more same-same and unoriginal if we hadn't been able to see more of the world. That's how the world works, humans explore more, they branch out, little things affect bigger things and vice versa.

I also particularly enjoy this specific period of time in history, the political struggles surrounding Mary Tutor, Elizabeth I, and Mary Stuart has always been fascinating to me and I liked being able to learn more about WHY they conflicted and HOW rather than the dry way its taught in classes. It feels so much more real and I find myself emphasizing with the struggles that these seemingly powerful women had to deal with similarly to my own current struggles.

For me, the only thing I didn't like it that Sylvie was killed and Ned still ended up with Margarey. Sylvie was my favorite character, and perfect for Ned, and I find Follett has a pattern of writing these romances so that they always end up with the first person they fell in love with, and I just wish he had subverted that cliche this once. Sylvie earned and deserved Ned more. Margarey lied to him for 30 years and got a lot of people (including Sylvie) killed for it. 

Other than that, I loved this book, I genuinely read it in 3 days

Emma Lechner

This may be one of my new favorite Ken Follett books.

I know a lot of reviews I've seen don't tend to enjoy this book as much as others in the Kingsbridge Series, because it's less focused on the people and politics specifically in Kingsbridge like it is in Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, but I actually really liked that we get to see more branches of the world as the world expanded. Due to the age being discussed, it would have been more same-same and unoriginal if we hadn't been able to see more of the world. That's how the world works, humans explore more, they branch out, little things affect bigger things and vice versa.

I also particularly enjoy this specific period of time in history, the political struggles surrounding Mary Tutor, Elizabeth I, and Mary Stuart has always been fascinating to me and I liked being able to learn more about WHY they conflicted and HOW rather than the dry way its taught in classes. It feels so much more real and I find myself emphasizing with the struggles that these seemingly powerful women had to deal with similarly to my own current struggles.

For me, the only thing I didn't like it that Sylvie was killed and Ned still ended up with Margarey. Sylvie was my favorite character, and perfect for Ned, and I find Follett has a pattern of writing these romances so that they always end up with the first person they fell in love with, and I just wish he had subverted that cliche this once. Sylvie earned and deserved Ned more. Margarey lied to him for 30 years and got a lot of people (including Sylvie) killed for it. 

Other than that, I loved this book, I genuinely read it in 3 days

Sue Schilling

Column of Fire

I received this from a Goodreads giveaway and that finally pushed me to get the fist two books and read the whole series - which i enjoyed all the way through.

Column of fire has a different scope and tone than the first two kingsbridge books, but is still a great read that centers on kingsbridge families from long lines we've come to love.

Sian Wadey

I think am a little bit in love with Ned Willard. I love the Kingsbridge series and the most recent in the series is just as compelling. Ken Follett is the master of characters. Not only does he create the most horrific villains, that you love to hate, but he also writes the most wonderful, lovable people. A Column of Fire is set during the 16th and early 17th century and the various historical events during this time. Getting to know these 'everyday' characters, alongside the real life historical figures, gives the events a more personal touch and allows you to get an insight into history. I felt like I learned something whilst reading this, as well as enjoying the story and the ups and downs of Kingsbridge. It took me about a month to read this book, but I savoured every word. Now that I've finished it, I feel a little sad. Hopefully the next trip to Kingsbridge won't be too far in the future.

Katie Allard

Overall this is a solid book in Follett’s Pillars of the Earth series but it wasn’t my favorite. Usually in the series history does influence the characters, but it’s ultimately a fictional town with fictional people who sometimes encounter historical figures. This book however, gets much closer to history, and it felt more like I was reading a social studies book than a work of fiction. I think also it was very focused on the religious struggles of the time period which is neither here nor there it’s just not a topic that interests me especially since the views on religion at that time were so emphatic and strict. He came out with a fourth book in the series Fall of 2020 that’s actually a prequel to the whole series and I’m really looking forward to that one!

Sarah Ryan

An enjoyable read but I preferred the first two books in the trilogy. This book had very little to do with Kingsbridge and was more about Queen Elizabeth's reign and the various events that took place during that period.

Millions of readers have been enthralled by the saga that began in The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, which now continues with Ken Follett's magnificent, gripping A Column of Fire. A WORLD IN TURMOIL 1558, and Europe is in revolt as religious hatred sweeps the continent. Elizabeth Tudor has ascended to the throne but she is not safe in this dangerous new world. There are many who would see her removed, not least Mary Queens of Scots, who lies in wait in Paris. A NEW ORDER Elizabeth determines to set up a new secret service: a group of resourceful spies and courageous agents entrusted to keep her safe and in power. As she searches for those who will make the difference, one man stands out. A MAN WHO WOULD DIE FOR HIS QUEEN For Ned Willard the opportunity to serve his queen is God-sent. He cannot stay in Kingsbridge and watch the love of his life marry another, and as fires burn and extremism begins to spark throughout Europe, Ned makes his choice. He will spend his life protecting his monarch from the tyrants who aim to destroy her or die trying . . .

Another excellent historical novel by Ken Follett.

Maria Brogueira

Well if I first was skeptical of Ken Follett novels and if I only thought it was an overrated reaction from everyone, then I have to stay I fell into the charm of this novel and got addicted to them! because as soon as I put “A world without end” down I picked this one up! Eager to see what tales were waiting for me and what I would learn!

I went into both books knowing nothing of the story, that way I think I was kinda of eerie with both of the novels, and what a wonderful surprise did I have not when I opened Columns of fire and found out that it told a story on one of my favourite times in history! 
Both the 1500 meaning the begging of the Discoveries era (a very dear age to anyone from Portugal) all the way to the story of Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I. I ADORED IT.

I’m not a big fan of the Catholic Church or any religion based wars so I was kind of afraid going into this, but I deeply enjoyed the fact that the author doesn’t glorified the Catholic Church (thank you) but at the same time didn’t glorified the other ones. Because all of them were wrong when extremists and all of the people who advocate for them are selfish and corrupt.

The fact that the characters were linked to the characters I soo deeply enjoyed from the previous book left a smile on my face when I picked up the subtle references (sometimes not subtle, only references) about them!

The big main difference between both books I’ve read was the lack of a strong romance! Meaning that first big romance you are first introduced with Ned and Margery was not so appealing as the others! I was more interested in their separated stories (mainly ned for being a spy) than there joint ones (even though the beginning was very *interesting* if you know what I mean) but I liked Sylvie s lot more for Ned than Margery, because she seemed to defy and keep him on his toes ( like Caris did to Merthin)!

Nonetheless I despised with all of my being Pierre and Rollo, I just wanted to hit them in the head with something so they would stop meddling with everything! (But that’s how you know villains are well written!) 

I also enjoyed the fact that the story was not all spent in Kingsbridge, even though that contributed to the fact that you had little contact with characters who lived there so you ended up not having the same connection as prior. But it was really nice to see the world in that time!

The only thing I didn’t like so much was the fact that the Carlos and Ebrima part of the story ended abruptly and with nothing else added!

Other than that LOVED IT

Melody Izard

Religion doesn't seem to provide peace to many. So much intolerance and anger. So much fire and murder. This book can be lined up with Shogun to show what was going on in the other side of the world.

Allison Francis

Unfortunately DNF 
I love the first two books in the series (Pillars of the Earth is actually my all time fav book) as the characters were unforgettable and the stories made me feel so many emotions. This one fell flat because it lacked those things. It felt a little rushed and I realized that I did not really care about any of the characters, so that is why I stopped reading

Una columna de fuego

Karla 

Mi reseña en el canal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBJIX...

Meredith Rose

As with the first two books in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed A Column of Fire. Though there were pockets here and there that I didn't care for due to plot decisions and writing style, I feel that Follett did a very impressive job interweaving not only the stories of his own fictional characters but those of real historical figures as well. 

One of the things I appreciate most about A Column of Fire is how Follett brought both this book and the entire series to a grand close. It was bittersweet but wonderful, and it is the reason I feel confident awarding it five stars!

Judy Hudgins

I'm exhausted. Not because it is a 900 page book, but because the storyline is so good. I don't know how Follett does it, weaving an extensive fictional story into the actual history, but it's great. Now I need to rest!

Une Colonne de Feu

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