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Book Reviews of Auriel Rising

Auriel Rising
Auriel Rising
Author: Elizabeth Redfern
ISBN-13: 9780399151057
ISBN-10: 0399151052
Publication Date: 3/8/2004
Pages: 386
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 10

3.7 stars, based on 10 ratings
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

11 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Auriel Rising on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Captures the mood of London in the decade after the death of Elizabeth I. A historical thriller that combines alchemy with political and sexual intrigue.
reviewed Auriel Rising on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not my type of book. It received good reviews as a period piece. It is set in the year 1609 London, England. I only managed to make it through the first 50 pages before deciding it just wasn't for me. The author is listed as bestselling, and this book received a positive review from the NY Times.
reviewed Auriel Rising on
Top notch! Alchemy and mystery in an incredibly well-researched historical novel set in London, 1609
reviewed Auriel Rising on + 72 more book reviews
Great book - even better than her first (The Music of the Spheres). I'm so glad to have found this British author. She writes historical novels with a lot of suspense and mystery. This one is about alchemy and is really great!
reviewed Auriel Rising on + 44 more book reviews
Historical novel about alchemy and intrigue in the time of James the 3rd of Scotland. Fairly interesting, though the plot twists are somewhat hard to follow, and I'm not sure all of the threads came together in the end. And don't expect a particularly happy ending!
bookaddicted avatar reviewed Auriel Rising on + 131 more book reviews
London 1609 is the setting for this interesting novel about love, murder and alchemy - the secret to making gold.
reviewed Auriel Rising on
When I first started reading this book, I didn't particularly understand what was happening. It dragged all through the first chapter, but then, it really caught my interest. Auriel Rising is a wonderful book and I think anybody who likes alchemy and longer tales like this one will love it!
reviewed Auriel Rising on + 195 more book reviews
interesting historical yarn..
reviewed Auriel Rising on + 46 more book reviews
Great book! Interesting and historical. Really enjoyed it.
reviewed Auriel Rising on + 60 more book reviews
Great story. Historic (London, early 1600's) and exciting. Hope to read more about Ned and Kate.
gsisk avatar reviewed Auriel Rising on + 193 more book reviews
After reading "The Music of the Spheres" I found this book generally in the same vein (no happy ending), but ultimately disappointing.

In the England of King James, Ned returns from overseas to look up his love, Kate, only to find out that she married shortly after he left, and now has a small son. In a pub he wins a letter, written by the famous Dr. Dee, an alchemist, addressed "To Auriel, I will give the gift of gold ...". Soon Ned realizes that there are many people who are after it, and who are not shy to kill for it. Ned does not believe in a recipe for gold, and indeed the letter seems to have a double meaning ...

I had a hard time sometimes, following why the characters acted the way they did; the story was a bit disjointed. It took 130 pages to finally figure out what was going on. I developed no sympathy for any of the characters. ... So: meh.