Cover Image: The City of Tears

The City of Tears

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I was delighted to be offered the audio version of this title in advance of publication. I’ve enjoyed all the Kate Mosse books I’ve read and settled in to listen to this during afternoons in the garden, However, I quickly realised that to truly understand and appreciate this second title in a series, I need to read The Burning Chambers, the first of the trilogy, before listening to The City of Tears. I think without the background of the first book, it’s all going to seem a little out of context.

The narration is excellent. I listen to a lot of audio titles and there’s a lot of pleasure in a good narrator. Kate Mosse is an author whose writing is able to transport the reader or listener seamlessly into a different era. Her settings are genuine with a real historic background and the detail is superb. In addition to learning a great deal about the period and issues, this is a book with a cracking plot and developing central characters. There’s a huge amount of detail and these are stories to settle back and truly enjoy. There’s action too and so many unexpected turns in events that it’s impossible to second guess where it’s all going, I really enjoyed this and highly recommend this to curl up with during the longer winter days.

My thanks to the publisher for an audio preview via Netgalley and delivered via the Netgalley App.

Was this review helpful?

I feel SO lucky to have been able to have this early! Kate Mosse is my favourite author, and the City of Tears is up there with her best writing!!

Rejoining Minouet and Pete 10 years later feels seamless. Kate’s distinctive writing style sparkles as a always; the richness of her characters and landscapes, the fluency of the French peppered through the dialogue and the fast paced plot all make this for a thrilling next instalment!

My first audiobook on Netgallery and it did not disappoint. Love the narrator :-)

Was this review helpful?

This is the second book in the series following Minou Joubert and her family in 16th century France. Do not even think about reading this if you haven't read the first book, "The Burning Chambers". You would be lost in seconds!
We are about 10 years on from the end of "The Burning Chambers". Minou & Piet are settled in Puivert with their family around them. Minou's Father, sister, aunt and their children. The Wars of Religion are ongoing throughout France. However, peace is in sight with the royal marriage. Minou and Piet decide to take their family to Paris to the marriage but there is still danger lurking with old enemies not far away.
As always with Kate Mosse's books this is full of historical detail. I have learnt so much about this period of history from reading her books. This is certainly not a light read and quite lengthy. Not for the faint hearted but well worth the read. Once I was immersed in the story I was loathe to stop.
This is a book that has everything - historical detail, great characters, lots of action and an excellent plot.
I listened to this on audiobook which I have to say was fantastic. The narrator was brilliant with such beautiful pronunciation of the French words. She bought the book to life and made it easy to listen to.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

Detailed historical events, emotions and emotive topics flow throughout this book. There is no way you can read this book without being moved to tears. Stories like this open our eyes to a world no one should have to live through, and should remind us how we can prevent history repeating itself.
I listened to the the audio version of this book and was completely mesmerised by the narrators telling of the tale. Emotions come over even stronger when a story is being told well.
I would totally recommend this book and would suggest the audio version is well worth investing in for a deeper experience.

Was this review helpful?

Having already read and reviewed an ARC of this book, I was excited to see it offered as an audio book. Given
the paucity of time and plethora of new titles, there are few books that I enjoy enough to revisit, Kate Mosse's titles are an exception. This is the second book of the her latest saga and builds beautifully on the first, developing the characters in surprising ways and introducing new ones. The narration brings it to life beautifully.

Was this review helpful?

I don't often listen to audiobooks, but this was a real treat. A follow on to The Burning Chambers, The City of Tears continues the story of Minou Joubert in late 16th century France.

Minou and Piet's eldest child, Marthe, is lost in Paris during the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. This event colours the future of Minou and Piet; as the religious persecutions carry on throughout France, Marthe's absence remains at the forefront of their minds.

This is a story of passion, power, religion and loss, vividly narrated by Hattie Morahan, whose clear voice and beautiful enunciation adds power to the story. I enjoyed this immensely.

Was this review helpful?

Tears of a City set in the second half of the 16th century covers the violent Wars of Religion in France and the Netherlands. It continues the story of Minou Joubert and Piet Reydon following The Burning Chambers. I listened to the audio of this book. The story is brilliant: Minou and Piet and their family are living in Puivert when they receive an invitation to the wedding of the protestant Henri of Navarre to Marguerite de Valois. The infamous St Bartholomew's Massacre occurs three days after the wedding where thousands of Huguenots are murdered. Minou and Piet and most of the family escape to Amsterdam but lose their eldest daughter Marta, unsure if she is dead or alive. Their bitterest enemy Vidal is still looking for them too..... The story really did carry me through this. I cared especially that they could find Marta. The reader was fantastic too - she was clear and her French and Latin and Dutch were a pleasure to listen to. My one criticism is its length. As over seventeen hours there were times when I exasperatedly spoke to my Ipad - 'for goodness sake get on with it'. The descriptions of detail in the tiniest of scenes from fields and landscapes and to which quay they were taking a barge from or which street they were walking down seemed unnecessary to me and if I had been reading the text i would simply have skipped. Saying that though - the story being so great that for a long journey it s absolutely worth it.

Was this review helpful?

This audio book really drew me in. The narrator had the type of voice that you could listen to and get lost in. The story was fantastic and this author really knows how to keep you hooked.

Was this review helpful?

I listened to this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I absolutely love Kate Mosse's books and have in fact read the book version of this and love it

I feel very lucky to have been able to listen to this and enjoyed it immensely - I listened in a variety of ways, sat in the garden in the sun, while baking, while ironing. The perfect way to listen

Loved this and cannot recommend highly enough both book and audiobook versions

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed the follow up to the Burning Chambers. The book sees the characters develop further and Mosse manages to add more drama and layers to their story. The way the story was spilt up was interesting and it felt as if all the characters got their portion to tell the story from their point in. There were a couple of moments i got frustrated with the story telling but they were so small that it did not make a drastic impact on how i view and rate this story.

Was this review helpful?