Previous to this, I had read one book of Michael Crichton’s, The Andromeda Strain. I loved that book, and after being told to read this, I thought this would be good. Going in, I was expecting something very realistic, as Michael Crichton is generally very interested in science, and while he does falsify it, he rarely makes leaps that are truly, truly impossible. I have to just say that one of my only frustrations with this book is the leaps he makes. Yes, it is possible, certainly more possible than most science fiction I have read, but he doesn’t seem to truly understand quantum physics. Don’t get me wrong! That’s completely fine! Most don’t, but he then wrote a book about it so… Maybe research a little more than “is time travel possible in quantum physics?”, or the two or so papers he read.
This is very much a personal gripe, and it doesn’t actually take anything away from the book while you are reading it. In fact, the science while reading is fascinating! Just.. not possible, sadly.
Moving on, I have to state that I am biased here. I absolutely adore anything in the medieval age. I understand that it was cold, dark, and gruesome. It’s why I love it. I understand that knights did not fight for honor, they fought for greed. It’s why I love it. I truly truly love the medieval age, both the romanticised version, and the true one. Michael Crichton shows a more accurate picture of the medieval age than most books, and it’s simply a wonderful experience.
I recommend this book, especially if you adore the medieval age, or science. However, if you value characters with any particular depth then perhaps don’t. The book is worth it, if you can look past the characters only wanting the most obvious things they could want for their character.
