'A Column of Fire' by Ken Follett is a historical fiction novel set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 1500s. The book delves into the intricacies of Elizabethan court life, religious conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, and historical events in France, Spain, Scotland, and England. The plot follows characters like Ned Willard and Margery Fitzgerald as they navigate through political and religious turmoil, secret service missions, and personal struggles in a backdrop of historical significance.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains content warnings related to violence, torture, and religious persecution which may be triggering for some readers.
Has Romance?
The novel includes a prominent romance between Ned and Margery, which is central to the narrative.
From The Publisher:
#1 New York Times Bestseller
"Absorbing . . . impossible to resist." -The Washington Post
As Europe erupts, can one young spy protect his queen? Ken Follett takes us deep into the treacherous world of powerful monarchs, intrigue, murder, and treason with his magnificent epic, A Column of Fire-the chronological latest in the Kingsbridge series, following The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, and the prequel, The Evening and the Morning.
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.
The real enemies, then as now, are not the rival religions. The true battle pitches those who believe in tolerance and compromise against the tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else-no matter what the cost.
Exciting and ambitious, and set during one of the most turbulent and revolutionary times in history, A Column of Fire will delight longtime fans of the Kingsbridge series and serve as the perfect introduction for readers new to Ken Follett.
Ratings (28)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (9) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (7) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (50):
Read It (29) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (13) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (3) |
3 comment(s)
Well I loved this last book in the series. Can't seem to get enough of the historical stuff and want more. Sad it has to end.
Part 3 and last book in Ken Follett's trilogy about the Catherdal and my favorite of the three. Which isn't surprising because some famous historical persons takes a part in this. Elisabeth I, Maria Tudor and Maria Stuart. So I was hopefully going into this that this would be a 5 stars and I wasn't disappointed. I have loved reading this series and I'm a bit sad that is over. But I have seen a prequel to this series, set before the first book but I don't know if I can read it now after reading the first 3. Even if I very much enjoyed Ken Follett's trilogy I don't know for sure if I want to read more by him. From what I have understood this kind of fiction wasn't what he normally wrote, but maybe I'll enjoy it anywho
Plot got ridiculous. The blending of historical figures just did not work well
What can you read after
A Column of Fire?
About the Author:
Ken Follett is one of the world's best-loved authors, selling more than 170 million copies of his thirty-two books. Follett's first bestseller was Eye of the Needle, a spy story set in the Second World War. In 1989, The Pillars of the…
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