The Sun Over Breda disappointing entry in Perez-Reverte series

Books now read in ’07: 35
Title: The Sun Over Breda
Author: Arturo Perez-Reverte
Genre: Fiction
Date Completed: 4-22
Pages: 261

The Sun Over Breda is a disappointing entry into what has been, until now, a highly enjoyable series by Arturo Perez-Reverte. The fun is missing from this novel. The previous books – Captain Alatriste and Purity of Blood – featured lots of court intrigue and sword play in dark alleys. There’s none of that here.

Instead, Captain Alatriste, the hero of this series, and his amanuensis, Íñigo Balboa, find themselves in Flanders, stoically engaged in the siege of Breda. A siege is not sword play in some dark alley; it lacks romance. The book is not completely free of action, there are a few bold stands and rash charges, a duel of honor, but all-in-all The Sun Over Breda is missing the playful quality of its predecessors.