Band of Gypsies

by Gwyneth Jones

Book Overview

The riveting new instalment in Gwyneth Jones's award-winning 'Bold As Love' saga. Ax Preston, former dictator, returns to England; he's agreed to take up the job of Green President. At close quarters... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0575070439
• ISBN13: 9780575070431
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Gollancz
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.4" x 1.2" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

"Fiorinda laughed."

While Band of Gypsys has many of the same elements that made the first three books in the series so likeable, it feels rather significantly less baked. I think that this has to do with the fact that, despite being linked, the earlier books felt as though they could stand on their own. Band of Gypsys feels dependent on what came before and what (presumably) came afterwards. Furthermore, even though I still really like the characters, I'm a little bit less interested in the plot in this book somehow. The politics hijinks feel a little forced. Some of the elements that felt only unlikely have edged themselves over into improbable. If you've read the first three, then the plot does not need rehashing. If you have not read the first three, then a description will not really help you. Suffice to say that Fiorinda, Ax and Sage are still standing together against and for the world. Looking forward to Rainbow Bridge & I hope that it recaptures some of the energy that this book lost. Three stars, really. But I gave it an extra star since the series is just so generally good.

Super Reader

Band of Gypsys seems to be somewhat of an interlude, until right near the end. The Triumvirate have decamped to Paris, and are mostly happily hanging out there. Then they are talked into coming back to England to see what they can sort out. As it turns out the current government has plans for them of the not so nice variety, and the rest of the world has plans for England. Held as captive display ornaments, they are again together, until the government, desperate for magic weapons decides to have a crack at Sage's head. "You may not have realised this, but it is illegal to possess, or have in your possession, the precursors of weaponised magic.." The rest of the UK wants nothing to do with the English nuts and is not going to share the technology. Sage has done this to protect them. "...said Fiorinda, biting her lip. 'Because you went away, and he decided he was Superman and got his liver ripped out fighting a duel with my father. Now you see. You can't stop him either." All this is moot, it appears, as the US and the Chinese have done a deal on what to do with the UK nuts. Most of the book holding for what goes on in the next with the new state of the world, presumably.

jbookfiend@yahoo.com

I LOVED THIS BOOK ! IT IS A COMBINATION OF PAT CAGAN'S SYNNERS AND PAUL MCAULEY FAIRYLAND!! A BUNCH OF ROCK AND ROLL MUSICANS FIGHTING EVIL ON US SOIL AND IN ENGLAND! I T IS GREAT!