In this first book in the legendary Lymond Chronicles, Francis Crawford of Lymond, traitor, murderer, nobleman, returns to Scotland to redeem his reputation and save his home.It is 1547 and Scotland has been humiliated by an English invasion and is threatened by machinations elsewhere beyond its borders, but it is still free. Paradoxically, her freedom may depend on a man who stands accused of … who stands accused of treason. He is Francis Crawford of Lymond, a scapegrace nobleman of crooked felicities and murderous talents, posessed of a scholar’s erudition and a tongue as wicked as a rapier. In The Game of Kings, this extraordinary antihero returns to the country that has outlawed him to redeem his reputations even at the risk of his life.
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The Game of Kings is the first book in Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles. This book is a difficult introduction to a life-changing series, so if you feel over-whelmed, pick up Queen’s Play, the second in the series, read that, then come back to Game. You’ll fall in love with Francis Crawford of Lymond.
I have read the complete series, and could not stop reading. Wish there was more like this
Dorothy Dunnett was a genius.
The Lymond Chronicles, 6 books of which this is the first, are dark, complex, and fascinating. I was in San Francisco for the first time and spent the day on a rooftop, reading Checkmate, the 6th and last book of the series, rather than sightseeing
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Dorothy Dunnett is an erudite author, and creates fully alive characters that stay with you. …
One of the best series I have read. This is book 1 of 6.
This book has been on my TBR for years, and I finally tackled it last week!
I have to admit…about 15% in, I nearly decided not to finish it. I NEVER do that, but I was completely stymied by the archaic chess imagery, the plethora of characters who were constantly referred to by multiple names, and the frequent quoting of classic literature …
This is the greatest book I have ever read. No, honestly I mean it! I have recommended this series to so many people, however Lymond is like marmite. You either love him and his world or you don’t make it beyond chapter three. I encourage you to persevere this series gets under your skin, the writing is brilliant and the man at the centre of the …
The first book in my favourite series of all time. Just wonderful.
This book launched me on a journey with Francis Crawford of Lymond and inspired two decades of world travel to the places described in this, and the books following it in Dorothy Dunnett’s remarkable Lymond Chronicle. Francis Crawford is a fascinating hero/anti-hero who is puzzling, his many personality facets being maddeningly, beautifully and …
After reading The Game of Kings, I bought every book of the Lymond Chronicles series, then I started on the The House of Niccolò series. The old english takes a couple of chapters to get into the rhythm, but well worth it!
Dorothy Dunnett was a consummate story teller who places her characters on a world stage where life is complicated and challenging. The historical background is researched in depth so we receive a picture of the characters negotiating and shaping the past we have taken for granted. The Lymond series is addicting.
Historically accurate. I had to concentrate with their speech, since it is accurate also . Understanding what was being said in such a ‘poetic’ way. I will be continuing the series . Love My mind !
I read all.the time. I love J.D.Robb and Nora Roberts as well as Tom Clancy,
John LeCarre and Daniel Silva. But my favorite author of 70+ years of reading is Dorothy Dunnett. She is superb.
Best of historical fiction and an awesome series.
This is one of the most well written books I have ever read.
Did not like it
Best historical novel of all time – set during the Renaissance, with remarkable characters and “you were there” descriptions of life at the time. Better yet, there are 5 other books in the series, all also fantastic. A tear-jerker at certain points, but overall a wonderful, energizing novel.
Like the opening of “Lord of the Rings” or the Harry Potter series, this 1st novel in Dunnett’s “Lymond Chronicles” draws the reader into a carefully-crafted fictional world filled with fascinating characters; but in this case that world has its roots in 16th century England, Scotland & France, between the death of Henry VIII & the accession of …
I read this book a number of years ago. Dorothy Dunnett the author writes dialogue, action and twists and turns with brilliance that is unaffectedly smooth.
The historical background is very real and you have to catch your breath a great deal of the time.
Couldn’t get past the third page.
Unusual for me as I will usually read anything. Specialized language, stylistically unnecessarily convoluted and artificial.