Dorothy Dunnett's "Lymond" series

This series blew my mind when I first read it nearly 20 years ago. I borrowed the first volume from a friend, then promptly ordered the entire series from my local bookstore, then begged each volume from my friend until my copies arrived.  I think I went through the five-volume series within about 3 weeks (and yes, my university studies did suffer, as did my sleep!!!!). Since then, I have re-read it on average once a year.

I cannot praise these books highly enough. The character of Francis Lymond is romantic, compelling, and deeply flawed yet astonishingly noble.  The themes of trust broken and restored, and love which refuses to give up, run throughout the whole series.  The series is set in mid-16^th century Europe, and the action moves from Scotland (Lymond’s homeland) to France, Malta, Ottoman Turkey, Russia and the North Sea, finally coming full circle back to France and Scotland.   

If you are looking for a compelling hero, intricate plot development, complex relationships, and accurate, detailed history, I thoroughly recommend this series.

Let me know what you think!