The Miller's Dance

In the shadows of Napoleon's wars in Europe, as well as the War of 1812, life continues on in Cornwall. Ross worries about his wife's health as he and Demelza wait for their newest child. Clowance and Jeremy Poldark both continue to suffer the vagaries of love and make some truly astounding life choices. Meanwhile George Warleggan continues to attempt to manipulate those around him and discovers that the people closest to him are far less pliable than those over whom he holds financial sway.

A solid entry in the series that I thoroughly enjoyed and surprisingly devoured over the course of the weekend. These characters are all so familiar now that I relish any time I get to spend with them. Although Jeremy Poldark What the heck were you show more thinking robbing a bank coach? You idiotic man-child. *grumbles*. I'm pleased that even though the focus has shifted more heavily to the next generation, there's still plenty of page count devoted to Ross and Demelza. Of course I most definitely look forward to my next visit with these characters whenever the next book comes up in the shuffle of The List. show less

4.5 stars. Just a tad short of the best books in the series.

According to William Shakespeare (and who would know better than he?), “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Not a trace of smooth sailing for the lovers and would-be lovers in The Miller’s Dance. Graham, in his inimitable style, weaves us a tale of snags that range from lack of interest on someone’s part to uncontrollable circumstances that seemingly cannot be overcome. The only lovers who are contented here are the old ones.

This is the ninth installment in the series, and I know these characters so well by now that I should be able to predict their next move. The fact that I cannot, but that the unpredictability never steps outside the bounds of the show more character that Winston Graham has told me these people have, is a real testament to his skill and imagination as a storyteller.

I have become just as enthralled and anxious over the second generation of Poldarks as I was over the first. I'm glad, however, that Graham did not drop the early characters (as long sagas often do) and has continued to include Ross, Demelza and even the reprehensible George in meaningful ways.

I have been buying and reading these novels in groups of three, and I am sorry to say that when I take the next book in hand I will have entered that last trilogy. I would never have expected to take on a series with twelve books, but I am very glad I decided to read this one. Highly recommended to any and all, but especially those who enjoy knowing the characters that people a world long gone and immersing themselves in the history of another time. show less

Book 9/12 in the Poldark series. This story, while still having plenty of Ross/Demelza (who just has her 5th child in 25 years at age 38), really digs into the lives of the 2nd generation: Poldarks and Warleggans. It was quite good and it's more than a family saga, as extensive mining procedures, banking hijinks, etc. are portrayed. The time frame is 1812-1813 and there is lots of talk of Napoleon's defeat in Russia. I also think something very bad for one of the characters was set into motion in this installment. 488 pages

Warning: this review contains spoilers

Another great installment in the Poldark series. Plenty of dramatic tension in the plotline involving Clowance and her relationship with Stephen Carrington, who turns out to be a total creeper. She is well rid of him. Elsewhere, the Poldark/Warleggan feud is looking to heat up in the next generation, and Ross and Demelza find themselves parents again, with Demelza at 42 being definitely in the upper end of safe pregnancy for this time period. There’s also a plotline involving Jeremy that will make the reader want to have the next book in the series on hand immediately.

In this installment of the Poldark saga, Ross and Demelza are still main characters, but their offspring are becoming key players in their own right. Valentine Warleggan is growing into his heritage, while both Jeremy and Clowance appear to be star-crossed in love.

The author adds enough politics and history to make the story ring true, but not enough to bore or frustrate the reader. The end is not exactly a cliff-hanger, but does make the reader want to pick up the next book in the series.

The Miller's Dance is engaging, and does not read like a 400+ page book.

Stephen is the worst, but everything else about this one was pretty great. Ross has some introspection at the end, a la the earliest books, which I liked. And Henry!

Winston comes in swinging after the disappointment of the previous novel. Now that the reader has met the new cast, this is where the story starts to explode forward, especially in the final chapters.