Winston Graham took a 20 year writing break between the fourth book of this series, Warleggan, and this fifth one, The Black Moon. At the beginning, I thought he might have lost his way during that hiatus, but boy was I wrong. He picked his story up and his characters led him into the heart of the battle. I wonder if there ever was a more believable and despicable villain than George Warleggan.

I had initially intended to stop reading this series at book four so that I would not infringe on the new season of the series which will begin later on this year. However, unlike Mr. Graham, I was not able to leave these characters celebrating their Christmas in 1793. I wanted to know what happened to them in 1794.

I haven’t been this in love with a male character since I fell for Rhett Butler when I was sixteen. It doesn’t hurt to have Aiden Turner’s face in my head when Ross Poldark is speaking to me (uh, I mean speaking to Demelza). I am so glad I decided to dive into this series of books. Graham is a marvelous writer, with style, finesse and a great ability to develop characters you can love or hate, want to shake, slap or kiss. I’m anxious to get on to book six.
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Perhaps my hopes for the fifth book in there Poldark series were set just a bit too high?

After watching the tv series and knowing all the events to expect in these 546 pages, I really thought this would be my favorite. But in reality, this was just way too slow for me. I found myself bored and wondering why whole pages (at one point an entire chapter) was necessary to the story.

That's not to say I hated it, just that it wasn't as good as expected. Hopefully, the next book will be less "detailed." ( )

Book number 5 in the Poldark series. This is more about the life of Cornwall in 1798-1800. The French Revolution is taking place and there are reverberations in Cornwall. This book, more than the others, has demonstrated what a tough life it was for women and those of little social standing. Ended in a cliffhanger ( )

Oh boy, The Black Moon, Book 5 in the Poldark series was a good one! These books are not stand alone, so if you haven't started the series, go back and start at the beginning.
In this book Elizabeth, Ross's old flame, who had been married to his cousin, is now married to George Warleggan, Ross's worst enemy. Elizabeth gives birth to a son, Valentine on the Black Moon, foreboding bad luck. Until Elizabeth's son from the first marriage, Geoffrey Charles, is ready to be sent to school, Elizabeth brings her impoverished cousin, Morwenna, to be his governess. At the same time, poverty and lack of opportunity bring Demelza's younger brothers to ask for help finding employment. This risks all Demelza has achieved for being accepted as a woman of standing, since her brothers are common, but family is more important to her. Before long Drake, her youngest brother, meets Morwenna and the two fall in love. Morwenna knows it's wrong, but can't help herself. When it's found out, tensions soar between George and Ross. Add to this, there is a revolution going on in France and a very close friend of Ross's has been captured. Ross becomes involved in trying to bring him back safely. Add to this, elderly cousin Agatha has been living with Elizabeth and George, even though neither is her kin, since this was the home she has always lived in. George barely tolerates her and she him. As her hundredth birthday nears, one of the few things that keeps her going is planning for her party. This infuriates George, who is determined not to bow to being the host. You'll have to read the book to find out more. ( )

You can tell that this was written 20 years after the first four books; there's a change in tone and focus. The earlier books skipped between characters' storylines, but still felt contained and introspective. This one sprawls all over the place, in geography, focus, and simultaneous events. It also becomes much more externally-facing, rather than focusing on the characters' inner lives. Not that it's not entertaining, but I miss feeling more acquainted with them.

I wrote after [b:Ross Poldark|25365667|Ross Poldark (Poldark, #1)|Winston Graham|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429123693s/25365667.jpg|364846] that WG's writing reminds me of [a:C.S Forester|4921587|C.S Forester|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. This book did and more; when Ross runs off to join the Royalist landing at Quiberon, there are tons of echoes of the Horatio Hornblower episode "The Wrong War." I could almost hear Horatio asking Pellew "but why were we there, sir?" I do like me some Napoleonic/naval history!

And finally, what a twist at the end! ( )