Purity of Blood is the second in the Captain Alatriste series of novels by Spanish author Arturo Perez-Reverte – and there are plenty more still to come.
These are slight novels; not a great deal happens. The story is being told from the point of view by Alatriste’s protege, Inigo, at some indeterminate time in the future. And because of this, we learn about future events from time to time. I won’t spoil the “surprises” here.
The plot revolves around a bungled operation to rescue a damsal in distress – well a nun from a convent – where she’s in danger from less than holy prists. And the action soon moves on to the behaviour of the Inquisition.
Overall this is more entertaining fare in swashbuckling style. At the moment, it seems as though we’re going to have to wait for another year for the next in the series, but at least the film might reach us sooner, and with it, more coverage of the Alatriste series.