Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: Misses the mark: at once tedious and violent

One of the few books of historical fiction I can remember that I do not look forward to picking up. I think I will finish it because I am thrifty and do not want to have wasted the money. The device of switching between times is neat, but the overall work is labored. The air of gloom and frequent acts of violence do not enliven the plot.