This is the review I wrote under my other version of this novel. The five-volume series issued by Editorial Destino.

The novel centers around the war of succession in Spain after the death of King Fernando VII between the followers of his daughter Isabel (the righgtful heir because he explicitly stated so in his will, later to become Isabel II) and those who preferred the pretender Carlos brother of the king. One of the objections to a reign of Isabel by the so-called Carlistas was the fact that her mother was Napolitan (Italian) and given the tender age of Isabel when her father died, she was three years old, her mother would be Regent. What? An italian as de-facto queen of Spain?

The two principal characters highlighted in this novel are: Zumalacarregui himself, the general leading the Carlista troops (of "king" Carlos that is) and a priest turnerd warrior turned priest named Jose Fago. Zumalacarregui is a historical character while, as far as I know, Jose Fago is a fictional one.

Some of the most interesting points in the novel are the mental tribulations of Fago the priest, who is uncertain about his life either as a priest or a warrior (which he does for most of the novel). His ambivalence between both duties, to God on the one hand and to the King Carlos on the other, add a strong human, moral factor to the novel.

Perez Galdos excels in depicting the characters in great detail- not only the main ones but also the myriad minor characters. He goes into great detail specifying both the physiognomical and physical aspects of the characters- he does this successfully and entertainingly most of the time. Also enjoyable are his descriptions of the environments.