Great Sequel to Three Musketeers

Important - For a better understanding, it is recommended to read the Three Musketeers first. There are a few references to the past you will appreciate better if so.

First Impressions
I simply loved this book too. It is the same friends, diverted now by political opinions, but still keeping their friendships intact.
I had a little trouble with it at first because the friends were distant at first, but then they got back together. A little long to start though.

Background Info
This story is 20 years after the first one. Twenty years during which D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis have not seen each other.

The king Louis XIII died and his wife, Anne d'Autriche, is ruling, with the aid of the new cardinal, until his son reaches majority. The people of Paris are tired of being ruled by a stranger (Mazarin, the new cardinal is Italian) and are trying to revolt themselves led by princes who all have something personal against the queen and cardinal.

Two of the friends, Athos and Aramis, find themselves on the side of the princes. D'Artagnan, as a musketeer (the other three have retired long ago) serves the queen, and thus the cardinal. He then recruits Porthos for a mission in England.

New Characters
Athos, Porthos and Aramis are now using their real names, not their war names as before. All four have also grown mentally. These are not exactly the same men we left at the end of the first novel, 20 years have past since then where they have not seen each other.

Raoul - A young lad that Athos adopted. We later learn that there is more to that. Educated by Athos, he is a very well mannered young man.

Mazarin - The new cardinal. He is nothing like the Richelieu he replaced after the latter's death. He is not liked by the people and is the queen Anne's lover. His only concerns are to stay in place and put aside as much wealth as he can.

Mr. Mordaunt - He is an agent of a powerful man in England. He has a personal vengeance to accomplish and is going after the four friends. He is the son of Milady, and is almost more dangerous than she was.

These are the main important new characters. Lord de Winter plays an important role in the beginning of the story.

Plot
Once again, it is difficult to describe the main plot as there are a few of them. A difference with the previous story is that there is more politics and some of plots are much more subtle than in the Three Musketeers, but it is as interesting as the first book and you will still find adventures worthy of your time.

Final Word and Recommendation
It is as good as the Three Musketeers and any of Dumas' book. If you've read one of them and liked, do read this one. Once again, I suggest this book to anyone who might like to read a first classical novel without all the complicated styles and vocabulary. It is also very good for teenagers.