This prequel took the story back to Kingsbridge to great success. A Column of Fire was too historically broad for me. The Evening and the Morning felt more centralized like the original. I found it refreshing to get a historical story set in these times that doesn't completely resolve around vikings. The presence of the vikings plays a role in events but only inadvertently. This book focused more on the few people who influenced the birth of Kingsbridge. If you're thinking about starting this series, I would recommend you at least read The Pillars of the Earth first before this prequel. It was satisfying to see the beginnings of landmarks and systems in Kingbridge that come to play such crucial roles in the future of the town. 

I'll admit that it's a practice in patience to read about characters suffering continually. It's not the type of book for every reader, but I think it's the type that is hard not to find fascinating. I can't deny that I'm completely hooked, and also, I'm sad there's only one more Kingsbridge book left.