Kelly
Written on May 19, 2015
There's something so incredibly magical about reading a historical romance, set in the midst of a civil war. I was swept up by Zephyrine's story, a girl who's family no longer wanted her and a grandmother who raised her to be a strong and independent young woman. But after her grandmother passes, the streets of Paris are unforgiving to a girl who lives below the poverty line. Zephyrine is tough and determined, not to mention opinionated. She believes in women's rights and it isn't long before she's attending meetings with other like minded women who fight for freedom from oppression, matched only by the furiosity of her best friend Rose.
Anatole is a young and passionate violinist, former soldier and living with an budding American photographer in Jules. Jules is wealthy and although Anatole is only one component of an orchestra, he wants for nothing, his friend paying for their loft style apartment and comfortable lifestyle. Anatole too dreams for a Paris owned by the people, where freedom reigns and citizens are treated with respect and equality. The two young revolutionaries are drawn to one another, their shy and tentative relationship blooming to the annoyance of friends Jules and Anatole's performing partner Marie.
Liberty's Fire takes place on the streets of Paris during the Paris Commune, a revolutionary socialist government who took hold of the capital for a four month period and divided the country. With a political charge, it added to an already intense storyline as the two young lovers strive to protect one another while fighting for a freedom just beyond their grasp. Told in several points of view, each character is well developed with their own sense of self and each represent a section of the community during the era. The freedom fighter, the lover and protector, the foreigner who cares little of that outside his own door and the songbird who fears for the safety of her brother. The character that surprised me most was Marie. Renowned opera singer who seemingly thrived off her own sense of self importance, but took the lowly classed Zephyrine under her wing, clothing, feeding and supporting her while she grieved for her grandmother.
Liberty's Fire can only be described as lovely. Beautifully written, it tells the story of two young lovers united by a sense of freedom and love for their country. The streets of Paris are painted vividly, bringing life to a city under siege from within. Methodical, passionate and hopeful, I really enjoyed it and found myself emotionally invested in their plight. The ending epilogue that takes place nine years later was stunning. I found myself holding my breath, needing a conclusion that would satisfy my aching heart. And Lydia Syson did not disappoint.