The Passion of Dolssa

by Julie Berry

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Again, I was so lucky to be chosen through Penguin’s First to Read program, and once again, I was privileged to read an outstanding book.

I do not read a lot of historical fiction, so this is a step outside my standard reading selections, but I found that once I started, I could not stop. This story was rich, and compelling. I was captivated by the premise. I was infuriated by the injustices suffered. I was warmed by the familial love.

I was not a history major, so my knowledge of this time period only goes as deep as a high school curriculum, but Berry did such an amazing job of painting the landscape, and pulling me into Bajas and this time period. I was able to get into the head space of the characters, and understand a little more about what motivated their actions/inactions. This was a time period the church should be ashamed of; the decisions of the church, and the way they ruled with fear, was atrocious. Yet, Berry was able to give us these beautiful characters, who helped me believe things could get better in that world.

Botille is such a spitfire. She is full of life, love, and fiercely loyal. She was not driven by religious beliefs, but rather, she was more of a humanist. Throughout the story, she makes decisions to aid others, based on the fact that she knows it is the right thing to do. She is well aware, that these decisions may be her downfall, but she still carries on with her plans, knowing she is right in her choices. I adored the dynamic between Botille and her sisters, and could just feel the love seep off the page, and into my heart.

This tale is told beautifully from several perspectives. It amazed me that I could connect to 13th century people, but I did. The story is sort of bleak overall, but Berry gives us morsels of hope and happiness, here and there. These little bits motivated me, and gave me some solace.