The Infidel's Garden

by Ingrid Banwell

[Angie]

The Infidel's Garden was a super interesting read. It follows Marjit after her home is destroyed during the Spanish Inquisition and she's taken to a convent before working as a servant in a Christian household. This is where she is reunited with her reincarnated lover, Pieter, who is also now her master. Marjit struggles with keeping her feelings for him hidden as he's married and she isn't sure if he recognizes her in this life, and holding onto her faith in Islam while being forced to live as a Christian.

I loved Marjit. So much happens to her over the course of The Infidel's Garden, but she always holds her head up high and does not give up. Pieter's wife is awful to her, but she deals with her with grace and dignity, even as she's cleaning up crap from their pet monkey. The neighbors accuse her of witchcraft, consorting with the devil, and being a succubus, but she still goes on. Her life is pretty rough, but she finds comfort in her faith and her love for Pieter. Although at times, she can't hold her tongue, and does give as good as she gets!

The one thing that I didn't quite enjoy in The Infidel's Garden was the romance. I loved the idea of Marjit and Pieter being reincarnated lovers who must find each other again in this new life. I also loved how their religions were an obstacle in them being together for various reasons. However, it felt like a lot of telling rather than showing. Marjit repeatedly tells us how in love with Pieter she is and how great he is, but I didn't see it. He was just kind of there. I was rooting for them to be together, mostly because I wanted Marjit to find her happiness more than I was actually invested in them as a couple.

The Infidel's Garden was a very good read. I liked learning more about this time period and about Islam. Like I said, I adored Marjit. I also really enjoyed her friendship with Rutger. There is so much happening here, and there are several shocks along the way which I won't spoil. It does get slow in places and lost my interest a few times, but something always happened to pull me back in.

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