Reviewed by Leigha on
I read this book when it first released, but I don’t remember it fondly. In fact, I remember hating it. Lots of factors play into my initial reaction, including my disinterest in historical periods and my impending divorce. However, I decided to give it another try when I saw it available at my public library.
The novel may seem focused on the romance and political machinations of Britain’s high court, but it’s really a story about a young woman coming to better understand herself. The convenient takes in Ismae at the lowest point in her young life. They earn her trust and loyalty when they teach her to defend herself against her oppressors. Once she is given an assignment, she begins questioning the sovereignty of her order. I really loved the progression from sycophant to skeptic to acceptance she undergoes as she learn to put her faith in her God rather than her order.
Relationships are an important part of the novel, particularly the romance between Ismae and Gavriel Duval. While the two characters have chemistry, I feel not enough time is spent developing their relationship. I could see why the two might fall in love, but never felt them falling in love. Her relationships with the other characters, especially Anne, is given more time to develop and mature. Finally, I found the plot to be convoluted and boring. If you enjoy historicals, you’ll probably love it – the author acknowledges most of the machinations are historically accurate.
tl;dr Featuring a complex protagonist and historical events, this novel would be perfect for fans of historical and character-driven stories.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 16 September, 2018: Finished reading
- 16 September, 2018: Reviewed