The Master and the Maid

Heaven's Pond Trilogy

by Laura Libricz

She's lost her work, her home and her freedom. Now, harboring a mysterious newborn, she could lose her life.

In 17th-century Germany on the brink of the Thirty Years War, 24-year-old Katarina is traded to the patrician Sebald Tucher by her fiancé Willi Prutt in order to pay his debts. Forced to move into the Tucher country estate, Katarina is met by a crazed archer, Hans-Wolfgang, carrying a baby under his cloak. He tells her a confused story of how his beloved was executed by a Jesuit priest for witchcraft right after the birth and makes Katarina swear on her life to protect the child.

She could fall in disfavor with her master. She could be hunted by the zealots who killed his beloved. Can Katarina's love for the baby and Sebald Tucher's growing desire for her keep the wrath of the zealots at bay?

Set in Franconia, The Master and the Maid is an accurate, authentic account of a young woman's life in Germany in the 1600s, illustrating her struggle for freedom and her fight for those she loves.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Romance, 17th Century, Historical

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2012

About the author

Laura Libricz was born and raised in Bethlehem PA and moved to Upstate New York when she was 22. After working a few years building Steinberger guitars, she received a scholarship to go to college. She tried to ‘do the right thing’ and study something useful, but spent all her time reading German literature.

She earned a BA in German at The College of New Paltz, NY in 1991 and moved to Germany, where she resides today. When she isn’t writing she can be found sifting through city archives, picking through castle ruins or aiding the steady flood of musical instruments into the world market.

Her first novel, The Master and the Maid, is the first book of the Heaven's Pond Trilogy. The Soldier’s Return and Ashes and Rubble are the second and third books in the series.

Reviews

[Sheela Word · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting and generally well-written novel. The descriptions of farm life in 17th-century Germany are very well-done, and the author doesn’t shy away from gritty and unpleasant details that enhance the realism of her story. I like the occasional German words, such as “magd” (maid) and “knecht” (farmhand), and I like the authenticity of even minor characters such as the “Old Widow.” However, the dialogue and thoughts of the protagonists are often rendered in 21st-century colloquial American English, which is a little off-putting to me.

The protagonists are an unusual pair. The Master, in particular, has a collected, dispassionate attitude toward life that I’ve seldom encountered in a fictional hero. Nothing, apparently, excites or evokes fear in this man! Great character, really (a little reminiscent of Humbert Humbert, in "Lolita"), but I don’t understand his interest in the peasant heroine, or hers in him. Their conversations are brief, and it’s unclear how they develop any emotional connection. I’m also puzzled by the cursory treatment accorded the Master’s nuclear family: we hear of them early in the book, and then they drop out of the story completely.

Katarina, the maid, is an engaging tough/tender heroine, but she seems surprisingly passive in her relationships with the various men in her life. During most of the book, men are acting and she is reacting. Perhaps because of this, the first part of the story lacks suspense. Towards the end, there’s an extended action sequence that is very compelling and suspenseful, but the book’s resolution feels flat and inconclusive. I was left with no sense of a narrative trajectory or overriding theme. True, this is Book #1 in a trilogy, but I was involved enough with these characters to want more closure.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Master and the Maid is a fabulous start to Laura Libricz’s The Heaven’s Pond Trilogy. I was hooked from the start and intrigued with Katarina’s story. I enjoyed the suspense and had to keep on reading to see what would happen next.

If the other books in The Heaven’s Pond Trilogy are this good, then I cannot wait to read them. The Master and the Maid is a fabulous piece of historical fiction.

Highly recommended.

5 plus stars.

I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Ella Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that this book is not my preference or my usual genre. I have never been fond of anything historic in nature regarding books and I think its been because of the language used in them. This book, however, was written in such a way that it never felt condescending to me, regarding the language. I often forgot that I was reading a historic book and was only reminded when a scene or setting was described, which I immenseley appreciated. This book is written beautifully, and I don't often, if ever, say that. It started a little slow for me, but it held my interest very shortly into the book. I know it's good story when I lay in bed wondering what will happen next to the main characters while I'm trying to fall asleep, and is a testament that this author has a gift for storytelling. All of that being said, I will look for more books by this author.

I vacillated on what rating to give this as this, 3 or 4 stars, so my official rating will be 3.5. Or 4. Or 3.5. You get the point. Its a good story and I would recommend it. :)

[Eunice Nascimento · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written historical novel about 17th century German.
I very much enjoyed reading this well written historical novel about 17th century German told from the point of a maid and her master. I felt the maid’s helplessness at not being able to control her life and couldn’t help rooting for her happiness. The story had moments of great sadness but it had humour as well and some very likeable characters. The book is the first in a series and I’m very much looking forwards to reading the second instalment, which I was able to acquire today.

If you enjoy historical novels written with vivid period detail and packed with strong, well-rounded, likeable characters, you’ll definitely love The Master and the Maid.

[Enrico Antiporda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Master and the Maid by Laura Libricz is the type of novel that grows on you as you progress into the book. There is definitely an addictive quality about the characters and storytelling that makes one follow the journey of its intricately-drawn protagonists. Set in 15th century Germany and told from a dual point of view, the narrative follows the interwoven journeys of Herr Tucher (the master) and Katarina (the maid).

The opening chapters show Katarina toiling in a tavern owned by her drunkard, good-for-nothing lover, Willi Prutt, with whom she is smitten, despite his many faults. When Willi imbibes the already delinquent rent money and gets deeper into debt with the wealthy landowner Herr Tucher, Katarina is forced to settle the debt by working in Tucher's newly-acquired pastoral estate farm called Sichardtshof, where coincidentally (or suspiciously), Katarina grew up as a child. We know in the opening pages that Herr Tucher, ten years older than Katarina, has designs for the young woman, though whether they are noble or lecherous, we don't know at this point. But slowly, we begin to realize that he is besotted by Katarina in an almost obsessive way and even writes about her in his literary journals. Though Tucher treats Katarina with respect and kindness, the relationship between master and maid is alternately genial, tolerant, electric, and stormy, the conflict originating from Katarina's filtered world view against the wealthy through her experiences in life. But the relationship gradually develops into something much deeper and readers are left to wonder whether there would be romance between the two (no spoilers please--you just have to read the book). Underneath this otherwise pastoral façade is an undercurrent of danger and intrigue caused by the religious fanaticism sweeping the country and the witch hunt-inspired mayhem taking place in nearby cities. When a mysterious infant is forced onto Katarina by a sword-wielding stranger and she begins to fall in love with the baby, the religion-inspired danger to Katarina and the estate increases tenfold.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Not quite perfect, but just about. This book carries such vivid descriptions of historic 15th century Germany that the reader feels he is actually there, vicariously experiencing the journeys of its well-drawn characters. This is complemented by accomplished storytelling so engaging that quibbling about a few slow scenes and inadvertent/minor plot holes seems small and nitpicky. Avid connoisseurs of historical novels will enjoy this book, as I thoroughly did. It somewhat reminded me of Noah Gordon's fabulous historical novels. My first five star review.

[Marie-Anne Mancio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell for this book. I haven't read much German literature from this period (seventeenth century Germany on the brink of the Thirty Years War) but 'The Master and the Maid' feels steeped in Northern European mythology and history. The writing was convincing, particularly the descriptions of the settings - I could visualise the farm and the buildings, the journeys. The majority of the time Libricz is careful to evoke a seventeenth century rather than a twenty-first century mindset so, for instance, the baby is not treated as sentimentally as it might have been by a contemporary character; the morality of adultery is not even addressed. Then there are lots of other little details that prove the author's done her research, details like the dress with the wooden buttons; the preparation of food, weapons and remedies; the histories of towns - all elegantly woven into the story. By the end, I really felt I'd learned a lot about this period.

I also like how the plot simmers for the first part. There is the ever-present threat of violence, the religious tensions that marked the age. A cat is no longer a pet; it has the potential to incriminate its owner of witchcraft. There is no romanticising of poverty or rural life. Yet Libricz gives us enough intrigue (a baby in danger; a no-good lover; machinations....) to keep you turning the pages.

This is mainly because the protagonists are engaging and three-dimensional: Herr Sebald Tucher, whom we slowly warm to; Katarina the maid who is made to return to her past home; and Pieter, the disturbed young poet with a penchant for older women. I also like how chapters occasionally alternate between points of view. The story kept me enthralled right till the end. Part Four mostly consists of an epic struggle; I wasn't sure if this was too complex but because Libricz avoids overly neat endings, it worked. I also like her unresolved elements, such as a woman in white. Apparition or reality? Reference to an old myth? And the very end - which in a way is an echo of the beginning - leaving Katarina a choice between what she is being told to do and what she wants to do.


My only reservation is I feel the novel would have benefited from one more edit just to sharpen it up in places, excise any anachronistic language (my obsession, I know, but I find words like 'scanned' distracting in a seventeenth century narrative). Also the use of similes could be improved - many of them were cliched or ordinary and not as strong as the straight descriptions or dialogue. But the whole is so engaging I still feel it deserves its four stars and I would definitely re-read this novel and more by this author.

[K.A. Krisko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The strength of this book lies in its authenticity. The author is intimately familiar with the towns, settings, food, facilities, supplies, clothing, and transportation of early-1600s Europe. If you want to be plunged into a world where Lutherans and Catholics clash with deadly consequences, where belief in witches still permeates law, and where your only hope of justice lies with corrupt local officials, you will enjoy this book! The plight of women in a culture that perceives them as easily corruptible and uneducable is also brought out.

The book is full of meticulous descriptions of the countryside, the interiors of houses, clothing, and the herbs used for medications. This is to the credit of the author; it must have taken tons of research. The dialogue is quite formal throughout, which adds an interesting tone; at first I was somewhat put off by it, but I later decided it was deliberate, and intended to make it seem that the book had been translated from the German.

The book starts off quite slowly; in fact, very little happens in the first half or more, although this part sets the scene by delving deeply into description and minutiae. There are instances of awkward working, such as “entered into” and “still continued”, and tense disagreement. Sentences that jarred me a bit included “I must say we desist from spending much time with each other”, and “Like passing through a great gateway, the trees receded and we both looked out the window” (the trees passed through a gateway?) This kind of wording, while descriptive and not difficult to understand, is fairly common throughout and if you are a picky reader, might distract you from time to time. There were some other issues which left me confused as to time spans, how people knew what they knew, and what exactly was going on. I never did figure out how Pieter was connected to Isabeau, for example, nor was I able to figure out if the lady several characters met in the woods was a supernatural being or not.

The last quarter definitely picks up with respect to action. There are sword fights, flying arrows, sneaking people, people shut up in barrels, horse chases, and surprise switches in mid-wagon ride. The mystery is solved and in general, the bad guy gets his. In conclusion, if you are a fan of medieval historical fiction, this would be one to add to your shelf!

[J. Saman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction isn't usually my genre, but the details in this book drew me into another world and left me firmly implanted in it. I could visualize everything. No detail was spared and the amount of research that went into this book must have been incredible. Set in early 17th century Germany and told from a dual point of view, the narrative follows the journeys of Herr Tucher, the master and Katarina, the maid.

The beginning starts out with Katarina working in a tavern with her drunk, loser boyfriend Willi. When he defaults on the rent, Katarina is forced to work Herr Tucher's land to pay off the debt. At first we don't know what to make of Herr Tucher's intentions towards Katarina. Does he care for her? Hard to say until it becomes clear that he does and things turn almost obsessive on his part. I didn't really understand some of that as many of their interactions are brief and customary to the time and class division. That aside (it really wasn't the entire focus of the book), there are many other themes at play here. Religion, wealth, life and death, and even motherhood when a baby is thrust into Katarina's lap and she's suddenly responsible for the small life. That may have been my favorite part of all.

The character development was on point and in some places, I couldn't put it down. In others, I felt it dragged a bit, but not enough to discourage me from reading it or wanting to know what happened next. Overall this was an exceptionally well done historical fiction and if you're a fan of that genre, this is not one to miss.

[Augustine Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched and heavy

Set in the dark period of the Great War in Germany, The Master & the Maid tells the story of an enterprising spinster, named Katarina, whose luckless venture in the city fails to yield the desired goal of marriage. Instead, it saddles her with the repayment of a debt that isn’t hers to repay, by way of a humiliating trade-off that results in a sub-standard work in her new master’s farmstead. More than that, it saddles her with a totally unforeseen burden of raising someone else’s child. In this sad tale, only Katarina understands the pain of being passed off by a man she almost called a husband and abandoned on a creditor’s farm to toil away and grow old alone like her grandmother, Frau Kuni, who, it turns out, is still her last resort. “You need to learn to be alone,” her grandmother tells her. “Only a weak woman needs a man. You have to accept that now. No man is worth the trouble.”

As far as historical fictions go, this one is not only well-researched, it is well-written as well, but it is so packed with dense details of everyday life in the country that it is, for the most part, boring. What makes the reading particularly difficult is that it gives the reader nothing to look forward to. The monotonous depiction of country life goes on, page after page, offering nothing that sparks excitement in the account of the characters’ mundane lives.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This book was not what I expected! I disagree with any reviewer that says the book was slow to start. I was hooked from the beginning. The characters are people you want to care about. I can't wait for the next book! YAY, Ms. Libricz! Great job!

[T. A. Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the areas of Nuremberg and Bavaria in the early 17th century, twenty-four year-old Katarina manages a bar with a man named Willi. They are unwed and Katarina's hopes of legitimizing their relationship are ruined when Willi gambles her services away to the landlord, Herr Tucher, in lieu of paying rent. Tucher then sends Katarina to Sichardtshof, an estate he has just purchased where Katarina grew up. Upon arriving, Katarina's hope that she can take the first chance that presents itself to escape into anonymity in the neighboring villages is crushed when a mysterious man arrives and entrusts a newborn into her care, swearing he will kill Katarina if she fails his demands. As the story progresses, Katarina learns the truth of the child's parentage and finds herself caught in the deadly fight between a protestant Nuremberg patrician hoping to protect his investments and a Jesuit-trained monk who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals of serving the church.

It is easy for those living outside of Europe to overlook the rich history of the lands comprising present-day Germany preceding the era of the 20th-century World Wars. Through the medium of literature, Libricz artfully provides fodder for the the mind of the modern reader seeking an understanding of the morals and psyche of those caught up in the religious strife leading up to the Thirty Years War. Like all good historical fiction, "The Master and the Maid" invites the reader unfamiliar with the time period of its setting, in this case the Late Reformation, to further study the everyday people who had to live in a time and place altogether foreign to our modern sensibilities. The extraordinary efforts of the authoress in researching her subject provide a flawless backdrop to the human drama of the characters who are emotionally engaging in both their in-born similarities to the humanity of any era and in the ways their spiritually-focused contemporary thought patterns diverge with stark contrast from our increasingly secular society. The characters' interactions with each other are engagingly presented. Katarina's relationships with the men in her life such as Willi, the soulless man she was once willing to marry who only plays her, Herr Tucher, the humanistic, philosophically-enlightened master who would make a proper mistress of her, and even Pieter, the lecherous younger man who seems to lust after her the same as with every other woman he encounters, are emotionally and honestly detailed in a manner that feels true while providing insight as well to the status and hardships faced by all women of the time. Katarina as a person shows great growth within the narrative not only in learning to stand up for herself, but in coming to love and value the toddling Isabeau as a person after originally wanting nothing more than to drown the newborn in a well. The social theory that the greater Protestant separation from the Catholic Church and the resulting backlash from within was driven more by the greed for power of men than as a result of honest spiritual convictions has been asserted many times before, but rarely has the potential proof been presented so directly in fiction as with Ralf, the monk who can twist his actions in any situation, no matter how dastardly, into service of what he sees as the one true church of God.

As a debut novel, and as the first part of a trilogy, Libricz has set the bar high in creating a lush world of sights, sounds, smells and language that in the forthcoming sequels holds the potential of rising to epic proportions.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Master and the Maid” is a historical fiction novel set in Germany in the 1600s. I was impressed with the research and the amount of details Ms. Libricz had in the story. I remember nothing of the thirty-year war, but I do remember the battle between the Catholics and Protestants. Greed and power is a theme that makes certain characters, like Ralf, do horrible things. This includes murder, land grabbing and accusing the main character, Katarina of being a witch. There’s a love story mixed in, but there is also the existence of a baby whose mother was brutally killed. Katarina is secretly handed this baby right after being betrayed by her lover, Willie, who sold her to pay off his debts to Herr Tucher. With Katarina just wanting to go home, she finds a new love blooming between her and her master. That relationship and the one with her adopted daughter are my favorite parts of the story. But, there is so much going on around them that surviving becomes more important. The ending answered some questions, but it also left many others unanswered for the next book--which I will be reading.

[Michael Bully · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting to have a series set in the Holy Roman Empire on the eve of the Thirty Years War. An unusual subject for 17th century related fiction. Sectiarian religious tensions rise as German people in different cities and regions prepare to turn on each other, rumours of witchraft being practised and groups of unidentified armed riders speaking other languages emerge. It is very atmospheric novel and the author takes a great deal of time to detail the everyday life of working people, and depicts both urban and rural existence quite well.
There is a slowly developing romantic story line, and female characters are particulary strong. In fact there are no blatantly obvious heroes or villains. The storyline develops slowly but the pace quickens into a dramatic showdown. with a feud over a disputed inheritance thrown in. So far so good.
But personally I found the plot a bit over stretched. Felt that by the end of the story the main characters just seemed to be winning against impossible odds and getting out of too many dangerous situations. Yet still iintrigued enough to want to read the next volume in the series.

[Julie Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Master and the Maid is a well written and a well researched historical fictitious novel. Set in the 1600's in Germany, the author writes the story in a way that leaves you in no doubt that you are in this time and place in history. Katarina is traded for a debt by her employer and lover to the Master, Herr Tucher. She is taken back to the homestead where she grew up and soon after arriving has a baby thrust into her arms after the mother was killed as thought to be a witch. There are many threats to this story and each chapter contributes to the story as a whole. The author incorporates political, religious and cultural themes and for any reader interested in this time, there would be much interest, suspense and drama.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book to get a better picture of the Thirty Years War. I was pleasantly surprised that this was a story about people with great tale visibility into 1600s life ... on a village farm, the economics of the wool industry, city life, etc. I cared about the characters, totally invested in their struggles. Women are represented more in this story than other historical fiction about economics and war. This is a great read!!!

[Anita Nasr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Master and the Maid is one of those rare books that is very clearly defined in my mind. Maybe that’s because it’s not the kind of book I would normally read, and so I had a more objective view, but I think it’s also because it’s a very well-written and (disregarding a few minor quibbles) well-edited book.

Laura Libricz doesn’t waste any time setting up the story, and the conflict. Barmaid Katarina is mistreated by her man and suffers the cruellest of insults when he trades her off to a patrician landowner to work as a maid in order to repay his debts. Herr Tucher, aka ‘The Master’, isn’t the worst guy to be working for in this particular era, but Katarina must also bear the embarrassment of going back to the property she had fled a few years prior, and the no-nonsense grandmother she had defied. To make matters worse, the moment she arrives, a mysterious rider swings a sword to her throat and thrusts a newborn baby into her arms with orders to care for and guard the child.

It’s hard not to get pulled in, but what really kept me flipping the pages was this window I had into another world. The author has done a staggering amount of research and I appreciated learning about the everyday life of a household in early 17th century Germany. The time and circumstances, from the brimming antagonism between the Catholics and Protestants to the witch hunts to pagan traditions, were woven with great skill into the story. It wasn’t simply a setting, a backdrop. It was the basis for every decision made, sometimes unflinchingly so, and often at the risk of alienating modern sensibilities. The more I read, the more impressed I was by the character development—even the secondary characters had backgrounds and personalities and motives that earned my full investment. And the bad guy—fantastically despicable.

I have to say, though, that the pace is uneven. There are moments that are thoughtful and poignant, and moments of intrigue, and then there are times when the storytelling is replaced by detail-telling. There are long passages of these details that have no clear purpose in the narrative, though I can only guess what would push the buttons of fans of historical fiction.

If romance is your thing, then you may have to manage your expectations. For me, the attraction between Katarina and Tucher could have been further developed—I wasn’t quite sure what they saw in each other. Hans-Wolfgang often steals the spotlight from our Master, who would rather be philosophising or conjuring up witticisms. And as for Katarina, she’s afflicted with Mute Maiden Disease—the inability to share information that would make life easier for everyone.

The climactic battle scenes put the zip back into my reading experience, though they were let down a bit by the rushed and somewhat flat conclusion. Then again, if it had ended with the maid falling into her master’s arms I would’ve had to break something. Seeing as The Master and the Maid is the first part in a trilogy, the author can be forgiven for wanting her readers to dive straight into the next book.

[Sonal Panse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Master and the Maid by Laura Libricz is the first book in The Heaven’s Pond Trilogy. Set in Medieval Germany, the story concerns Katarina, who is the 'Maid' of the title, the aristocratic Herr Sebald Tucher, the 'Master', and a host of peasants, merchants, landowners, and Jesuit priests. There is a doomed romance, a child that is the heir to a rich estate, and an unscrupulous, power-hungry Priest who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the aforementioned estate, including aggravating the already tumultous Protestant-Catholic schism.

Katarina begins life at a disadvantage on a farm called Sichardtshof - a bastard child abandoned by her mother and reared by a tough, not-exactly loving grandmother, Kunigunda - and, as a young woman, falls in a love with a charming shyster, Willi Prutt, who convinces her to come away with him to Nuremberg and assist him in his weaving business. After the weaving business goes south - because of many complicated laws as well as Willi's disinterest - Katarina begins running a tavern for him and makes a success of it. However, Willi gambles away much of their earnings and doesn't pay the rent and this brings them on the brink on being evicted from the premises. Willi then suggests to Herr Tucher, the landlord's nephew, that they play dice to settle the matter - if Herr Tucher wins, Katarina will work for him and Willi will keep the tavern rent-free for two months.

Heart-broken that the man she loves could wager her away in this manner, Katarina leaves with Herr Tucher for Sichardtshof - Herr Tucher has acquired the property - and works there as his maid and resumes her cantakerous relationship with her grandmother. The descriptions of the house, the farm, and the surrounding countryside are very well-done. Katarina, shortly after her arrival, decides to run away to find work in a neighbouring town and this plan is upset when, en route, a fearsome horseman stops her and forces her to accept a newborn baby girl named Isabeau. He threatens to kill Katarina unless she promises to care for the child. Since a single young woman with a child would be prey to all kinds of social strictures in the towns and villages, Katarina returns to the farm and decides to make the best of the situation.

Of course, she does not expect the situation to spiral out of hand as it soon does.

The author has done her research well - and it doesn't intrude on the pacing of the story - and the unfolding events make for a very entertaining read.

I look forward to the next two books in this series.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Master and the Maid


The Master and the Maid is a historical novel set in 17th century Germany, following the proto-feminist exploits of the main character, Katarina. Katarina works in a tavern in Nuremburg with her beau Willi, a drunken sot who refuses to marry her. When he gives her up to pay a debt -- Willi =/= hero -- she is taken to an estate called Heaven’s Pond to care for it.

Conflict arises when she agrees to take in a newborn named Isabeau when the mother dies. She promises to care for it, despite her lack of experience with children, because she is told the baby, like the mother, would be killed if found. The story bounces back and forth between a few characters but focuses most plainly on the strength, willpower, and resilience of Katarina.

The Master and the Maid concerns itself with religion, gender politics, witchcraft, and the power of land in an agrarian society. There are secretive meetings about church doctrine and witches, and characters discuss issues of the times with surprising credulity. Fans of historical fiction will absolutely dig into the plot, characters, and details here.

To be perfectly honest, I’m not normally a reader of historical fiction, so it should probably be no surprise that I don’t have the vocabulary to speak with any knowledge on this book. I did find it interesting at parts, and the world has some room to grow, especially considering it’s the first book in a series and would benefit from the author pushing out on the narrative edges.

My lack of enthusiasm aside, it’s obvious a lot of research went into this novel, so I can respect the level of verisimilitude The Master and the Maid produces, especially where church doctrine is concerned. The book is definitely narrative-driven and focuses more on story than preserving the facts and statistics of the era, and it places the reader in the time without an unnerving amount of backstory.

What I found most compelling was not the domestic drama of a woman raising a child by herself, but the inner workings of the people behind the scenes, those in the church and the ostensible aristocracy of Germany. You can almost see yourself in the candlelit rooms where these meetings take place.

There is a great novel in here somewhere. Another run-through with a more precise editing pen would cut plenty of unnecessary adjectives and tighten up the story. I don’t think it’s bad, but I would most certainly prefer more story and less description. Overall, if you are a fan of Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth or classics like The Scarlet Letter, you will no doubt find The Master and the Maid thoroughly enthralling.

[David Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Historical Work of Quality.

A fascinating, almost epical, story - and still, it is a sad tale of the trials and tribulations of a lonely woman leading a mundane life and trying to make her way in a world dominated by men by using her strength of character and determination to succeed despite the odds.

The author digs deeply into the personality and psychology of her main character, Katarina – and into the social standing and place of lowly born women in medieval times. True to the period when poor people travelled little, the author limits her heroine to the world around her, the few people she comes into daily contact with, to her feelings. The other characters are interesting, true to early seventeenth century life and finely fleshed out. The slow pace of the story appears to be chosen to match the pace of life back then which was unhurried and leisurely. The author, though, does appear to go to some extremes to capture the detailed environment of everyday country life in rural Germany. However, the background to village life and the influence of the landed gentry are particularly well done.

What is rare in this story is the choice of perspective – not that of aristocrats, politicians, leading figures of the period but that of a simple maid who sees and experiences life from ground-level up. However, the excessive detail causes the modern reader to lose track occasionally of the main storyline which suffers due to it. To give depth, a story must offer the reader a chance to use his/her imagination. In this case, the amount of detail can only be justified as a run-up to the second book.

This book will appeal to readers with an interest in historical fiction around the time of the thirty years war in Germany and some understanding of the world of the time.

All in all a good read.

[Tessa Barding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I shouldn't rate a book that I haven't finished but I didn't put it down because it's badly written or poorly researched, quite the contrary. I snatched the book up because a) I like Nuremberg and b) I was intrigued that an English speaking author would set her book in medieval Germany. That's something I haven't encountered very often, and I was curious to read her take on that particular period of German history.

Libricz has done her research, and her descriptions of medieval Nuremberg are well-written, loving even, and she makes the town come to life with all of its colours and stenches and noises. She pays attention to small details such as wooden buttons and bad dental hygiene (often brushed over because it's yucky by today's standards but was fairly common until not-too-far-away). She throws in German words such as Magd and Knecht and Schatz (and uses them correctly, too) which adds to the authentic flavour. She paints interesting protags such as landlord Herr Tucher and the tough-acting Katerina plus her no good but charming lover. She throws in a mysterious stranger pushing a baby into Katerina's arms, a baby doomed for death if found. In short, this book's got what it takes to make for an enjoyable read.

So why didn't I finish? I can't really say. I just couldn't warm to the story. I'm OK with books having a slow start but I just couldn't see where this one's headed and at one point, it got too slow even for me and I gave up. I'm not tossing it off the Kindle because maybe one day I'll pick it up again (or in this case, re-open the file) - Libricz seems a good writer and I'm more than willing to give her a second chance, but for now, the book didn't do it for me, and for now, this is my review of a book only half-read.

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was ever there a story more captivating and charming than The Maid and the Master? The attention to detail was exquisite - I felt like I had travelled back in time to 1616. The story telling was spellbinding to say the least. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down.

The protagonist of the story, Katarina, is a young woman who has foolishly given her heart to the wrong person. Her situation is precarious – she is a fallen woman, living with a man whom she is not married to, but she is honest and ever hopeful that one-day fate will deal her a better hand. But alas, her beloved “trades” her to pay off a debt to his landlord and Katarina finds herself at the mercy of her new master, Herr Tucher. I thought Katarina was beautifully portrayed. She was totally believable and I really came to care about. Through her, Libricz depicted how hard it was for a woman in a time of religious unrest.

Ralf, a career obsessed priest, will stop at nothing to open his Jesuit school. He will even go as far as to commit murder to achieve his aims. Ralf really made my skin crawl – he was cruel, devious, manipulative and vicious. Libric painted a very dark picture of this evil man. He was the perfect antagonist. I really began to fear what this horrid man was going to do next.

I would really like to commend Libricz on such a masterpiece. This book really ticked all of the boxes for me - Fleshed characters, fantastic plot and the most beautiful prose. I cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy. I Highly Recommend this book.

* I received an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.*

[Elizabeth Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Don't let the title fool you: this is not a romance novel. It is correctly tagged as "historical fiction", so don't pick it up expecting a classic bodice-ripper. There are romantic elements, but they are far from central to the story.
The Master and the Maid is set is 17th Century Franconia. A young woman, Katarina, is brought back to the rural estate of her birth somewhat against her will to serve its new master. She quickly becomes embroiled in a conflict stemming from neighboring estates and ends up caring for an infant whose mother has been killed and father is on the run. Uneducated, but not stupid, Katarina takes care of the baby girl without telling her employer where she came from. Her master, Herr Tucher, is uncommonly understanding about the mysterious child, likely because of his humanist leanings.
A torrent of religious conflict, political strife, greed, and superstition threatens Katarina and Herr Tucher, forcing them to drastic action to protect the farm and its inhabitants.
This is a well-researched solid piece of historical fiction. My only serious misgiving is the erratic pacing. The first third of the book progresses slowly, heavy with exposition and atmosphere. The last few chapters, however, move at a break-neck pace that could use a little more detail for the sake of clarity. I found myself rereading some of the more action-packed passages as I was unable to follow the chain of events the first time around.
Nonetheless, The Master and the Maid should serve as a solid foundation for the rest of the trilogy. I expect unanswered questions to be addressed in future volumes.

[Balroop Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Master and the Maid by Laura Libricz is not just the story of a young woman who was trapped in the web of circumstances, but also highlights the plight of women in Germany in the seventeenth century and their struggle to live a decent life.

Two plots run parallel to each other and both the stories revolve around women – one who has been brutally murdered and the other who is entrusted with the responsibility of looking after a newborn child. It also underlines the role of religion, which was the breeding ground for abuse and exploitation. The pace of this book is very slow and didn’t inspire me to finish it faster. I chose to read it at leisure and could only read a few pages each night, as it lulled me to sleep quickly.

Characters are crafted so well that Katrina would win your heart, with her perseverance and resilient nature. Herr Tucker’s kindness stands out whereas Willie’s selfishness and Ralf’s sly and shrewd tricks make them the most detested men in this well-narrated historical fiction.

A good book banks on convincing characterization and a plausible plot and Laura has successfully created both, only making it too long. Despite its heaviness, I didn’t feel like dropping it as it picks up speed at places and reveals some interesting facts about the bygone era. Historical fiction is usually heavy and I am glad I could finish it.

 

[Smita Bhattacharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate the novel 3.5.

The Master and The Maid by Laura Libricz has an interesting premise and story line, entertaining but perhaps just not enough for me. The book follows the journeys of Herr Tucher (Master) and Katarina (Maid). There are several engrossing offshoots from the two’s relationship, which of course forms the crux of the book. In parts, it seemed like an old favourite of mine ─ Tess of D'urbervilles by Thomas Hardy ─ and I had high expectations.

It is a wonderfully researched book. The author describes in great details everyday activities, throws in German words (Not the expressions or manners of speaking though) which helps transport the reader to the 17th century. Nuremburg is vividly described. The descriptions of everyday life are delicious and I savored them. I’d some issues with the protagonist Katarina who acts tough and spunky but it did not seem convincing in the way I’d liked her to act (or speak) in certain situation. I did not connect with her much. Also, in some places, I struggled to continue reading. The pace had slowed.

I’d recommend the book to fans of historical fiction especially those interested in German history and don’t want to compromise on the written word. We have too many books heavy on history, war and action, and very few which combine the turbulence of those times with the beauty of words.

I was given a free copy for a non-reciprocal review.

[Simona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first review on GR. I did a couple of them on Amazon, usually on freebies and only if I thought they were books worth to be mentioned. This is the case here, in my opinion.
Laura kindly offered this book for free to GR members, I downloaded it and read it in a couple of days - which is usually a good sign.
I think that she's been very successful in building the mood of the book. It is set in a dark period, and the author has been able to sketch a good painting of the life of the main character, a maid forced to return to the country manor from which she left years before, after a small period of time that she spent, almost free, managing an inn beside her lover.
Laura Libricz hasn't embellished her characters, their weaknesses are all there to be seen, and this is something that I appreciate; but some of them are a bit too extreme: the very, very wicked priest and his master, the too mysterious father of the baby trusted to Katharina, appearing and disappearing out of the blue, the women in white (who or WHAT is this woman? an attempt to introduce a paranormal twist?)
Small discrepancies notwithstanding, I liked to read this book, and I look forward to read the next effort of Laura.

[Robert Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writers and readers have specific obligations to one another. The writer must tell an engaging story and the reader must be willing to suspend disbelief and forgive a few errors here and there. For Master and the Maid, there is good news and bad news.

The good news is the story is well told. The characters are interesting and developed; the plot reasonable. Once the story started moving, about two thirds into the book, it became enjoyable.
The bad news is what is missing and not missing. What is missing is a solid sense of zeitgeist. Historical fiction makes an unspoken promise to emphasize the historic backdrop of the story. This story, with little modification, could have taken place anywhere in the world between two thousand BCE and last week. We learned only threads of daily life, cities and religious conflict in what should have been a full tapestry. The author created a wonderful plot device, a main character’s journal. How I wished his reflections would have given us a tenor of the times. But, no.

What is not missing but should be are the entire first part and about 15,000 details and actions we don’t need to know to enjoy the story.

All in all, a good book and one I’m glad to have read and can recommend, especially if you can speed-read the first part.

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, the first of a three-part series, should have wide appeal to a broad audience. The character of Katarina is incredibly well written and the reader quickly is drawn to her and concerned with her well being and happiness. That is what this author does…the heart of character is easily understood by the reader. It didn’t take two pages to realize that Raif was the scummiest scumbag, the big bad and for me to hate him immensely. There is a real grasp of humanity in this book and the weaving of the lives of the myriad of characters into the accurately portrayed 17th century Germany is very well done.



For me, I was not terribly interested in the love triangle aspect of Katarina. I do love Wolfgang and he is my favorite character so far. The ending was sudden and letting Raif live on makes the second story a must read but I prefer a big bad destroyed in book one and a new big bad in book two but that is just me.



Overall a promising first book that will capture the attention of everyone who enjoys either the time period of Vikings or Game of Thrones and those who enjoy the love triangle of Twilight or even Pride and Prejudice. I await the second book.



My Rating: 4.5 stars



This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hundred Year War is something that I somehow missed in history lessons in German school. I knew it was a big thing but I couldn't remember much about it. I was delighted to come across a trilogy that takes on this important part of German history.
Additional bonus: Written by an American living in Germany, bringing in the often useful outsider perspective of an observer. The book is well researched and has a great blend of facts and fictional 'illustration'. Plentiful details, adequate use of language and great characterisation are amongst many plus points.
I loved how quickly the predicament of our heroine unfolds. Tied to the wrong man who drinks and gambles and makes false promises, Katharina's fate brings her under the authority of Master Tucher.
We follow her struggle to bring up a child, while all of Germany is in uproar and fighting between the warring parties begins.
Politics, religion, women's rights and personal drama all blend together nicely in this wonderfully written novel. I am pleased to learn that this is only the beginning of a trilogy and look forward to the next part.
Well written, sound and enjoyable.

[Sarah M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Master and the Maid introduced me to a different cultural background than most other period pieces that I've read at that point in history. Told from the point of view of Herr Tucker "The Master" and Katarina "The Maid", the story follows a group of German peasants and moderately wealthy merchants, with some local country gentry impinging on their lives. Herr Tucker has surprisingly modern views, not taking advantage of his relative status with Katarina, allowing the aged widow of the former owner to remain in her home, etc. Katarina slowly gains perspective on her relationships, and a growing sense of self-worth and confidence throughout the book. And- throw in a murder, family feud, land swindle, and deranged gentry- it's fun, if a bit predictable at points. I'm hoping that we'll get more of Pieter's story to come in the trilogy- other than Herr Tucker, my favorite character in the book.

I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Master and the Maid" explores some absorbing and at times rather harrowing subject matter. There is a huge amount of period detail, with some good descriptive work and a deeply imagined world. I was almost entirely ignorant of this period of European history, and my desire to learn more powered me through the book's rather slow first half.

Unfortunately, I found the main characters a little less convincing than the period detail. I couldn't quite shake the feeling that these were modern characters operating in a period setting. The use of colloquial American English was also somewhat jarring at times. For me however, these flaws are not absolutely crucial to a book like this. The action sequences in the second half are very well-executed, and the period detail and texture are very well-maintained throughout.