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The Miracle Thief
Do you believe in miracles?
Sister Juliana does. She's seen miracles happen as she tends Saint Catherine's altar and guards her relic. Yet she doesn't quite dare to believe that even Saint Catherine could help her atone for her wicked past.
Anna does. And she so desperately needs one. In a time when a deformity is interpreted as evidence of a grievous sin, in a place where community is vital to existence, Anna has no family, no home, and no master.
Princess Gisele wants to. A miracle is the only thing that can save her from being given to a brutal, pagan chieftain in marriage.
For those who come in faith, saints offer the answer to almost any prayer. But other forces are plotting to steal Saint Catherine's relic, to bend the saint's power to their own use. Penitent, pilgrim, and princess -- all will be drawn into an epic struggle where only faith can survive. But in a quest for divine blessings, only the most ruthless of souls may win the prize.
Sister Juliana does. She's seen miracles happen as she tends Saint Catherine's altar and guards her relic. Yet she doesn't quite dare to believe that even Saint Catherine could help her atone for her wicked past.
Anna does. And she so desperately needs one. In a time when a deformity is interpreted as evidence of a grievous sin, in a place where community is vital to existence, Anna has no family, no home, and no master.
Princess Gisele wants to. A miracle is the only thing that can save her from being given to a brutal, pagan chieftain in marriage.
For those who come in faith, saints offer the answer to almost any prayer. But other forces are plotting to steal Saint Catherine's relic, to bend the saint's power to their own use. Penitent, pilgrim, and princess -- all will be drawn into an epic struggle where only faith can survive. But in a quest for divine blessings, only the most ruthless of souls may win the prize.
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
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May 9, 2023
Just really not good. Video review: https://youtu.be/1t-sSptU0g4
May 13, 2014
The Miracle Thief is a historical novel following three women as they seek God’s will in France in the early 900’s (yes, that’s 900, not 1900):
Sister Juliana escaped to Rochemont Abbey many years ago, seeking to atone for her biggest sin. She serves in the shrine of St Catherine, helping the many pilgrims who come to pray for healing by the saint’s relics.
Anne is the newly-orphaned daughter of an impoverished noblewoman. With no home, she has little option but to obey her mother’s dying request and undertake a pilgrimage to St Catherine’s shrine to seek healing.
Giselle is the illegitimate daughter of a king, raised as a princess and about to be forced into a political marriage against her will. She asks to take a pilgrimage to the shrine of St Catherine to seek God’s will.
The Miracle Thief is an unexpected gem. The characters are real (really. It’s historical fiction based on real people and real events), and were brought to life with all their flaws and foibles. The plot moved steadily, and although (as with real life), the ending wasn’t necessarily what I’d have chosen, it was historically accurate, and it was from a time and place in history that hasn’t been done to death by other authors (like Tudor England).
Anthony has done an excellent job of melding historical fact with the creativity of fiction. I never felt I was being ‘dumped’ with historical facts or that the story was being manipulated to stay true to history, yet the note at the end shows the degree to which the story has been researched and is true to the historical record (which, admittedly, has a lot of holes).
Although The Miracle Thief is a general market book, there was still a strong underpinning of Christian faith (albeit featuring some very un-Christlike “Christians”), and it meets CBA standards in that there is no inappropriate language. It left me feeling grateful to live in a time and place where I have freedoms and choices women like Juliana, Anne and Giselle never had. Recommended for historical fiction fans looking for something a little different.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Sister Juliana escaped to Rochemont Abbey many years ago, seeking to atone for her biggest sin. She serves in the shrine of St Catherine, helping the many pilgrims who come to pray for healing by the saint’s relics.
Anne is the newly-orphaned daughter of an impoverished noblewoman. With no home, she has little option but to obey her mother’s dying request and undertake a pilgrimage to St Catherine’s shrine to seek healing.
Giselle is the illegitimate daughter of a king, raised as a princess and about to be forced into a political marriage against her will. She asks to take a pilgrimage to the shrine of St Catherine to seek God’s will.
The Miracle Thief is an unexpected gem. The characters are real (really. It’s historical fiction based on real people and real events), and were brought to life with all their flaws and foibles. The plot moved steadily, and although (as with real life), the ending wasn’t necessarily what I’d have chosen, it was historically accurate, and it was from a time and place in history that hasn’t been done to death by other authors (like Tudor England).
Anthony has done an excellent job of melding historical fact with the creativity of fiction. I never felt I was being ‘dumped’ with historical facts or that the story was being manipulated to stay true to history, yet the note at the end shows the degree to which the story has been researched and is true to the historical record (which, admittedly, has a lot of holes).
Although The Miracle Thief is a general market book, there was still a strong underpinning of Christian faith (albeit featuring some very un-Christlike “Christians”), and it meets CBA standards in that there is no inappropriate language. It left me feeling grateful to live in a time and place where I have freedoms and choices women like Juliana, Anne and Giselle never had. Recommended for historical fiction fans looking for something a little different.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
November 22, 2015
I greatly enjoyed reading Iris Anthony's The Miracle Thief which is drawn from real historical events mixed with imagination. From the first, the cover and intriguing title drew me in.
The Miracle Thief tells the story of three tenth century Frankish women
- Sister Juliana who has sought sanctuary at the secluded Abbey (that protects Saint Catherine's relic) following a short and passionate affair with King Charles many years ago.
- a naive pilgrim Anna who is penniless, homeless and alone after the death of her mother and who seeks Saint Catherine's relic to heal the deformed hand and chest that sets her apart from others.
- and petted Princess Grisele, natural daughter of Charles and Julianna, who appeals to Saint Catherine to escape a forced political marriage with Rollo, the savage leader of the 'Danes'.
Each woman thinks she is powerless and must step up to the challenges set before her as the Danes decide to steal Saint Catherine's relic to ensure that the Grisela's marriage goes ahead. Anthony brings the three story lines of the three women together towards a fiery cataclysm with surprising results.
This is a story of love gained and love lost, of being powerless and yet powerful, of the strong against the weak, of betrayal, of loyalty and brave deeds, of faith and miracles. And while I find the focus on relics of saints dubious, I also found myself agreeing with the erstwhile relic hunter Godric 'I have sought something they (the relics) could never give me ... the blessing comes from faith'. Indeed. Faith in God who offers free and direct access to all that would approach Him in humility and grace.
I thought that Julianna and Anna were portrayed very much as women of their time, and if there is a touch of a Victorian romantic heroine in Grisele, I love a strong heroine. Her plight was a moving one and her efforts often humourous but always brave and resourceful. I also learned some history of the period and place. The story of each of the woman and their fallible 'heroes' and protectors drew me in and keeping me reading, sometimes long after I should have gone to sleep.
The Miracle Thief tells the story of three tenth century Frankish women
- Sister Juliana who has sought sanctuary at the secluded Abbey (that protects Saint Catherine's relic) following a short and passionate affair with King Charles many years ago.
- a naive pilgrim Anna who is penniless, homeless and alone after the death of her mother and who seeks Saint Catherine's relic to heal the deformed hand and chest that sets her apart from others.
- and petted Princess Grisele, natural daughter of Charles and Julianna, who appeals to Saint Catherine to escape a forced political marriage with Rollo, the savage leader of the 'Danes'.
Each woman thinks she is powerless and must step up to the challenges set before her as the Danes decide to steal Saint Catherine's relic to ensure that the Grisela's marriage goes ahead. Anthony brings the three story lines of the three women together towards a fiery cataclysm with surprising results.
This is a story of love gained and love lost, of being powerless and yet powerful, of the strong against the weak, of betrayal, of loyalty and brave deeds, of faith and miracles. And while I find the focus on relics of saints dubious, I also found myself agreeing with the erstwhile relic hunter Godric 'I have sought something they (the relics) could never give me ... the blessing comes from faith'. Indeed. Faith in God who offers free and direct access to all that would approach Him in humility and grace.
I thought that Julianna and Anna were portrayed very much as women of their time, and if there is a touch of a Victorian romantic heroine in Grisele, I love a strong heroine. Her plight was a moving one and her efforts often humourous but always brave and resourceful. I also learned some history of the period and place. The story of each of the woman and their fallible 'heroes' and protectors drew me in and keeping me reading, sometimes long after I should have gone to sleep.
September 21, 2014
After finishing this book, I'm still baffled. Why was it called The Miracle Thief? It's unsettling to feel I missed something significant.
I loved this book. I was also incredibly disappointed by it. It follows the story of three women - and, I'm afraid, loses a lot of emotional punch by doing so. While the lives of the women are intertwined, they spend most of the novel separated from each other. Every story felt truncated; not quite rounded off; not quite reverberating with the 'ahh' and 'aww' of satisfaction which would lift it another star.
I wanted more of the nun Juliana and her relationship to her daughter Giselle. I wanted more of the disabled orphaned girl Anna and Godric of Wessex. But mostly I wanted more of Giselle and her knight Andulf. I felt cheated in that part of the tapestry.
Despite the gorgeous story-telling, I felt let down at the end, rather than uplifted. And it's only the beauty of the story-telling that keeps me from giving the book three stars. That perplexing title increases my sense of letdown.
Notes on val:
'...it's by fighting they prepare for life after death, for Valhalla, where only the bravest of warriors will go.' ... 'And the bravest of those brave warriors are the beserkers, they who beat upon themselves and eat their own shields in their lust for blood.' ... 'They would forfeit Paradise without a second thought. They would spurn your angels and wait instead for the winged Valkyries.' ... 'They fight, you see, to have a place among the worthiest of warriors, for only those will be taken to Valhalla. And there, each day they fight, and at night, they feast.' ... 'They fight to prepare for the last great battle, so though their limbs be lost and their heads be severed from their bodies, each night they are made whole so they can feast together. And they begin their battle anew each morning.' ... 'They care nothing for angels. Upon his death, what each warrior hopes for is a Valkyrie.'
I loved this book. I was also incredibly disappointed by it. It follows the story of three women - and, I'm afraid, loses a lot of emotional punch by doing so. While the lives of the women are intertwined, they spend most of the novel separated from each other. Every story felt truncated; not quite rounded off; not quite reverberating with the 'ahh' and 'aww' of satisfaction which would lift it another star.
I wanted more of the nun Juliana and her relationship to her daughter Giselle. I wanted more of the disabled orphaned girl Anna and Godric of Wessex. But mostly I wanted more of Giselle and her knight Andulf. I felt cheated in that part of the tapestry.
Despite the gorgeous story-telling, I felt let down at the end, rather than uplifted. And it's only the beauty of the story-telling that keeps me from giving the book three stars. That perplexing title increases my sense of letdown.
Notes on val:
'...it's by fighting they prepare for life after death, for Valhalla, where only the bravest of warriors will go.' ... 'And the bravest of those brave warriors are the beserkers, they who beat upon themselves and eat their own shields in their lust for blood.' ... 'They would forfeit Paradise without a second thought. They would spurn your angels and wait instead for the winged Valkyries.' ... 'They fight, you see, to have a place among the worthiest of warriors, for only those will be taken to Valhalla. And there, each day they fight, and at night, they feast.' ... 'They fight to prepare for the last great battle, so though their limbs be lost and their heads be severed from their bodies, each night they are made whole so they can feast together. And they begin their battle anew each morning.' ... 'They care nothing for angels. Upon his death, what each warrior hopes for is a Valkyrie.'
April 1, 2014
Author Iris Anthony transports readers back to the Dark Ages of Europe in her intriguing new novel THE MIRACLE THIEF. The story is told from the point of view of three women, all searching for help from the relic of Saint Catherine. Juliana is a nun seeking forgiveness for a past sin. Anne is a religious pilgrim hoping to be healed of her deformity, and Gisele is a princess looking to be spared from a forced marriage to an invading pagan.
It took a while for this book to click with me, but when it did, I became absorbed in the plight of the three main characters. Ms. Anthony brings the medieval world to life, especially the condition of women and the poor during that time. My heart went out to Anne in particular. She was poor and alone, and people shunned her because of her deformity. They thought it was a punishment from God or a mark of the devil. If anyone deserved a miracle, it was Anne. This book also brought to light the politics of the church and its powerful influence over everyone.
THE MIRACLE THIEF was well-researched historical fiction starring three strong and memorable female protagonists. Some adventure, a touch of romance, and a hopeful ending made this an enjoyable read.
Source: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It took a while for this book to click with me, but when it did, I became absorbed in the plight of the three main characters. Ms. Anthony brings the medieval world to life, especially the condition of women and the poor during that time. My heart went out to Anne in particular. She was poor and alone, and people shunned her because of her deformity. They thought it was a punishment from God or a mark of the devil. If anyone deserved a miracle, it was Anne. This book also brought to light the politics of the church and its powerful influence over everyone.
THE MIRACLE THIEF was well-researched historical fiction starring three strong and memorable female protagonists. Some adventure, a touch of romance, and a hopeful ending made this an enjoyable read.
Source: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2018
I thought The Miracle Thief was a great book. I was not sure what was going on at first, but once I caught on, I was hooked. I am giving this book four and a half stars.
March 3, 2018
I choose this book because it was set in the 10th century and I needed a book set then for a reading challenge. I did not expect what a wonderful book this was. It was about three women all struggling to maintain some type of control in their life. All three of them had to overcome a personal obstacle and all of the women were connected to one another in some way. One story was my favorite and I even teared up at the end. A very enjoyable historical fiction novel.
March 11, 2014
Three women, each wishing for a miracle, each believing in the power of St. Catherine and a sacred piece of her bone kept in the safe keeping of an out of the way convent/monastery. One, a nun, seeks redemption for her past indiscretions, the life and love she left behind, the child she abandoned in order to give her a better life with her father. Her soul and her conscience will find no peace if she does not confess all, but she can’t. Still she has seen miracles at the altar of St. Catherine and she still hopes for her own. A young newly orphaned girl with deformities that cause the people around her to believe she is evil, looks to St. Catherine to heal her physically and journeys from afar on a pilgrimage to pray for her miracle, to be whole and accepted and able to love and be loved. The third woman is a princess, beautiful, wealthy and motherless, who seeks refuge, peace of mind and answers to questions that trouble her as she is soon to be married off to a heathen barbarian. Has faith brought them together at a time when evil lurks so near? Will their lives and stories intertwine in unimaginable ways? Do they all have a connection that could be a miracle in itself?
The Miracle Thief by Iris Anthony is dramatic, dark and has the power of an epic tale unfolding before your very eyes. Each of these women carry their own pain, but are strong of spirit and brave beyond measure. Set in the age of castles and kings, when women were property and had no say in their lives, each has undertaken a journey that may change their very futures in ways they can never imagine or expect. Iris Anthony writes with a flourish that flows like three small rivers filling into a larger, more tempestuous one where the future looks foreboding and unsure one moment and a glimmer of light shows through the next. Thoughtful and mesmerizing, intense and often brutal, Ms. Anthony’s work is true literature for the mind and the imagination.
If you are looking for a moving tale without the fluff and lace, but one that runs deep through your mind and heart, and actually asks you to imagine this time period and pay attention to the details, I highly recommend The Miracle Thief.
I received an ARC edition from Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781402285318
Genre: Historical Women's Fiction
Number of Pages: 386
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Miracle Thief by Iris Anthony is dramatic, dark and has the power of an epic tale unfolding before your very eyes. Each of these women carry their own pain, but are strong of spirit and brave beyond measure. Set in the age of castles and kings, when women were property and had no say in their lives, each has undertaken a journey that may change their very futures in ways they can never imagine or expect. Iris Anthony writes with a flourish that flows like three small rivers filling into a larger, more tempestuous one where the future looks foreboding and unsure one moment and a glimmer of light shows through the next. Thoughtful and mesmerizing, intense and often brutal, Ms. Anthony’s work is true literature for the mind and the imagination.
If you are looking for a moving tale without the fluff and lace, but one that runs deep through your mind and heart, and actually asks you to imagine this time period and pay attention to the details, I highly recommend The Miracle Thief.
I received an ARC edition from Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781402285318
Genre: Historical Women's Fiction
Number of Pages: 386
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
July 26, 2014
Beginning in AD 911 we meet Juliana in Rochemont Abbey in France. She had a full life outside the convent but is now a nun and cares for St. Catherine's altar and relics, said to work miracles so a site of pilgrimage. Pilgrimages were like the package holidays of the Middle Ages. Everyone who was anyone, rich or poor, went on one as an excuse to travel and see other cities and meet people. The more devout believed in the power of the relics and value of the prayers they said.
Two other women head for the Abbey - one is a wealthy young woman, born with a deformed right hand, said to be the mark of the devil. She has been trying to atone for some unknown sin and is used to having servants. The other is a princess of a feudal lord's family, who is suddenly promised in marriage to a Dane warrior as a way to strike a peace deal.
As the story is largely told from the viewpoints of these three women it lacks the drama of the battles frequently fought at this time. We do get a wild boar attacking travellers in a wood, but by and large the tale is more peaceful and the journeys are a reflection of inner journeys as well as of actual travels. Then again, someone is prepared - evidently - to steal the saint's relic and make off with it.
Life at this remove is still greatly a matter of guesswork for historians but we do know a lot about the plants, animals, crops and population movements in France so the story brings these aspects to life and shows us that people were still people all that time ago, much like a Brother Cadfael story of England. This is an enjoyable read for those interested in the past.
Two other women head for the Abbey - one is a wealthy young woman, born with a deformed right hand, said to be the mark of the devil. She has been trying to atone for some unknown sin and is used to having servants. The other is a princess of a feudal lord's family, who is suddenly promised in marriage to a Dane warrior as a way to strike a peace deal.
As the story is largely told from the viewpoints of these three women it lacks the drama of the battles frequently fought at this time. We do get a wild boar attacking travellers in a wood, but by and large the tale is more peaceful and the journeys are a reflection of inner journeys as well as of actual travels. Then again, someone is prepared - evidently - to steal the saint's relic and make off with it.
Life at this remove is still greatly a matter of guesswork for historians but we do know a lot about the plants, animals, crops and population movements in France so the story brings these aspects to life and shows us that people were still people all that time ago, much like a Brother Cadfael story of England. This is an enjoyable read for those interested in the past.
February 22, 2014
This book isn't what I expected--it's a story of three women who are, of course, intertwined. Each one seeks redemption from Saint Catherine or, more precisely, the relic (in this case it's a bone) of Saint Catherine.
It took awhile for this book to get going, it took me awhile to become more interested. It wasn't until I understood the tenuous relationship between the three main characters that I was emotionally invested and interested in the story. The women portrayed are all very different from one another (one is a deformed shut-in, one is a princess, and one is a nun with a torrid past) but they are all well-formed and full-bodied characters. Each one is strong and willful, in her own way.
In the end, this book serves as a feminist anthem with some romance, some healing, and a little bit of miracle. In reading the end notes, it became clear that even the smaller characters were based on thorough, caring research and investigation. The knowledge that these people were likely real makes this tale that much more enjoyable.
It took awhile for this book to get going, it took me awhile to become more interested. It wasn't until I understood the tenuous relationship between the three main characters that I was emotionally invested and interested in the story. The women portrayed are all very different from one another (one is a deformed shut-in, one is a princess, and one is a nun with a torrid past) but they are all well-formed and full-bodied characters. Each one is strong and willful, in her own way.
In the end, this book serves as a feminist anthem with some romance, some healing, and a little bit of miracle. In reading the end notes, it became clear that even the smaller characters were based on thorough, caring research and investigation. The knowledge that these people were likely real makes this tale that much more enjoyable.
September 22, 2018
I bought this book at the dollar store on a whim, and was surprised and delighted to discover what a gem it is. Three stories intertwine: that of Juliana, who gave up her daughter by a king to enter a convent; Anna, a girl with a tragic deformity that causes her to be ostracized by her community and forced on a pilgrimage in hope of a cure; and Gisele, whose father plans to force her into a marriage with a brutal stranger, and who decides to seek a solution to her problem by consulting a religious relic. All three women have so much at stake, and the people around them are, by turns, deceitful, controlling, and occasionally, unexpectedly kind. I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely pursue other novels by this author, under either of her writing names.
April 17, 2023
I'm really tired this week but I can't tell if this is Catholic rhetoric of a sect I don't know, or if the message is just "a man will fix you" and I really hated it for that. I'm not big on religion(I've said it in hundreds of reviews now), but this one felt forceful.
A bit too on the nose and trying to convert me.
That's how this book felt.
2 stars.
A bit too on the nose and trying to convert me.
That's how this book felt.
2 stars.
September 21, 2023
I did enjoy this book. Dark ages... A very different time period. It did feel a bit shallow, and like it moved too quickly. There are 3 main characters, and that's a lot going on for a normal length book.
December 5, 2017
I wish the hole book was like the last third, exelent finish!
Laszlo
Laszlo
May 3, 2020
Writing style didn't work for me
Read
June 17, 2021Disappointed with the ending. I thought I had missed something so I reread the last chapter and I still feel like I was cheated in the end. I didn’t feel like the ends were tied up neatly
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
did-not-finish-or-start
July 16, 2021DNS 7/16/2021
April 18, 2014
Iris Anthony's second novel, The Miracle Thief is a tale that will leave readers wondering if they really do believe in miracles. This is a historical fiction novel that takes place during the Dark Ages, a time period that has not been over saturated by other writers. Anthony tells the story of three very different women and their search for a miracle. The nun, the princess and the pilgrim, all looking to the relic of St. Catherine to save them. Historical fiction readers will quickly fall in love with the vivid, descriptive writing of Anthony who has obviously researched her story well and created a novel that readers will be talking about for a long time.
What I liked:
One of the things that I really liked about this novel, was the point of view. Each of the three women in the story, Juliana the nun, Giselle the princess, and Anna the pilgrim all take turns throughout telling the story. It was still very well told and easy to understand. Each character got a certain amount of chapters to tell part of their story before the point of view switched. It definitely kept me interesting in seeing what happened next to each character. I liked the way Anthony allowed each one to tell their story in their own way, but still kept each on intertwined with the next.
Iris Anthony chose a time period in the Dark Ages, that not too many writers write about, even in the historical fiction genre. The 900's were not exactly a hot bed for historical writing and I thought that required Anthony to be a lot more creative with her storytelling. She didn't have a lot of historical background to go and the way she filled in the blanks was simply amazing. The plight of women during the Dark Ages was drastic, especially if you had a deformity like Anna. Anthony was able to bring the stark realities of the time into clear focus in this book. She also did a great job of showing how the politics and the church were interrelated and relied on each other.
Each of the three women this novel focuses on was so different and unique in her own way. Juliana is charged with taking care of St. Catherine's relic, but in truth she is seeking her own miracle. She is praying for forgiveness for what she believes is her greatest sin. Giselle is a princess. Many would think there would be no reason for her to be looking to St. Catherine for a answers or a miracle, but she is being forced to marry a man she doesn't love. Anna, is young woman who has been sequestered away from the world due to a deformity that some would characterize as a punishment from God. Now she is on her own and need's St. Catherine to heal her if she is to survive. Such great characters, all with remarkable depth and easy to relate to. Anthony does a spectacular job with them and brings them to life in such an understanding way.
What I didn't like:
The time period is the Dark Ages. But had not the author come right out and said that, I might have had my doubts as to when the story took place. She goes into great detail about her characters and their plights, but not so much about the political climate and signs of the times. It was not a big deal breaker, but it did bug me a little bit.
Bottom Line:
This story is worth the read for the characters alone. Anthony does a spectacular job with characterization and her research into St. Catherine and her relic was well done and brought into the story. An historical fiction reader would love this title.
What I liked:
One of the things that I really liked about this novel, was the point of view. Each of the three women in the story, Juliana the nun, Giselle the princess, and Anna the pilgrim all take turns throughout telling the story. It was still very well told and easy to understand. Each character got a certain amount of chapters to tell part of their story before the point of view switched. It definitely kept me interesting in seeing what happened next to each character. I liked the way Anthony allowed each one to tell their story in their own way, but still kept each on intertwined with the next.
Iris Anthony chose a time period in the Dark Ages, that not too many writers write about, even in the historical fiction genre. The 900's were not exactly a hot bed for historical writing and I thought that required Anthony to be a lot more creative with her storytelling. She didn't have a lot of historical background to go and the way she filled in the blanks was simply amazing. The plight of women during the Dark Ages was drastic, especially if you had a deformity like Anna. Anthony was able to bring the stark realities of the time into clear focus in this book. She also did a great job of showing how the politics and the church were interrelated and relied on each other.
Each of the three women this novel focuses on was so different and unique in her own way. Juliana is charged with taking care of St. Catherine's relic, but in truth she is seeking her own miracle. She is praying for forgiveness for what she believes is her greatest sin. Giselle is a princess. Many would think there would be no reason for her to be looking to St. Catherine for a answers or a miracle, but she is being forced to marry a man she doesn't love. Anna, is young woman who has been sequestered away from the world due to a deformity that some would characterize as a punishment from God. Now she is on her own and need's St. Catherine to heal her if she is to survive. Such great characters, all with remarkable depth and easy to relate to. Anthony does a spectacular job with them and brings them to life in such an understanding way.
What I didn't like:
The time period is the Dark Ages. But had not the author come right out and said that, I might have had my doubts as to when the story took place. She goes into great detail about her characters and their plights, but not so much about the political climate and signs of the times. It was not a big deal breaker, but it did bug me a little bit.
Bottom Line:
This story is worth the read for the characters alone. Anthony does a spectacular job with characterization and her research into St. Catherine and her relic was well done and brought into the story. An historical fiction reader would love this title.
April 19, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
The Miracle Thief by Iris Anthony, © 2014
The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.
--John 10:10 The Voice Bible, Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc.
911 The Darkest Hour of the Dark Ages
What would you give up for a kingdom? Princess Gisele gives up true love ... as her mother before her. Destined to sacrifice, but for what expense? History portrays much of the striving of today ~ nothing new under the sun. Greed, deference, power, conquering; believing they are following the right cause and leadership.
My favorite characters in The Miracle Thief are Anna and Godric. Anna is on a pilgrimage to the abbey for healing. Godric is a knight assigned to Princess Gisele for her safety. Both are completely surrounded by treachery and surrendered to their mission. Anna's deformity expels others from her. Being left behind, she must determine for herself which direction to go. Both are thwarted by wild animals in the woods, diverting their course. Godric is so valiant and a true hero as he guards Gisele, even as she feels he is hindering her disciplines. To arrive at their destinations, both must conquer fear and have their goals supremely in the forefront to accomplish them. Bravery precedes them; faith propels them.
All of those compelled out of necessity, believe in what they are striving for ~ accurate or not, they go forward toward their demise or their triumph. Iris Anthony has portrayed this time in history, with men striving for leadership and conquering kingdoms. Valid or not, they believed in their purposes. Was that enough to bring them out successfully on the other side of want? Or, were they determined by the direction they took? Set into motion, our Conquering King still reigned over all. The powerless became powerful. The quest of the mighty became an unraveled journey in the end. A divide between those in power and those in peril; their roles became reversed. I found it interesting that caves were shelters that aided more than once in the story. A resting place for recovery and safety.
The story is told by the view of each protagonist, interweaving unknowingly into each other. It fills in the quandary of where each one fits, for they do interlope, intruding into the region of the other. I liked how the author gave the back-story as each expressed their past in the history being relayed and carried forward.
***I received a copy of The Miracle Thief from the author for review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
The Miracle Thief by Iris Anthony, © 2014
The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.
--John 10:10 The Voice Bible, Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc.
911 The Darkest Hour of the Dark Ages
What would you give up for a kingdom? Princess Gisele gives up true love ... as her mother before her. Destined to sacrifice, but for what expense? History portrays much of the striving of today ~ nothing new under the sun. Greed, deference, power, conquering; believing they are following the right cause and leadership.
My favorite characters in The Miracle Thief are Anna and Godric. Anna is on a pilgrimage to the abbey for healing. Godric is a knight assigned to Princess Gisele for her safety. Both are completely surrounded by treachery and surrendered to their mission. Anna's deformity expels others from her. Being left behind, she must determine for herself which direction to go. Both are thwarted by wild animals in the woods, diverting their course. Godric is so valiant and a true hero as he guards Gisele, even as she feels he is hindering her disciplines. To arrive at their destinations, both must conquer fear and have their goals supremely in the forefront to accomplish them. Bravery precedes them; faith propels them.
All of those compelled out of necessity, believe in what they are striving for ~ accurate or not, they go forward toward their demise or their triumph. Iris Anthony has portrayed this time in history, with men striving for leadership and conquering kingdoms. Valid or not, they believed in their purposes. Was that enough to bring them out successfully on the other side of want? Or, were they determined by the direction they took? Set into motion, our Conquering King still reigned over all. The powerless became powerful. The quest of the mighty became an unraveled journey in the end. A divide between those in power and those in peril; their roles became reversed. I found it interesting that caves were shelters that aided more than once in the story. A resting place for recovery and safety.
The story is told by the view of each protagonist, interweaving unknowingly into each other. It fills in the quandary of where each one fits, for they do interlope, intruding into the region of the other. I liked how the author gave the back-story as each expressed their past in the history being relayed and carried forward.
***I received a copy of The Miracle Thief from the author for review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
April 12, 2014
The original review is posted on Chick Library Cat Book Blog:
http://chicklibrarycat.blogspot.com/2...
Do you believe in miracles?
Well, I do. So these three women who are main characters of this story set up in the dark ages. Sister Juliana is a nun in the monastery of St. Catherine. She sees miracles every day. People come to pray for salvation, for health, for love. Miracles happen for those who believe. Juliana runs away from her past, runs away from her memories, from something that suppose to be her destiny. Can she escape?
Anna is born with a deformity. Her family hides her entire life. People can be cruel, other children call her a monster, a devil. Anna's father never admits that he has a daughter. Her mother hides her behind of the walls of their yard, never prepares her for a real life. After her mother's death, Anna is on her own. The house has to be sold due to debts, she has to leave. But where? She has never been outside the walls. The priest tells her to visit St. Catherine and pray for a miracle. Her arm might be cured. Saint Catherine is her only hope for a normal life.
Gisele is a princess. Being a woman and a princess means marring because of duty. Her hand is promised to the pagan king who already has a wife. Her mother left her when she was a baby because she was just a servant, the king would never marry her. Living a lonely life, Gisele prays for a miracle, prays for answers, prays for the right to choose her own destiny.
This is a beautifully written story for three women. It wasn't easy to be a woman in dark ages. Women were disrespected and they couldn't choose their own destiny. Many of them were considered as property. People with physical deformities were not protected. In those days, the only hope was the church, the praying for miracles. In this vividly narrated story that transports you into the mid-century, you can feel the people's fear of the unknown, believing in magic, see the life in the monasteries and also the king's castles. You can live the life of a nun , and also the life of a princess. You can enter the world of pagans and early Christianity. All you have to do is believe in miracles.
http://chicklibrarycat.blogspot.com/2...
Do you believe in miracles?
Well, I do. So these three women who are main characters of this story set up in the dark ages. Sister Juliana is a nun in the monastery of St. Catherine. She sees miracles every day. People come to pray for salvation, for health, for love. Miracles happen for those who believe. Juliana runs away from her past, runs away from her memories, from something that suppose to be her destiny. Can she escape?
Anna is born with a deformity. Her family hides her entire life. People can be cruel, other children call her a monster, a devil. Anna's father never admits that he has a daughter. Her mother hides her behind of the walls of their yard, never prepares her for a real life. After her mother's death, Anna is on her own. The house has to be sold due to debts, she has to leave. But where? She has never been outside the walls. The priest tells her to visit St. Catherine and pray for a miracle. Her arm might be cured. Saint Catherine is her only hope for a normal life.
Gisele is a princess. Being a woman and a princess means marring because of duty. Her hand is promised to the pagan king who already has a wife. Her mother left her when she was a baby because she was just a servant, the king would never marry her. Living a lonely life, Gisele prays for a miracle, prays for answers, prays for the right to choose her own destiny.
This is a beautifully written story for three women. It wasn't easy to be a woman in dark ages. Women were disrespected and they couldn't choose their own destiny. Many of them were considered as property. People with physical deformities were not protected. In those days, the only hope was the church, the praying for miracles. In this vividly narrated story that transports you into the mid-century, you can feel the people's fear of the unknown, believing in magic, see the life in the monasteries and also the king's castles. You can live the life of a nun , and also the life of a princess. You can enter the world of pagans and early Christianity. All you have to do is believe in miracles.
April 15, 2014
The Miracle Thief revolves around three women, well four if you count St. Catherine - but she is dead and the only part of her that is really present is the bone of one of her fingers. The holy relic that all of the pilgrims who come to the Abbey pray before for a miracle. The first woman the reader meets is the nun who cares for St. Catherine's altar; her name is Sister Juliana and she prays daily for forgiveness of her sins and so she can forget her past life. The second woman is young Princess Giselle who brings Julianna's past screaming into the present when she comes to the abbey with her father the king. The third woman is a dirt poor orphan forced into a pilgrimage when her mother dies in the hopes of a miracle. She is physically deformed and all who meet her think she has been cursed by God for some sin she has committed. But Anna knows not what she might have done wrong; she was born this way. What could she have done in her mother's womb to anger God?
All three women are strongly drawn characters and I liked them all. I must admit that I had no clue as to what time period I was in until I read the author's note at the end of the book. I don't know if I just missed something at the beginning or what but there were minimal clues as to when this book took place. The woman all seemed a touch modern for what turned out to be an 11th century world. That being written I did enjoy their stories and how they came together, circled and entwined. The tales are told in alternating chapters narrated by the women as they slowly release the details of their lives.
The story moved along quickly and in fact, I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed the characters, the pacing and the outcome. It's not a book to read with your feet planted firmly to the Earth. It's a book to be read with one eye towards seeking that miracle because no thief can really steal it if you maintain your faith.
All three women are strongly drawn characters and I liked them all. I must admit that I had no clue as to what time period I was in until I read the author's note at the end of the book. I don't know if I just missed something at the beginning or what but there were minimal clues as to when this book took place. The woman all seemed a touch modern for what turned out to be an 11th century world. That being written I did enjoy their stories and how they came together, circled and entwined. The tales are told in alternating chapters narrated by the women as they slowly release the details of their lives.
The story moved along quickly and in fact, I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed the characters, the pacing and the outcome. It's not a book to read with your feet planted firmly to the Earth. It's a book to be read with one eye towards seeking that miracle because no thief can really steal it if you maintain your faith.
July 29, 2016
The Miracle Thief is set in France of the early 900s, a period of political turmoil, Viking invasion, and a decidedly Dark Age for women’s rights. Charles the Simple sits on a precarious throne, attacked directly by Danish forces under Rollo, and indirectly by his cousin, the Count of Paris. Charles the ‘Straightforward’, however, is not the focus of the novel. Instead, the story moves between the points of view of Juliana, the concubine of Charles’s youth, Giselle, the daughter resulting from that relationship, and Anna, an orphan cursed from birth by a deformed hand. Each woman needs a miracle, and the saint they petition is Catherine, whose finger-bone relic resides at the Abbey of Rochemont.
Gisele, the princess offered in marriage to Rollo as part of the famous bargain for peace that resulted in the Danish possession of Normandy, may or may not have existed historically. Iris Anthony cleverly creates a plausible historical context for a legend. In the process, she most convincingly – and starkly – evokes the powerless position of women and the disabled in tenth-century France.
Less convincing were the two rather hastily developed and concluded romances at the novel’s end. So too, occasional anachronisms cropped up: the Danes ride glorious “Frisian” horses with wavy manes, Gisele hears noises “out of synch”, and the Vikings are stereotypes – all tall, blonde, bearded, wearing furs and bearing axes. In an author’s note, Anthony herself admits that the knight Andulf’s character is chronologically inaccurate. Further, characterisation was occasionally uneven and dialogue confusing.
Nevertheless, The Miracle Thief treats of a fascinating topic within a little-mined historical setting. The near magical power of saints and their relics seems to transport us to a different reality, one in which the miraculous climax of the novel is not at all out of place.
Gisele, the princess offered in marriage to Rollo as part of the famous bargain for peace that resulted in the Danish possession of Normandy, may or may not have existed historically. Iris Anthony cleverly creates a plausible historical context for a legend. In the process, she most convincingly – and starkly – evokes the powerless position of women and the disabled in tenth-century France.
Less convincing were the two rather hastily developed and concluded romances at the novel’s end. So too, occasional anachronisms cropped up: the Danes ride glorious “Frisian” horses with wavy manes, Gisele hears noises “out of synch”, and the Vikings are stereotypes – all tall, blonde, bearded, wearing furs and bearing axes. In an author’s note, Anthony herself admits that the knight Andulf’s character is chronologically inaccurate. Further, characterisation was occasionally uneven and dialogue confusing.
Nevertheless, The Miracle Thief treats of a fascinating topic within a little-mined historical setting. The near magical power of saints and their relics seems to transport us to a different reality, one in which the miraculous climax of the novel is not at all out of place.
April 12, 2014
A well-written historical novel.
This novel is set in the Dark Ages. There are 3 women each of which is looking to Saint Catherine for a miracle. For those who come in faith, saints offer the answer to almost any prayer. But other forces are plotting to steal Sain Catherine’s relic, to bend the saint’s power to their own use. Penitent, pilgrim, and princess – all will be drawn into an epic struggle where only faith can survive. But in a quest for divine blessings, only the most ruthless of souls may win the prize.
The Dark Ages is a time period that I’m unfamiliar with. It was interesting to me to read a novel set in this period. I did have to take more time in my reading to try and understand the differences in culture because of my unfamiliarity.
Each of the main characters is very well developed and presented. This doesn’t just include the three women but at least one additional character in each of the storylines. Each storyline is told from the point-of-view (POV) of one of the three women. It was not very difficult to follow the changes in POV because each one lasted for at least a couple of chapters before switching. During the time in each POV there was good advancement in that particular character’s story.
Iris Anthony did a marvelous job of wrapping up all three of the stories by the end of the novel. I appreciated the fact that at the end of the novel she wrote a section explaining some of the historical background of the Dark Ages.
I have decided to only give this book 4 stars because of the personal struggle I had with the time period. The decrease in the star rating is definitely NOT due to any failure by the author.
I received a free eBook of this novel through NetGalley for the purpose of writing an honest review.
This novel is set in the Dark Ages. There are 3 women each of which is looking to Saint Catherine for a miracle. For those who come in faith, saints offer the answer to almost any prayer. But other forces are plotting to steal Sain Catherine’s relic, to bend the saint’s power to their own use. Penitent, pilgrim, and princess – all will be drawn into an epic struggle where only faith can survive. But in a quest for divine blessings, only the most ruthless of souls may win the prize.
The Dark Ages is a time period that I’m unfamiliar with. It was interesting to me to read a novel set in this period. I did have to take more time in my reading to try and understand the differences in culture because of my unfamiliarity.
Each of the main characters is very well developed and presented. This doesn’t just include the three women but at least one additional character in each of the storylines. Each storyline is told from the point-of-view (POV) of one of the three women. It was not very difficult to follow the changes in POV because each one lasted for at least a couple of chapters before switching. During the time in each POV there was good advancement in that particular character’s story.
Iris Anthony did a marvelous job of wrapping up all three of the stories by the end of the novel. I appreciated the fact that at the end of the novel she wrote a section explaining some of the historical background of the Dark Ages.
I have decided to only give this book 4 stars because of the personal struggle I had with the time period. The decrease in the star rating is definitely NOT due to any failure by the author.
I received a free eBook of this novel through NetGalley for the purpose of writing an honest review.
January 28, 2015
Juliana is a nun at the Rochemont Abbey dedicated to St. Catherine and she is sitting bedside with the dying abbess. One of the Abbess’s last requests is that Juliana volunteer as the new Abbess. But Juliana has some reservations, for starters the only reason she became a nun is because her lover’s mother convinced her that he and Juliana’s illegitimate daughter were better off without her. So Juliana took the bribe and exiled herself to the Abbey hoping to atone for her infidelity.
Anna’s mother has just died leaving her an orphan. The last will and testament, Anna must become a pilgrim and seek out St. Catherine’s relic high in the mountains. Anna has been punished by God with a deformity and has been under house arrest her entire life as a result. People fear her and her condition. Now she must discover the world for the first time and set out on her own for the abbey looking for a miracle.
Gisele is the daughter of the king. One would think that makes her invincible, unfortunately it just makes her prime marriage material. But nobody is good enough for daddy’s baby girl. Until the king is tricked into marrying his favored daughter to a pagan for the sake of peace and Gisele is left to seek religious council in hopes of escaping a barbaric marriage.
The seeds of the Lord sprout throughout this historically enlightening medieval tale depicting the lives of a nun, a pilgrim and a princess and the trouble they encounter in their separate quests to seek Him. It is well worth the read.
Anna’s mother has just died leaving her an orphan. The last will and testament, Anna must become a pilgrim and seek out St. Catherine’s relic high in the mountains. Anna has been punished by God with a deformity and has been under house arrest her entire life as a result. People fear her and her condition. Now she must discover the world for the first time and set out on her own for the abbey looking for a miracle.
Gisele is the daughter of the king. One would think that makes her invincible, unfortunately it just makes her prime marriage material. But nobody is good enough for daddy’s baby girl. Until the king is tricked into marrying his favored daughter to a pagan for the sake of peace and Gisele is left to seek religious council in hopes of escaping a barbaric marriage.
The seeds of the Lord sprout throughout this historically enlightening medieval tale depicting the lives of a nun, a pilgrim and a princess and the trouble they encounter in their separate quests to seek Him. It is well worth the read.
May 7, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed this book by one of my favorite authors--except it's her alter ego :)
Reviewed on
my blog.
"Possession makes prisoners of us all; the benefit is in the coming, and the blessing comes through faith."
These words were spoken by one of the characters in this medieval tale, a relic hunter on a pilgrimage to the altar of Saint Catherine. It seems to encapsulate the message of this novel: It's faith that matters. Not works, not pilgrimages, not our station in life, not who our family is or is not.
This story of three different women on a similar and entwined journey of faith is well-written, enjoyable, and engrossing. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in this period of history.
Just a note about religion: This book is not overtly Christian in the sense of some Christian fiction, where the gospel is laid out as a witnessing tract. In fact, this is a general market release. That said, the subject matter is highly religious, as life was in Europe in this time, where belief in God was expected, any other beliefs were considered pagan, and relics were treasured. I think the thread of faith woven into the story is beautiful in its subtlety.
Reviewed on
my blog.
"Possession makes prisoners of us all; the benefit is in the coming, and the blessing comes through faith."
These words were spoken by one of the characters in this medieval tale, a relic hunter on a pilgrimage to the altar of Saint Catherine. It seems to encapsulate the message of this novel: It's faith that matters. Not works, not pilgrimages, not our station in life, not who our family is or is not.
This story of three different women on a similar and entwined journey of faith is well-written, enjoyable, and engrossing. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in this period of history.
Just a note about religion: This book is not overtly Christian in the sense of some Christian fiction, where the gospel is laid out as a witnessing tract. In fact, this is a general market release. That said, the subject matter is highly religious, as life was in Europe in this time, where belief in God was expected, any other beliefs were considered pagan, and relics were treasured. I think the thread of faith woven into the story is beautiful in its subtlety.
March 16, 2014
This is a book with 3 POVS, and 3 very different women. Juliana, A nun atoning for past sins. Anna, who has a deformity that makes people shun her and who looks to the saint for healing. And Gisele, a princess who is to marry a viking invader, whether she wants it or not.
I know Anna had a really crap time, as people thought the reason she was wrong was cos of some sin. And I felt for her. And yes poor Gisele, but she was a princess after all and princesses marry to build alliances. I felt most sorry for Juliana, because she had been passionate, happy in love and given all that up to become a nun. And in a time when sex before marriage was such a sin, she was troubled even years afterwards.
Some of the time jumps made me a bit confused, but I got over it.
So we have Juliana in a convent dealing with a new abbess. Gisele wondering if God really wants her to marry a heathen. And with her POV we get the politic of the era too. And lastly Anna, who bring a POV of the poor and forgotten as she struggle to get to the convent.
Even if I had already googled Gisele, I was glad for the author's afterwords about who was real or not. Nice touch.
An interesting tale about 3 women caught in different conflicts.
I know Anna had a really crap time, as people thought the reason she was wrong was cos of some sin. And I felt for her. And yes poor Gisele, but she was a princess after all and princesses marry to build alliances. I felt most sorry for Juliana, because she had been passionate, happy in love and given all that up to become a nun. And in a time when sex before marriage was such a sin, she was troubled even years afterwards.
Some of the time jumps made me a bit confused, but I got over it.
So we have Juliana in a convent dealing with a new abbess. Gisele wondering if God really wants her to marry a heathen. And with her POV we get the politic of the era too. And lastly Anna, who bring a POV of the poor and forgotten as she struggle to get to the convent.
Even if I had already googled Gisele, I was glad for the author's afterwords about who was real or not. Nice touch.
An interesting tale about 3 women caught in different conflicts.
April 26, 2014
Penitent, pilgrim, princess—all will be drawn into this epic struggle where only faith can survive. (From the back cover.)
I loved this story of three very different women! Set in the early 900s (Dark, Dark Ages, folks!) this intriguing tale follows each woman on a faith journey with a holy relic as a common bond. Faith plays a vital part in all of their lives, whether strong or weak. "Faith seems to be a thing in which I am decidedly lacking of late," says one of the heroines from this story. And her hero replies: "Faith, my lady, only means knowing when you have come to the end of your own efforts. And faith needs only the barest permission to begin its work." That's just one of the many compelling quotes on the subject of faith, which will spur anyone to pondering or thoughtful discussion.
While not a romance, it's nonetheless a romantic story. I caution only the staunchest romance readers because one detail may slightly disappoint. But in my mind the ending was more than satisfying. Brilliantly written and structured, meticulously researched, I highly recommend this book for any lover of historical fiction.
I loved this story of three very different women! Set in the early 900s (Dark, Dark Ages, folks!) this intriguing tale follows each woman on a faith journey with a holy relic as a common bond. Faith plays a vital part in all of their lives, whether strong or weak. "Faith seems to be a thing in which I am decidedly lacking of late," says one of the heroines from this story. And her hero replies: "Faith, my lady, only means knowing when you have come to the end of your own efforts. And faith needs only the barest permission to begin its work." That's just one of the many compelling quotes on the subject of faith, which will spur anyone to pondering or thoughtful discussion.
While not a romance, it's nonetheless a romantic story. I caution only the staunchest romance readers because one detail may slightly disappoint. But in my mind the ending was more than satisfying. Brilliantly written and structured, meticulously researched, I highly recommend this book for any lover of historical fiction.
August 28, 2015
I don't usually read romance and, if I did, it's usually because it was highly recommended by a friend. So when I was browsing through unread books in my list, I was thinking maybe I had gotten this particular book by mistake. It's a story about three women, each with their own needs, whose lives have one common denominator - each of them had their own motives to seek out St. Catherine's intercession. It's set in the 900s when women had no say in their destinies. If they did manage to have some power, they'd have to fight for it. It was a time of lords and knights, of kings fighting for the throne, of allegiances forged by marriage. I thought it was going to be a romance book and I was already prepared to put it down after a few chapters if I didn't think much of it...which I didn't because it's not what I thought it was.
It's a historical novel without the sappy romance. The story held my attention despite my presupposition. It's well-written even though I caught a couple of typos. What I wasn't expecting was the wisdom I gleaned from the book and the thoughtful way it dealt with faith. I would recommend this to friends.
It's a historical novel without the sappy romance. The story held my attention despite my presupposition. It's well-written even though I caught a couple of typos. What I wasn't expecting was the wisdom I gleaned from the book and the thoughtful way it dealt with faith. I would recommend this to friends.
May 18, 2015
The Miracle Thief is an elegant read that interweaves the tales of a penitent, a pilgrim and a princess into a beautiful story of hope and faith. Set in 10th-century France, The Miracle Thief takes the reader on a sober journey of revelation with three separate narrators as the voices of an era plunged into the darkest of times. In the heart of the story is the search for an individual miracle from Saint Catherine of Alexandria and as the story continues the reader may realize that there is so much more hidden in the pages than just this simple observation. History and Religion intertwine to create some fascinating details, conditions and depending on the reader you may be awed by the execution of such a daring novel and just enjoy the experience. So have a little faith and take a journey with The Miracle Thief.
May 1, 2014
Absolutely incredible!! My usual choice of reading matter is sci-fi & fantasy, and I really did not think that a historical novel would grab my attention in any great way.
However, shortly after opening the book around 06h30 GMT this morning, I was immersed in the story and found myself unable to leave off reading until I closed the book 14 hours later. I haven't done this since I discovered the Dresden Files series in 2008; I was reading until 3am every morning, three weeks before end-of-year BCom exams!!
However, shortly after opening the book around 06h30 GMT this morning, I was immersed in the story and found myself unable to leave off reading until I closed the book 14 hours later. I haven't done this since I discovered the Dresden Files series in 2008; I was reading until 3am every morning, three weeks before end-of-year BCom exams!!
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