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The Burning Times
A sweeping historical epic and powerful romantic drama set in medieval a time of the Great Plague, of witchcraft, and the Inquisition.During the height of superstition, in the midst of the Great Plague, religious fervour and terror of witchcraft sweep fourteenth-century France.Locked in a torture chamber within the walled city of Carcassonne the Abbess Marie Françoise listens helplessly to the screams of her sisters while she awaits the arrival of the Inquisition to take her confession. As relapsa, the worst of heretics, a fiery death awaits her at the stake.The Grand Inquisitor's scribe, Brother Michel, arrives with his mentor, Father Charles, confident that her soul can be saved. But upon meeting the Abbess, Michel is assailed by a sudden, horrifying wave of desire for a desire that is both physical, and attended by memories of another man's life; and for surely this is the woman he saw with his own eyes perform a miracle outside the Palace of the Popes in holy Avignon?As the Abbess slowly divulges her past, Michel's safe and ordered world is ripped apart. Her tale will shake the very foundation of his belief, while his heart will be trapped between the cleansing fires of Christian purity and the seductive flames of his desire.
385 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2001
24 people are currently reading
1758 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Kalogridis
21 books809 followersJeanne was born in Florida , and has been interested in books ever since. Her interest in language led her to earn an M.A. in Linguistics. She taught English as a Second Language for eight years at The American University of Washington, D.C., before retiring to write full time.
She now lives in California with an overly adored Labrador retriever. Her outside interests include yoga and reading everything ever published.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jeanne...
She now lives in California with an overly adored Labrador retriever. Her outside interests include yoga and reading everything ever published.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jeanne...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
January 12, 2015
This was a decent book, although I had issues with it. I think the depiction of peasant life in the Medieval period is relatively well done, although I think it is hard for 21st century people to have any clue how difficult, dirty, dangerous, and restricted life was in that age. I wish that I had already read The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer, as I’m sure that Medieval France was very, very similar (and wouldn’t you just know that neither of my libraries have this book, so I may end up buying it).
My biggest issue with The Burning Times involves the depiction of witchcraft in the novel. I have read Margot Adler’s Drawing Down the Moon, and a number of other New Age/Wiccan books, nature religions being a minor fascination of mine. TBT depicts Medieval witches as doing the same things as the modern Witchcraft revival practitioners do (casting circles, raising a “cone of power,” etc.), all of which are highly unlikely in my opinion. I think when Witchcraft/Wicca was getting going in the 1960s and 1970s, everyone who went public as a Witch thought they had to have an ancient grandmother who initiated them into the religion. Nobody wanted to admit that they were making up a religion that they desired but couldn’t find and so “ancient” grimoires were published and circulated and Witches chose to ignore or deny the recent origins of their religion. I think Adler put it best, that Wicca and Neo-Paganism are religions that you find, they don’t find you. So TBT not only depicts modern witchcraft rituals, it perpetuates the mistaken idea that these rituals were passed down in an unbroken chain from time immemorial. I don’t think there’s any shame in manufacturing your own religion if that’s what gives your life meaning and I see no reason to try to avoid admitting that you have done so, but I do wish we could quit trying to impose the present on the past.
From what I have read, most of the women who were burned as witches did practice folk medicine or midwifery or they were old and alone and/or mentally ill/deficient and unable to act in self-protective fashion. There is absolutely no doubt that the Inquisition did torture people in hideous ways and “convinced” them to confess to damn near anything just to get the agony to stop. The power exerted by the Catholic Church to retain their power seems like using a sledgehammer to swat flies—until you realize that poor women were tortured to “reveal” who was in their covens, and they would often name high-born folks in order to defend their own family and friends. The Church could then put nobles on trial and could perhaps cash in on their wealth and property.
I should have guessed from the title, actually, that this would be the path of this book—read anything by Leo Martello about Witchcraft and you will hear plenty about The Burning Times (for example his Witchcraft : The Old Religion).
On a more petty level, I also rapidly tired of Sybille and Luc refer to each other as “My Beloved.” For heaven’s sake, just use the person’s name! (I actually had to pause for a little bit there to remember their names, as they used “My Beloved” so much).
I wrestled with whether to give this book 2 or 3 stars. I was annoyed enough with the issues above that I seriously considered 2 stars (okay). But the writing was better than some books that I have awarded 3 stars to in the past. I figure it is really about 2.5 stars for me and decided to round upwards in a fit of happiness to have it done and be able to move on to other books!
My biggest issue with The Burning Times involves the depiction of witchcraft in the novel. I have read Margot Adler’s Drawing Down the Moon, and a number of other New Age/Wiccan books, nature religions being a minor fascination of mine. TBT depicts Medieval witches as doing the same things as the modern Witchcraft revival practitioners do (casting circles, raising a “cone of power,” etc.), all of which are highly unlikely in my opinion. I think when Witchcraft/Wicca was getting going in the 1960s and 1970s, everyone who went public as a Witch thought they had to have an ancient grandmother who initiated them into the religion. Nobody wanted to admit that they were making up a religion that they desired but couldn’t find and so “ancient” grimoires were published and circulated and Witches chose to ignore or deny the recent origins of their religion. I think Adler put it best, that Wicca and Neo-Paganism are religions that you find, they don’t find you. So TBT not only depicts modern witchcraft rituals, it perpetuates the mistaken idea that these rituals were passed down in an unbroken chain from time immemorial. I don’t think there’s any shame in manufacturing your own religion if that’s what gives your life meaning and I see no reason to try to avoid admitting that you have done so, but I do wish we could quit trying to impose the present on the past.
From what I have read, most of the women who were burned as witches did practice folk medicine or midwifery or they were old and alone and/or mentally ill/deficient and unable to act in self-protective fashion. There is absolutely no doubt that the Inquisition did torture people in hideous ways and “convinced” them to confess to damn near anything just to get the agony to stop. The power exerted by the Catholic Church to retain their power seems like using a sledgehammer to swat flies—until you realize that poor women were tortured to “reveal” who was in their covens, and they would often name high-born folks in order to defend their own family and friends. The Church could then put nobles on trial and could perhaps cash in on their wealth and property.
I should have guessed from the title, actually, that this would be the path of this book—read anything by Leo Martello about Witchcraft and you will hear plenty about The Burning Times (for example his Witchcraft : The Old Religion).
On a more petty level, I also rapidly tired of Sybille and Luc refer to each other as “My Beloved.” For heaven’s sake, just use the person’s name! (I actually had to pause for a little bit there to remember their names, as they used “My Beloved” so much).
I wrestled with whether to give this book 2 or 3 stars. I was annoyed enough with the issues above that I seriously considered 2 stars (okay). But the writing was better than some books that I have awarded 3 stars to in the past. I figure it is really about 2.5 stars for me and decided to round upwards in a fit of happiness to have it done and be able to move on to other books!
August 8, 2011
This haas to be one of the most stunning books I have ever read-indeed, I wouldn't be surprised if it were my favourite read of this year.Set in the years of the Inquisition, the plague, and the persecution of the Cathars,it offers a real rollercoaster ride. The main protagonists are riveting in their accessibilty, and Sybille's story is overpowering in it's beauty. Simultaneously she appears saintlike, yet so representative of "normal" mankind, that she could be a friend or neighbour to you. The male characters are nowhere near as vivd, but have their own unique role to play in the unfolding of the plot.Mainly they protect and rescue the leaders of the Race, and face the warlike Edward, bringing an element of real history to the narrative. This is a clever move and the juxtaposition works extremely well-how we long for all the evil subjects to be deefeated!
Immensely upsetting, in the depths to which mankind can plummet in terms of cruelty to his fellow humankind, it nonetheless reasserts ones' confidence in the ultimate beauty of life.I found the opening chapters so upsetting that I was profoundly moved and disturbed-to the extent that I was unable to read it at night-it precipitated nightmares of extreme degree. The characters were so real for me that I felt I wept and suffered with them.
The plot twists and turns as Sybille strives to find her "beloved" through the centuries-only when they are reunited and have faced their worst fears and demons, do they stand the chance of defeating the powers of evil which rampage the land and seek to destroy the Race which they represent and lead. The conclusion is very open ended-it had to be! But I do hope that this tale may be continued at some stage in the future-it is simply too wonderful to end, even on a reassuring note!
Immensely upsetting, in the depths to which mankind can plummet in terms of cruelty to his fellow humankind, it nonetheless reasserts ones' confidence in the ultimate beauty of life.I found the opening chapters so upsetting that I was profoundly moved and disturbed-to the extent that I was unable to read it at night-it precipitated nightmares of extreme degree. The characters were so real for me that I felt I wept and suffered with them.
The plot twists and turns as Sybille strives to find her "beloved" through the centuries-only when they are reunited and have faced their worst fears and demons, do they stand the chance of defeating the powers of evil which rampage the land and seek to destroy the Race which they represent and lead. The conclusion is very open ended-it had to be! But I do hope that this tale may be continued at some stage in the future-it is simply too wonderful to end, even on a reassuring note!
November 17, 2017
This was a mediocre book. I found myself rushing through the end, not out of any sort of involvement with the plot or characters, but just to get it over with. First of all, The Burning Times bills itself as a historical novel set in France during the 1350s. However, it's really more of a fantasy novel with a historic setting. The main character, Sybille, is a member of a pagan goddess cult, blessed with supernatural powers, and destined to become even more powerful as the living embodiment of the Goddess. As such, she comes into perilous conflict with the Inquisition. Unfortunately, the potential of such a subject is utterly wasted. The conflict and the characters are too simplistic: the pagans are good and wonderful, the Catholic Church as represented by its Inquisitors is malicious and evil. There are also some fairly ridiculous coincidences and plot twists.
If you're looking for a book about the conflict between Christianity and paganism in a medieval setting, read The Mists of Avalon. If you're looking for a fantasy novel with a historical setting and basis, read something by Judith Tarr. If you want a straight historical novel set in the middle ages, there are plenty of better options: Sharon Kay Penman, Cecilia Holland, Zoe Oldenbourg, and others. Just don't read this book.
If you're looking for a book about the conflict between Christianity and paganism in a medieval setting, read The Mists of Avalon. If you're looking for a fantasy novel with a historical setting and basis, read something by Judith Tarr. If you want a straight historical novel set in the middle ages, there are plenty of better options: Sharon Kay Penman, Cecilia Holland, Zoe Oldenbourg, and others. Just don't read this book.
August 13, 2012
This turned out to be one of those rare books that I couldn't manage to make myself finish. Within the first fifty pages, it already had displayed a number of elements that irritate me in historical fiction - anachronistic insertions of Wicca? Check. Torture scenes during which the narrator remarks on the beauty of the victim's breasts? Check. A main character whose courage and selflessness is shown in her lack of reaction to the aforementioned torture? Check.
Also, I think the "smell of fear" cliche needs to be laid to rest immediately. It felt like Kalogridis attempted to prove the gritty realism of her Medieval setting simply by repeatedly referencing bad smells.
"Pagans in the Middle Ages" is a fine premise for a novel, but why are these pagans always generic Marion Zimmer Bradley-"all goddess are One Goddess" pagans? Where's the novel about an organization who's secretly preserved the Eleusian Mysteries for several centuries? That would at least be interesting.
Also, I think the "smell of fear" cliche needs to be laid to rest immediately. It felt like Kalogridis attempted to prove the gritty realism of her Medieval setting simply by repeatedly referencing bad smells.
"Pagans in the Middle Ages" is a fine premise for a novel, but why are these pagans always generic Marion Zimmer Bradley-"all goddess are One Goddess" pagans? Where's the novel about an organization who's secretly preserved the Eleusian Mysteries for several centuries? That would at least be interesting.
February 26, 2012
Have read most of Kalogridis's books and I have to say this wasn't my favorite!!! Was confusing when it went into all the magical visions... but I liked the strong ending!!!
September 23, 2025
Me resultó casi doloroso terminar este libro, creí que iba a ser un libro sobre la quema de mujeres sabias que usaban la naturaleza para sanar y resultó ser una cháchara fantasiosa, nada histórica, llena de amuletos.
March 10, 2019
Tinha algumas expectativas quando peguei neste livro, contudo a trama não me envolveu como, inicialmente, previa! As cenas de (demasiada) violência, sangue e humilhação, perturbam qualquer leitor menos prevenido (como foi o meu caso) e a estrutura da história era algo confusa e dispersa!
https://momentosdemagia.wordpress.com...
https://momentosdemagia.wordpress.com...
October 7, 2022
Thought was a historical fiction. Turns out that was only the first 5-10%. A fantasy pulp fiction purebred. 🤦🏻♂️
March 9, 2024
2.5, if only for the beginning third of the book that hooked me. It did, however, drag on in the middle and towards the end, but the ending was at least satisfying. Interesting and quite detailed depictions of the Middle Ages, including the Black Plague, made for some good reading. Maybe skip the reading snack while you read those parts, though.
March 3, 2011
A few weeks back, I checked this book out of the library for a re-read, having initially read “The Burning Times” nearly a year ago.
I hadn’t expected to get hooked when I first picked up “The Burning Times,” but let’s just say that I didn’t get much accomplished that particular weekend other than reading this novel straight through. I had thought I would be reading a fairly mundane story about the inquisition and medieval witch burnings, and I was happily caught off-guard by Kalogridis’ more trascendent tale. This is no stereotypical tale of the good old days of magickal arts being driven underground by the mad inquisitors, or of religious intolerance gone awry.
“The Burning Times” is a story that can be understood on a number of levels (which is why I wanted to read it again so soon), and the message about the unfortunate consequences of love tainted with fear — even with the best intentions — is a quite relevant and timely one just now. Not surprisingly, the main obstacle that the two main characters must face is the darkness within themselves: an evil that the vast majority of us do not even have the courage to acknowledge, much less to stare it down and accept it as a part of ourselves.
We are none of us perfect beings, and in many cases, this “darker self” is nothing more than the fearful self. The more we lock away and fear our own fear, the more powerful that fear becomes…. Until we become that which we fear most. Indeed, in “The Burning Times,” the most powerful inquisitors are those who are blessed with “The Sight” but who are so fearful of their own gift that they seek out and destroy all others who are similarly blessed, instead of recognizing the gift for what it is and using it as a powerful tool for light and healing.
Obviously this speaks volumes to any kind of active intolerance — such as racial prejudice and homophobia — but I can’t help seeing the parallel between this story and the current “war on terrorism.” To put it bluntly, Americans have become so afraid of being the targets of a violent holy war that we have essentially instigated a violent holy war, full of prejudice, intolerance, arrogance, and of course fear.
More personally, so many of us live within the bonds of fear, not even realizing that we are our own jailers, and that we can release ourselves at any moment we choose. We choose security instead of “living out loud,” and choose the “safer” option when making life’s decisions. But if we were to give up fear, would we be so concerned about safety and security? In my own life, I have found that “playing it safe” is far more costly than embracing the risks. I simply don’t want to get to the end of my life wondering “what if” over all of the safe choices I made.
As an “empathic reader,” I could feel the author’s own struggle with the material and her fear about what others might think — though Kalogridis likely didn’t intend for this to come across, it’s a demon I’ve struggled with in my own writing. The dance of Kalogridis’ devil was quite subtle, and it was encouraging to watch her confidence grow with each successive page of the story.
These “Burning Times” characters wrestle with being true to themselves — and trying to live “authentic lives” — in a world that doesn’t understand them, and that chooses to fear and to hate them as a result. Those looking to this narrative for basic information on Wicca or witchcraft will be disappointed, though there are references to ritual elements and medicinal healing arts. Instead, I found this tale to be a study in the alchemy that we work on our own hearts and minds as we try to make peace simultaneously with our souls and with the world around us.
This is a tug-of-war that I face every day. Not only is it an external struggle between who I am and what the world tells me I’m supposed to be, but there is a very personal, internal battle of my heart and soul against my mind — more specifically, railing against the expectations and restrictions that were drilled into me at such a young age. Once those rules become an ingrained part of who you are and how you interact with the world, it doesn’t matter if they are constructive or not, healthy or not, or even true or not, because they are already part of your core programming. Just as one of the main characters in “Burning Times” is more or less brainwashed — bewitched, more accurately — into forgetting who he truly is and into living a life in darkness, we pull this same number on ourselves each and every day, often not even realizing how we are participating in and even orchestrating our own “dark ages.”
Are we that afraid to know the truth about ourselves? Reading “The Burning Times” gives a clue to some of the wonderful possibilities that may be awaiting us, should we merely find the courage to open our hearts and minds.
I hadn’t expected to get hooked when I first picked up “The Burning Times,” but let’s just say that I didn’t get much accomplished that particular weekend other than reading this novel straight through. I had thought I would be reading a fairly mundane story about the inquisition and medieval witch burnings, and I was happily caught off-guard by Kalogridis’ more trascendent tale. This is no stereotypical tale of the good old days of magickal arts being driven underground by the mad inquisitors, or of religious intolerance gone awry.
“The Burning Times” is a story that can be understood on a number of levels (which is why I wanted to read it again so soon), and the message about the unfortunate consequences of love tainted with fear — even with the best intentions — is a quite relevant and timely one just now. Not surprisingly, the main obstacle that the two main characters must face is the darkness within themselves: an evil that the vast majority of us do not even have the courage to acknowledge, much less to stare it down and accept it as a part of ourselves.
We are none of us perfect beings, and in many cases, this “darker self” is nothing more than the fearful self. The more we lock away and fear our own fear, the more powerful that fear becomes…. Until we become that which we fear most. Indeed, in “The Burning Times,” the most powerful inquisitors are those who are blessed with “The Sight” but who are so fearful of their own gift that they seek out and destroy all others who are similarly blessed, instead of recognizing the gift for what it is and using it as a powerful tool for light and healing.
Obviously this speaks volumes to any kind of active intolerance — such as racial prejudice and homophobia — but I can’t help seeing the parallel between this story and the current “war on terrorism.” To put it bluntly, Americans have become so afraid of being the targets of a violent holy war that we have essentially instigated a violent holy war, full of prejudice, intolerance, arrogance, and of course fear.
More personally, so many of us live within the bonds of fear, not even realizing that we are our own jailers, and that we can release ourselves at any moment we choose. We choose security instead of “living out loud,” and choose the “safer” option when making life’s decisions. But if we were to give up fear, would we be so concerned about safety and security? In my own life, I have found that “playing it safe” is far more costly than embracing the risks. I simply don’t want to get to the end of my life wondering “what if” over all of the safe choices I made.
As an “empathic reader,” I could feel the author’s own struggle with the material and her fear about what others might think — though Kalogridis likely didn’t intend for this to come across, it’s a demon I’ve struggled with in my own writing. The dance of Kalogridis’ devil was quite subtle, and it was encouraging to watch her confidence grow with each successive page of the story.
These “Burning Times” characters wrestle with being true to themselves — and trying to live “authentic lives” — in a world that doesn’t understand them, and that chooses to fear and to hate them as a result. Those looking to this narrative for basic information on Wicca or witchcraft will be disappointed, though there are references to ritual elements and medicinal healing arts. Instead, I found this tale to be a study in the alchemy that we work on our own hearts and minds as we try to make peace simultaneously with our souls and with the world around us.
This is a tug-of-war that I face every day. Not only is it an external struggle between who I am and what the world tells me I’m supposed to be, but there is a very personal, internal battle of my heart and soul against my mind — more specifically, railing against the expectations and restrictions that were drilled into me at such a young age. Once those rules become an ingrained part of who you are and how you interact with the world, it doesn’t matter if they are constructive or not, healthy or not, or even true or not, because they are already part of your core programming. Just as one of the main characters in “Burning Times” is more or less brainwashed — bewitched, more accurately — into forgetting who he truly is and into living a life in darkness, we pull this same number on ourselves each and every day, often not even realizing how we are participating in and even orchestrating our own “dark ages.”
Are we that afraid to know the truth about ourselves? Reading “The Burning Times” gives a clue to some of the wonderful possibilities that may be awaiting us, should we merely find the courage to open our hearts and minds.
March 13, 2025
Bello, convincente e spaventoso nel senso più profondo del termine. Un libro sulla caccia alle streghe interessante e fascinoso. Forse non il libro migliore di questa scrittrice, ma sicuramente più che positivo.
June 19, 2025
While being well written and detail oriented, I feel as though the thematic rhetoric of "Christianity bad, Pagan good" is akin to the
bludgeoning of a dead horse. I understand that this is in the time of the Inquisition, however this paints the story with a very simplistic and generalized brush.
bludgeoning of a dead horse. I understand that this is in the time of the Inquisition, however this paints the story with a very simplistic and generalized brush.
November 19, 2012
I've been a fan of Kalogridis' work since I started with her Diaries of the Family Dracul series and with very few exceptions I've been pretty pleased with her work. This is one of the exceptions.
The premise is very interesting. Marie Sybille comes from humble enough beginnings; a midwife in medieval France. She, however, has a higher calling. She is a member of the Race...members of the Race are blessed with preternatural abilities. Telling the future, healing the sick...the types of abilities that would get one labeled a saint in such religious times or by the same token, a witch..
In time Sybille is taken under her paternal grandmother's wing for she is also a member of the Race. It's made clear to Sybille that her destiny goes well beyond healing the sick and seeing into the future. She is to be the savior of the Race and it's her destiny to save them from extinction perpetrated by the hands of the Enemy.
Sounds interesting, yes? A mixing of historical, religious and supernatural themes all rolled into one. There's also a love story in there as well because Sybille's Vision has shown that she needs to save her Beloved in order to ensure the future of the Race from extinction.
That's sort of where the book runs into problems. Not only is a major suprise/plot point readily foreseeable, certain major characters aren't nearly fleshed out enough. It's as if the build up and the telling of Sybille's acquisition of her abilities and the revelation of her true path was paramount. Actually it almost seems as if this novel was intended to either tell a longer tale or be followed up by a sequel at some point in time but it never saw fruition. After a long buildup, the climax seems a little abrupt with some rather 'tidy' events leading up to that.
Not a 'bad' book by any stretch, it just read a little clunky at times and didn't have the engaging language that I've found commonplace (in a good way of course) in Kalogridis's work. I think it tried to be too much in a limited amount of space.
The premise is very interesting. Marie Sybille comes from humble enough beginnings; a midwife in medieval France. She, however, has a higher calling. She is a member of the Race...members of the Race are blessed with preternatural abilities. Telling the future, healing the sick...the types of abilities that would get one labeled a saint in such religious times or by the same token, a witch..
In time Sybille is taken under her paternal grandmother's wing for she is also a member of the Race. It's made clear to Sybille that her destiny goes well beyond healing the sick and seeing into the future. She is to be the savior of the Race and it's her destiny to save them from extinction perpetrated by the hands of the Enemy.
Sounds interesting, yes? A mixing of historical, religious and supernatural themes all rolled into one. There's also a love story in there as well because Sybille's Vision has shown that she needs to save her Beloved in order to ensure the future of the Race from extinction.
That's sort of where the book runs into problems. Not only is a major suprise/plot point readily foreseeable, certain major characters aren't nearly fleshed out enough. It's as if the build up and the telling of Sybille's acquisition of her abilities and the revelation of her true path was paramount. Actually it almost seems as if this novel was intended to either tell a longer tale or be followed up by a sequel at some point in time but it never saw fruition. After a long buildup, the climax seems a little abrupt with some rather 'tidy' events leading up to that.
Not a 'bad' book by any stretch, it just read a little clunky at times and didn't have the engaging language that I've found commonplace (in a good way of course) in Kalogridis's work. I think it tried to be too much in a limited amount of space.
May 24, 2010
As a historical fiction fan, I thought this book was right up my alley. However, Kalogridis' writing leaves much to be desired. She must have written with a thesaurus by her side because she unnecessarily replaces adjectives with the largest words she can find. The over-use of words like "ere" and "naught," combined with the overabundance of pronouns like "Evil" and "Race" bog down the narrative.
The magic instilled by the Goddess of the story seems inconsistent and the heroes are too full of doubt. The only character that felt strong was Sybille's grandmother. The most enjoyable part of the narrative was when Sybille was young and under her grandmother's care. As the book progressed, the events became too urgent and felt scattered. There are so many historical side notes that could have been left out: the war with England, the involvement of the pope, midwifery... It would have been a much better book if it was shorter and more straightforward.
The magic instilled by the Goddess of the story seems inconsistent and the heroes are too full of doubt. The only character that felt strong was Sybille's grandmother. The most enjoyable part of the narrative was when Sybille was young and under her grandmother's care. As the book progressed, the events became too urgent and felt scattered. There are so many historical side notes that could have been left out: the war with England, the involvement of the pope, midwifery... It would have been a much better book if it was shorter and more straightforward.
August 18, 2012
Fico um bocado preplexa quando sei que tudas as torturas e mortes na fogueira existiram mesmo, afinal, o perconceito não é de agora e este livro demonstra bem que o que muitos têm é medo do desconhecido, e que como sempre, existe sempre alguém a aproveitar-se das suas condições hierarquicas, para tratar de desavenças pessoais, sim, muitos foram queimados torturados, simplesmente porque não eram do agrado do Papa ou do rei, inimigos, nem sempre hereges, e mesmo esses não deviam ter tido um destino tão cruél.Gostei bastante do livro, apesar de ter ali um bocadinho de fantasia a mais, tem um bom enredo e as personagens são fantásticas. Será que Michael é mesmo um Inquisidor? Será o Papa, mesmo um superior hierarquico da Igreja? Quem pertence ao bem, e quem pertence ao Mal?Recomendo.
September 14, 2009
I'm all for books that present an alternative view of history, religion, etc. But I swear, if I read the words "my beloved" in a sentence together again, I might scream. I feel like this book and others that present the view of religion that is Goddess worship, women seem to be less powerful and more whiny. I thought this was about empowering women.
September 2, 2009
I know this a book about pageanism and I'm a Christian but the message of faith in this novel really inspired me. I beleive it's made me a better Christian.
Warning: there is some graphic content at the very beginning that almost turned me off to the book. You can just jump it without jepordizing the story line if you like.
Warning: there is some graphic content at the very beginning that almost turned me off to the book. You can just jump it without jepordizing the story line if you like.
December 1, 2010
This was basically a fantasy novel, which was not what I expected as I thought it was going to be historical fiction. A good fantasy should take the reader to another world, a place of imagination. This story mixed fantasy with real history in a very confusing jumble that just didn't work. In addition it was just plain boring. Not recommended.
September 17, 2010
The best historical novel of inquisition and sorcery that I've read. I love the story, the characters, and the prose. Awesome. It's a shame that her books not arrive to Chile. Definitely. But I want more about it, about inquisition, about pagan gods and monks with the need to investigate further.
September 18, 2014
The only reason I didn't give this an F (I gave it a D-) is because I finished it. The most confusing book. Graphic about witchcraft, the inquisition, 1300s France. Way too into goddess worship, magic, occult. I found it awful.
July 23, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspects of the writing though not so interested in the more esoteric practices, which I felt did not read true. Otherwise would have scored 4 stars. Switching between male/female perspectives of very different characters really added to the narrative.
June 13, 2008
Bom romance histórico, mas não o achei marcante.
November 5, 2024
– Что это за зло?
И богиня ответила:
– Страх.
Сразу признаюсь, что оценку завысила и только по одной причине - мне безумно понравилась идея. Авторка словно воплотила мою мечту, но по исполнению не дотянула, хотя я знаю, что она была способна. К сожалению, в этот раз чтение её романа закончилось лёгким разочарованием финалом, но я всё ещё с теплотой отношусь к тому, как всё начиналась, поэтому оставила четвёрку. Сильная главная героиня, магия, чума, война, инквизиция и романтика. Всё это в историческом контексте и с сильным уклоном в религию. Религия, конечно, всё ещё не моё, но инквизиция без неё существовать не может, да и у писательницы получился интересный взгляд на неё.
Сибиль обычная деревенская девушка, родившая в эпоху, когда ведьм сжигали на кострах. Она металась между бабушкой, уверенной, что древняя магия заключена в её внучке и фанатично-религиозной матерью, пытавшей наставить дочь на истинный путь. Сама же героиня ещё в раннем возрасте видела вещи, недоступные другим и с каждым новым прожитым годом понимала, что обладает необычным даром. История начинается с того, как Сибиль покидает близких ей людей и сдаётся в руки инквизиторов, чтобы после суда, быть сожжённой на костре. Но перед тем, как она отдаст жизнь, героиня расскажет свою историю юному послушнику.
Простите, но я слаба пред историями, где по одну сторону ведьма, а по другую инквизитор. Есть что-то волшебное и драматичное в таких сюжетах, поэтому было сложно не проникнуться данной книгой. Совсем ещё ю��ая Сибил сидит в тюрьме и пересказывает историю своей жизни юному писарю, который всячески старается спасти её от костра. Мишель наивный, доброжелательный и искренне уверенный, что героиня не виновата и обвиняют её зазря, ведь он был свидетелем настоящего божьего чуда, а вовсе не дьявольского проявления. Но он всего лишь мальчишка и не ему решать, как закончится жизнь обвинённой монахини. Да и сложно ему противостоять чужим словам, убеждающим его, что перед ним вовсе не невинная девушка, а самая настоящая ведьма.
Меня увлекала история взросления героини. Это было драматично, максимально стекольно, потому что девушку постоянно преследовали мертвецы. Она видела, как инквизиция сжигает людей, обвинённых в колдовстве, а после как чума забирает тысячи жизней, включая её миролюбивого отца. Ей приходилось выбирать между бабушкой и матерью, и когда героиня осталась совсем одна в большом мире, она не могла ни на кого положиться. Куда идти, кому довериться - у писательницы отлично вышло прописать неуверенность героини. Чуть меньше зацепила магическая линия, потому что она весьма странно была описана, особенно сцена первой инициации. А вот поворот с бабушкой пришёлся по вкусу.
Также понравились некоторые второстепенные персонажи, а именно матушка-настоятельница и что неожиданно - одна из монашек, которая поначалу меня сильно раздражала. В романе присутствовали внезапные сюжетные повороты, завязанные на предательстве, на которые я крайне бурно реагировала, потому что никак их не ожидала (линия с молодым священником окончательно разрушила мой мозг). И романтика приятная, потому что на ней строится весь роман, но при этом герои встречаются практически в финале. Но финал... Было ощущение, что авторка писала его с учётом на вторую книгу, но так как она не планировалась, зачем всё это? Насколько бы идеально в финал вписался такой же исход, как у бабушки героини, но авторка будто сама же отказалась от собственных планов и свернула на иную дорожку. И мне это совершенно не понравилось.
Но моментами было прям очень хорошо, поэтому о потраченном времени не жалею.
October 6, 2020
DOV'È QUEL DANNATISSIMO LABIRINTO?
Jeanne Kalogridis mi aveva deluso parecchio un paio d'anni fa con “La sposa dell’inquisitore”, ma avevo ancora un paio di suoi titoli in libreria e quindi ho voluto comunque darle una seconda chance e leggere “Il labirinto delle streghe”, altro romanzo storico che mescola però parecchi elementi fantastici.
La trama segue la storia di Sybille dal racconto che lei stessa fa della sua vita al monaco Michel; accusata di stregoneria, per la giovane donna è già pronta una condanna a morte, ma lei è comunque determinata a raccontare la sua versione di quanto accaduto dal giorno della sua nascita, e soprattutto della lotta tra la sua Razza e il Nemico che la vuol tenere separata dal suo Amore.
Mi rendo conto di non essere in grado di riassumere decentemente la sinossi, ma in questo libro la confusione regna sovrana: vengono mescolati assieme elementi New Age che rimandano alla Wicca, riferimenti religiosi dell'Ebraismo e del Cristianesimo e l'esoterismo dei Cavalieri Templari. Come se non bastasse, non è mai ben chiarito se la magia in questo romanzo sia reale o meno, perché ad esclusione di chi la pratica essa ha ripercussioni quasi nulle sul mondo esterno e si parla principalmente di sogni profetici ed amuleti non sempre efficaci. Per non parlare di quando queste visioni servono a giustificare azioni decisamente riprovevoli, come il rapimento di una neonata o lo stupro di una ragazzina incosciente.
Neppure i personaggi mi hanno particolarmente colpita, specie perché sono poco approfonditi e ricalcano delle macchiette collaudate. Non mi sento di salvare neppure la protagonista che si dimostra priva di carattere e sempre in balia degli eventi, con la “scusa” di dover compiere il volere della Dea.
Lo stile della Kalogridis è buono ma del tutto dimenticabile, e mi ha divertito solo per le descrizioni contraddittorie (l'omone... basso?) e la scelta di inserire sempre dei colori accostati (nero-bluastro, rosso-dorato, verde-grigio, ecc.).
Di questo romanzo promuovo però l'accurato lavoro di ricerca per la parte storica; nella descrizione delle malattie del passato e delle battaglie l'autrice da il meglio di sé, scivolando in alcuni casi nello splatter senza un valido motivo.
Ultima nota, l'edizione italiana targata Newton Compton ha stravolto il titolo originale “The Burning Times” (letteralmente, L'epoca dei roghi) in favore di uno del tutto fuori contesto: quelli che in questa storia vengono definiti streghe o stregoni non amano detti appellativi, ma soprattutto non c'è nessunissimo labirinto!
Jeanne Kalogridis mi aveva deluso parecchio un paio d'anni fa con “La sposa dell’inquisitore”, ma avevo ancora un paio di suoi titoli in libreria e quindi ho voluto comunque darle una seconda chance e leggere “Il labirinto delle streghe”, altro romanzo storico che mescola però parecchi elementi fantastici.
La trama segue la storia di Sybille dal racconto che lei stessa fa della sua vita al monaco Michel; accusata di stregoneria, per la giovane donna è già pronta una condanna a morte, ma lei è comunque determinata a raccontare la sua versione di quanto accaduto dal giorno della sua nascita, e soprattutto della lotta tra la sua Razza e il Nemico che la vuol tenere separata dal suo Amore.
Mi rendo conto di non essere in grado di riassumere decentemente la sinossi, ma in questo libro la confusione regna sovrana: vengono mescolati assieme elementi New Age che rimandano alla Wicca, riferimenti religiosi dell'Ebraismo e del Cristianesimo e l'esoterismo dei Cavalieri Templari. Come se non bastasse, non è mai ben chiarito se la magia in questo romanzo sia reale o meno, perché ad esclusione di chi la pratica essa ha ripercussioni quasi nulle sul mondo esterno e si parla principalmente di sogni profetici ed amuleti non sempre efficaci. Per non parlare di quando queste visioni servono a giustificare azioni decisamente riprovevoli, come il rapimento di una neonata o lo stupro di una ragazzina incosciente.
Neppure i personaggi mi hanno particolarmente colpita, specie perché sono poco approfonditi e ricalcano delle macchiette collaudate. Non mi sento di salvare neppure la protagonista che si dimostra priva di carattere e sempre in balia degli eventi, con la “scusa” di dover compiere il volere della Dea.
Lo stile della Kalogridis è buono ma del tutto dimenticabile, e mi ha divertito solo per le descrizioni contraddittorie (l'omone... basso?) e la scelta di inserire sempre dei colori accostati (nero-bluastro, rosso-dorato, verde-grigio, ecc.).
Di questo romanzo promuovo però l'accurato lavoro di ricerca per la parte storica; nella descrizione delle malattie del passato e delle battaglie l'autrice da il meglio di sé, scivolando in alcuni casi nello splatter senza un valido motivo.
Ultima nota, l'edizione italiana targata Newton Compton ha stravolto il titolo originale “The Burning Times” (letteralmente, L'epoca dei roghi) in favore di uno del tutto fuori contesto: quelli che in questa storia vengono definiti streghe o stregoni non amano detti appellativi, ma soprattutto non c'è nessunissimo labirinto!
November 24, 2022
Secondo me la storia è senz’altro originale, interessante e istruttiva, oltre che molto più realistica rispetto ai soliti libri sulle streghe. Fa capire bene il contesto in cui ci troviamo e la mentalità di quel tempo. I fatti però, risultano essere spesso confusi e poco chiari, forse a causa del bizzarro ordine cronologico con cui viene raccontata la vicenda.
I personaggi li ho trovati tutti molto simili tra loro, seppur avendo ruoli e compiendo azioni completamente diverse. Uno dei pochi che si è distinto (nonché il mio personaggio preferito) è stato Jacques, un lebbroso che pur essendo tale riusciva sempre a strappare sorrisi a tutti e tenersi stretto il suo. Caratteristica che mi è piaciuta molto per due motivi: i restanti componenti della storia sono sempre molto seri se non addirittura malinconici e tristi, il secondo motivo è molto semplice, mi rivedo in lui in quasi tutte le scene in cui compare.
Per quanto riguarda la storia d’amore, penso non abbia molto senso, è basata sul loro destino e fa capire che il loro è un amore al di fuori dell’umana comprensione, ma nell’effettivo non ci mostra i momenti in cui i due hanno iniziato a piacersi, anzi, di momenti importanti tra loro due, non ne ho colto quasi nessuno se non molto verso la fine, ma in ogni caso non abbastanza da farmi appassionare alla coppia.
Gli ultimi capitoli sono stati sconvolgenti, ricchi di colpi di scena e chiarimenti utili qualora ci si fosse persi qualche pezzo per strada. In particolare mi è piaciuta la parte in cui si rendono note le ragioni per la quale la protagonista agisce in un determinato modo e il suo pensiero durante tutta la vicenda viene reso sensato . Secondo me questo episodio ha chiarito molte cose e fatto capire bene il rapporto di paura e odio che la chiesa ha con la stregoneria.
Questo libro racconta come nella vita ognuno di noi abbia il bisogno di superare le proprie paura per migliorarsi, cosa che i nostri protagonisti ormai sanno bene e che hanno reso obiettivo di vita. Consiglierei questa lettura a chiunque sia interessato alla stregoneria, perchè, al contrario del pensiero popolare, mostra la vera strega, non la cattiva vestita di nero, ma la credente di culti alternativi e poco conosciuti, ma intriganti, che tramite se stessa e la sua volontà riesce a raggiungere i proprio obbiettivi.
La mia opinione è quindi che valga la pena leggerlo, perché pur non essendo la perfezione è sicuramente molto avvincente e qualcosa di mai sentito prima.
I personaggi li ho trovati tutti molto simili tra loro, seppur avendo ruoli e compiendo azioni completamente diverse. Uno dei pochi che si è distinto (nonché il mio personaggio preferito) è stato Jacques, un lebbroso che pur essendo tale riusciva sempre a strappare sorrisi a tutti e tenersi stretto il suo. Caratteristica che mi è piaciuta molto per due motivi: i restanti componenti della storia sono sempre molto seri se non addirittura malinconici e tristi, il secondo motivo è molto semplice, mi rivedo in lui in quasi tutte le scene in cui compare.
Per quanto riguarda la storia d’amore, penso non abbia molto senso, è basata sul loro destino e fa capire che il loro è un amore al di fuori dell’umana comprensione, ma nell’effettivo non ci mostra i momenti in cui i due hanno iniziato a piacersi, anzi, di momenti importanti tra loro due, non ne ho colto quasi nessuno se non molto verso la fine, ma in ogni caso non abbastanza da farmi appassionare alla coppia.
Gli ultimi capitoli sono stati sconvolgenti, ricchi di colpi di scena e chiarimenti utili qualora ci si fosse persi qualche pezzo per strada. In particolare mi è piaciuta la parte in cui si rendono note le ragioni per la quale la protagonista agisce in un determinato modo e il suo pensiero durante tutta la vicenda viene reso sensato . Secondo me questo episodio ha chiarito molte cose e fatto capire bene il rapporto di paura e odio che la chiesa ha con la stregoneria.
Questo libro racconta come nella vita ognuno di noi abbia il bisogno di superare le proprie paura per migliorarsi, cosa che i nostri protagonisti ormai sanno bene e che hanno reso obiettivo di vita. Consiglierei questa lettura a chiunque sia interessato alla stregoneria, perchè, al contrario del pensiero popolare, mostra la vera strega, non la cattiva vestita di nero, ma la credente di culti alternativi e poco conosciuti, ma intriganti, che tramite se stessa e la sua volontà riesce a raggiungere i proprio obbiettivi.
La mia opinione è quindi che valga la pena leggerlo, perché pur non essendo la perfezione è sicuramente molto avvincente e qualcosa di mai sentito prima.
January 2, 2018
Недавно читала произведение другого автора на похожую тематику, описывающую приблизительно те же времена во Франции. Если предыдущая книга, понравилась и проявила интерес к теме, то здесь совсем другая история. На мой взгляд, «Огненные Времена» можно охарактеризовать как набор слов, с бесконечными деталями, не добавляющих произведению ни какой глубины и смысла. Никакой идеи, развития персонажей, ничего такого, что заставило бы остановиться и задуматься- ничего этого нет. Есть признаки слабенького женского романа и разные клише. Фантастическая часть не увлекает ни капельки.
Прочитала половину и, напомнив себе, что жизнь коротка, чтобы тратить её на плохие книги, отправила на полку недочитанных.
Прочитала половину и, напомнив себе, что жизнь коротка, чтобы тратить её на плохие книги, отправила на полку недочитанных.
June 9, 2020
I had to think about this before posting it. I really enjoyed this book for what it was, fiction/fantasy. It had some historical elements to it, but I would not call it historical.
It makes me think of the song "Burning Times" by Charlie Murphey, historically not anything like the real burning times, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The story was compelling, and kept me guessing until the end what was going to happen.
I read the many reviews, and let that colour my thinking for a long time before I read this book. I really loved the Family Dracul series, and am now eager to read the other Kalogridis books I have had sitting on my shelf for a very long time.
Enjoy this book for what it is, a semi-fantasy-history of what the burning times could have been (but most definitely were not)
It makes me think of the song "Burning Times" by Charlie Murphey, historically not anything like the real burning times, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The story was compelling, and kept me guessing until the end what was going to happen.
I read the many reviews, and let that colour my thinking for a long time before I read this book. I really loved the Family Dracul series, and am now eager to read the other Kalogridis books I have had sitting on my shelf for a very long time.
Enjoy this book for what it is, a semi-fantasy-history of what the burning times could have been (but most definitely were not)
May 26, 2022
Mother Marie Françoise is being held as a heretic. She will only confess to Brother Michel. To him, she tells her life story. She was born Sybille, a pagan priestess. She followed in her grandmother's footsteps. When her grandmother is arrested, she takes refuge in a convent, also populated by members of the "Race." Her goal is to find her Beloved, but he, Luc, has been captured and turned by the Enemy. Sybille still hopes to save him, even though he now believes himself to be Brother Michel. Luc finally makes it back to himself. but in time to save Sybille from death. The Enemy is still out there, but the Race perseveres.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2020
Fascinating book set in 14th century France. It is set against the bubonic plague, the Hundred Year War, and the Inquisition while the Pope lived in Avignon. The heroine belongs to a group that tries to stay hidden because they worship a mother goddess and not the Christian God. They can do magic such as Seeing and Healing. As such they are seen as enemies of the Church.
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