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The Huguenot Chronicles #2
Voyage of Malice
Persecuted for their beliefs, one family must travel the globe for a place to call home…
Geneva, 1688. Jeanne is barely scraping by on meager earnings from weaving. She dreams of her previous life as a wealthy merchant’s wife before Louis XIV’s soldiers ran her family out of France for refusing to renounce their faith. But even in Geneva, Jeanne and her son aren’t anywhere close to free from persecution…
Jacob hopes his letters make it to Jeanne from the other side of the ocean. As he bides his time as an indentured servant on a Caribbean plantation, tragedy strikes in the form of shipwreck and pirates. The former merchant desperately searches for a way back to his wife…
If Jeanne and Jacob can’t rise above a world that’s closing all its doors, then they may never be reunited again…
Voyage of Malice is the second book in the Huguenot Connection, a trilogy of historical fiction novels set during a time of religious persecution. If you like vividly accurate historical details, seafaring adventures, and heartwarming tales of family loyalty, then you’ll love Paul C.R. Monk’s rousing novel.
Buy Voyage of Malice to find a way home today!234 pages, ebook
Published June 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 28, 2022
This second book of the trilogy begins with a Huguenot couple separated and fugitives due to events that occurred in the first book. All rights of French Huguenots who refuse to abjure have been abolished. The husband has been taken into custody and soon sentenced to be banished to work as indentured servant in the French colony of Hispaniola. The wife is now a refugee in Geneva where she is learning that her presence and that of her coreligionist is not appreciated. She tried to support herself my weaving cloth, but jealous guildsmen destroyed her loom.
The husband manages to get letter to the wife indicating that he hopeful to figure out a way to reach London, and asks that they try to meet there. So the rest of the book is filled by following the progress to two journeys, the wife traveling by riverboat and walking overland in Switzerland and the husband trying to catch a ship to cross the Atlantic. Not surprisingly both journeys are filled with incredible threats, dangers, and impossible situations.
When the husband reaches Hispaniola he finds himself in a community of coreligionists who have also been banished from France. The issue of slavery is debated, and he becomes such a pain in the neck that he is sent away. Needless the say there's a hurricane, ship wreck, and he manages to survive. Through a strange twist of events he ends up with a crew of pirates serving unwillingly as the ship's doctor.
Meanwhile his wife has had to deal with similar problems. It's interesting to note that both are offered tempting proposals of marriage by others who think they should assumed their predicament to be the equivalent of widowhood. But no, they are faithful to their spouse and religion.
Since this is the middle of the trilogy I as reader wasn't too worried about the protagonists surviving their perilous surroundings. At the end of the book they are both a long way from London. So there are remaining problems yet to be solved.
The husband manages to get letter to the wife indicating that he hopeful to figure out a way to reach London, and asks that they try to meet there. So the rest of the book is filled by following the progress to two journeys, the wife traveling by riverboat and walking overland in Switzerland and the husband trying to catch a ship to cross the Atlantic. Not surprisingly both journeys are filled with incredible threats, dangers, and impossible situations.
When the husband reaches Hispaniola he finds himself in a community of coreligionists who have also been banished from France. The issue of slavery is debated, and he becomes such a pain in the neck that he is sent away. Needless the say there's a hurricane, ship wreck, and he manages to survive. Through a strange twist of events he ends up with a crew of pirates serving unwillingly as the ship's doctor.
Meanwhile his wife has had to deal with similar problems. It's interesting to note that both are offered tempting proposals of marriage by others who think they should assumed their predicament to be the equivalent of widowhood. But no, they are faithful to their spouse and religion.
Since this is the middle of the trilogy I as reader wasn't too worried about the protagonists surviving their perilous surroundings. At the end of the book they are both a long way from London. So there are remaining problems yet to be solved.
May 28, 2025
This is the second book in the Huguenot connection. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this historical fiction series.
May 11, 2019
I found this book to be better than the first in the series.
Jeanne is safely in Switzerland, but she is still suffering for being a Huguenot. She is not allowed to engage in a trade because of her religion. She weaves and is able to sell some of the cloth to other Huguenots and donates some to make clothing for refugees. She can bearly make ends meet for herself and her son. She does have friends in the community, but it becomes clear that she must begin to move north towards London although she hates to go father from her old home and the children she has left there.
Meanwhile, Jacob is being exiled to the New World. There he suffers from the sea voyage and then encounters the horrors of slavery in the Caribbean islands.
This book was much better than the first! I hope people will stick with the series!
As Jeanne and Paul begin their journey to London and safety, Jacob is trying desperately to get back to his family. There are so horrible encounters for them both. There came a point when I was reading Jacob's story and I said out loud, "Can't he ever catch a break?!!!???"
Oh, what these people endured! But they ever have the Providence of God as their anchor of hope. They have been able to look back and see how things that appeared to be bad worked for their good. Like Joseph speaking to his brothers, they can say, "you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20) And this gives them hope in their trials along with Jeremiah 29:11 (11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.)
Looking forward with great anticipation for the final book in the trilogy!
Jeanne is safely in Switzerland, but she is still suffering for being a Huguenot. She is not allowed to engage in a trade because of her religion. She weaves and is able to sell some of the cloth to other Huguenots and donates some to make clothing for refugees. She can bearly make ends meet for herself and her son. She does have friends in the community, but it becomes clear that she must begin to move north towards London although she hates to go father from her old home and the children she has left there.
Meanwhile, Jacob is being exiled to the New World. There he suffers from the sea voyage and then encounters the horrors of slavery in the Caribbean islands.
This book was much better than the first! I hope people will stick with the series!
As Jeanne and Paul begin their journey to London and safety, Jacob is trying desperately to get back to his family. There are so horrible encounters for them both. There came a point when I was reading Jacob's story and I said out loud, "Can't he ever catch a break?!!!???"
Oh, what these people endured! But they ever have the Providence of God as their anchor of hope. They have been able to look back and see how things that appeared to be bad worked for their good. Like Joseph speaking to his brothers, they can say, "you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20) And this gives them hope in their trials along with Jeremiah 29:11 (11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.)
Looking forward with great anticipation for the final book in the trilogy!
June 13, 2019
The troubles of the Huguenots are increasing. Those who have resisted conversion to Catholicism in Louis XIV’s campaign to enforce religious and political uniformity in France find themselves imprisoned indefinitely or transported to the colonies as virtual slaves, albeit with the prospect of being freed in the distant future, unlike the Africans with whom they labour.
Life in the West Indies means disease, pirates and intermittent conflict between the colonial powers.
Is escape possible?
An alternative for others is to become a refugee. Travelling is hazardous and even the most hospitable of countries is inclined to become resentful of increasing numbers of desperate incomers. (Nothing new under the sun!)
Life in the West Indies means disease, pirates and intermittent conflict between the colonial powers.
Is escape possible?
An alternative for others is to become a refugee. Travelling is hazardous and even the most hospitable of countries is inclined to become resentful of increasing numbers of desperate incomers. (Nothing new under the sun!)
October 7, 2017
This second book in the series is another hit. The story line is fast paced with many twists and turns that continue to surprise the reader. The characters are well developed, interesting and believable. As others have said I also find myself wanting to see them reunited. This is an excellent book that left me wanting to read the next in the series to see how things will unfold for this family. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historic fiction, especially when it is based on actual historic events.
March 22, 2020
I do not usually read books in a series back to back, preferring a little time to absorb the book fully before moving on. This series is written so compellingly that I have chosen to read them one after the other because I cannot wait to find out what happens to these characters! I must say I never realized much of the history of the Huguenots and their mistreatment in so many different countries! Moving on to the last one now :)
October 1, 2020
This trilogy allows one to look into the clash between Protestants and Catholics in France and somewhat in Great Britain. Traversing the time period of 1685 to about 1695, a family is faced with unbelievable forces that compel them to choose between family, faith an county. I loved the history embedded in this trilogy, but felt the last book was the weakest in the series. I did learn so much about this time period however.
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September 17, 2019I actually liked this book better than volume 1. Reading through as the main characters go from one country to another and learning about the history of each during this time period. I love his characters. As I read, I could picture them in my mind. If you like John Jakes historical fiction, you will definitely like Paul Monk.
August 20, 2021
Second of trilogy which goes back and forth between Jeanne and Jacob's stories of their struggles to escape persecution and travel to meet up and reunite their family. Both face great dangers but the big story here is that of Jacob being forced onto a ship and, at one point, finding himself working on a pirate ship and forced to participate in their treacherous ways.
August 6, 2023
Series completed
Having now read this trilogy I do indeed recommend it. The saga reflects well the trials & tribulations of this family & countless others, the evilness of bigoted religious persecution & what has changed little.
Good historical fiction tells us much & this is no exception. I don't think it will be viewed as classic, but it certainly is highly recommended.
Having now read this trilogy I do indeed recommend it. The saga reflects well the trials & tribulations of this family & countless others, the evilness of bigoted religious persecution & what has changed little.
Good historical fiction tells us much & this is no exception. I don't think it will be viewed as classic, but it certainly is highly recommended.
February 3, 2024
A Families Search for Religious Freedom
Excellent historical fiction novel. Book 1,2, & 3 describe the harshness of life experienced by Huguenot families during the Reformation & Enlightenment. A fascinating read of one families escape from persecution and finding of religious freedom. Highly recommended.
Excellent historical fiction novel. Book 1,2, & 3 describe the harshness of life experienced by Huguenot families during the Reformation & Enlightenment. A fascinating read of one families escape from persecution and finding of religious freedom. Highly recommended.
February 14, 2025
This isn’t a trilogy. . .it’s a single book chopped into thirds. The second is marginally better than the first as far as character development, but it starts to feel like the author has a checklist of all the ill ways his protagonists can be treated (though they always escape serious harm at the last minute).
July 30, 2025
Huguenot Chronicles #2: This three book series carries fascinating stories about the exiling of French protestants that took place in the 17th century. This one follows a family who were told to convert to Catholicism or leave the country. It was a good story written by a fine author. We enjoyed all three books. They each taught us things we didn't know before.
September 24, 2018
Action and adventure. Jeanne and Jacob Delpech show great courage and true belief in ones faith as they face separately the worlds worst arrocities. Well written, looking forward to the next book.
November 16, 2024
#2 in the series The Huguenot Connection by Paul Monk. It is a terrible period of persecution in French history aimed at the Protestant Christians who are escaping with their lives to worship in freedom.
December 22, 2018
Absolutely wonderful!
September 12, 2019
This trilogy is well written but too many escapades in my opinion.
May 9, 2020
I like this book. So much information from different locations and people..
It was well written and great character development. And an interesting surprise.
Would recommend for history buffs
It was well written and great character development. And an interesting surprise.
Would recommend for history buffs
June 9, 2020
I am glad I continued with this second book in the series! Definitely better than the first one. Character development is better and the plot line is more interesting. On to the third.
June 14, 2020
Dread
I can't say I enjoyed this book. There was so much danger and hate and it was an entire book of stress and fears. I have to read book three to find hope for the family.
I can't say I enjoyed this book. There was so much danger and hate and it was an entire book of stress and fears. I have to read book three to find hope for the family.
April 18, 2022
Depictions of rape
February 20, 2023
More Trials and Tribulation.
Book two is as exciting as book one but a little more bloody due to the pirate scenes. Hardships continue to befall the Huguenots.
Book two is as exciting as book one but a little more bloody due to the pirate scenes. Hardships continue to befall the Huguenots.
September 24, 2023
I enjoy historical fiction. This second book in the trilogy flowed well between a husband sent to the New World and his wife and son left behind in Europe. I look forward to the third book.
January 19, 2025
The second in a trilogy of a French Protestant family split apart in the late 1600’s by religious persecution. It’s amazing what devout people did to uphold their personal convictions.
July 21, 2020
I am very much enjoying this series. Following Jeanne and Jacob through their trials while all the while maintaining and even strengthening their faith is very inspiring. They suffer grueling ordeals and witness some truly horrible events, but along the way they make friends, learn more about themselves, humanity and God.
October 17, 2019
This is book #2 in this captivating series about the Huguenots. The story continues from book #1, so it is advised that you read that book first. This is an adventurous and fascinating tale that continues the story of the Delpech family, a Huguenot family that has been separated for some time and are trying to find their way back to one another.
The writing is some of the most lyrical and beautiful writing I’ve read, the story strong in historical detail, the characters deeply developed and (captivating – use another word). If you have never read about this period or have a desire to know more, this is a highly recommended series.
I listened to the audio version, and the narrator, David Pickering, is fantastic. He really brings life to the characters and the story.
The writing is some of the most lyrical and beautiful writing I’ve read, the story strong in historical detail, the characters deeply developed and (captivating – use another word). If you have never read about this period or have a desire to know more, this is a highly recommended series.
I listened to the audio version, and the narrator, David Pickering, is fantastic. He really brings life to the characters and the story.
April 23, 2019
The books in this series are very enjoyable! I was fortunate enough to listen to the audiobook of this one and really enjoyed it. These books are compelling; I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next book to see what will happen!
April 3, 2021
2nd in the series. Lots more action in this one. Will definitely follow the Trilogy through as I am enjoying the intestinal fortitude displayed by the central characters.
July 16, 2017
The trials and adventures of Jeanne and Jacob Delpech continue in Book 2 of the Huguenot Connection series. Mr. Monk does an awesome job of capturing and keeping the reader's attention during the book. If you enjoy historical fiction, especially early Christian history, I would highly recommend you take the time to read these books.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews