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The Heretic's Servant

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A Tudor-era story of love, sacrifice and survival.

I used to think it started the Christmastime that never was. But really it started years before that. Before the children were born. Before Kate was married. Before we were heretics.

England in 1578 is a dangerous time. Molly and her beloved mistress Kate walk the narrow path between faith and loyalty. But the world is not divided into heroes and villains, and evil can wear a pious face. Molly must navigate a world dominated by men and religion to protect those she loves.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2022

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Deanne Adams

2 books6 followers

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5 stars
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13 (35%)
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11 (29%)
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Sara Jesus.
1,685 reviews123 followers
December 18, 2022
A tense story that follows the journey of a catholic family, who are slaughtered with tragedy after giving shelter to a priest. Molly, the servent, will try to save her mistress of the malice of that prisest. It is a book that takes place in Tudor´s London at a time it was a crime to be catholic, also shows who badly the woman were treated.
Profile Image for Kate O'Shea.
1,339 reviews195 followers
December 8, 2022
3.5 stars

The Heretic's Servant is set at a fascinating but often terrifying time in English history. Elizabeth I is on the throne and Catholics live in fear of their lives. If branded heretics they could be burned, pressed (a barbaric practice of being crushed by heavy stones placed on top of a person until they cannot breathe), hung or beheaded. The family of the heretic could suffer the same fate or merely be left destitute and cast out.

This book not only delves into this but also the various plagues that ravaged the country at the time smallpox being rife.

I found the book, told from the POV of a servant called Molly a very interesting one. However I wanted more, much more. I would be interested in more books following the families' progress at what was a turbulent time in England's past.

All in all a great start to what will hopefully ve a long writing career for Deanne Adams. The book was well constructed, easy to read and if you like a dabble in history (but dont want to commit to some lengthier tome) then this would most definitely be for you. I only gave it a lower star rating because, for me, there simply wasn't enough of it. More please.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for OldBird.
1,846 reviews
November 18, 2022
As the sort of reader who delves into historical fiction every so often, it was certainly different to see things from the point of view of a maid *not* serving royalty but one of the rural lesser noble families. Based in historical fact that servants and their masters were more familiar in those days (and circumstances), it weaves a tale of one woman who finds herself caught between loyalties. Capably written, though perhaps it was a little less fleshed out than I'd have liked in order to really appreciate it.

Ever since a terrible illness struck their family, Lady Katherine - Kate to everyone who cares - and her maid Molly have been as close as mistress and servant can be. Both know the value of keeping secrets, and both are bound by a distinct unease around the family's live-in priest Father Makepeace. What with religious preferences being chopped and changed every time a new monarch decrees it, these are turbulent times. They escape once Kate is married to a loving husband, Lord Edward, and Molly is has her eye upon a certain servant of the household. Children are born, happiness is found and all seems well. Until that is one Christmas when Kate's parents come to visit. They bring with them tragedy in the guise of one old man who can be Father no longer...

It's a competently told story, obviously well researched without being as dense or as flippant as many mainstream historical novels. The writing is very accessible and easy to read, imbuing Molly's narration with a voice of her own. It never falls into that newbie historical trap of dropping "fun facts" into the story, only provides them where it makes sense.

It's got a solid central plot, though it wasn't quite what I'd expected from the blurb. It doesn't seem so much about being a female, or even about female friendships as I'd assumed. While I do know some basic Tudor history, dates and the exact customs of the times eluded me, and it wasn't until a good 30% or so that we get the religious/political landscape explained to us. I also just didn't feel a great connection with the characters, perhaps because the book is quite a short one and there are quite a few names that I couldn't help but muddle up when they're all introduced together. Our nasty character didn't have quite the fleshed out motives or zeal I expected.

I think I would have enjoyed this book more if there had been more character development scenes between our protagonists, especially Molly and Kate, Molly and Ned, and maybe even Kate and Edward/everyone with Makepeace so that we really felt their relationships. There's a lovely family scene where the women sew together and gently tease Kate's nervous daughter Jane. I'd have loved to have seen more like this so that when tragedy strikes I could really feel the stakes they were fighting for.

Overall a good, simple historical read for those looking for a quick, small-scale take on Tudor times and their deadly politics.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


Profile Image for Sophie.
201 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2022
I enjoyed this short historical fiction story set in Elizabethan England. It's pretty crazy to be reminded of how bad it could be for individuals when there was no separation of church and state! The story kept me interested, but I never quite felt like I fully connected with the characters, even the first-person POV narrator, which is why I've not given this a full 5 stars.

I received an e-ARC from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
181 reviews4 followers
December 1, 2022
I enjoy historical fiction and can’t help comparing old issues to our modern world. The struggle for women's rights continues. However, we are leaps and bounds ahead of where things were in England in 1578. This story pressed my buttons for the struggle it was to have a voice as a woman, the way a man’s word could be believed just because he was a man, but not even a man could speak against God. The author was able to convey this societal angst.

I think the author did a decent job unravelling how sinister the antagonist is in this story. I was creeped out and afraid for the women and perhaps a little surprised that no one, in all the years together, picked up on the treachery of this person. Molly is a trusted and loyal servant. Kate and her husband were decent people. But when heresy is on the menu, no one is safe.

I was engaged until the end of this story because I wanted to figure out how they would get out of the mess they were in. It was a satisfying ending that came at an extreme cost to the characters of this book.

I would have liked more. There were very few highs or wins in this story, compared to the lows. It felt like a constant struggle.

Thank you to BookSirens for the free ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kell Willsen.
Author 5 books13 followers
December 13, 2022
The characters grabbed me from the start, especially the narrator. The domestic focus in this the deeply moving tale of love and loss serves to highlight the harsh realities of life in Tudor England. The author doesn't shy away from the pain, but she doesn't revel in it either. This is a story that neither glorifies nor sanitises the past, but simply shows us a life that feels as real and as subtle as any other, past or present.

I eagerly await the continuation of this series.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
Author 5 books57 followers
November 18, 2022
THE HERETIC'S SERVANT was not quite what I expected, but in a good way! I enjoyed the characters, and I am always excited to read a book set in Tudor/Elizabethan England. The ending was both what I expected and yet… not. If I had anything to complain about it is that I almost wanted some kind of epilogue. Molly was a good character, and the relationships between the different characters were varied and interesting. If anything, I almost wished for more back story/insight into the characters and why they are the way they are.

If you enjoy historical fiction set during this time period, I would recommend it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Nia Prosser.
29 reviews
January 26, 2023
Very well written, gripping, exciting and heartbreaking all at once. I read it in two sittings as I couldn't put it down. I loved how the plot unfolded with all its twists and turns. An excellent debut novel. I will definitely be reading future books by Deanne.
Profile Image for Kendelle.
25 reviews3 followers
April 1, 2024
This story definitely resulted in a few mixed feelings!

I enjoyed reading from the perspective of a servant. I also think the story was well researched and events were representative of the times. However the story could have been filled out a little more. There was so much room for further development within the story and of the characters. I just felt it was tragedy after tragedy without much reprieve in the middle. I would also have loved to see how the women managed after the final event - even if it was a short epilogue!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Leah.
170 reviews42 followers
April 2, 2024
3⭐️

Heretic; a person believing in or practising religious heresy.

The title brilliantly sums up the general message of the book. Molly, a quiet yet substantially important part of the household, is a servant to her Mistress, Kate, whom she has known since childhood. An emotional yet challenging death during their younger years brings them closer together and foreshadows the unraveling of their household.

This book is set in the 1500’s during a time where power had recently swapped hands and believing in the wrong religion was punishable by death. I found the historical elements and knowledge interesting yet morbid but was an eye opener to the methods of execution that took place.

Although this book is brilliantly written in regard to description and factual elements, I felt it was disjointed and lacked character depth and development. I wanted to know more about Molly and Ned’s relationship and how Edward and Kate came to be. I found it rushed towards the end and not much really happened until the last few chapters.

The death of Harry seemed almost random but I suppose it was mirroring Alice’s passing. It just seemed he died and that was that.

The priest was infuriating but the character was created and written well. It’s a shame the ending seemed forced to tie up loose ends almost but leaving a sight cliffhanger. I wasn’t overly interested in her Father’s random death either.

I’m not the biggest history novel fan but it was interesting to read something different.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kathy Boehm.
209 reviews33 followers
December 5, 2022
Set in Europe in the mid-1500s, this is the story of Molly, a loyal servant, who is engaged to another servant, Ned. They work in the household of Lord Edward and Lady Kate Spicer, who come to stay at the home of Kate’s parents, Lord and Lady Sherbourne. Kate and Edward have three children, Isabel, Jane, and Harry. For the past 20 years, the Sherbourne’s have been harboring the evil-hearted Father Makepeace, also known as Mr. Farendon. King Henry’s son was against priests, so whenever an official from the town entered their home, Mr. Farendon was spirited away into a cramped hiding place behind a false wall. If the family was found guilty of harboring a priest, they would all be in serious peril.

Young Harry was lost to smallpox, spreading the fear of God throughout the household. Fr. Makepeace offered no comfort to the family, raising the anger of Edward. “You come here into my house … you come uninvited … you put my family in danger… and you tell me my son is better off dead?”. After the burial of his young son, Edward returns to the household, very drunk. He has a fist fight with Makepeace, then leaves for London for an undetermined period, taking Molly‘s fiancé Ned with him. At the center of the story from this point on is a letter written by Edward and received by Kate, which then turns up missing. It’s contents will decide Edward’s fate.

The evil Fr. Makepeace character is well written. The other characters are undeveloped to the point where the reader has little empathy for them. Kate’s defining characteristic, for example, is that she is constantly fiddling with her wedding ring. The pace of events was somewhat uneven. The story might sit well inside the pages of a longer book, or could be expanded to include more details on the setting, plot, and characters. Overall a good effort by a first-time author.

With my thanks to Book Sirens for an advance readers e-copy, this review is my unsolicited opinion.
65 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2022
Thank you to BookSirens for the free ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
 
The Heretic’s Servant is a historical fiction page turner and sets the scene for the story to come.
 
Molly is a trusted servant of a wealthy family in late Tudor England – but the head of the family has a dark secret… When that secret comes to light it sets in motion a series of events which highlights the plight of everyone in a country and time where your religious beliefs could lead to your persecution.

I found this to be a refreshing take on a well worn path in historical fiction. Set later in the Tudor period than other novels, it’s a well written and thoughtful look at heresy and all it’s iterations. I liked Molly and the surrounding characters and the family dynamic portrayed is believable. The villain of the piece is delightfully despicable.

This book was well paced and well executed - especially so for a debut novel. The end is satisfying but clearly sets up the story to be continued in further books.

Overall, an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more about Molly!
Profile Image for Book hoarder.
176 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2022
I chose this book, because I like stories with history. I've read a lot of books about the Tudor time. And therefore, I understand the religious struggles of that time.

Until the very last moment the book held my attention. In the last pages my heart was racing.

I didn't understand why they couldn't see the easy solution I had thought of. I waited and waited to know what their plan was, because they had a plan. But what? What would they do? The culprit already arranged a good person to be executed, murdered. Why not get rid of him right away?

Then, in the final pages I understood why. It was the perfect moment.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
253 reviews5 followers
February 13, 2023
An interesting perspective on the theme of Catholics vs. Protestant under Elizabeth I. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to live in a Catholic home at that time, this imagining might just be what you are looking for.

Not only are Catholics likely to be persecuted, but women are under-privileged by today's standards as you might expect. The threat to anyone of treason was to be feared and torture was harsh. And at the same time disease was rife. These were times when few could actually feel secure, a fact this book brings out very well.

If characterisation is a little lacking, it seems not to matter in the complexity of the narrative.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
57 reviews1 follower
December 14, 2022
I received an arc copy from book siren of The Heretics Servant in exchange for an honest review.

This is a quick/short read, set in historical time periods as changing queens of England caused change in religious ideals. It was an intriguing storyline following the life of a servant from childhood and switching to later in life serving the same family. However, I found the pace of the story to be slow and over was not my favourite plot line. The second half of the story improved as details and characters deepened with a build towards the ending.
Profile Image for Carmen | the.cozy.booklady.
27 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2023
Unfortunately, The Heretic's Servant just was not for me.

While I did find the story interesting, I was mostly quite bored up until the very end. There was very little character development. And I would have just liked a bit more...

Even so, the writing flowed nicely enough and this is a quick enough read that one could probably get through it in a day or two.

Overall, I rate The Heretic's Servant 2/5 stars.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
833 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2022
I am a fan of historical fiction, especially from the Tudor period. This story captures the nuances of nobility and political themes that were the focus under the reign of Elizabeth I. The status of women and servants is depicted true to form for that time. Molly has strength throughout the story, as well as how all the other women bore the events. I was very satisfied with the ending as it was important to end this way to wrap up the plots. I look forward to other works from Deanne Adams.
Profile Image for Elise.
15 reviews
December 12, 2022
I chose to read this book based off of the description and that cover! That cover really drew me in. I was pleasantly surprised with the story. The author did a wonderful job of getting the reader to know the characters and the history surrounding heresy at the time. There were some points where the Mc just made me so mad at the decisions she made and at the same time, the author made you really root for her. I really wish the author could have gone into a little bit more detail about what happened to the family after they left, the ending felt like it was a little incomplete and empty. Overall I really enjoyed this authors writing style and am looking forward to reading more in the future :) I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kat M.
5,194 reviews18 followers
November 19, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this, Deanne Adams has a great writing style. I enjoyed the use of the Tudor dynasty and the mystery going on. It was a great thriller going on and I was on the edge of my seat. It did what I was hoping for and look forward to more from this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1 review
December 15, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this story - the tragedy, the intrigue and the thrilling climax. The characters feel real - human and flawed. The relationship between Molly and Kate is beautifully written and quietly understated and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged from the first page to the last. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
Profile Image for Vicky Ralph.
23 reviews
January 19, 2023
Not my usual genre but I'm glad I gave it the attention it deserves.
Well written, well researched. The characters could maybe be fleshed out a little more but that's the only criticism.
It's a book you want to keep picking up until its done.
Not just a great book for a first time author, it's a great book
Profile Image for Christine.
1,446 reviews41 followers
November 21, 2022
A quick, easy read which I really enjoyed! Well written, well researched, good characterisation as well as a compelling plot. I only wish the novel were longer!
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from BookSirens and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
4 reviews
December 9, 2022
What can I say? I loved this book. It was brilliantly written and, for someone who doesn't read much historical fiction, I raced through it. I cared about the main characters and the villain was chilling. Lots of twists and darkness. A really good debut novel.
Profile Image for Kindlelover 1220.
865 reviews3 followers
March 2, 2023
A historical fiction story during the Elizabethan era. A dangerous time period for anyone who lives or thinks differently. A group of people who hold others hostage with their righteous beliefs. I love this book! The storytelling was breathtaking and thoughtful.
Profile Image for Estelle Ball.
47 reviews
September 4, 2023
Gripping enough story, interesting characters and setting. It felt like it should have either been longer or shorter though, as though chapter's were missing to make it fully fleshed out. Easy to read though and enjoyable enough ( although a few editing mishaps) .
1 review
January 1, 2023
I couldn't put this book down! Great characters that I really cared about, and a fascinating insight into Tudor life. Can't wait to read the next one.
9 reviews
January 9, 2023
Good historical read from a different perspective.
It's the first book I have read by this author.
Would definitely read more from this writer
Profile Image for JJ Cope.
40 reviews3 followers
September 27, 2023
Main character Molly has served her mistress Kate her whole life, developing a relationship that often transcends their social standings. When the in-laws come to the estate for a prolonged holiday visit, she determines to serve them well despite the elders' disapproval of her. They bring with them a catholic priest who is at risk of being imprisoned and needs shelter. Having a man of God in the house should provide comfort, but when tragedy strikes, he seems to revel in the family's turmoil. Something is amiss and Molly is determined to expose the priest for who he really is and protect the family from his evil intent.

Set during the era of heresy persecution, The Heretics Servant, was frustrating to read due to the error of thought during this period toward religion and women. But the author provides heroines, some evolving more slowly than others, as the veil of prejudice and misguided ideas begins to lift, exposing the reality of their strength and unity.
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