The Space Between Words

by Michèle Phoenix

Thomas Nelson--FICTION

Thomas Nelson
Christian , General Fiction (Adult)

Pub Date 05 Sep 2017

I am reviewing a copy of The Space Between Words through Thomas Nelson and Netgalley:

The day after the attacks on Paris, Jessica regains consciousness in a French hospital, images of the carnage she saw playing in her head. She is relieved to find her friends Patrick and Vonda were okay, but every time she closes her eyes to sleep the images played over and over again.

Patrick Sticks by her side, and encourages her to go ahead with the trip they had planned, before going back home.

But was Patrick really there?

A find at a local flea market, a faded document hid in an antique leads Jessica to discover the story of Adeline Balliard whose faith was condemned her life endangered and her community deciminated by Huguenot persecution. With the help of some of her friends she will learn about this brave woman.

This is one of those novels, that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Five out of five stars.

Happy Reading.

Intriguing story about a young woman caught in a Paris terrorist attack in a nightclub and the adventure she sets out on to deal with the after-effects of the attack. This book is obviously a Christian title - there was a tad too much God in it for me, but the story itself was great and the writing strong. Huge reveal about a third of the way in hooked me and I had to finish it.

The Space Between Words has everything I love in a book; Several mysteries, characters with both depth, conflict and room for growth, intriguing historical settings, effective pacing, and reflection over the big Life Questions.
I knew almost nothing about Huguenots. The opening paragraph pulled me in quickly. “1695, Gatigny, France. My name is Adeline Baillard, and my life may end today. Or it may stretch its final throes into another dawn. Existence is a flimsy thing. I savor its fragility with every breath I take.” Michele Phoenix artfully shifts the story to present day France and we are left hanging, wanting to learn more.

The modern story flashes and implodes from the start. I tried to piece together what happened, along with Jessica, the main character. “There were moments when the beauty we encountered (in the French countryside) brightened the edges of the darkness that consumed me. But I couldn’t seize the light that glimmered out of reach while my strength was still held hostage by the burden of surviving.”
After that, Jessica finds an antique sewing box. The false bottom is pried up, along with a foundation in her life. (Never saw that coming!) “There were seconds – just seconds – as my eyes opened after sleep when the world felt unshrouded again. Then memory maimed.” As Jessica’s story unwinds, so does that of the family who hosts her in their tiny B&B. As Jessica tells her story, she knows they have ‘kindness she can count on and courage she can borrow.’

Phoenix’s writing is striking. French Huguenot, Adeline, writes, “When the mere threat of reprisals failed to extract enough Huguenot abjurations the king ordained that we be made more miserable yet and enlisted his dragoons as hammers sent to shatter us.” Adeline teaches the children in a secret loft. “Sometimes we forgot about the danger that lurked outside our walls and Serge (the blacksmith) had to remind us to keep our laughter down. So we muffled the freedom-giving sound with hands over our mouths and let our joy of living and believing become silent.” I could feel the passion of these believers through their simple and kind ways. Adeline’s family is so strong in their faith that some make life-changing plans to escape to England. Some felt called to stay despite the persecution and terrible grief of bidding loved ones adieu.

Adeline writes, “Story is sacred, and I will tell mine...I have no illusion of safety. Our end feels inescapable. Our courage stretched taut. Our faith firm, but weary.” Yet despite the circumstances, she continues, “For all its scars and strife, this world still speaks the beauty of its Maker…In simple ways, I see him moving in Creation with serenity and grace…Though our lives have been dismantled by the cruelty of man, God in his faithfulness has scattered flecks of gold amid the debris of our loss.”

Lastly, Phoenix peppers simple wisdom and faith into The Space Between Words without ever preaching. Modern day survivors question, ‘If he’s really God, why didn’t he stop it/them?’ as do Phoenix’s characters. Being human, there’s a lot we just won’t understand, but “God layers good over the bad. It’s what he does. And the more of the bad life dishes out, the more good God dishes out too.”

Jessica’s friend Patrick love beauty. “Creating it, finding it, sharing it… he was luminous.” These words also apply to The Space Between Words.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for granting access to an arc of this book for an honest review.

My review of: The Space Between Words by Michèle Phoenix
Thomas Nelson
The Space Between Words

When I read historical fiction, I want to be transported to the place. The Space Between Words by Michèle Phoenix did that for me. While one might think that a setting of modern day Paris a few years ago is not historical enough, they would be wrong. History is made each day. With each terrorist attack, the last recedes in history a little.

The Paris attacks of 2015 is roughly the basis for the modern-day aspects of this book. The France of 1695 is certainly historical enough. Persecution of the Huguenots is not a well-known subject. The author does a very good job of weaving the events of 1695 and 2015 into a thought provoking tale.

I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson-Fiction in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

The Space Between Words is just an okay read. I found to be confusing at times and too slow at other times.

This story involves the Paris attack by terrorists from the view of a survivor and the healing that takes place in the aftermath. Very well written and enjoyable to read.

The Space Between Words is a hauntingly beautiful, well-written novel that I couldn't put down. This compelling story is full of history, loss, heartache, and hope. Michele Phoenix definitely has a gift and I look forward to reading more of her books!

This is the type of novel that would typically grab my attention, but I didn't connect with this and didn't finish it.

Though Space Between was beautifully written, it lacked a couple of elements that would have elevated it to a five star read. For one thing, information about Adeline's family could have been filled in more so that we could relate better. It's hard to really connect when you don't know very much about the people.

It also could have had a stronger historical background. The story felt a little thin because we didn't get as much information regarding the religious persecution in the 1700s as we could have.

Finally, - and this isn't a criticism, but just my personal tastes - I think there would have been better balance with more duality in the two stories. This was mostly about Jessica's journey with a few references to Adeline's family. Since I thought they were equally interesting, I would have liked more of a 50/50 in the storytelling.

Still, this was a great story, and well worth your time to seek out.

*ARC via netgalley*

I was given an advance copy of this book for free from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is really about a 4.5 stars book. I have struggled between a 4 and a 5 rating for this.

First, it is a fascinating combination of a history of the persecution of the French Hugenots in the 16th century and of current terrorist times in Paris. The premise is good, the characters are good, but maybe a little less development for the Hugenot family.

I was fascinated by the book and read it quickly, but when I was 95% done with the book....I just felt like it was not enough time to wrap up the story. Other than that----it was a great read and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to readers and would definintely look to read other books by the author.

All in all, a brief look into the history of the Christian religions and the fight to retain all in the Catholic faith.

I enjoyed The Space Between Words, but I think maybe some of the magic was lost in the telling. The story itself is pretty interesting - I really enjoyed the focus on 17th century Hugoenot persecution in France, as it definitely isn't a topic you see much (read: at all) in historical fiction (or maybe you do, and I'm just totally ignorant of a rich subset of Historical Fiction that focuses exclusively on this). I was excited to learn more about it, as I honestly didn't really know much at all about Hugeonots in general to begin with. It's always refreshing to find a book that really educates you about the world and its' history.

Unfortunately, I wasn't very drawn in by the prose style. There were quite a few errors that kept jolting me out of my reading experience (the most glaring of which was that an entire sentence got repeated only a couple of pages after it was first uttered), and I had a hard time connecting with Jessica. Obviously, she is the survivor of a massive terrorist attack, so I suppose that could be a contributing factor in why she seems to stay so infuriatingly BLANK, but seriously minor characters had more personality than she did. And maybe that was the point (see the above thing about surviving a massacre) but it fell flat for me.

I'm glad that by the time I dived into this book I had completely forgotten the blurb because it made the initial shock more authentic (I totally didn't know what was going to happen), and the whole contemporary storyline was kind of up and down. I liked Grant, but predicted the role he would play in the story early on, and I felt a little bored with their interactions/relationship. I liked the hint of magical realism, but thought the Connor's "ability" was kind of forced/strange/awkward. I thought the horrors of Jessica's time at the Bataclan were intense and suspenseful and doled out in small doses perfectly, but then thought her recovery felt stilted and not as realistic.

I don't know. I just feel a lot of conflicting feelings about this one, okay? It's overall a solid historical ficiton title, which tackles a period of history people should learn more about, while also trying to strike some parallels with issues we deal with in the modern world. It doesn't always hit the mark, but when it does, there are definitely sparks flying.

I received a copy of The Space Between Words by Michele Phoenix from the publisher and Netgalley. After Jessica wakes up in a Paris hospital after the attacked in Paris. Her parents want her to return home but Patrick her friend want her t9 stay. After Jessica finds a sewing box and in the bottom there is a page from a Bible that tells the Huguenot persecution and how the feed France. Two terrible events in life.that happened centuries apart. I love historical books and to learn about history while being told a good story is a win-win. This also covers the subject of Post trumazied stress disorder. I really enjoyed the subject matter in this book. It was a very emotional book. Going through what these people did changes you. I am giving this book 5 stars.

The first time I tried to read this book… I couldn’t’ seem to focus on what was happening. However, the second time I absolutely couldn’t put it down. This book was not what I was expecting at all. There was a mixture of friendship, terror, relationships, grief, healing, history, tragedy, family, and so much more that was woven throughout the storyline.

Jessica is on a journey that she (or the reader) have no idea where it will lead. I found myself hurriedly reading each page in anticipation of what might happened next.

The emotions that Jessica experienced were illustrated so wonderfully throughout the pages.

I love this book and am looking forward to reading more books written by Michèle Phoenix.

This book is VERY timely, as it speaks to survivors of any tragedy. While speaking of a shooting, it could apply to those form natural disasters as well. It's the first book I've read that looked at survival from a CIVILIAN persective, ie one who isn't trained in survival skills. It's VERY different, but some of the PTSD is the same.

The author does such an excellent job with Jessica's voice, that when the surprise comes, readers will be catching their breath like Jessica, and in much the same denial. It's a credit to Michele that the reader feels this way. BUT, it almost made the book feel like 2 stories put together. while the search for Adeline was a way for Jessica to recover, it read different and heightened the idea of before and after.

The book is interesting in concept, and Michele does a great job with it. but teh last part of the book was just more blah, than the first part. While not making it a bad story to read, you may find yourself skimming more to get to the key moments. But if you're looking for an interesting Fall read, this is might be the one you're looking for. And for older teens, having them read that first section to see what happens to survivors of shootings, might be a valid experience for them to read.

The description of this book snagged my attention, and I couldn’t resist reading it. Now, I’m grateful to have read it, for it has given me a new perspective: a deeper understanding of the effects of terrorism, both in our world today and in our history.

How do I put the beauty of this novel into words? Phoenix has crafted a novel with genuine characters, flawed and loveable and completely real; with drama that is timely and relevant, yet still hauntingly beautiful; with history and heartache and healing and hope.

This is a book that uses the power of fiction to present truths that will affect you profoundly. Read it with an open heart and a box of tissues.

Many, many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own.

Excerpt from review:
"The message and the historical element were the things I most enjoyed. It was a quick read with a very simple writing, but the heavy religious element did not sit well with me; I respected it but as an atheist, it isn’t something I connected well with. If this is something you can relate with, then I’d highly recommend it."

I don't really read many Christian fiction books, but will do so if the synopsis grabs my attention. Nor do i really enjoy stories that has dual timelines. 'The Space Between Words' is one of those novels whereby not only did it grab my attention from start to finish, but the timelines didn't put me off. A very touching novel, with plenty of twists and turns. It is the first time that i have read any novels by this author and shall be looking forward to more. Recommended.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. This is my honest review.

A beautiful, touching story filled with mystery, history and tragedy. A story of grief and healing. Michele Phoenix effortlessly blends past and present for a very satisfying read. While it started slowly for me, I soon had trouble putting it down and really enjoyed the twist that I didn't see coming. Well done!

Michèle Phoenix's novel, The Space Between Words, is a living, breathing, swirling, ever larger black hole; mysterious, dangerous, it draws the reader in from the start. There will be no escape until the final page.

Presented are two alternate time realities, both times of unimaginable terror. One holds the answer to survival in the second.

In the 1680's and 1690's, Adeline Baillard leaves a diary of persecution of the Huguenots. Promised safety by the crown, that promise has been revoked and fierce atrocities are committed against anyone not following Roman Catholicism.

The present day terror involves a young woman named Jessica who is in France with her good but platonic friend, Patrick. Following a rock concert at the Bataclan, Jessica
wakes up in Parisian hospital, uncertain of what really happened. She and Patrick decide to take a pre-planned trip to the south of France. A great surprise awaits at the B&B, where new friends Grant, Mona, and Connor enter the picture.

Such an excellent book. The psychological terror and confusion was well laid out and believable. How real both the Huguenot persecution and the Bataclan shooting became for me! I loved the aura of mystery that Phoenix embued in her storytelling. If you like French history, current history and psychological thrillers with real answers through faith, this is a book not to miss!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible.

The Space Between Words is really the story of two women, Jessica and Adeline, and the tragedies they faced in their respective times. While both stories are interesting in their own right, I found the bouncing back and forth to be a bit distracting. Add Jessica's flashbacks of surviving the Paris attacks along with an almost separate story of her resistance to romantic relationships and the story becomes quite busy. The story has a good premise and the characters are very well developed, but with so much going on, I found it hard to stay focused. The author seems to be making a comparison between the Huguenot persecution and the Paris attacks, but I failed to see the connection, other than the fact that both women faced extreme circumstances. I actually laid this one aside several times and came back to it, determined to finish and see where Jessica's journey would lead and I suppose the book does have a fitting ending, but it felt like it took a meandering route to get there.