This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

I'm so glad I requested this - this book has been lovingly researched and you can tell

Loved this !!

If historical fiction is your thing, you must read this

The pace of the story is very fast for a novel first of a series, it does not feel like Susanne Dunlap is short of ideas for the characters. Placed in a remoted country in a past that everybody wants to forget, when the French monarchy was fighting to extend its realm to Langue D'Oc, at any costs, including massacres. the novel, step by step, explains how the "heretics" who survived Simon de Montfort attacks, were obliged to stay in the hiding and fight for their survival. A lot of novels already detailed that theme, but most of the time with an esoteric perk about he "cathares". The true original angle here is to keep the perspective of ficitional characters, women, and women of the Arts of music. The note at the end of the book in fact is so informative that I would recommend to start the story by reading it.
Also, a quick check of facts about Simon de Montfort's doing is necessary, as the cultural clashes between the North and the Occitanie. It must be considered that the times concerned are very violent, on both sides, the plot seems to forget about this reality for the first instalment.
Anyway, the book is hard to put down, as it is difficult to scheme out what will happen next. The suspens is cleverly slowed down by interesting and varied descriptions which do not seem like catalogues. This is a good book, but it is necessary to know about the historical context before reading it, nonetheless I will recommend it and cannot wait for the rest of series.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for a preview copy in exchange for a fair review.

Wow, what a story! I could have read this book in one sitting, but I had grandchildren for a few days and I had to sneak my reading time, as my granddaughter demands all of me!
This book starts out fantastic and just gets better and better! Well developed characters that the author makes you care about, adventures all the way through, very hard to it put down! This book will keep you up all night!
There's definitely a cliffhanger. I will have to wait patiently for the next book!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you so much, Netgalley!
All opinions are my own.

This novel has alot of potential - lots of interesting ideas and the medieval Languedoc setting is one of the richest settings for a historical novel. I liked the set up of Azemar and Azelais being separated as children and having to make their own way before coming together again. At times it feels a bit slow and I think this is because the author doesn't paint the characters very richly, there is a lot of action and transaction described but you don't get an understanding of what motivates the characters very well and what they are thinking other than the main two. You only see the others through their eyes and it makes them therefore very flat when actually characters like Aniort, Johana, Raimon and Azelais' husband and mother in law could be very interesting if you were to write scenes from their point of view or least give some insights. Jordane is also not very likeable and so difficult to really want things to turn out well for her!

Azalais did not know the direction that her life would take when she was picked up by the young noblewoman on the side of the road. Now, she carries a dreadful secret, one that could spell death for her if she and the others are found out.
As she searches for her friend, she is thrust into a role that she was never meant to play, one that could ruin more than one family if the deception is uncovered.

This was a great book! I absolutely loved it!

The author detailed very eloquently the era in which the story took place. Most intriguing was how some of the monks were divided on the opinion of the heretics, as well as the French. Although historical fiction, the story line did depict accuracy in the struggles of the people during this time. The story line kept the attention of the reader as it mixed passion with politics and religion. Susan Dunlop wove the detail of life amongst the upper class and those not so elevated and kept the interest with exciting detail that did not leave one wanting. At times I felt as though I was in France and could see the beautiful landscape along the sea and vineyards.

I will enjoy reading more from this author as it helps to bridge the knowledge of where we all came from and how the pieces fit together. Brilliant storyteller! Highly recommend this book if you are in search of Historical fiction.

An interested and detailed historical novel. I appreciate the time and research Susanne Dunlap invested in this work.

I’m a history major whose jam is the 20th century, but the author’s first in an intended trilogy made 13th century France come alive for me as no history book has done. It’s the story of two orphans, Azalais and Azemar, who get separated through heartbreaking circumstances and their arduous journey back to each other. Dunlap weaves a hypnotic tale that fully immerses you in the period and happily keeps you lost, unwilling to leave their world at the end. So looking forward to the next book in the series! 5/5

Pub Date 22 Apr 2019.

Thanks to Susanne Dunlap, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

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