Hey guys, happy Friday!
Today I know it's a rather somber day specially to all my US friends so I'm sending loads of love to everyone that was touched by tragedy that day.
For this week's Friday Reads I have an ARC that was on my late pile and that I read for ARC August!
Into The Fire by Manda Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a fantastic book!
Manda Scott is the author of my of my favourite historical fiction series: Boudica, and so when I saw this book up for request on Netgalley I was really excited to see a book about Jeanne of Arc, decided to read it closer to release day and next time I saw it, I thought it was a dystopian YA and postponed reading it until I properly checked the book and remembered which one it was... I blame my mind gone nuts with my moving!
I usually love a good mix of historical fiction and alternative (slightly conspiracy theorist) theories with a good foundation in history! The dual narrative at the time of the Maid and then in the present time complemented each other greatly, both building on each other towards the discovery of the intended truth and both keeping me turning pages anxiously!
One of the two narratives is on present time, with Capitaine Ines Picault trying to uncover and apprehend the perpetrators of arson attacks on the city of Orleans, claimed by an Islamist terrorist group via phone calls. But things get more dire when a body is discovered is one of the fires and while investigating it seems that Ines' past and present might be more than relevant to the case.
The second narrative is the historical fiction one, and deals with the rise and fall of the Maid of Orleands, and it's from the POV of Thomas, English spy trying to discover the truth about Jeanne to bring her downfall.
Both narratives are connected by the Maid of Orleans and the mystery of who she really was, if she really was just a peasant girl from Domremy that happened to ride and joust like a knight or if there was someone else behind the Jeanne of Arc name. And this kind of mysteries, where we take a different look at an established historical fiction account that doesn't seem to be based on many facts and take a look at the story with a least miracle-inclined eye, are something I simply love to bits.
Ines is a fantastic character, a captain of the police and one that is resented by some of her colleagues, but that focuses on doing her job the best she can. Her personal circumstances with the family connections and power plays added quite an interesting twist to the already captivating mystery of the arsons and the murder and the motives and discovering what they might have to do with the identity of the Maid.
Thomas was a very interesting character too, changing names and personas from English to French side, being a spy and finding himself with unexpected sympathies for the side that he's intent on bringing down.
The Maid is also an extremly interesting character, full of love for France and a woman that acted like a knight while pretending to be a poor, illiterate maid from Domremy. I found this characterization so refreshing, seeing her fighting amongst the men and directing the fight with a knowledge of strategy, a woman in a position of power unheard of at the time! And with a much believable explanation that just the one that made her a saint, after being burnt at the stake by the same church. Is it the truth? Probably not, does it make more sense than the usual miracle-filled story? Quite so!
If you like historical fiction and strong female characters, look no further! I'm kicking myself for not reading this one earlier! Very much deserved 4 to 4.5 stars to this one!
View all my reviews
Today I know it's a rather somber day specially to all my US friends so I'm sending loads of love to everyone that was touched by tragedy that day.
For this week's Friday Reads I have an ARC that was on my late pile and that I read for ARC August!
Into The Fire by Manda ScottMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a fantastic book!
Manda Scott is the author of my of my favourite historical fiction series: Boudica, and so when I saw this book up for request on Netgalley I was really excited to see a book about Jeanne of Arc, decided to read it closer to release day and next time I saw it, I thought it was a dystopian YA and postponed reading it until I properly checked the book and remembered which one it was... I blame my mind gone nuts with my moving!
I usually love a good mix of historical fiction and alternative (slightly conspiracy theorist) theories with a good foundation in history! The dual narrative at the time of the Maid and then in the present time complemented each other greatly, both building on each other towards the discovery of the intended truth and both keeping me turning pages anxiously!
One of the two narratives is on present time, with Capitaine Ines Picault trying to uncover and apprehend the perpetrators of arson attacks on the city of Orleans, claimed by an Islamist terrorist group via phone calls. But things get more dire when a body is discovered is one of the fires and while investigating it seems that Ines' past and present might be more than relevant to the case.
The second narrative is the historical fiction one, and deals with the rise and fall of the Maid of Orleands, and it's from the POV of Thomas, English spy trying to discover the truth about Jeanne to bring her downfall.
Both narratives are connected by the Maid of Orleans and the mystery of who she really was, if she really was just a peasant girl from Domremy that happened to ride and joust like a knight or if there was someone else behind the Jeanne of Arc name. And this kind of mysteries, where we take a different look at an established historical fiction account that doesn't seem to be based on many facts and take a look at the story with a least miracle-inclined eye, are something I simply love to bits.
Ines is a fantastic character, a captain of the police and one that is resented by some of her colleagues, but that focuses on doing her job the best she can. Her personal circumstances with the family connections and power plays added quite an interesting twist to the already captivating mystery of the arsons and the murder and the motives and discovering what they might have to do with the identity of the Maid.
Thomas was a very interesting character too, changing names and personas from English to French side, being a spy and finding himself with unexpected sympathies for the side that he's intent on bringing down.
The Maid is also an extremly interesting character, full of love for France and a woman that acted like a knight while pretending to be a poor, illiterate maid from Domremy. I found this characterization so refreshing, seeing her fighting amongst the men and directing the fight with a knowledge of strategy, a woman in a position of power unheard of at the time! And with a much believable explanation that just the one that made her a saint, after being burnt at the stake by the same church. Is it the truth? Probably not, does it make more sense than the usual miracle-filled story? Quite so!
If you like historical fiction and strong female characters, look no further! I'm kicking myself for not reading this one earlier! Very much deserved 4 to 4.5 stars to this one!
View all my reviews
Ummmm. How is it that I haven't heard of this one till now Pili? I enjoy historical fiction and am ALWAYS up for strong female characters, so thanks for this recommendation! I think my mother in law would really enjoy it as well:)
ReplyDeleteYou both should give it a try, I'm sure you'd love both Ines and Jeanne!! Let me know what you think of it if you or your mother in law read it, Jenny!
DeleteI so rarely read historical fiction, but I so enjoy the ones that are, even loosely, based in real historical events. I haven't read something like that in ages! Most of all, I would enjoy the strong feminist message in this one, and I would probably find Thomas really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think this book would have quite a good amount of things that you'd like Maja! Do let me know if you end up reading it!
DeleteWhat I take away from this review - perhaps Boudica should be on the Pili-Pushed list? ;) I am so happy to see that this author didn't let you down! I love historical fiction. ^_^
ReplyDeleteFabulous review, Pili! Have a lovely weekend!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
I'd say yes!! It's a rather epic series that I love to bits!
DeleteYay :D So glad you liked this book so much Pili. <3 Stunning review, as always :) I don't think this book would be for me, hih, but cuuurious about it. Not heard about it before now :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it. <3
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's not YA, so I might have missed except that I saw the author and was drawn to it!
DeleteThank you sweetie!
I don't read many mysteries, so I don't know if I'll check this one out or not, BUT I will definitely be checking out the Boudica series, so who knows? Maybe I'll change my mind ;) Great review, Pili!
ReplyDeleteYou DO need to check the Boudica series for sure Jessica!! It's totally up your alley!!
Delete