Kathleen C. Perrin
The Sword of the Maiden
(historical fiction) Release date: December 3, 2015 Self published at Langon House 515 pages ISBN: 978-0692576922 Website | GoodreadsSource: This book was given to me by France Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: After being abruptly separated from Nicolas le Breton during the battle to save Mont Saint Michel from the English siege in 1424, Katelyn Michaels finds herself back in her normal twenty-first century life as an American teenager. Depressed and anxious to be reunited with Nicolas, she is comforted when a series of events and impressions lead her to believe she is being prepared for another mission as a Watchman.
After her beloved mentor, Jean le Vieux, comes to her in a dream and gives her the injunction to “Learn of the Maiden and take her the sword,” Katelyn understands that her mission involves assisting one of the most iconic figures in all of French History.
Katelyn is once again whisked back to the turmoil of medieval France during the Hundred Years’ War and to Nicolas. However, before the two can consider the future of their relationship, they must first complete their mission to take the sword to the Maiden. Little do they know that their old nemesis, Abdon, is already on their trail and will do everything in his unhallowed power to stop them.
My Review: Katelyn is now back home in America and in her own time. Even though she is back with her family, she still is not happy. She wishes she could still go back to the fifteenth century to be back with her love Nicolas. When she is called back on a mission to bring the sword to The Maiden, Joan of Arc. Katelyn is happy that she can now finally be reunited with him. Can Katelyn fulfill her quest and save France?
I liked Katelyn much better than in The Keys of The Watchmen. Katelyn is very mature. She has come to have much respect for those around her. She also takes a responsibility for her role as a Watchman. She is focused on her task, and duty comes first in her priorites. While Katelyn is not as temperamental as she was in the first book, she is still very feisty. She can save herself. At times, she is very emotional. However, she is very understanding of her situations. She is also a strategist and plans everything very meticulously down to the last detail. She is wiser and makes smarter decisions than she did in the the first book. Therefore, Katelyn’s character has developed much more, and I found her a likable protagonist.
Overall, this book is about love, friendship, choices, and responsibility. The message of the book is that there is hope. This book is very slow in the beginning, but halfway through it picks up. It is full of action, mystery, and adventure. I did not like how the perspectives kept changing. Katelyn’s story is told in first person and the other chapters focusing on other characters are told from a third person perspective. I think that the author should have kept the perspective in third person so that the story would flow better. The characters were very fun and engaging. I especially liked the chapters focused on Joan of Arc’s story. Joan was a very brave woman who sincerely believed in her calling, and I found her story to be very compelling. The story was left unresolved, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in timeless romances, Joan of Arc, and strong heroines.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kathleen C. Perrin holds bachelor's degrees in French and Humanities from Brigham Young University and is a certified French translator. Besides being the author of The Watchmen Saga, she has published several non-fiction articles, academic papers, and a religious history about Tahiti. Kathleen has lived in Utah, New York City, France, and French Polynesia. She and her French husband have spent years investigating the mysteries and beauties of his native country--where they have a cottage--and have taken tourist groups to France. The Perrins have three children and currently reside in Utah. Visit her website. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter. Sign up to receive her Newsletter. Buy the book on Amazon.
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thanks for your very nice review. I liked the way you shared with us what you really liked in the book, and things that you think could work better, and also the evolution from book 1. With you, I can't wait already for book 3! Emma at FBT
ReplyDeleteLauralee, thanks for your thoughtful review. I'm glad you picked up on the undercurrents of love, friendship, choices and responsibility in the story line. I'm working hard on Book III, where Katelyn and Nicolas will face even greater challenges to not only protect Mont Saint Michel but to preserve their relationship. Check out my website at: www.kathleencperrin.com
ReplyDeleteah, good to know book 3 is in process!
ReplyDelete