This was very difficult for me to read. The writer includes liberal (and annoying) doses of French and Occitan words. There is a glossary at the back of the novel, so you find yourself constantly interrupting your reading (sometimes several times a page) to flick to the glossary. I got about 1/3 of the way through and stopped. Just couldn't take anymore. I say don't waste your time.

This book isnt what the author says on the back. It is well written, beautifully descriptive, but a bit confusing. There were times when I just couldnt figure out where things came from. A character seduses another for information, I dont know where he got the info, because the other characters swore not to tell him! We trip back and forth between the past/future. I would have liked a straight story, it would have made more sense, and I could have gotten attached to the characters more. I think the author was suggesting reincarnation, holy grail quest, and crusade history. I am assuming her details are correct. I havent heard things this way before.
AND everyone knows that mosquitos bite more during dawn/evening hours than in the the heat of the day....still "bugs" me!

The book started off a bit slow, taking its time to really build up the story - then it became really intense right near the end but ended rather quickly. The very last chapter was satisfying (and left a bit of a lump in my throat), but it did feel a bit rushed right before then especially with the slow lead-up prior to that. But I liked the story and the history so it was definitely worth reading.

A very interesting book weaving the past and the present. The lives of a Middle Ages woman and her family have ramifications to the present. All in the name of a secret society meant to protect the Grail.

Terrific Book!! Transported me back in time...

From Publishers Weekly=
Mosse's page-turner takes readers on another quest for the Holy Grail, this time with two closely linked female protagonists born 800 years apart. In 2005, Alice Tanner stumbles into a hidden cave while on an archeological dig in southwest France. Her discovery—two skeletons and a labyrinth pattern engraved on the wall and on a ring—triggers visions of the past and propels her into a dangerous race against those who want the mystery of the cave for themselves. Alaïs, in the year 1209, is a plucky 17-year-old living in the French city of Carcassone, an outpost of the tolerant Cathar Christian sect that has been declared heretical by the Catholic Church. As Carcassonne comes under siege by the Crusaders, Alaïs's father, Bertrand Pelletier,entrusts her with a book that is part of a sacred trilogy connected to the Holy Grail. Guardians of the trilogy are operating against evil forces—including Alaïs's sister, Oriane, a traitorous, sexed-up villainess who wants the books for her own purposes. Sitting securely in the historical religious quest genre, Mosse's fluently written third novel (after Crucifix Lane) may tantalize (if not satisfy) the legions of Da VinciCode devotees with its promise of revelation about Christianity's truths. 8-city author tour. (Mar.)

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This is a wonderful book about 2 women who live parallel lives in separate centuries. (I know we've read about this type of thing before). BUT--this novel includes the discovery of mysterious religious relics, French noblemen, the Catholic Inquisition as well as a couple of romances and a French chateau. What more could a reader possibly want?? Mosse manages to pull it all together to give us a satisfying ending. Bravo!! Don't miss it!

I just could not get into this book, I read the first 50 pages and put it down.

I liked this book -- I found it to hard to put down at times. I liked the two connecting story lines too. One from present day, one from the 1200s, set in France. I also found the female protagonists refreshing.

This book was interesting to me, but quite slow in the reading with the switching to different languages (Occitan and French are littered throughout the book). Sometimes the is no clear translation for what the characters are saying, atleast it was not obvious enough for me. Most times the author clearly translates in English at the end of the phrase and she does it in style, not in a boring way. I think this is a good story and I would recommend for others to read it who are interested in historical fiction which I have come to love.

I wish I knew more about this time in history. This book dragged for me and I pretty much figured out the ending by page 350. I guess I have read too many books where one of the characters has lived forever. It did grab me in parts, but most of the history was lost on me.

This book isnt what the author says on the back. It is well written, beautifully descriptive, but a bit confusing. There were times when I just couldnt figure out where things came from. A character seduses another for information, I dont know where he got the info, because the other characters swore not to tell him! We trip back and forth between the past/future. I would have liked a straight story, it would have made more sense, and I could have gotten attached to the characters more. I think the author was suggesting reincarnation, holy grail quest, and crusade history. I am assuming her details are correct. I havent heard things this way before.
AND everyone knows that mosquitos bite more during dawn/evening hours than in the the heat of the day....still "bugs" me!

A lot of characters and French names to keep track of, but worth the read.

Took me a while to get in to it, but enjoyed it. good plot

GREAT READ!!!!!!!!!!!

Cathars, Carcassonne, the Grail, and 2 historians.

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