R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 5/10/2013 + 1438 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Margaret Bulmer is to be burned alive as she has been identified by King Henry VIII as a traitor. She and her northern friends support the traditional church which Henry is disposing of throughout his reign. Joanna Stafford, her cousin, who has been a novice studying to be a nun leaves Dartford priory against her vows to support her cousin. Her father, too, is there and as the flames rise rushes to hurl an explosive to put a quick end to their kinsman. Joanna struggles to get to him. Both are arrested and taken to the tower.

Suffering for months, Joanna makes a pact with Bishop Stephen Gardiner, in order to save her father. She is to locate the Athelstan crown which is believed to be hidden at the Dartford priory. It is rumored to have great powers and Gardiner longs to obtain it "to save the old religious center" he tells Joanna. The plot thickens as Joanna searches in vain. Relationships among men and women, fathers and daughters, and politicians swirl around Joanna as she tries to save her father. Will she ever locate the crown?

The story is complex and well written. I enjoyed the strong intelligent and willful Joanna. She is the center of the novel and an admirable character. While the ending is a bit predictable in other ways it is not. Nevertheless, this is a good, good read and a wonderful first attempt by this young author.

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