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Rosemary Griggs has created a wonderful historical fiction series based on meticulous research, which is very obvious throughout. We meet Roberda as a very young girl and through her view point we are taken through war, celebrations, and devastation as Roberda grows from a girl to a woman. Due to her fathers involvement in the wars, her life takes her to various places in France before she ultimately lands in England to be married and becomes a daughter of Devon. Sadly, escaping war in France does not bring all the joys expected and Roberda faces further struggles and heartbreak.

I never include spoilers in my reviews but in this case I will say that it is very rare that I will cry from reading a book but this made me cry more than once! Rosemary has an extraordinary talent for making you feel like you know the characters, feel their emotions and share their joy and heartbreak.

Through Roberda’s story we experience the reality of war and how families feel differently to one another, adding tension to an already tense situation. I will admit I found Roberda a little difficult to like at first, she does very much come across as a spoiled brat but as she matures she becomes a strong, independent woman, very similar to her mother who was also a brilliant character, along with Beatrice, Alain and Gawen. Although the latter is not very likeable he is a complex character that Rosemary has portrayed brilliantly.

The descriptives throughout are vivid and truly bring the story to life. I could picture Roberda and her family, their surroundings, and their clothing. No detail is too small for Rosemary to include but it is done in such a way that it enriches the story rather than becoming unnecessary filler.

Rosemary includes details at the end to explain which characters are based on real individuals and those she has created, as well as the aspects of the story which are supported by evidence. This truly is a beautifully written book covering the Huguenot wars in France and Elizabethan England. If you are looking for a story that will transport you back in time, make you laugh, and cry then I certainly recommend this and I will be picking up the third instalment ASAP. This is one of the best historical fiction novels I have read.

Orignal review posted on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R2B2PWLVW1SX82?ref=pf_vv_at_pdctrvw_srp
And the Tudor Notebook on substack https://amymcelroy.substack.com

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