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⭐⭐⭐1/2

Impeccably researched and historically rich, this book details the troubling story of Lady Isabelle d’Albret Courteault, beginning in the year 1453, as she must manage events in her life that are brutal, intense, and not that uncommon in this turbulent historical context.

A mystic with visions and interesting and uncommon views of the female deity, Lady Isabelle’s beliefs, Christian though they may be, are considered heretical and treasonous, simply by virtue of the gender of the God she pays homage to.

Pursued as a “witch” and a “heretic”, her life tragically stripped of everyone she loves and cherishes, Lady Isabelle must run, posed as a male scholar for her own safety, aided by several priests, monks, and supporters sharing her deep faith. A journey from Calais to Rome, across the treacherous and violent courts of countries including France, Switzerland, Italy, becomes a life-or-death saga – one in which Lady Isabelle comes to question everything in her life that had value, including (and perhaps, centered on) her formerly unquestionable faith.

Factual and well written, Lady Isabelle’s narrative tone is somewhat observational and detailed. I did not connect deeply with the characters, including Lady Isabelle, who appeared strangely removed from her emotions as the horrifying losses piled up around her. (It is admittedly difficult to make such an intensely spiritual character viscerally available to the reader.)

A big thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

My stop today on the @RandomTTours #Blogtour for #queenofheaven by @catharineclover