The Sword of the Maiden by Kathleen C. Perrin

(historical fiction) Release date: December 3, 2015 Self published at Langon House 515 pages ISBN: 978-0692576922 Website | Goodreads

SYNOPSIS

After being abruptly separated from Nicolas le Breton during the battle to save Mont Saint Michel 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. When 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

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and couldn’t wait to get back into Katelyn’s world where medieval history becomes daily life. I would suggest starting with book one, The Keys of the Watchmen, to understand how a 17-year-old American receives her calling to become a Watchman and helps to save the future of France.

In this second adventure, Katelyn Michaels again travels back in time to Mont St Michel at the end of 1428. Once there she must prepare to journey on to the east of France, with Nicolas le Breton, another Watchman, to fulfil their mission to give a sword to a young maiden trying to save France from the English. This time Katelyn is more willing to help, more prepared and most importantly more confident in her ability to succeed. Her only doubts seem to be about her future with Nicolas, but their dedication to the mission means for the moment they have no time for or to themselves. Once again they are thrust into a country at war and must ensure the correct decisions are made to save France without rewriting history.

This is a very readable book that takes you to the heart of the action and all the grime and hardship of life in medieval France and I really felt history coming alive. I loved the preparations Katelyn makes before her journey, to ease the pain of her mission and the clever twists where modern day gizmos make sly appearances to help things along. Although with their archenemy, the evil Abdon, who will stop at nothing to halt them, Nicolas and Katelyn can never be sure who to trust or what might be lurking around the next corner. The little cliff-hangers at the end of the chapters frequently had me thinking ‘Oh no!’ and I often had my fingers crossed as I was reading. Not since Harry Potter have I been so captivated by a Young Adult novel and I had no idea French medieval history could be so interesting. I loved it and can’t wait for more from Kathleen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen C. Perrin holds bachelors 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.

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