Book Blurb:
Historical fiction with a touch of magic.
When the brutal husband she believed dead returns from the Crusades, the Lady of Mirefoix turns to murder and magic to protect her people. But the spells she invokes to restore dying loved ones to life do not work as intended; instead, they bring souls from distant lands and different centuries, souls with special gifts and diverse points of view. When war comes, the Lady needs their help; but the summoned souls flee to pursue their own destinies. They leave the Lady alone to face the invaders—and question whether she can be redeemed from her sins. Takes place in 13th-century Occitanie (southern France) during the war against the Cathar heresy.
“…this rousing tale delivers an enticing mixture of fantasy and history.” –Kirkus Reviews
“….history comes alive in the most enthralling way possible.”—Suzie Housley, Bookwatch/Midwest Book Review.
“A gripping read.”—Tracy Traynor, ReadersFavorite
Rebecca's previous novel was set in first-century Rome; look for "A.D. 62:Pompeii" by Rebecca East.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/VSVAAyF
Author Bio:
Rebecca loves history. As a faculty member at the University of New Hampshire, she published books about statistics and research articles in psychology. She has always loved to read, both fiction and nonfiction. Other interests include nature walks, travel, and Italian greyhounds. The first thing an Italian greyhound learns in her house is that nothing happens in the morning before Mommy has her coffee. Rebecca earned her BA in Social Relations from Carnegie-Mellon in 1973 and her PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard in 1978; she taught in the Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham NH 03824, from 1981 to 2017. Other career highlights include teaching on Semester at Sea, and consulting for Shandong Medical University in China, the World Health Organization in Geneva, and Project Orbis, an international medical education program. She loves to talk about history, particularly the early Roman Empire, the High Middle Ages, and World War II.
Editorial Review:
"Journey of Souls" by Rebecca Warner is a multicultural and magical tale set during the Albigensian Crusades, a war aimed at eradicating the Cathar heretics. Europe in 1206 was a cosmopolitan and multicultural land, with a far wider diversity of religious and spiritual beliefs than one might imagine. Trade and travel along the Silk Road created connections across vast distances, and people from Asia and Africa could be found in Europe since the Roman Empire.
Through the soul-invoking spell used by the Lady, characters from different centuries, continents, and cultures are brought into the story. Warner blends fiction with reality, setting the action in the imaginary city of Mirefoix, a place located south of Saverdun and west of Foix in the Pyrenees Mountains. Characters like the Lady of Mirefoix and the Baron of Saverdun are fictional, but historical figures such as Pope Innocent III, Raymond VI, and Esclarmonde are also included. Warner successfully creates an authentic and detailed medieval atmosphere with particular attention to historical and cultural details. Elaborate descriptions of feasts, clothing, and interactions between characters bring to life a rich and complex world. Simultaneously, the magical and supernatural elements add a layer of mystery and fascination.
"Journey of Souls" by Rebecca Warner is a captivating novel that explores profound themes of loss, sacrifice, and the search for redemption. The book unfolds in a rich and vibrant medieval setting, full of intrigue and complex characters.
The narrative begins with the story of a pilgrim who is offered a new chance in life by being hired as a servant to a noble lady. The pilgrim, initially hesitant, gratefully accepts, hoping that through this service, they can atone for past sins. However, the situation quickly becomes much more complex than mere servitude.
One of the key moments in the novel is when the lady reveals her hidden intentions, planning to use the pilgrim's body to save her dying daughter, Alienor. This soul exchange is described with emotional intensity and rare attention to detail. As the story progresses, we are introduced to the pilgrim's past, revealing a life full of suffering and mistakes. Once a peasant girl, seduced and abandoned by a traveler, and later cast out by her own father after becoming pregnant, the pilgrim ends up living on the streets and prostituting herself to survive. The tragic death of her daughter, whom she kills to spare from a life of suffering, adds heartbreaking depth to her character and motivations for seeking redemption.
At the heart of the novel is the desperate effort of the lady to save Alienor's soul using ancient magic. The scene where the soul transfer attempt takes place is described with rising tension, culminating in Alienor's death and a devastating sense of loss for her mother. She faces the guilt and pain of having caused her daughter's death without the comfort of a priest, committing herself to pray incessantly for her soul.
The book continues to explore themes of captivity and secrecy. The pilgrim becomes more of a prisoner than a servant, being kept captive to prevent the revelation of her mistress's secrets. Meanwhile, other characters in the story reveal their own secrets and struggles, adding complexity and richness to the narrative.
In a dramatic twist of fate, the protagonist survives a car accident and finds herself in a harsh and foreign medieval context. Devoid of technology and comfort, she faces extremely challenging difficulties, from walking along rocky paths to being captured and imprisoned. In this ruthless world, she discovers an unusual ability to ease the suffering of others, but also a great personal burden that transforms her into a "wounded healer." The struggles to find food and water, as well as relationships with characters like Jacotte and Bon, highlight her physical and emotional challenges and inner conflicts. Despite seeking a new identity and a place of belonging, the protagonist faces pain, fear, and personal sacrifice.
A central aspect of the book is the exploration of the themes of honor and personal sacrifice. The protagonist confronts moral and emotional dilemmas related to their social status and human relationships. A significant example of this conflict is her relationship with Bon, where feelings of attraction and admiration mix with fear and uncertainty. „Bon still avoided any intimate contact. Sometimes I wished he would touch me, but at other times I was afraid. I did not believe my vow of chastity was binding; I made that promise under duress and in a spirit of foolish pique. However, he believed it would dishonor us both to break that vow. I knew he was troubled by the dishonor he brought on himself by breaking his vows of loyalty to the Lady. He would not further tarnish his honor or damage mine.”At this stage of the book, the protagonist's inner conflicts become clear, oscillating between the desire for acceptance and fears related to honor and status. The detailed description of his journey of self-discovery and human relationships reflects the emotional and spiritual complexity of the character, adding depth to the narrative.
Furthermore, the dramatic events surrounding the city of Beziers and the confrontation with the invaders highlight themes of sacrifice and courage in the face of adversity. The moral dilemmas and internal conflicts are powerfully illustrated through the protagonist's personal story and his struggle to protect and save his loved ones, including Christine, despite the city's destruction and his own limitations.
Rebecca Warner thus succeeds in crafting a captivating and emotional story, full of complexity and reflection on human nature, honor, and personal sacrifice. A crucial moment in this journey is the reflection on the harshness of the past and the acceptance of necessary changes to find happiness and personal fulfillment. The protagonist faces internal conflicts and new responsibilities but manages to find his balance and move towards a brighter future. In an emotional dialogue, the protagonist reflects on the importance of leaving behind pain and resentment:„“We all must learn to live with things we cannot change. All of us feel wronged. We must all forgive each other. If you remain angry, it will hurt us, but the anger burning in your breast will also destroy you. You deserve to be happy and can be if you let go of the past.”This quote underscores the essential themes of the book: the power of forgiveness and the necessity of overcoming inner obstacles to find true happiness. In a world filled with conflicts and losses, the protagonist manages to find his path to self-fulfillment and acceptance, showing that although life may bring many challenges, courage and openness to change are essential to move forward.
"Journey of Souls" is a captivating story about self-discovery and personal transformation in the face of adversity, offering profound lessons about acceptance, courage, and the ability to build a new beginning. Rebecca Warner succeeds in creating a complex and emotional narrative that challenges the reader to reflect on human nature, the connections that define us, and the transformative power of extreme experiences. In a medieval world full of mystery and emotion, the book explores themes such as sin, forgiveness, and redemption through carefully crafted characters with complicated pasts and deep motives. Rebecca Warner's evocative style blends history and fantasy in a captivating way, making "Journey of the Souls" a must-read for those who appreciate historical novels with a dose of the supernatural and deep introspection into the souls of the characters, leaving a memorable impression long after the last page is turned.
*****
“Journey of Souls” by Rebecca Warner receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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