Book Blurb:
Best Book in Historical Fiction, PenCraft Award for Literary Excellence, Spring 2024
In this fast-paced, suspenseful novel, journalist Alienor Crespo discovers a trove of irreplaceable books rescued from the flames of the Spanish Inquisition. Using her gift of second sight, Alienor exploits her knowledge of the past and present to confront extremists, who are bent on destroying all evidence of harmony between Christians, Muslims, and Jews in Medieval Spain. The future of the underground library of Zahara is at stake as well as the lives of its protectors. Hailed as a dazzling journey through time, Zahara and the Lost Books of Light will hold you spellbound until the end.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/QrZh4K
Author Bio:
A New York City transplant now living in Seattle, Joyce Yarrow began her writing life scribbling poems on the subway and observing human behavior from every walk of life.
Joyce is the award-winning author of the Zahara Series and, according to Library Journal, her literary novels of suspense “appeal to readers who enjoy unusual mysteries with an international setting.”
ZAHARA AND THE LOST BOOKS OF LIGHT (book 1 in the Zahara Series), was awarded 5 Stars by Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and chosen as a Best Book in the Historical Fiction category by the PenCraft Awards (Spring of 2024). It has also been translated into Spanish and Portuguese. The second book in the series, STOLEN LIVES earned the 2024 Firebird Award for International Suspense.
In 2022, her coming-of-age novel SANDSTORM, won a the 2022 gold medal in Women's Fiction at the CIPA/Evvy Awards.
Joyce's other published novels of suspense include ASK THE DEAD, RUSSIAN RECKONING, and RIVERS RUN BACK (co-authored with Arindam Roy).
Editorial Review:
Zahara and the Lost Books of Light (The Zahara Series Book 1)
The windows overlooking the Plaza de Bib-Arrambla have been tightly shuttered against the moonlight. Pavestones suffocate under a deluge of books, codices with wooden covers, as well as loose pages heartlessly ripped from their bindings. Handwritten in Arabic, Aramaic, and Hebrew, many of these works are illuminated with gold leaf or inscribed with exquisite calligraphy, only to be thrown together like corpses in a heap. Thousands of tomes lie strewn about the square, stacked as high as the shelves they once occupied in the libraries of Al-Andalus. The poetry of Mohammed Ibn Hani, works of philosophy by Moses Maimonides and commentaries by Abu Nasr al-Farabi, Muslim and Jewish holy books, all judged as heretical and in equal peril. The smell of incipient violence taints the air.
Zahara and the Lost Books of Light draws you in immediately from the very first line. We are pulled back to October 1499. The description of these books in the plaza had me wanting to know more – and why these books had been so abused.
As she draws the reader into Alienor's world and the long-kept truths she is about to discover, Yarrow sets the stage for a story that is simultaneously intriguing and urgent. The tone and environment for the epic trip that lies ahead are created in the novel's opening sections, which are incredibly detailed and captivating.
Zahara and the Lost Books of Light is a brilliantly written book that goes beyond the bounds of historical fiction. It skillfully combines aspects of political intrigue, fantasy, and suspense to tell a gripping and educational tale. This book, which won the PenCraft Award for Literary Excellence in Historical Fiction in the spring of 2024, is proof of Yarrow's extraordinary narrative skills and her profound knowledge of both history and culture. Anyone who enjoys intricately detailed stories that examine the connections between the past and present, faith and identity, and love and sacrifice should read Zahara and the Lost Books of Light.
The captivating tale of Seattle journalist Alienor Crespo, who travels to Spain to rekindle her Sephardic ancestry, lies at the core of Zahara and the Lost Books of Light. Alienor's first journey of self-discovery swiftly turns into an exciting journey upon uncovering a treasure trove of priceless books that were saved from the flames of the Spanish Inquisition. With the use of her second sight, Alienor finds herself in a conflict with radicals who want to remove all traces of the peaceful coexistence of Christians, Muslims, and Jews in medieval Spain.
The narrative framework of the book alternates between the 16th century and the present day with ease, making it both intricate and captivating. Yarrow creates a complex tapestry of interconnected lives and events spanning ages by deftly fusing the past and present. The stakes are high as Alienor and her cousin Celia, who is currently guarding Zahara's secret library, battle against forces of radicalism that reflect the atrocities of the Inquisition but in the modern era. In addition to being an exciting trip, the narrative delves deeply into the impact of history on the present and the never-ending quest for understanding, tolerance, and cohabitation.
February 2019
It was just another working day, or so I thought. I was out on assignment at the University of Washington, updating a story I’d written about Judith Talavera, the first Sephardic woman from Seattle to apply for Spanish citizenship. I thought it would be simple, just the facts about Spain’s new law, presented by an attorney from Granada. This was before the elderly man seated next to me in Kane Hall fingered the dark blue yarmulke pinned to his head and murmured, “How come they want us back now?”
A woman from the row behind me responded. “What does it matter? Nothing their government can offer will compensate us for being tortured and expelled.”
Zahara and the Lost Books of Light by Yarrow is a superbly polished work with an excellent layout and editing that improves the reading experience. The rich Spanish scenery and the characters' deep emotions are both deftly and elegantly captured in the exquisite and detailed prose. The chapters in the book flow clearly and compellingly between different time periods and points of view. The novel's structure is well-organized. Despite the novel's complex plot and wealth of historical data, it is easy to explore thanks to its professional and tidy style.
One of the book’s best aspects is the way the characters grow throughout the story. The protagonist, Alienor Crespo, is a very relatable figure whose emotional and inspirational journey of self-discovery is evident. Her capacity to communicate with her ancestors through her "vijitas," or visions, gives her a distinct and ethereal quality that lets readers see history through her eyes. Alienor transforms from an inquisitive journalist into a brave defender of knowledge and culture as she delves into the mysteries surrounding her ancestry and the secret library.
Another well-developed character who is essential to the plot is Alienor's cousin Celia. Celia represents the tenacity and fortitude of people who have devoted their lives to preserving history in her role as protector of the underground library. Alienor and Celia's relationship is exquisitely shown, emphasizing the value of shared responsibilities, family history, and solidarity in the face of hardship.
Each of the well-drawn secondary characters, including the experts who have been defending the library for centuries and the radicals who want to destroy it, contributes to the novel's rich fabric of conflict, history, and cultural preservation.
Zahara and the Lost Books of Light has perfect continuity, making it easy for readers to jump between the several timelines and storylines in the book. The logical and emotionally impactful linkages between the past and present are guaranteed by Yarrow's painstaking attention to detail. The tale moves along at a very fast pace, with suspense and anxiety rising as Alienor learns more about her family's past and the dangers that lurk around Zahara's library.
There is a gratifying and thought-provoking conclusion to Zahara and the Lost Books of Light. Even though the book ends with a sense of completion, there is still room for more investigation in later series entries. Alienor's quest comes to a successful and bittersweet end, symbolizing the difficult historical circumstances and the continuous fight to preserve knowledge and cultural heritage in the face of contemporary difficulties. Yarrow's expertise as a storyteller is demonstrated by her ability to strike a balance between realism and hope in the novel's ending.
A genuinely distinctive book, Zahara and the Lost Books of Light is notable for its intriguing fusion of political intrigue, fantasy, and historical fiction. The theme of "Convivencia," or the period of peaceful coexistence of various faiths in Spain, is explored by Yarrow, which gives the narrative more historical depth and resonance. The novel is a potent and poignant read for modern readers because of its ageless and topical focus on the preservation of knowledge and cultural legacy. The novel's attraction is enhanced and distinguished from previous works in the genre by the incorporation of mystical aspects, such as the underground library and Alienor's visions, which provide a hint of magic.
It was late April when I drove through the wrought iron gate, my guilt as dense as the giant laurel hedges lining the roadway. Nona had been there for me always and I hadn’t come to see her for six months.
The quality of Joyce Yarrow's writing is outstanding. Her writing, which captures the majesty and cruelty of the universe she has created, is both poetic and accurate. One of the novel's best features is Yarrow's ability to conjure up rich, dramatic images in the reader's mind, taking them to both the sun-drenched Spanish landscapes and the murky recesses of history. Because of the historical backdrop of the narrative and the individuals' varied backgrounds, the dialogue is genuine and flowing. The narrative is given depth by Yarrow's deft use of symbolism and metaphor, which makes reading Zahara and the Lost Books of Light a satisfying and fascinating experience.
The story arc of Zahara and the Lost Books of Light is expertly written, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. As the plot progresses, the book's well-balanced pacing causes the tension and suspense to steadily build. Yarrow adds depth to the story and helps the reader understand the characters and their motivations by using multiple timeframes and points of view.
The book ends with a gratifying and thought-provoking denouement after an exciting and intensely emotional novel finale.
To conclude, readers will find Joyce Yarrow's Zahara and the Lost Books of Light (The Zahara Series work 1) to be an immensely beautiful and captivating work that captures their attention from start to finish. Among historical fiction, this novel is exceptional due to Yarrow's skillful storytelling, in-depth analysis of the past and present, and fully realized characters.
A compelling book, it provides a thorough analysis of the importance of cultural preservation, the potency of knowledge, and the resilience of the human spirit. It accomplishes this by fusing suspense, fantasy, and political intrigue. Strongly recommended for readers who appreciate emotionally charged, thought-provoking novels that stay with them long after they've put them down.
*****
“Zahara and the Lost Books of Light” by Joyce Yarrow receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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
Comments