Megge of Bury Down: A Family of Healers and Seers in 13th Century Cornwall

Megge of Bury Down is a historical fantasy.  It's the first novel by Rebecca Kightlinger who writes reviews for the Historical Novel Society. The focus is on a young girl in medieval Cornwall whose mother is a healer/midwife.  Most of her mother's work involves no magic.  Megge's aunt is a seer.   Her family does do magical rituals and they are believed to have been cursed.  Beliefs about magic and witchcraft play a major role, and so do the books about healing and prophecy that have been passed down in Megge's family.  Reincarnation and messages from the spirits of ancestors could be considered the most fantastical elements for readers who prefer their books more grounded in the world of the five senses.  I chose to read this book because I like paranormal content, but if you are one of those who like your historical fiction without such elements, Megge of Bury Down probably won't be for you.

   I received a review copy from the publisher via Net Galley in return for this review.

                         

The historical aspect of Megge of Bury Down is very well-developed.  We are constantly aware that we are in the 13th century through the vivid descriptions of Megge's experiences, and the attitudes of the villagers.  Megge is thoroughly medieval and so are her neighbors.  The fear of a witch hysteria is palpable.  It hovers over Megge's family.

In the medieval period children were expected to follow in the footsteps of their parents.  Megge's reluctance to become a healer like her mother alienates her from family and heritage.  It seemed to me that Megge sensed things that others in her family didn't sense.   She had a destiny of her own.  Over the course of the narrative, both the past and the future become clearer to Megge.  This knowledge shapes her perception of herself, and  I could finally see her as a strong protagonist.

I noticed that the lore that was handed down in Megge's family was syncretic which means that it came from a variety of cultures.  I identified Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Norse elements.  There may be others.  Since the voices of this tradition were numerous and their history reaches back a thousand years, syncretism seems more authentic to me than a culturally pure unitary transmission. Through Megge of Bury Down Rebecca Kightlinger honors multicultural diversity while still staying true to the period in which her novel was situated.



 

The Maid of Heaven--Joan of Arc's Unusual Ally

When I saw a summary of The Maid of Heaven by Aidan James and Michelle Wright on the publisher's website, I was intrigued.  It's the third in the Judas Reflections series about an immortal Judas Iscariot.  I hadn't read any of the books by these authors about the immortal Judas before, but I was particularly interested in this one because it involves Joan of Arc, one of my favorite historical personages.

  I admit that I hadn't been reading books dealing with strong women suitable for review on Book Babe.  At last I have a  Book Babe novel.  I received a free copy of The Maid of Heaven  from the publisher, Curiosity Quills, in return for this honest review.

                                       

First, I ought to say that Judas is the viewpoint character.  His name in the 15th century is Emmanuel Ortiz and he came to France expressly for the purpose of fighting for Joan of Arc's cause.   Joan of Arc had some unusual allies in real life such as Gilles de Rais who became known as Bluebeard, but certainly Judas Iscariot would stand out.  This is not a saintly Judas.  He enjoys his life for the most part.  This is why I commented in my book journal that if immortality was supposed to be a divine penance, it wasn't working.   He does experience angst at times, but it doesn't put a halt to his recreational activities.   He reminded me of the Immortal Duncan MacLeod from the Highlander television series.  Duncan MacLeod also lived with gusto, and was interested in fighting for great causes at one point in his life.

I liked the portrayal of Joan of Arc for the most part.  She is courageous and has tremendous fortitude.  When she was wounded with an arrow, she drew it out herself.  I have read of this stalwart Joan in many books.  Yet there were two anomalies in this portrait of Joan.

 According to the trial transcript, Joan had vowed to dress as a man.   In this novel, it's a pragmatic choice.  She dressed as a man in battle and when she was imprisoned in order to avoid rape.   Unfortunately, the trial transcripts reveal that she was raped a number of times while awaiting trial.   This is mentioned in the novel.  Judas is enraged when he learns of it.

The other anomaly is that in this book Joan was not a virgin before she was captured by the English.  Saints aren't supposed to be sexual, and most authors seem to have the attitude that Joan couldn't engage in consensual sex because it would weaken her.  I think this is a puritanical attitude.   The authors of The Maid of Heaven evidently don't believe this is true.  It humanizes Joan, but it doesn't make her less strong.  I was actually glad that the authors had made this choice, but it is a controversial one.  This Joan doesn't think of herself as a saint, and she mocked Judas when he suggested that she might one day be canonized.

I thought that The Maid of Heaven was unexpected and a compelling read.   I might be interested in following future adventures of the immortal Judas--especially if he encounters any other favorite female historical personages.    

                                

Strong is Sexy Heroine of the Week: Isabel de Vermandois

Book: The Burning Candle

Author: Lisa J. Yarde

Heroine: Isabel de Vermandois

In The Burning Candle, Isabel de Vermandois proves her inner courage by enduring the brutal dominance of both her parents, as they force her into a marriage with a man older than her father.  Although Isabel does not have a choice in her marital partner, she makes the best of life with Robert de Beaumont and becomes a dutiful wife. It is a fine balance for a woman of the medieval era; knowing what to bear and just when to stand up for she believes in against the odds. Robert appreciates his wife’s beauty and wit, but Isabel surpasses all of his expectations with her integrity. To do what is right when there is no reward takes the kind of personal strength that Isabel possesses.

The greatest test she faces in later years is the temptation offered by William de Warenne, a man betrothed to her dear friend.  Although Isabel acknowledges a growing attraction to William within herself alone, commitment to her marital vows and the children she has given Robert mean a great deal. She cannot abandon ideals she has long held just for the sake of a moment’s forbidden happiness with her lover. She is also smart enough to know the repercussions for her and William if Robert should ever discover their illicit love.

Blurb: In eleventh-century France on the eve of the First Crusade, Isabel de Vermandois becomes the wife of a man old enough to be her father. He is Robert de Beaumont, Comte de Meulan. A hero of the Norman victory at Hastings and loyal counselor to successive English kings, Robert is not all Isabel had expected. Cruel and kind by contrast, he draws her into the decadent court of King Henry I. As Robert's secrets are unraveled, Isabel finds her heart divided. Her duties as a wife and mother compel her, but an undeniable attraction to the young William de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, tempts her. In a kingdom where love holds no sway over marital relations, Isabel must choose where her loyalties and her heart lie. 


Based on the life of a remarkable medieval woman forgotten by time, The Burning Candle is a story of duty and honor, love and betrayal.

 Excerpt:

My dear, sweet Isabel, you are the only woman I have ever loved. I shall worship you until I draw my last breath.”

She swayed and her knees wobbled. The steady knot in her belly tightened. “Amieria does not deserve your faithlessness.” Her voice shook.

“None of us deserves this folly. Your friend is doomed to a mockery of a marriage, while I must forever mourn your absence from my arms. You hate me. My betrothed is your dearest companion. Would that God could look down and release us from this misery.”

“There is no such hope. I cannot remain here, knowing you harbor such feelings for me.”

He lifted her hand, fingers closing on hers again. “You believe me in my love?”

“You must see the impossibility of your wishes. My husband commands my fealty. I owe all to him. I cannot betray him, no more than I could forsake the bonds of friendship with Amieria.”

“Then tell me the truth and it may ease my pains. Tell me you despise me above all others and there is nothing worse in the world you might imagine than being the object of my affections. Tell me you could never love me as you have loved your husband.”

A teardrop spilled upon her cheek, followed by another. He released her, yet reached for her face. He stroked the tears away with his thumb. “Say it, Isabel.”

“Why must you press me for the truth when you know it? Must I be cruel, so you could claim it as a kindness?”

A rueful laugh rumbled his chest. “I have despaired of your kindness. Shall I force my attentions upon you in the hope you may fully express your loathing?”

He joined her on the step suddenly and forced her against the stonework, his arms braced, palms flat on either side of her head.

She twisted and steadied herself against the wall, shaking her head. “Do not do this, William.”

“You say my name at last. It fills me with the same hope I once carried, anticipation you would whisper it one day in a moment of passion.”

“It is false hope! I do not desire you.”

Perched precariously on the stairs, she could not dispel the shaking in her limbs, as he leaned closer and dipped his head. “Show me! Strike me or spit in my face if you must. I shall have the final proof of your hatred.”

He cupped her neck and pressed his body against hers. Delicious warmth radiated from him and chased away the cold. “Tell me, Isabel. Tell me you feel nothing for me.”

Her throat tightened as if robbed of speech. His fingers caressed her skin even as he pulled her closer. He would kiss her and she would let him. His lips hovered just beyond her reach. She only had to give in to the desire in his tremulous voice. It would be so easy, effortless.

“Isabel?” A final warning laced his guttural tone.

“I cannot!” Her scream echoed. She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth as if it would hold back the terrible truth. “God, forgive me, I cannot speak the lie.”

She sagged as his lips pressed against her brow. His arms came about her, encasing her in his solid embrace. “Then we are both fools.” She surrendered to him in full as he braced her with all his might when she would have fallen at his feet, weeping.

She sobbed against his neck, her heart hammering. He rubbed her back and murmured to her. If he meant to offer comfort, his gestures only pained her more. How had she allowed him past her heart’s defenses? At last, she recognized that he had always been there, since their meeting at Vatteville, where he offered Lovvet. His obvious attraction for Isabel had long awakened and stirred something inside her that Robert had never touched. The desire to love and to share love with another beyond a sense of duty, or what was right or honorable. She could not deny William’s feelings or her own any longer.

When she looked up, he cupped her wet face in his hands. “Come with me to Castle Acre, now. I shall claim you for my own. Not even your husband or King Henry’s wrath would stop me.”

His impetuous vow should have frightened her. It did not. Instead, a thrill raced through her. She could have laughed through her useless tears.

“You cannot mean it! Have you lost your senses and your heart before me? The scandal would destroy us both.”

She slid her hand between their bodies, beneath his mantle and pressed the point where his heart pounded, strong and steady. “I cannot leave with you. Nor can I forsake my marital bonds and sin with my body as I would in my heart.”

When he would have spoken, her forefinger against his lips stilled him. “I may have betrayed Robert and Amieria’s friendship this day. I cannot commit adultery. Duty compels us. I remain bound to my husband and you to the king’s wishes for his daughter. Whatever I may feel for you, I cannot injure Robert or Amieria. They must never know of this betrayal. It would destroy them, as it would doom us.”

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