The Burning Chambers: Kate Mosse (The Burning Chambers, 1)

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This is a story of mystery, conspiracy, betrayal, love, and family secrets amidst the most turbulent of times.

The mystery itself and the romance work quite well, but the strength of this book is Mosse’s extensive knowledge and evocative description of the beautiful region in which it is set and the intricacies of the religious problem. I say perfect because I do love history and the level of detail was just right and described with historical accuracy. Also, the is a theme of the importance of the gender of the heir to the estate, where the newborn girls were murdered to save as much possible wealth.

Comienza con un prólogo fechado en 1862 en Sudáfrica, que nos permite entender cuales serán los nexos comunes de la trama de esta trilogía: un diario, un testamento, un antiguo secreto y dos familias enfrentadas desde hace 300 años. Definitivamente Kate Mosse tiene una habilidad impecable para construir una historia alrededor de hechos históricos reales, con lenguaje sencillo, pero muy cuidado, y una apasionante trama. I was told that Forever Amber was sloppy Romance so for years I never tried it but when I did I made it book of the year. This is an epic novel that I absolutely LOVED, and I am already (anxiously) waiting for book two, The City of Tears.

After a slow start, it's pretty pacey, and I have to give props for the seriously dark suggestion that those alive at the end of this book might visit Paris for the wedding of Henri III and the feast of Bartholomew. Eventually, the various story lines and leading characters converge on the place that holds the key to one element of the mystery before building to a dramatic climax. I admit, I did miss the mixture of past and present characters here, which has become so synonymous with Mosse’s storytelling, however, her ability to produce characters that are instantly relatable, down to earth and likeable still holds true. He was engaged in a battle for the very soul of France, a battle that would define how men could live and be free.Around the same time, Minou, who is Catholic, becomes deeply drawn to Piet Reydon, a Huguenot on a quest for his faith. This historical fiction shows a past time of France history when a similar battle between the neighbours took place. The refrain “old secrets cast long shadows” echoes through the many layers of deception and discovery. First-rate cloak and dagger excitement – who knew the religious wars between Catholics and Huguenots in sixteenth-century France could be so riveting to modern audiences? The Burning Chambers is a novel that will appeal to a wide range of readers and it really is Kate Mosse at her very best.