Laura Gilmour Bennett

Edit: 14/11/14 rounded up to 3 stars as the story has really stuck in my head.

This novel was also published under the title "By All that is Sacred", by the same author.

Set in the year 1244 and 'present day' (around 1988 I think), this novel has both romantic and historical aspects to it, as well as featuring reincarnation and black magic.

The historical storyline was interesting enough, but the present day storyline dragged on a bit and I felt the whole thing just moved too slowly when the plot was in fact very formulaic and obvious as to what was going to happen. After about half way through I just wanted to get to the end and be done with it!

The characters were not very gripping, and the love plots not very believable. I still don't know what the villain's motivation was (past or present) other than being "pure evil".

As another reviewer said, the descriptions of the Languedoc landscape were very well done though, and make me want to visit the region. Some of the more peaceful scenes that took place there were very soothing to read.

However, I wouldn't recommend this book. If you want a romantic historical novel featuring the Cathars and the Languedoc region, Elizabeth Chadwick's "Daughters of the Grail" is much, much better.… (més)