‘The Burning Chambers’ by Kate Mosse came as a surprise to me because of the absence of a supernatural element. Mosse’s stories are usually characterized as gothic, with a distinctly dark and haunting atmosphere. But ‘The Burning Chambers’ shows a different story and I am in love with the author once again.

The plot has two major protagonists- Minou and Piet. Set amidst the war between Catholics and Protestants during The Roman Empire (the 1500s), it is also about their individual lives and their struggles.

France has chaos all around. The Catholics and the Protestants are craving for freedom- the oppressor and the oppressed (in this case). Weapons are being smuggled as war looks inevitable. Minou Joubert, the daughter of a bookseller, receives a mysterious letter that read “SHE KNOWS THAT YOU LIVE”, but she ignores it considering it to be a prank. Piet- a Huguenot is in hiding and is silently plotting his revenge against the Catholic monarch (well, it is safe to say he has his reasons). Another wealthy woman is looking for a will that could make her richer and a priest is looking for ways to climb the ranks of the church.

Mosse captures the turmoil in the city in a very delicate manner. The rising tension between the two sects and the subsequent riots are brilliantly captured through words. The story has been written from a neutral perspective and the plot is gripping, with secrets lurking at every corner. The writing certainly has a hint of thrill throughout, even though it gets very slow at times.

The slow pace also helps us to know the characters better. While each character has a distinct past, it is difficult to ascertain who is loyal and who will eventually betray their master. Betrayal, greed, and ambition are recurring themes throughout the plot. And within all that is a love- so pure and honest, it filled me with joy.

The language of the book is also a novel experience as it has words from old-school French as well as the modern version

‘The Burning Chambers’ by Kate Mosse is a historical fiction that is tormenting and very atmospheric. It is a story of wars, betrayals, love, and family. An extremely well-put book that is the first in a series of books.

https://lynns-books.com/2018/10/11/the-burning-chambers-by-kate-mosse/
3.5 of 5 stars
The Burning Chambers is a book I read a few weeks ago but I’m late reviewing (apologies to the publisher and author in that respect). In a bid to catch up with my errant reviews I’m trying to keep some of my late reviews a little more short and sweet.

I enjoyed The Burning Chambers, I’ve read a number of books by Kate Mosse and sometimes I’m really just in the mood for this author’s particular style of historical novel.

Once again, The Burning Chambers takes us to the Languedoc region of France and plunges us into the middle of the religious wars between the Catholics and the Huguenots. This is a fascinating historical period and one that the author is clearly knowledgeable and enjoys writing about. The main plot involves a mystery that begins when the main protagonist, Minou, receives a note that simply states ‘she knows that you live’. I’m not going to delve deeper into the plot as there are plenty of helpful reviews already out there. The blurb for the book is here if you want more information about the book or author.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the writing style and the way Mosse evokes the period with descriptions of everyday life. I always feel that I’m able to immerse myself fully into the place and the period when reading her work and it makes the read that much more enjoyable. These were frightening times. Neighbour speaking out against neighbour and the fear and tension so heightened that almost anything could be taken the wrong way. People lived in fear, unable to trust anyone, and that really comes across here. I’ve visited Carcassonne and Toulouse which provide the two main settings for the story and it was really great to visit them again in a different period through the pages of this book.

I felt that once again Mosse gave us a strong and easy to like female character. Minou has her head screwed on well. She’s sensible and cares for people in general – not just family but others who she perceives to be in need – and is keen to help. In fact it’s this side of her character that first leads her to meet Piet – who is himself on a dangerous mission. She loves her family and will take risks in order to protect them. I had no problem in finding myself drawn to Minou and being scared about what would happen to her as she ran head first into danger.

Alongside Minou is another female character, something of a religious zealot who thinks that God speaks to her. This woman will go to great lengths to achieve her aims and in fact I was surprised by just how single minded and ruthless she was.

In terms of criticisms. Nothing that prevented me from enjoying the read but I would mention that this feels more like historical romance, there is an element of mystery involved, particularly in terms of family secrets, but I felt like the unlikely romance between two people from different religious stances stole the limelight a little. I missed, a little, the dual timeline that I expected – which is my own fault as there was no indication that there would be a dual timeline and with that missing I probably didn’t enjoy this quite as much as Labyrinth.

Also, not a criticism, I would mention that this isn’t a fantasy novel. I only point that out as my reviews more often than not lean towards fantasy or magical realism so I don’t want people to pick this up expecting that element.

Overall, this delivered exactly what I expected and wanted. An entertaining historical read, wonderfully evocative and a read that I was able to sink into and enjoy.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

Nowhere near as good as this authors Labyrinth. It jumped about far too much and I didn't really get a good sense of the characters or care much about them.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Mosse has returned to what she does best, the French Languedoc period, mixed with a dash of mystery, twists and violence.

As usual it’s Mosse’s apparent passion for this period of history that shines through here, with vivid descriptions of an extremely volatile time in French history. The story is highly atmospheric, which is only heightened by the wonderful detailed depictions of everyday life during a turbulent time. The underlying feeling of paranoia, mistrust and the threat of being called out as a blasphemer or nonbeliever is ever present and constantly played upon to great effect.

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. I particularly enjoyed the delicate way the seperate stories of Minou and Piet converged in a subtle way to a great climactic ending. However, I was less fond of this story than Mosse’s previous novels and I do think this mainly hinges on the romantic elements which sometimes descended too much into sloppy story telling and infatuation.

Great historical setting, which would have been greatly enhanced by downplaying the romantic elements.

Star-crossed lovers from different faiths (in this instance during the time where Huguenot’s were prosecuted at every turn) sound familiar? Despite how familiar the majority of us are with this trope, Kate Mosse’s style of writing, historical accuracy, characters and pace brings a fresh feel. Throw into the equation an obsessed, ambitious and narcissistic priest, a psychotic soon-to-be displaced Lady of the manor and the scene is set for secrets, betrayals, abuse of power, kidnapping and murder.

I found it easy to become emotionally attached to Minou and Piet. Minou has such strength and to be honest is a kick-ass heroine. She grows from a naive young woman, her only concern opening her father’s bookshop and her sister Alis’s ill health, to a woman who considers the facts and stays firm in her decisions (regardless of whether that involves Catholics or Protestants). Of course she has fears and anxieties but overcomes them. She just gets on and acts on what needs to be done for the good of her family and those she loves. I thought Piet was much more vulnerable than Minou.

Scenes feel so authentic and drew me in totally whether that was in town, village or in the woods surrounding Puivert. I lived this story!

The Burning Chambers deals with some sensitive issues. Mental health, domestic violence, ‘masks’ that hide depravity – all things that are still current today. So many different emotions provoked by this story. There are some positives to the fighting in Toulouse …

Once you reach the end the link to the prologue becomes clear. I am intrigued though as to how the story moves from 1562 in Carcassonne to 300 years later in Cape Town so now knowing the link, I want to know the reasons. How did the hatred continue? Why did it continue? Who carried it on? Do they know the truth? I’m eager to continue the series!

The Burning Chambers is an absorbing historical read with a fabulous pace. Highly recommended.

Having loved Kate Mosse's first trilogy of books set in France, I was super eager to get my teeth, as it were, stuck into her new series of books, once again set in the Languedoc region. This time we are transported to 1562 where the battle between the Huguenots and the Catholics is starting to come to fruition and lives can hang in the balance dependent on which faith you follow. Minou Joubert and her family are Catholics and they own a bookshop in Carcassonne. Her father has been ill for some time, and Minou has been running the shop for him whilst also caring for her younger brother and sister. One day whilst at the shop she receives a mysterious letter that contains the words - "She knows that you live" but that is all; Minou has no clue as to the author of the letter or to whom the letter is referring to.

Our story then moves across France to Toulouse where the battle for religious supremacy is nearing a climax and Minou begins to spend more time with Piet Reydon, a man she initially met in Carcassonne but who has returned to Toulouse carrying a most sacred possession that keeps his life in danger.

Kate Mosse now weaves a historical tale filled with characters both good and evil but whilst also maintaining that grip on historical fact so that you could actually believe that this story really did happen, and that these characters really did exist. I can't wait to read the next instalment to find out what is going to happen next in this wars of religion trilogy and how on earth the reader is going to be transported from 16th century France to 19th century South Africa. The mind boggles!

Far too drawn out

Minou (Marguerite) Joubert, eldest daughter of Bernard Joubert and sister to Alis (seven) and brother Aimeric (thirteen), has taken on the responsibility of running her father’s bookshop as he’d returned from his winter travels a changed man. He couldn’t bear to tell Minou the real reason for this change – he had not been travelling but been locked up and tortured on suspicion of being a “heretic” – the term used by the Catholics to describe anyone who joined the Huguenot – French Protestant – religion.

Piet Reydon, once a staunch Catholic, has joined the Huguenot revolution. He meets and falls in love with Minou and will do anything to protect her during the riots that erupt between Catholics and Huguenots.

Minou and Piet are the main protagonists of this very long, over-complicated story of the struggle that Protestants faced, wanting to practise their religion without the threat of being attacked and killed.

Kate Mosse has managed to weave the history of the French Huguenots inside the main storyline, Minou and Piet’s growing love and affection for each other.

In my opinion, it’s a shame that Kate Moss didn’t develop the storyline between Blanche de Bruyère and Minou, especially as the prologue is set in Franschhoek, South Africa, where one of the descendants of Minou and Piet is buried. The story of the fight for religious freedom in France has been used by several authors over the past few years, and it would have been, in my opinion, a far more exciting story had we heard of how the Huguenots fled to South Africa to help create their wine industry.

Treebeard

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Set in the 16th Century, there is a real historical atmosphere about this book. I felt as though I were there - living through the times. The squalor, murder, sexual indiscretions and torture. A virtual look around an oubliette and the rack. What a dark and disturbing time to live.
Then, finally love breaks through - but is it too late?
I was kept on my toes, not knowing and not able to second guess what might be the outcome.
A real page turner it kept me up late into the night, I couldn’t put it down.

Set in the 16th Century during the wars between the Catholics and Huguenots Mosse brings alive the story with the descriptive attention to detail giving a real sense of the period. At times I felt it quite hard going because of the religious aspect but I ploughed on to be rewarded with a entertaining story based around this of divided loyalties, conspiracies, love and betrayal.
A book I would recommend. My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing a arc in return for a honest review.

Having loved this author's booked about the Cathars, I was very excited to get the chance to read this. However, for the first half of the book I felt the pace was too slow, and it definitely needed some action to make it more interesting.
The second part of the book gave this action, especially as I got nearer to the end. If only the author had made the first half of this book as interesting as the latter parts, then I would be writing a rave review.

I have really enjoyed reading Kate Mosse's books in the past and was really looking forward to this book because my daughter in law comes from this area and I was keen to learn more about the history of Toulouse and the surrounding area.

I gave up after reading about a quarter of the book because I found the plot too complicated and at times boring. Maybe this was because the download had too many errors in presentation. I read her other books as paper copies and felt that this may be better read as a paper copy so that you can easily return to check facts earlier in the book and visit the list of characters when necessary.

Very disappointed.

It doesn't happen often, especially with an author I love. I gave up. Maybe it was just my circumstances at the time, but I lost the plot - literally. Too many characters, too complicated. I'll try again another time.

I have read all of Kate Mosse book and I have loved them all. This book took me a bit longer to get into to but but another great read and highly recommended.

The Burning Chambers is an exciting tale of family, adventure and romance set against the backdrop of the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in 16th Century France. Minou, the daughter of a bookseller, becomes drawn into the conflict because of a will, a shroud, and (of course) a dashing young Huegenot named Piet and is sent away by family from her hometown of Carcassonne to Toulouse to keep her safe - but the trouble follows her and her family regardless...

The Burning Chambers is an initially slow-moving but overall exciting and brilliantly researched piece of historical fiction. The couple at the centre of the tale are charming, the politics is fascinating, and Kate Mosse has illuminated an important piece of French and World History with a modern but appropriate light. Ambitious in scale and wonderfully detailed, this is Mosse at her peak once again. The rest of the series will be eagerly anticipated.

I'm a great fan of Kate Mosse's books although not usually a reader of historical fiction. The picture that she paints of Languedoc in times past is amazing and as I know Carcassonne and the surrounding countryside very well I am completely transported.. At first the characters were a bit confusing but once I got to grips with them and where they all related to each other I found them fascinating - especially Minou and Piet..

I am certainly looking forward to the next 2 books in the trilogy to find out how the lives of the Joubert family evolve.

I've been a big fan of Kate Mosse for many years so I was eager to read her new novel "The Burning Chambers" after what felt like a very long wait for a new book from her.

All things considered I enjoyed this book, however, it was noticeably the first book in a new series. I felt like a lot of back story needed to be packed into this book and in places it did feel a bit dry and like it was a bit of a slog to continue reading. This isn't something I have previously felt with Kate's books so I can only assume that this book is setting us up for some really great things as the series continues.

I would recommend this for fans of dense historic fiction, the research that has gone into this book was evident and clearly meticulous. One of Kate's great talents as a writer is to be able to completely transport you through time within a page of her stories.

The Burning Chambers is the first in a new trilogy set in Languedoc in the south-west of France. It’s set in 1562 during the French Wars of Religion – Kate Mosse sets out the history of these civil wars that took place between Huguenots (Protestants) and Catholics from 1562 and 1598 and explains that the trilogy is set against the backdrop of 300 years of history from 16th century France to 19th century South Africa.
I found the beginning of this book hard to follow and slow-going with the introduction of several different characters, and I wasn’t entirely clear how they all interacted. Fortunately there is a list of characters at the beginning of the book, but it’s a bit distracting having to keep referring to it. Once I had sorted out who was who I became engrossed in the story. It’s a complicated story of war, conspiracies, love, betrayal, forgery, torture and family secrets.

It’s centred on the Joubert family, Catholics living in Carcassonne and Piet Reydon, one of the Huguenot leaders. Bernard Joubert, a bookseller had been imprisoned accused of being a traitor and a heretic, when he let slip information about a secret will, the importance of which only becomes clear later on. He is traumatised by his experience and withdraws into himself. His oldest daughter Minou receives a message, sealed with a distinctive family crest, it contains just five words: SHE KNOWS THAT YOU LIVE. She doesn’t understand what this means and unable to speak to her father puts it out of her mind for the time being. Piet, meanwhile is on a dangerous mission in Carcassone to further the Huguenot cause and finds his life is in danger from the priest Vidal, formerly his friend, and is helped by Minou and her younger brother, Aimeric to escape.

Bernard suffering from the torture he endured leaves Carcassone and travels to the small village of Puivert, after persuading Minou, who has fallen in love with Piet, to go with Aimeric to Toulouse where the their aunt and uncle live thinking they would be safer there. But Toulouse is being torn apart by the warring factions, putting them all in terrible danger. Alis, their little sister left in Carcassone with a servant and family friend also finds herself in great danger when Blanche de Bruyere, the ruthless Chatelaine of Puivert arrives in search of Minou.

With a large cast of characters, a few stand out, in particular Minou, a resourceful young woman, her aunt, Madame Salvadora Boussay, outwardly a meek woman dominated by her husband but as the story progresses she is shown as a much stronger personality, and then my favourite, clever little Alis, much braver than any of her family realised.

So, having started slowly, The Burning Chambers develops into a fast moving story, with engaging characters, set in a convincing historical background and ending with a dramatic climax as the secrets of the past are finally revealed. The book ends with an epilogue telling of events ten years later and hinting at what may follow in the next book in the trilogy and also in the final book set in South Africa.

Loved this book. I initially expected this book to be swapping between two time periods throughout the book, which it didn’t, and I must admit that the end didn’t make sense to me until I realised it was the first book of a trilogy. The book is pretty stand alone despite being part of a trilogy. It is a well written book with likeable characters and I like that the book is sort of ending even if it is a trilogy. Can’t wait for the next one.

I didn't realise when I requested The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse* via NetGalley that it's the first in a trilogy, and the other books aren't yet available (this one has only been out a matter of weeks). Normally, I try to leave a series until I can read the whole thing, as it annoys me when I can't read the end first (bad habit I've always had). So the ending of this book isn't the end of the trilogy (unless there are some massive twists and turns to come!) and I was left a bit confused. But if we ignore that bit, the rest is pretty good. Set in 16th century France, there are some strong female characters who try to make sense of, and survive, the religious arguments and clashes throughout the country. If you liked other books Mosse has written you'll probably like this one - I'll definitely be reading the other books when they are released as I want to know what happens next!

Once again Kate Moss sets her story against a vivid historic backdrop - this time sixteenth century Lanquedoc.
Her plotlines with their myriad strands, are gripping - a story of love and betrayal, secrets and mystery, conspiracies and divided loyalties. In this her latest novel, Kate Moss does not disappoint; it is a page turner to the end.