An historically accurate of a turbulent period in 16th century French history linked to the Huguenots when people feared for their lives. It holds many mysteries and is full of intrigue with also an underlying family secret that could have huge ramifications. A note under a book shop door aimed at the main character Minou Joubert sets Off the scenario ‘She knows you live’. Who, what and where? A story of love , war and intrigue ensues along with a Romeo and Juliet style romance. The story of families and intrigues. There are many strands to this novel and they are skilfully brought together. The list of characters is long and I did find the book a little lengthy with some slow parts but I was rewarded by carrying on as the tempo and denouement hit home in part 3. My thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for an ARC copy of this book to review

In the town of Carcassonne Minou Joubert is concerned that her father is ill as he will not leave the house. In Carcassonne Huguenots are tolerated but elsewhere in Southern France the Protestants and Catholics are fighting. Minou receives a strange warning but is caught up in events around a murder that lead her into the arms of Piet. Minou and her brother Aimeric move to Toulouse to live with their Aunt, wife of a prosperous Catholic townsman. Whilst life isn't that easy for Minou she meets Piet again but the city of Toulouse erupts in flames around them.. Meanwhile Blanche de Puivert is looking for Minou and the secrets that Minou is no even aware of.

Planned as the first episode of a historical saga this book will delight fans of Mosse as it goes back to her beloved Carcassonne for its setting. I have to admit that I read the first few Mosse books and then gave up; I found the 'supernatural' bits very annoying. However I could see that mouse was a good writer of historical fiction. In this the narrative is much more straightforward and bounces along at a decent pace. It's not brilliantly written, it's overly exciting but it is a strong start to a series.

Having read some of Kate Mosse's other books and absolutely loving them, I was keen to read this book so left it for when I knew I'd be able to get some uninterrupted reading time! Initially I found it a bit slow to get into and the story seemed to jump from character to character, but I soon realised that this skipping from one character to another character was a necessary step to get the background set in the readers minds and place the characters in context and I quickly became mesmerised by the story.
Kate Mosse has a knack for being able to create an atmosphere that you can almost feel and touch and it isn't difficult to imagine yourself back in 16th Century France at a time when the persecution of the Hugenouts was taking place. Her characters are ones you can relate to, and the romance between Minou and Piet is touching. There is also the mystery element in the book which creates an extra dimension to the story.
I really enjoyed the books and will look forward to reading the next in the series. After reading the Languedoc trilogy I told my family I wanted to visit Carcasonne - I still haven't managed to get there but Toulouse is now added to my itinerary!

Kate Mosse's latest book is the first in a new series spanning continents, history and religion. Opening in 1562 France in the the throes of the religious wars between Catholics and Huguenots, the plot centres Minou Joubert who receives a strange letter warning her of danger, Before she has time to find out more she encounters the mysterious Piet Reydon and and herself caught up in the violent events in the heights of the Religious wars in France caught between the Catholics and Huguenots. As violence erupts on all sides, secrets, lies and events from Minou's past conspire to lead her into danger. The Romeo & Juliet romance is a little hard to swallow at times.
The novel has a slow burner start but builds to a crescendo with t e various threads coming together..
It is an novel that will be enjoyed by historical fiction fans, especially those who might like having a story set in a period not usually used,. It will be interesting to see where Mosse takes the next volume.

Excellent story line which was gripping from start to finish. Great characters. I would highly recommend this book.

I have enjoyed every Kate Mosse novel so far and The Burning Chambers lives up to expectations. Set in France at the time of the Heugenot persecution, the story brings new insights into a very distressing period of French history. Although all human life was cheap and mostly short in those times, The Burning Chambers brings home the terrible savagery on both sides, mainly encouraged by corrupt royalty and members of the French court. The unlikely love story between a catholic woman and Heugenot rebel is handled well although the overall story of the war between Heugenot and Catholic seems a bit one-sided. However an great read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Kate Mosse back to her best as she returns her storyline to Carcassonne where she feels to feel most at home. This excellent story set in the 1500s follows a young girl amidst the troubles between the catholics and protestants. The characters are bold and believable and the book is filled with a true sense of south west France as the action moves from Carcassonne to Toulouse to Puivert. Thoroughly recommended.

My god. MY. GOD. If you’re book is going to be 600 pages long, it better be good and, bloody hell, The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse is UH. MAY. ZING. Incredibly – and rather embarrassingly – I’ve never read one of Kate’s novels before. And I also know very little about the political landscape of 16th century France(!), yet this piece of historical fiction is gripping. Oh my word, it is gripping.

Love and betrayal, mysteries and secrets, war and adventure, conspiracies and divided loyalties… It’s all here and it unfurls with the brilliance of the most fantastic page-turner as we follow a man and a woman – a young woman in receipt of a mysterious message, and a Huguenot convert at the core of the resistance – as sectarian tensions threaten to set France alight. I could not put this down. One of the achievements of the year.

Truly stunning in scope and scale. This is the first book by Kate Mosse I have read. I know, I'm late to the party. I will be reading more.

Many things about this novel seem familiar after reading Labyrinth – the setting, the ongoing wars of religion, there is even a character called Alis – but it is also a thrilling story in its own right. Minou Joubert live in Carcassonne with her father, a bookseller who deals with books from all sides of the religious divides, and her younger siblings. Apart from the death of her mother her life has been happy enough but things are becoming difficult: her father has changed, refusing to leave the house and leaving Minou to deal with the shop, the ongoing wars of religion between the Catholic establishment and French protestants, known as Huguenots, are coming closer to the city and she receives a mysterious letter saying just ‘She knows that you live’. When she meets Piet Reydon, a young Huguenot on a mysterious mission, both their lives become more complicated. Their lives begin to intertwine with each other’s and with that of Valentin, a priest who was once a close friend of Piet’s, and Blanche, the chatelaine of Puivert. Danger follows them from Carcassonne, to Toulouse and, finally, to Puivert itself where many questions about Minou’s past are answered.

Kate Mosse has, once again, given us a fascinating insight into the past – I’d heard of the Huguenots but knew very little beyond the fact they were protestants – combined with an exciting story blending romance and adventure. Her historical research is meticulous and her storytelling gripping, her female characters are strong (I particularly liked some of the supporting cast – Alis, the younger sister, Madame Boussay and Blanche de Bruyère) and I’m looking forward to seeing how the story moves on as promised to Amsterdam and South Africa in the rest of the trilogy. Of course, I may need a return visit to the Midi, the Netherlands or even a first trip to Franschhoek to read them…

interesting novel based in the times of the religious wars in 16th century France and the relationships between several families on both sides. felt the prologue could of been developed more at the start and end it felt out of place. felt that the book could of been slightly shorter and got bogged down towards the middle

Minou Joubert is trying to keep her father's business going when she discovers a mysterious letter then she meets a young huguenot man and her life changes. Secrets abound as wars being between two warring fractions. Can Minou learn the truth and save all she loves.

This was such a good read. It's a long read but well worth it. A little slow in the beginning but it picks up and the end is brilliant. The plot is really good and truly takes us on a journey. I really enjoyed the story and I definitely want to read more of the authors work.

Minou is a wonderful lead character, she's brave and strong yet kind and gentle. I instantly liked her and that just grew as the story developed. Piet was also a great character and you want it to work out with him and Minou.

Described as a fusion of betrayal, adventure, religion, romance and history, Mosse’s latest book is set across 3 French seasons during 1562.
Taking place after a sequence of 8 civil wars between the Protestant Huguenots and Catholics, peace is reached, albeit this is more out of exhaustion and bankruptcy than any religious tolerance. But it is a fragile peace, amidst divided loyalties not necessarily upheld in every village and town. There is corruption, conspiracies and a religious focused mystery related to nineteen-year-old Minou Joubert who receives an anonymous letter at her father’s bookshop. Sealed with a distinctive family crest, it contains just five words: SHE KNOWS THAT YOU LIVE. Following a chance meeting with Peit Reydon, her life is changed forever as amidst danger she finds out about her true heritage and family secrets.
Minou is an extremely sincere, likeable and sensible character that you instinctively get behind. Her brother was the most fun and rebellious character, amidst a high level of loyalty and was my favourite. The unrest and historical depictions of the mistrust and betrayal is nicely captured, but there was something very predictable and clichéd about rather a lot of the writing that prevented it from being entirely captivating. I didn’t really feel any tension during the affrays, with no real fear of loss of life, despite some brutal intentions. The young romance was pleasant enough, quite hero and heroin esque, with the mystery element only distinctly featuring at the latter part of the book. This is not to say that the story didn’t flow nicely and carry you through. The first part of the book I found most engaging, but the plot became notably looser as the story progressed with some of the mystery elements at tad too coincidental and slack. Despite this, it was pleasing to pick up and read, but for me it lacked the more steadfast emotional hooks and authenticity that would set it up as a great read that I was hoping from Mosse, which may account for my sense of disappointment. Perhaps the story will refine as the next book in the series is released…

This story is set during the 16th century wars of religion in France and revolves around the ordinary lives of those caught up in a complex web of violence, prejudice, hatred, honour and love. The historical period and locations are extensively portrayed as the backdrop the the characters in the story. Catholics cannot love and marry Hugenots, but who determines the person we love? What is undertaken and defended in the name of God defies humanity. Thus it ever was and the parallels with today are obvious.. Kate Mosse had produced a gripping epic novel, brilliantly researched and presented. There is no doubt that I shall read the sequels.

I struggled a lil to begin with but after my second attempt i was flying. I loved the book nd the characters. Poor minou, but shes made of stern stuff. Cracking read. My first by kate mosse but wont be my last.

I was genuinely scared to read The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse. I loved her Languedoc series but I hadn’t quite come to terms with Citadel yet – seriously, it was a bloodbath. So with trepidation I picked up The Burning Chambers and literally within paragraphs – not even pages or chapters but paragraphs – I was hooked.

What is so impressive with Kate Mosse’s storytelling is just how immersive it is. I felt like I was part of the Joubert family. I was dealing with the family secrets, I was battling in the war between the Catholics and the Heugenots, I was travelling the very roads between Carcassonne and Toulouse. I was there. Even though it took place a very long time ago and I was reading from the comfort of my modern day home.

The Burning Chambers was a pleasure to read, a book that I will be recommending to the all historical fiction buffs that I know.

There really is only one true master of historical fiction, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is Kate Mosse.

The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse is available now.

For more information regarding Kate Mosse (@katemosse) please visit www.katemosse.co.uk.

For more information regarding Pan Macmillan (@panmacmillan) please visit www.panmacmillan.com.

For more information regarding Mantle Books (@MantleBooks) please visit www.mantle.panmacmillan.com.

Another epic story from Kate Mosse. I loved the two main characters; Minou and Piet and as always with this author the sense of period was excellent.

This is a brilliant saga of love and hatred set against the background of the French religious wars of the 1560s. This was one of the times in history when Catholics were at their worst and most sure of their view of religion as the the only true faith. The Inquisition were feared and the clergy expected blind obedience. Two ambitious people drive the story; a clergyman who seeks preferment but constantly breaks his vows and an unhinged woman. Up against them are both Huguenots and good Catholics. Marguerite (Minou) and Piet are the heroine and hero of the tale, with many supporting characters. Fantastic read.

Kate Mosse's extensive research into the persecution of the Huguenot's and life in France in the 16th century is really evident in this historical romance. Intrigue, treason, religion, forbidden love and family loyalty underpin the story that centres around the mystery of who is the heir to the Puivert lands. The atmosphere of the place and time is richly brought to life and the terror that the Huguenot's felt is palpable. As I was reading the book I drove through the region in the book, which was a real treat and furthered my enjoyment of the engaging story.
I was a little unclear on the inclusion of the prologue and epilogue to start with, but once I realised that this is the first in a new series I now cannot wait for the next instalment.

Thanks go to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

There’s something rather comforting about sitting down with a new Kate Mosse novel. She may not make the Booker shortlist or expand the borders of fiction, but she does know how to tell a good story and The Burning Chambers is no exception. Returning to a part of France where she obviously has a great affinity, this is a sprawling saga which can be read as a standalone work, but is also part of a planned trilogy. It’s a highly enjoyable romp, part romance, part mystery, part coming of age novel and part treatise on religious intolerance and there’s a lengthy list of characters who tend to be either very good, brave and heroic or very, very bad.

There’s no doubting that it is a real page-turner but I did have a couple of issues. Firstly, the sheer number of plot lines and the scope of the novel meant that many of the characters were under-developed and I felt that we never really fully understood their motivations. Moreover the events in Toulouse which were central to the novel were covered in a few short chapters and simply weren’t brought to life in the way which made the original Carcasonne trilogy so riveting.

That said, I was totally hooked and can’t wait for the next book in the series.