wow - i read Mosse for the first time with this title, having noticed her for years and never picked one up - I was pleased by the warmth of the characterisations, having expected a level of professionalism that would have made it a cold, by-the-book historical. absolutely not! the violence against when I saw the comment that at 13 'she' should be able to run the business, etc. I knew that I was in an interesting mindset and place - Minou is a charmer and deft at handling and succeeding in the world - her friendship with Piet (sp?) and subsequent adventures weren't always captivating - perhaps the chemistry did not work for me - but I was massively impressed by scope and range of historical seeming accuracy (although i would not know, it sure felt right) - Kate Mosse does not perhaps need another cheerleader, but she has a new one in me. very impressed ...

I was sent a copy of The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse to read and review by NetGalley.
This is classic Kate Mosse! History, intrigue, war, feuds, religion and a mystery spanning the centuries. As with most of the author’s historical novels this tale takes place in the Languedoc region of France, primarily in Carcassonne and Toulouse. This time Kate Mosse focuses on the persecution of the Huguenots, members of the French Protestant Reformed Church, by the Catholics – an often-forgotten time in religious history.
The characters in the story are well drawn with the author’s descriptions of both people and place bringing the imagery to life, and there is plenty of thrilling content to keep the pages turning. There seems to be a little more romance in this novel than I remember in her other books but it doesn’t detract from the whole and may even bring new readers to the genre of historical fiction.

I have relished Kate Mosse's previous books, especially the Labyrinth trilogy but also more recently The Mistletoe Bride which was a welcome move away from Kate's usual genre. For me this book was therefore a return to both a subject and geographic area which I feel has already been much written about by Kate (extremely well I might add though) and I personally would prefer perhaps a new, different subject. That's not to say that I wasn't gripped by the story and especially the character of Minou but I did glaze over a little during the long sections explaining the religious differences.

A fine historical novel set in France during the reformation. A rich cast of characters is portrayed involved with plots, counter plots, betrayals, assassinations and torture by the inquisition entwined with family secrets that affect the destiny of related families. There is a holy relic that has been stolen being the object of a priest’s quest to recover for his own ends. This is enmeshed with the political vents of the day the struggle for power and the religious battles that took place between the Protestants and the dominating power of the Catholic Church. A fascinating story immersed in the culture and atmosphere of the day.

Fans of the Labyrinth series will not be disappointed in this novel.It moves along at a fast pace with lots of action and believable characters.The historical detail is accurate and includes elements of fact.It is the first of a trilogy and leaves the reader wanting to find out what happens next.
A very good read.

I was keen to read this book because I have heard very good things about the author, Kate Mosse, although I hadn't read any of her other books despite having had a couple waiting on my bookshelf at home for quite some time. After reading this, however, they will not be left dusty and unread for very long!

The plot of the book is intricately crafted around the religious wars in France between the Catholic and Protestant faiths. The author had obviously done her homework and I found it interesting to learn a little about what had happened. Although this is a fictional novel there is definite basis for what happened here historically. However, entwined with these threads of truth there is so much more: a Romeo and Juliet-esque forbidden love story; the story of a poor family struggling to survive; political subterfuge; and the story of an insane woman and a secret heir. There is an awful lot going on but actually it all comes together perfectly to make one beautiful and intriguing story.

All of the characters are very well conceived and developed. The author even plays devil's advocate at some points for the villains of the tale, and shows that there are two sides to every story and nothing is as simple as it seems where people are involved. The characters are so complex and have real relationships with one another, the effect of which adds to the richness and emotion in the story.

The political, historical and religious aspects are things which would normally repel me from reading a book, but I was completely taken in by the story and I actually enjoyed these aspects as an interesting break from my usual reading material. The writing is exceptional, and overall this is just a very good story and a delight to read. Even though it is quite a substantial book, it only took me a few days to get through because I was eager to get back into it each time I put it down. It has everything - excitement, romance, family connections, secrets and I even learned something from reading this. I would highly recommend this book, and I would urge you to give it a go even if you think you don't like this kind of thing.

Set in 16th century Languedoc, Kate Mosse’s The Burning Chambers, is a well-researched historical novel, centred around Minou Joubert, a young 19 year old Catholic woman from Carcassonne and a Piet Reydon, a Huguenot with complicated religious ties.

How Mosse so expertly weaves so many themes and storylines together, yet doesn’t confuse her readers is beyond me. This is an excellent read that will take you on an emotional journey. It balances the dark with the light so well. It tells of the terrors of the 1562 Riots of Toulouse and the barbaric torturing of those who dared follow a different religion. While, also exploring love, family and friendship; and at times it is even witty.

Despite the main settings being Carcassonne, Toulouse and Puivert in 1562, the novel actually opens with a prologue set in 1862 Franschhoek in South Africa. There we meet a woman, in a graveyard, who has clearly travelled long and hard to be there. Things escalate quickly, with her being attacked by man, we learn has been following her for some time. While reading the first few chapters I had the prologue in my mind, wondering how and when we were going to be taken back to 1862. However, as I got into Minou and Piet’s story I was so engrossed I completely forgot about the prologue. In fact it wasn’t until I came around to writing this review that I remembered it! After doing a little research I have found out that The Burning Chambers is the first in a trilogy – Yay!

If you enjoyed Mosse’s Languedoc trilogy, then this is a definite must read.

My favourite Author and I've been hooked on Kate Mosse's books since Labyrinth which came out in 2005.
So when The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse I was so Honoured that I could get a copy to review.
I just had to stop what I was doing and snuggle in my corner and open my Kindle. WoW.....Double WoW what a brilliant book. Set in Carcassonne 1562: A nineteen year old Minou Joubert receives an anonymous letter delivered to her father’s bookshop.
It was sealed with a distinctive family crest, it contains just five words: SHE KNOWS THAT YOU LIVE. WoW.......What a story line.
This wonderful book is full of family, secrets and lies, which will have you gripped. It was slow at the beginning but once you get into it, it was magical I love the way Kate explains everything within all her book. You feel like you are there breathing in the smells and the scenery etc.
Even more special I am to Carcassonne for my Birthday on Kate's publish date. Even more special my Hubby has ordered The Burning Chambers for me So when I come home it will be waiting for me and this will be added to her collection on my Shelves. It will be read again as I know I would of missed bits.
This is a Must if you love Historical books. So must information about this wonderful area and area's around where they are all set. Plus, it is a beautiful area and makes these books even more magical.

Big Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Mosse and Pan Macmillan for my ARC of The Burning Chambers. - A Perfect Birthday Present.

Big 5 Fat Stars for this book..........10/10 read. xxx

Just wow! Although it took me a while to get into the story, once I was hooked I was well and truly hooked. Now I remember why I have loved all of Kate Mosse’s books. She is one hell of a story teller. I am so grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this prepublication copy. Roll on the next in the series.

I was delighted to read that Kate Mosse had started a new historical fiction trilogy set in Carcassonne, having really enjoyed the earlier Languedoc series. This new series, of which The Burning Chambers is the first, is set in 16th century France, Carcassonne and Toulouse for the most part. As with the earlier trilogy, the main theme of the novel is religious conflict, this time between Huguenots and Catholics, represented by the two main characters Piet and Minou. Piet is a committed Huguenot caring for refugees and fighting for their human rights. Minou, though raised in a Catholic family, is open minded where religion is concerned. The two meet and the novel follows their personal tale through the religious struggle.
The reader is aware from the outset that there is a mystery surrounding Minou and this is revealed gradually through the story. The reader also knows that the trilogy will move to South Africa in the future, presumably following the descendants of Minou and her nemesis, Blanche of Puivert.
I enjoyed reading The Burning Chambers and will certainly eagerly look out for the next part of the trilogy. Kate Mosse knows the countryside and history of Languedoc intimately and her insights into the period are fascinating. I was not as gripped by the tale or the characters as I had been by Labyrinth however.

I’ve enjoyed all of Kate Mosse’s books and this one is no exception.
Set in 16th Century Languedoc the novel brings the battle between the Catholics and Huguenots vividly to life. It is hard to believe that such atrocities could happen anywhere, that it was done in the name of religion is shameful.
I was delighted to realise that this is the first instalment in a new trilogy and look forward to following Minou and Piet’s story in the sequels.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this copy.

The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
An absorbing read, with a well researched historical background for a feisty heroine surrounded by an old mystery
Kate Mosse’s new novel is set in mid-sixteenth century France during the wars of religion between the Catholics and Huguenots. We initially meet the Catholic heroine, Minou Joubert, in Carcassonne maintaining the shop of her bookseller father. She crosses the path of Piet Reydon, a former Catholic now involved with the Huguenots’ attempt to ensure the rights granted by the Edict of.Toleration are actually allowed by the ruling Catholic classes. Their subsequent adventures in Carcassone, Toulouse and the village of Puivert are skilfully described against the escalating violence within the Languedoc brought about by the rising religious intolerance and the political infighting of such historical characters as the Duc D’Orleans and Catherine de Medici
Interwoven into this is the story of the search for the Shroud of Turin relic by the Canon Vidal, a former friend of Piet, and the Canon’s involvement with Blanche, the Lady of Puivert who is conducting a search for the Joubert family for her own nefarious reasons.
Kate Mosse has created a feisty heroine in Minou and maintains a well-paced plot, with well researched details concerning the wars of religion at this time. The actions, motivations and beliefs of her principal characters are believable and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to keep up with the story.

The year is 1562 and in Carcassone, Minou is running her father's bookshop when she receives an unsigned letter, sealed with a crest. A chance encounter with a young Hugenot changes her life forever. Minou and her Hugenot become trapped in Toulouse and face terrible danger.
But what is the meaning of the letter?
Another bestseller form Kate Mosse. You will not be disappointed with this gripping story with its secrets and mysteries.

A novel bursting with history especially relevant in these turbulent times. The intricate detail is never boring and sings with antiquity. I felt myself transported back to the Languedoc of the time. The only downside was the romance element which I found rather forced and unnecessary to the story.

Another great read from Kate Mosse.
A book of historical fiction set during the religious wars of the 16th century. It begins with an anonymous letter which is sent to Minou. Where will it take her?
The first part of a trilogy. I can't wait for the next.

People sometimes suggest that Kate Mosse books are drawn out or overlong. For me, that's part of her appeal; her writing and descriptive passages are so so strong that the reader is immediately steeped in the atmosphere and era. The Burning Chambers is no exception. Set in and around Carcassone (which I feel I know, although Ive never been!), Toulouse and Puivert, its packed with historic detail that draws the reader straight in to 16th century France.

This was an era when religious tensions ran high as the Catholics persecuted the Hugenots. There's a strong sense of religious divisions, and it's easy to draw parallels with some current tensions. As usual, there's a strong cast of characters and with skilled plotting, there's a great mystery with secrets, intrigue and a love story. I really enjoyed this and was sorry when I reached the end. Everything one would expect from Kate Mosse.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy from Netgalley.

Set at the height of the religious tension between the Catholics and Huguenots as France dealt with the fallout of the Reformation, this is a gripping historical novel. Where Kate Mosse truly succeeds is weaving a tapestry of these religious disputes and creating a sense of competing motivations. Mosse has created believable characters who exist in a time when the whole of Europe was shifting in its thinking.

The story revolves around three locations, Carcassonne, Toulouse and Puivert. It's a tale full of unspoken secrets, love and, of course, religious strife. The actual plot does seem unnecessarily drawn out in places, but this can be excused with strong characters and an overall story that is quite interesting.

The Burning Chambers is the first book of a planned trilogy, foreshadowed in the first and last chapters, and I will definitely be returning to see how this story unfolds through the generations.

16th Century France comes to life in this atmospheric historical fiction set in the middle of a bloody religious war.
Minou's life changes forever when a letter with a distinctive seal arrives for her at her father's bookshop, bearing the words: She knows that you live.
With all the right ingredients, love, betrayal, mysteries and family secrets that will have you in the edge of your seat.
I loved this.

The Burning Chambers by Kate Moss is a story of set in the 16th Century during the religious wars. It's about family, secrets and lies. I found this book slow to start with but I liked the characters. Very atmospheric and informative of the times.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Mosse has written her trademark gripping historical fiction packed with adventure, mystery, conflict and romance. Here she takes us back to France's Wars of Religion and the harrowing blood letting that took place in that historical time period, bringing back echoes of my studies of these events in European History long ago when the established Catholic Church was determined that no Huguenots should remain in the country. The story is set in Languedoc in 1562, in Carcassonne, where 19 year old Minou Joubert is minding her father's bookshop. She receives a rather odd letter in which there are just five words, 'She knows that you live'. Not being able to make any sense of this whatsoever, she puts it out of her mind, unaware she is in grave danger. This is a story of mystery, conspiracy, betrayal, love, and family secrets amidst the most turbulent of times.

Minou happens to meet a Huguenot convert, the young Piet Reydon who has his own personal quest in defending his faith to the utmost to fulfill, and is going to need her help in extricating himself from La Cite. Minou and Piet finds themselves irreversibly drawn to each other, in the most dangerous of times. Minou's father is not in the best of health and keeping family secrets from his daughter that have the power to destroy Minou and the family. There is the search for an old will, wanted by another to become more powerful. He sends her and her younger brother, Aimeric, to Toulouse, believing they will be safer there. He is mistaken, for in Toulouse, the fires of religious conflict are blazing out of control, with neighbour turning on neighbour, and where old friendships are destined to turn into fatal enmities. Mosse weaves a compelling fast paced historical novel that is atmospheric and evokes the time and place beautifully. A wonderful, entertaining and exciting mystery read which engaged and absorbed me. Many thanks to Pan MacMillan for an ARC.