Set in the 16th century in and around Carcassone the story revolves around the wars on religions. The persecutions of the Hugenots and their fight for survival in these times of upheaval. The story is also one of love and greed and lust for power. Kate Mosse describes in fantastic detail the area of France she knows best and with the subject she knows well - religions. We follow the story of Minou and Piet who meet and fall in love against the background of injustice and intrigue. It was a great story and I really liked Minou and Piet and was eager to finish the book to see them happy and at peace and justice having being served. A good read as with all Kate Mosse's books.

I'm a massive fan of Kate Moss and I am interested in historical fiction so I was looking forward to reading this book about and aspect of 16th century France I knew nothing about! It took a while to get into but do persevere.

Another gripping read by Kate Mosse.
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Set in the 16th century it is set around Catholic and Hugenot differences and centres on one family a lost will and a piece of the shroud of Antioch.
I would recommend this to fans of her earlier books

I really enjoyed reading this book. I must admit it took me a few chapters to get into the gist of the story, and to follow the pattern of the chapters. But all at once I was deeply involved in the story and swept along. The lead characters are very engaging and the bad characters are really mean. There is a bit of torture and killing due to the nature of the story, however it is by no means graphic. This is a really good read.

I've enjoyed every book Kate has written. I believe that this is her finest one. I know the history of the United Kingdom during this time but until now, not the French. The history combined with romance, but not too much, was perfect.

This review was given honestly.

Set in the Languedoc in the sixteenth century, this book brings to life the religious strife of the times. Catholic and Huguenot, allegedly both Christian and both worshipers of the same God, torture and kill for supremacy. Young Minou and her family are caught up in it all, but she’s more important than she knows.

The story really brings the times to life. It immerses the reader in the suspicions of the times, where friends can become enemies without warning. I’ve read some of the author’s previous historical novels and always find myself drawn in completely. This book is no exception. I loved it.

I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to the second in this new series by Kate Mosse. Unlike her previous work this novel is set solely in the past and I probably enjoyed it more because of that. Anyone interested in the history of the Carcosonne region of France and the religious history of France in general will enjoy this book.

Once started one's life is 'on hold' until the final page; and this is only the first part of the trilogy! Would highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good book, and in particular historical fiction. All the characters - evil, good, misguided - are rounded humans; there is nothing gratuitous in any described violence, and you want to know what happens next. Many thanks to Kate Mosse, Netgalley.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Mosse and Pan Macmillan for my ARC of The Burning Chambers.

Kate Mosse is one of my absolute favourite authors since I first read Labyrinth so I was really excited to hear a new book was coming out. I feel absolutely honoured to have received an ARC so early on!

Title: The Burning Chambers

Author: Kate Mosse

Publication Date: 3rd May 2018

Page Count: 528 Pages

Quote: 'The suffering of those we love, is harder to bear than anything we feel on our own behalf.'

Rating: 3.5*


Summary

In Sixteenth century Languedoc, Minou Joubert is 19 and living in Carcassonne with her father and two siblings, helping to run her father's bookstore.
Piet Reydon meanwhile is trying to defend his faith against the Catholic Church who don't want Huguenots in France. A chance meeting draws the two together and they are thrown into the turmoil of the war raging between the two religions.
However, a deep secret from the past is lurking in the background and threatening to destroy Minou and her family.

Review

I must admit that I didn't love The Burning Chambers as much as I did Kate's other novels. Or that is to say I didn't until about 1/2 way through. I found the story a little hard to follow at first and it was heavily punctuated by the historical battle between the Catholics and Huguenots which I struggled to get into. But, I did really enjoy the other part of the story with Minou's family and the missing will.
I don't want it to sound like I really disliked The Burning Chambers because I didn't! There was loads about it that I liked, I loved Minou who was so fierce and feminist for her times, I loved Piet and the relationship between the two. And I loved the mystery of the will and it definitely made the book a page turner waiting to find out who and what it was about! It's totally my own fault that I struggle with books that are heavy on religion and war. It wasn't my favourite Kate Mosse novel but I still really liked it!
The only other thing I found difficult was the prologue and second chapter with the woman at the grave. I've come away from the Book still not understanding that part!