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mmklein's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
deblyn's review against another edition
4.0
I read a lot of the reviews here for this book, so I was a bit skeptical, but found I couldn't put it down. I thought the topic was interesting, some of the torture scenes were hard to read, but once past them I could appreciate the story. Many commented on the sex scenes, and that doesn't usually bother me, (hey I enjoy a good love scene as much as the next gal!!), but this was a bit much. There were so many that didn't really need to be there for the sake of the story, they added nothing. I felt like she put them in just to put them in. That aside, I still gave it 4 stars. I adore historical fiction and I found this story sucked me in till the last page. I was hoping for a happier ending, but I guess they can't all end happy!
heatherday916's review
3.0
Another random Target purchase, I actually thought this book sounded like it would be some fun fluff reading involving a mix of romance and intrigue. I was very wrong. This book was a complicated but enthralling tale of politics, religion, intrigue, history, violence, drama, and love. It is set in late 17th-century Germany, and centers around a Jewish midwife and a Cathloic canon. The inquisition comes to town and the inquisitor, who believes he was wronged by the midwife's mother and who was responsible for the deaths of the mother's family, is extending his vendetta of revenge to the midwife, Ruth. He claims she uses sorcery in her birthing methods. The canon, Detlef von Tennen, a young aristocrat interested in emerging philosophies and "scientia nova", suspects the inquisitor's motives. He does some political manuevering that results in a sham trial declaring her innocence. And then he falls in love with her and she with him.
And the bulk of the story is on. The details are too many to summarize here, but the story continues over the next six years, following the couple as they try to avoid persecution. They escape to Holland, where they think they are safe. But a family betrayal brings them back to Germany where Detlef is captured and murdered (by the inquisitor, nonetheless). Ruth lets herself waste away and eventually falls ill and dies as well, leaving their 6-year-old son alone. The ending chapters of this book are so well-written and descriptive, I was moved to tears. A surprisingly good book, but not one I believe I will feel compelled to read again.
And the bulk of the story is on. The details are too many to summarize here, but the story continues over the next six years, following the couple as they try to avoid persecution. They escape to Holland, where they think they are safe. But a family betrayal brings them back to Germany where Detlef is captured and murdered (by the inquisitor, nonetheless). Ruth lets herself waste away and eventually falls ill and dies as well, leaving their 6-year-old son alone. The ending chapters of this book are so well-written and descriptive, I was moved to tears. A surprisingly good book, but not one I believe I will feel compelled to read again.
contusions's review against another edition
2.0
The book was ok. I thought the story was great but it felt very rushed. The author could have taken more time to get into details but then the book would have been very long. I was also uncomfortable with some of the sex scenes. I felt that they were really unnecessary to the story. Ultimately, the book was much more Harlequin romance-y than I was anticipating.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
2.0
It was sort-of interesting, but I just didn't get into the characters. The plot was a combination of too predictable (of course the handsome Catholic priest and lovely Jewish midwife will fall in love) and too far-fetched (a Catholic priest and a Jewish midwife fall in love?).
gnothiseauton's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Pretty well written, if a bit disturbing. Made me dislike christianity even more than I already did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Torture, Sexism, Violence, Genocide, and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty
magdelenemagic's review against another edition
1.0
While I was initially really intrigued by the setting and characters, the plot turned out to be startlingly simple. I was a little confused and waiting for the twist, until I discovered that the "twist" was that this book is essentially soft core hetero porn against a historical backdrop with occasional cameos by more interesting characters for local colour.
Rotten rotten tomatoes, this one.
Rotten rotten tomatoes, this one.
leighanneslit's review against another edition
4.0
Taking place in the 17th century Germania, this novel centers around Ruth bas Elazar Saul, a Jewish midwife and daughter of the chief Rabbi of Deutz, the Jewish ghetto outside of Cologne. Ruth, uncharacteristically headstrong as opposed to most women of the period, secretly studies philosophy and actually goes to Amsterdam to escape and arranged marriage, disguised as a boy to continue her studies. There, she acquires her knowledge and skill of midwifery, which she brings home. Word of her skill quickly travels and she is called upon, not only by the Jews, but by the Catholics of cologne. But, as word travels, word get to the Spanish Inquisition. Headed by Carlos Vicente Solitario, Ruth is arrested, long with several other members of Cologne and Deutz, and is accused of witchcraft. However, the reader learns that this prosecution is fueled by Solitario's obsession with Ruth's mother, Sara, who humiliated him years ago.
Through her imprisonment, her intelligence and will to survive, she makes a friend in Canon Detlef von Tennen, cousin to the Archbishop, who is helping in the investigation. The two fall passionately in love after her release, but soon learn a man full of hate and one without a heart, Solitario, should never be underestimated.
Full of religious quarrels, deceit, passion and betrayal, I found that I had a hard time putting this book down. At some points, I skipped paragraphs because Learner's attention to detail and I just wanted to know what happened, especially during the last half of the book. Some of the plot is slightly predictable, but that doesn't take away from how good it is in my opinion. Overall, I loved this book. I would give it a 4 out of 5.
Through her imprisonment, her intelligence and will to survive, she makes a friend in Canon Detlef von Tennen, cousin to the Archbishop, who is helping in the investigation. The two fall passionately in love after her release, but soon learn a man full of hate and one without a heart, Solitario, should never be underestimated.
Full of religious quarrels, deceit, passion and betrayal, I found that I had a hard time putting this book down. At some points, I skipped paragraphs because Learner's attention to detail and I just wanted to know what happened, especially during the last half of the book. Some of the plot is slightly predictable, but that doesn't take away from how good it is in my opinion. Overall, I loved this book. I would give it a 4 out of 5.