Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter
In 13th Century Bohemia King Ottakar is horribly
injured by an errant arrow and brought to the closest monetary for
healing. Thankfully Mouse, a young girl
who is an unusually talented healer, is there and takes over his care. The King is thankful, so thankful he declares
Mouse his ward, and takes her with him to his castle. Mouse, who is orphaned, does not know her
parents, and is mysteriously denied communion by the brothers and sisters she
was raised with, is thrilled believing she will begin a new life. However she knows she must keep her talents
at bay.
Mouse is an interesting character. I didn’t realize that “powers” would be a
part of the story and they blend seamlessly with the narrative. She is a good person dealing with immense
power. With words she commands her
would-be rapist to GO AWAY and he turned and began walking. No one has seen him since…
Her inner struggle with being good and trying to be happy and
find a place in the world can be heartbreaking; and hence, my displeasure with the
book. I loved this book until I was
about three-quarters finished. Then the
tone changed, which I really don’t appreciate.
Just when you are hoping things are going right for this woman, doom and
gloom and peril is thrown her way. I
stuck with the story, because I loved it that much until that point, to get to
an interesting ending. But one that
still didn’t leave me in a happy place.
For those that want to read about medieval life in a foreign local,
don’t mind magic, and like their books to end on a dark note.
