Review of "The Crown" in January 2012 issue of "Oprah" magazine
I'm very excited that "O" has reviewed "The Crown"!
Review as follows:
A NUN'S STORY
Devotion and Intrigue in the Renaissance
The spirited young nun at the center of Nancy Bilyeau's expansive novel of political treachery, THE CROWN (Touchstone), is the very definition of an accidental heroine. In 16th century London, with Rome at war with the Church of England, Sister Joanna lives happily cloistered in a Dominican priory, "insulated from the selfishness and vanity, the mindless pomp of the world." But when her beloved cousin is sentenced to burn for treason, Joanna bravely slips away from the priory--risking excommunication--to provide comfort at the execution. Soon she is arrested and coerced into a Da Vinci Code-like scheme; refusal to cooperate could mean her father's brutal death. Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy, and betrayal. --K.H.
Review as follows:
A NUN'S STORY
Devotion and Intrigue in the Renaissance
The spirited young nun at the center of Nancy Bilyeau's expansive novel of political treachery, THE CROWN (Touchstone), is the very definition of an accidental heroine. In 16th century London, with Rome at war with the Church of England, Sister Joanna lives happily cloistered in a Dominican priory, "insulated from the selfishness and vanity, the mindless pomp of the world." But when her beloved cousin is sentenced to burn for treason, Joanna bravely slips away from the priory--risking excommunication--to provide comfort at the execution. Soon she is arrested and coerced into a Da Vinci Code-like scheme; refusal to cooperate could mean her father's brutal death. Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy, and betrayal. --K.H.
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Thank you!!!! I really appreciate the kind words, Jacki
Also, Jacki, I have written a sequel, in answer to the last sentence of your review. It is called "The Chalice," and while I can't say much about it yet, the main characters of "The Crown" return, but so do a lot of new characters, some of them I've imagined and some of them only too real--like Cromwell himself and TWO of the women who marry Henry VIII.
Wowie wow wow! Can't wait to read it! BTW, I was perusing the latest Parade magazine (Daniel Radcliffe was on the cover, so I HAD to check it out. lol), and I found a great review of 'The Crown'. Kudos to you!
It's wonderful to read a book that's so satisfying. And your story 'filled the bill'.