Innocents of Marbella

by R.C. Mogo

Christian Historical Fantasy Romance

15th Century.

Gifted linguist Zahra flees to France following a traumatic incident, leaving her baby sister to fend for herself in Marbella. Years later, when a young girl arrives on her doorstep, so begins a divine adventure toward redemption.

Gruff and ill-tempered Englishman Stephen Kempe is on the hunt for his abducted niece, until corrupt church officials accuse him of sorcery and throw him in prison.

While Zahra interprets at the trial of historic serial killer Gilles de Rais, the young girl is snatched from her bedchamber. In a desperate attempt to get help, Zahra frees Kempe from jail, only to face betrayal as he thrusts her into a deadly inferno. But instead of meeting her end, Zahra's story has just begun.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Christian, Christian Historical Fiction

311 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2024

Reviews

[Readingintheweehours · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think i'm going to be processing this book for a while.
If you combined Prince of Egypt, Call of Freedom, Joan of Arc (1999 mini-series), Taken, and Lord of the Rings, you'd get a good idea of the feel of this story.
There are heavy topics here: assault, sex trafficking domestic violence, etc., so in once sense, this is a
"dark" story. However, it is not glorifying of the darkness. This story is unapologetically Christian.
The ugliness and wickedness of a fallen world and evil is shown, but the utter power of Jesus to save the worst of the worst is on display.
There's a lot going on and was sometimes hard for me to keep up with in an epic way (which is what made me think of LOTR), but I couldn't put the book down. I look forward to the next book and seeing more of Stephen and Zahra's relationship (they're chemistry is excellent as well as the multitude of other characters. Dark, heavy — but beautiful and glorifying of the light.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

RC Mogo delivers a stunning historical fiction debut that reads like a blockbuster movie on pages! 15th-century Muslim Granada, the supernatural, and a hero searching for the one power great enough to save the captive innocents of Marbella.

When Zahra trusted herself, she lost her sister. When she trusts a man, he turns to magic. Now her young charge has been taken, like so many other children. How can Zahra save them all by herself…and with no faith that help will come when she needs it most?

I couldn’t put this one down!

[Amy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.5 stars)
.
How do I even describe this book? Honestly, from the summary I didn't quite know what I was getting into. Innocents of Marbella managed to surprise me over and over and kept me at the edge of my seat. Get ready for some major twists and reveals!

This is a Christian historical adventure with a touch of clean romance and more than a touch of divine power. It takes place in the 15th century, which is a time period I know next to nothing about. But it's clear R.C. Mogo has done her research, because I learned a lot about clothing, culture, and architecture. Her details really immersed me in this unfamiliar place.

I don't want to spoil too much of the plot, but readers should know that it involves rescuing a kidnapped child and there are heavy elements of child trafficking and sexual assault. Nothing is graphic, but it's critical to what's going on, so proceed accordingly if that triggers you.

Zahra is the best kind of main character - flawed, ripe for growth, and very relatable. When thrown into a harrowing situation, she eventually develops courage, grace, and selflessness as she embraces salvation.

This is a story about rescue on so many levels. On depending on Jesus to help you overcome the trauma of your past and your current demons--sometimes literal. I thought Zahra's faith journey from atheism to Christianity was very well done and completely integral to both her character and the plot. This book isn't "preachy," but it is unapologetically about the power of God.

I did realize after I finished that several questions I had early on weren't really answered, so that's why I docked half a star. While I was reading, I was so wrapped up in the suspense I didn't notice!

Innocents of Marbella is truly unlike any other secular or Christian book I've read. It's a pulse pounding tale of deliverance, redemption, healing, and hope.

[Bekki · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.C. Mogo does a wonderful job immersing the reader in an intriguing and exotic period of history. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

[BookishVibesClub · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an intriguing read! You get elements of Romantasy with a mysterious love interest and forced proximity. Elements of Exodus and God’s plagues. Plenty of mystery to uncover. The topic that is revealed along the way is a heavy and upsetting topic, but the story doesn’t go into too much detail. This is a great read with a great message. This dark Romantasy is an Exodus retelling, which is a retelling I had never even come across before, and I loved it. The topics got dark and deep and the story had so much meaning. I loved the main character and her heart for putting her life on the line to save others.

❤️‍🔥 Dark Romantasy
❤️‍🔥 Mysterious MMC
❤️‍🔥 Exodus Retelling
❤️‍🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️‍🔥 Rescue Mission
❤️‍🔥 Magic
❤️‍🔥 Time Travel
❤️‍🔥 Romantic Subplot

I loved how the MMC showed the FMC how to have faith in and trust God to guide and save them.

I really enjoyed this read and the mystery and twists made me want to stay up late reading it.

This is a 5⭐️ 🫑 (no spice) read with romance as a subtitle

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨️

☆Amazing Historical Christian fiction♡

I had no idea what to expect diving into this story, but I ended up loving it so much! I really enjoyed the world that the author ended up creating. The characters were highly loveable, and the plot seemed to flow together nicely. If you're looking for a book filled with mysteries and some amazing writing, this one's for you!

Thanks so much to the author for the ARC!

[Katerina Dunne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping story set in an exotic location. It’s full of emotion, action, adventure, cultural, religious and supernatural elements. The descriptions are rich and vivid. It had a strong, intelligent and well-educated female lead, who is ahead of her time without being too modern or out of place. I liked her spiritual journey too. Despite the dark and disturbing themes, the suspenseful plot had me on the edge of my seat as I followed the heroine’s unwavering quest to save innocent children from the clutches of traffickers and abusers. If you love fast-paced adventure with memorable characters, this is highly recommended.

[Kiera · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.C. Mogo's debut book is truly inspiring. There are so many different elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and a bit of romance wrapped into a dark but powerfully beautiful story of forgiveness and redemption.
Our heroine, Zhara, struggles with the darkness of her past. She has to make the choice to let it define her and walk in her own will or to trust that God has a better way and that our past does not determine our future.
R.C. is able to write in such a way that you can feel the turmoil and pain of the characters, but it is not depicted in a vulgar way. I was hooked as soon as I picked it up and cannot wait for book 2!

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocents of Marbella
by R. C. Mogo
Pub DateSep 19 2024 | Archive Date Sep 29 2024
Black Rose Writing
Christian| Historical Fiction


Netgalley and Black Rose Writing sent me a copy of Innocents of Marbella for review.


15th Century.


As a result of a traumatic incident, Zahra flees to France, leaving her baby sister behind in Marbella. She begins her divine journey toward redemption years later when a young girl appears on her doorstep.


A grumpy and ill-tempered Englishman is on the hunt for his abducted niece when corrupt church officials accuse him of sorcery and jail him.


When Zahra is interpreting at the trial of historical serial killer Gilles de Rais, the young girl is snatched from her bedchamber. Zahra rescues Kempe from jail, only to face betrayal as he plunges her into a deadly inferno. .In fact, Zahra's story has just begun, instead of reaching its end.


I give Innocents of Marbella five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect from this book, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! This is a Moses retelling, and R.C. Mogo did a great job with it. You definitely have to pay attention, as some parts are a little confusing, but I'm hoping they'll be explained more as the series goes on. I had no idea how this book would end. As the conclusion was drawing nearer, I kept thinking it'd be one way, and then shocked that it went this other way, but then wait!-there's another twist.

Some parts were a little bumpy, but overall, a great read! And since I was able to listen to the audiobook, I can tell you that she did a wonderful job with her narration.

~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocents of Marbella was my first religious (Christian in this case) Historical Fantasy Romance, and I pleasantly enjoyed Zahra's story. 2024 is my "fantasy era," and this was filled with magical items and time travel. R.C Mogo did an amazing job with the world building. I felt like I was right along with Zahra in the halls of the Tower al-Garbu. One of my favorite tropes, forced proximity is heavy in the story, and I love Stephen for Zahra! The twist and turns were everything especially in the epilogue which brings me to this..... I NEED book 2!!!! In the meantime, I will settle for the prequel novella, The Book of Merla Meadows!

A BIG thank you to @haylingbookstorm and the author, R.C Mogo for giving me the opportunity to be on R.C Mogo's street treat and giving me the ARC!

[Carol Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful debut novel. There was nonstop action. I loved the character development, as well as the increasing understanding about Christianity - it’s not about relics, but rather, trust in God. A miracle-working God who has a plan - not a genie who grants one’s wishes. I appreciated the grittiness - God can call us to hard tasks, which might or might not have a happy ending (from an earthly perspective). This is definitely for adults s there are some dark themes and violence - but nothing is explicit. I listened to the audiobook, and the author did a fabulous job.

[Daren-meagan Schober · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible story. Not only does R.C. Mogo reimagine a timeless Biblical event but she does it in a way that does not replace the original. The truth of the past is beautifully tied together with the Living Hope of today that we find in Christ. This tale is also so very relatable with our own internal struggle we face each day… rely on ourselves? or rely on God’s strength? We all wrestle with the flesh daily, this story brings that fight to life.

[Bookaholic MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I’m really thankful for letting my impulsive thoughts win, and this book is a perfect example of one of those impulsive thoughts. I decided to read it for one reason only - its name. I’m partly living near Marbella, so when hearing its title, I thought that I couldn’t miss out on this opportunity. It so happened that I also enjoyed the story, and I’m really glad about it!
It’s a fantasy story with secondary romantic elements (very sweet, by the way), lots of adventures, and experience of finding faith. I loved the characters and how most of them were much more complex than I initially thought. I must mention that there were LOTS of characters, and at times it was quite confusing, but I enjoyed the world building nonetheless.
The description of the book didn’t mention it, but there was a found family trope, which is probably my favorite part about most YA books. The romantic line was quite bittersweet, but I really hope there’ll be a happy ending in the following parts. I would also love to mention that the dedication was amazing and very relatable😅

[English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time Travel, a abduction, corrupt Kings, an evil sorcerer and an mysterious holy relic. This isn't you your typical historical novel. It's more like fantasy. I got a bit confused at first but soon got caught up in the story.

R.C. Mogo's debut was a wonderful reminder that nobody is beyond God's grace and that helping save the innocent, no matter how hard or costly is always worth the risk. And the risks that characters face are great. They remind me of the scripture verse which tells us there is often a spiritual element to the evil of the world.

Zahra was a strong female lead, my only (kind of) problem was that I didn't remember any basis for Zahra's attitude to religion. She has to have somewhere to start her story arc though.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys historical adventures with a twist, strong female leads and flawed characters finding faith.

I was part of the launch team for this novel but this didn't influence my review which is entirely my own opinion. I borrowed the book from Kindle Unlimited.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise, definitely wasn't what I was expecting from the description. Was happily surprised the plot wasn't predictable. Enjoyed the characters, and the story though. Some dark concepts but not touched on in too graphic a way

Some plot points I'm not sure about, and some things weren't all explained. 

(3.5 stars rounded up)

[Michael Hartnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brilliant Redemptive Tale Filled with Wondrous Spectacles
R.C. Mogo’s Innocents of Marbella is a wildly entertaining combination of intellect, passion, and spiritualism. As the novel opens in Nantes, France in 1440, Zahra has fled her home in the Muslim kingdom in Marbella, Spain; her traumatic experiences as a princess in this seaside community will be slowly revealed during this riveting novel. Both Nantes and Marbella are rife with religious corruption and are connected by clandestine activities involving orphan children.
A series of breathtaking adventures in and about prison cells will send Zahra hurtling from Nantes back to tumultuous Marbella, where Jabir, her stepfather and king, appears to be controlled by the powerful Portuguese merchant Diogo da Gama. Also in Zahra’s ear and mysteriously guiding her throughout her journey is the daring Englishman Stephen Kempe, a dashing figure whom Zahra is never sure she can trust. Mogo gives the reader a nuanced view of female empowerment during the High Middle Ages. As Mogo describes Zahra’s predicament, “She was surrounded by men who insisted she adopts their dangerous beliefs.”
Cynical by experience, nature, and her academic gifts, Zahra comes to her beliefs on her own terms, an odyssey that is one of the novel’s many pleasures. Another centers on the wondrous spectacles of creatures such as reptiles and swarms of insects apparently serving as defenders of the innocent. In fact, the novel is filled with clever adaptations of visionary scenes from the Old Testament. While Innocents of Marbella opens with an intensity that only grows with each passing page, the late climactic scenes in the tower are ones that kept me reading late into the night. I would be unwise to give away the numerous surprises, betrayals, and disarming acts of courage by those considered “throwaways.” However, I think I can safely say that Diogo is a magnificent villain, blessed with a twisted brilliance and an impressive logic to his depravity that makes him ceaselessly formidable.
The dazzling epilogue offers the promise of more to come. I can’t wait, since I’d follow the smart, resourceful Zahra far and wide to encounter the wild mysticism that chases her more like a blessing than a curse.

[The Bookish Pilgrim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book like none I have ever read. Warning: not for the faint hearted, since it deals with some horrible crimes like child abuse, trafficking and murder, off screen. It might be triggering to some people. Please get professional/appropriate assistance if that does happen.

Setting: France and Spain.
Time: 1440s
Main characters: Zahra - a young lady of Moorish descent, living in France.
Stephen Kempe - an Englishman accused of murder and pederasty along with two others - Gilles de Rais and Prelati.
Mary Kempe - Kempe's niece and sundry other children.
Diogo da Gama - leader of the Portuguese traders at Marbella and arbiter of wickedness.
Jamir - Zahra's stepfather and ruler of Marbella, a pawn.
Raha - Zahra's younger sister, Queen of Marbella, married to their stepfather on the death of their mother, the Queen, many years ago.

The novel deals with some of the worst criminal activities of the ages. It's a very action oriented story with some mystical elements but a lot is left unexplained.

The author mixes elements of Narnia: instant travel to alternate universes/times, events from the Bible: Exodus, Acts and Jesus' life, some elements of mediaeval Moorish kingdoms, and a little spiritism and mysticism. I wish she hadn't.

There is a very strong thread of redemption and repentance clearly woven through this allegorical story.

However, on the whole, I did not enjoy this tale. It just left me wishing she hadn't mixed so many elements from different types of stories and belief systems.

I did not enjoy the story though it is quite action packed, well written and suspenseful. While R.C. Mogo states her position very clearly, through the characters, it still just felt the allegory was very muddied. Maybe if the end were slightly different in terms of a timeline...

[Compulsive Book Shopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief Summary

Zahra, a passionate linguist, fled her homeland seeking refuge from trauma. After years in Europe, she encounters a young girl who challenges her beliefs and forces her to confront her buried trauma. Stephen Kempe, an irritable Englishman, crosses Zahra's path when he faces accusations of sorcery, while she employs her linguistic expertise in the trial of a notorious serial killer. Zahra recruits Stephen to help her seek justice for the serial killer's innocent victims. However, his assistance comes with a condition: she must literally walk through fire to save them. Zahra bravely walks through the flames, emerging untouched, but finds herself submerged in water on the other side.


My Review

R.C. Mogo took me on a literary roller coaster. This is my first time reading a Christian Fantasy book. I am quite impressed and sleepy. My romantic heart is accustomed to slow-burning romances and distinguished gentlemen. This story had my romantic heart jumping out of my chest. This story perfectly cohesively blended the multiple genres. R.C. Mogo is a talented writer with a great series on the tip of her pen.

Innocents of the Marbella receives 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend this book.

[Courtnie ~ courtniemustreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child, Zahra fled her home in Marbella after a traumatic event never to look back. She is now 19 and interpreting for the trial of a serial killer. She has also taken in a child in need. When the girl is kidnapped, Zahra will do anything to protected her, even release a man from prison who is deemed an accomplice of the serial killer. This is were Zahra's adventure begins and quite an adventure it was!

This story was full of excitement and suspense! It was a unique story set during the 14th century. I love how Mogo shows the cultures of both France and Marbella during the time period and how they differ. This story was similar to the bible story of Moses, but with an original twist. I loved the characters and the suspense! The romance was sweet with a bittersweet ending. This book got a little preachy at times, but the story was exciting to read and kept me turning the page until late into the night. I really enjoyed this and is perfect for those who like a Christian adventure!

[Natalia (Talia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Genre: Christian Historical Fantasy

Tropes:
⏳ Inspiration from the book of Exodus
⏳ Redemption
⏳ Faith arc
⏳ Mild Romance Subplot


Review:

When I first went in to this book, I was not expecting what I got (in the best way possible) this is a Christian Historical Fantasy with inspiration from the Israelites in Egypt.

I was pleasantly surprised with the way this story played out. Zahra’s journey was a beautiful one, used by God, though all her shortcomings and mistakes, she is able to do something great and heal from her past.


⚠️TW contains minor spoilers so if you’re not worried then please skip 🛑

This book does deal with heavier themes so TW for child abduction/abuse and violence/gore (nothing too serious but putting it out there)



***| have received this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review***

[Anna Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Zahra teams up with Stephen Kempe to rescue enslaved children in medieval Europe, they rely on a cloth from Christ that seems to be summoning miracles, until even the relic isn’t strong enough for the evils they face. A genre-bending historical novel, filled with faith, suspense and a touch of romance, Innocents of Marbella had me holding my breath until the last page. It felt like a retelling of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, with Zahra freeing the children. This debut novel from R.C. Mogo is masterfully-crafted, drawing readers into medieval Europe through intricate details, fascinating characters, and a powerful plot. This is a story you won’t forget!

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book was not for me, I like historical fiction, but there were some elements that didn't work. The reasons are quite personal, so I will focus on the overall.
It's interesting seeing Portuguese characters and names being part of more than a few pages in a story and being portuguese myself I am always curious to see how a foreign author treats the other cultures...
The writing style is engaging and well written. It's set in a time with different values, so it will upset some feminist point of view, but it seems to be truthful to the time period. Very Christian focused.
I won this book via goodreads and I apologize for the low score.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! Good writing and great pace. A story of self reflection and discovery. Zahra finds herself facing many challenges when it comes to trusting Faith. She is educated in many subjects and speaks several languages, so she tends to lean on her knowledge of academia. The author gives us contrasting perspectives of the different characters feeling when it comes to religion. The reader will stay engage throughout the book wanting to know what’s going to happen next. The subject matter of the plot may be triggering.

[Gail Olmsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocents of Marbella boasts a storyline that is rich and satisfying, plus a cast of well-written characters caught up in a dangerous rescue attempt with potentially deadly consequences. The mystery and intrigue of Medieval Europe in the 1400's is the perfect setting as we join Zahra, a talented interpreter, on her quest for justice and a reunion with the sister she once abandoned.

[WeeBee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not for me. I do not care for sorcery and fantasy. I thought it was a historical book.
The cover is beautiful and the names of the characters are fun and exotic.

[Dawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

riveting

This is an incredibly written story. I love how thoroughly involved I was in this story. I can’t wait to read about Stephen’s side of the story.

[Brandy Marks · Rating 1 out of 5]

i could not read it all. vile

After the first few chapters, yuk. I had to stop reading.

After the first few chapters, yuk. I had to stop reading.

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! Not for the faint of heart (and certainly worth cautioning sensitive readers of), this novel was AMAZING and did not shirk from difficult topics! I’ve never read anything like this and am soooo glad to have discovered this author! Innocents of Marbella was full of so many twists and unexpected turns, going from a story that seemed at first dark and mysterious to deceptively calm and peaceful and then BAM! An exciting and dangerous rescue thriller!
I was so unexpectedly impressed with everything about this book, from the unforgettable characters (both those you love AND those you love to hate!) and unique setting to the immersive writing and thrillingly captivating storyline! Seriously, I’ve not been so taken by surprise by a novel in a long time and am completely enamored with it.
I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend Author R. C. Mogo and Innocents of Marbella and am already impatiently awaiting more in the Unburning Fire Series!

[Jess Reads Fiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could go back and re-read this book as if it was the first time all over again. Just, wow! What an amazing, explosive, enrapturing read! I would give this book ALL THE STARS if I could! It absolutely deserves a 5 star rating and then some! I realize I’m using all of the exclamation points but I can’t help it - this book is just that good! Because of the adult themes (not explicit because this book is clean - just heavy) in this book, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under the age of 18.

Do you like Christian fiction that heavily shows the supernatural power of God? CHECK! Do you enjoy page-turning action where you can’t guess what is going to happen next? CHECK! Do you love character depth with beautiful stories of redemption through Christ? CHECK! Do you love strong, protective main male characters who would do anything, including sacrifice themselves, to save those they love? CHECK! This book has everything. Everything! Swoony romance, heart-pounding action, moments of despair and loss, beautiful stories of healing and redemption - I mean c’mon, what more could you want?!

There are some very gritty and dark topics addressed in this book. The author absolutely calls sin what it is and doesn’t beat around the bush about it. Some of these moments are used to grow our characters (and grow them closer to Christ) while others are just a picture of the evil that we all know is present in this world. While some of these subjects may be hard to digest, the beautiful way in which the author wraps the story in God’s unlimited mercy and grace really shines a light to how Christ works in the everyday, here and now.

I could ramble forever about this book. Long story short, GO BUY THIS BOOK! You won’t regret it. I 100% believe this should be one of THE books of 2024.