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Renaissance Sojourner #2
The Sea of Travail
England 1445 After four years, the threat of arrest for witchcraft still hangs over Barnabas and he dare not return to England for his childhood sweetheart, Alys, as promised. Still under the tutelage of Mustapha al Qali and posing as Giacomo, he is taken across Christendom in search of a mysterious manuscript. Barnabas grows more resentful of al Qali's tight control and secretly tries to create his own enterprise that will eventually free him. But al Qali has other plans that take them both into danger. Alys, attendant to the disgraced and exiled Duchess of Gloucester, finds herself dismissed with nowhere to go. Her only hope is to find Barnabas, but her journey leads her into perils that change her circumstances irrevocably in ways she could never have imagined. If she finds Barnabas will he recognise who she has become, and will he still want her? Kristin Gleeson authentic historical fiction is filled with adventure, vibrant and colourful characters and intense storylines.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2016
324 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Gleeson
31 books114 followersUSA Today Bestselling author, Kristin Gleeson is originally from Philadelphia but has lived in West Cork in Ireland for a number of years where she plays the harp and sings, in addition to painting the beautiful landscape around her. She holds a Masters in Library Science and a Ph.D. in history, and for a time was an administrator of a large archives, library and museum in America and also worked as a public librarian in America and Ireland. She has won numerous awards for her writing
Myths and other folk tales have always fascinated her and she combined her love of these tales with her harp playing and performed as a professional harper/storyteller at events in Britain, America and Ireland.
She has also written history freelance and published articles and essays in reference works and academic books.
Myths and other folk tales have always fascinated her and she combined her love of these tales with her harp playing and performed as a professional harper/storyteller at events in Britain, America and Ireland.
She has also written history freelance and published articles and essays in reference works and academic books.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 26, 2019
I am rating this book along with the others in this at three stars.
I want to emphasize, this rating is a rating of the wholeness of the book; the story as well as the writing. These books have the potential to be 5 star books, however, where the story telling shines, the writing lacks. I continued reading the books because I do love the characters and the story. It wasn’t until I picked up the book I am now reading that I decided I needed to re-rate. The book I am currently reading is lush with beautiful writing and carefully crafted prose to co-exist with an intriguing story.
I would love to see this author sit down with this series and a good editor and polish this diamond in the rough. The story of Barnabas and Alys is worth the effort!
I want to emphasize, this rating is a rating of the wholeness of the book; the story as well as the writing. These books have the potential to be 5 star books, however, where the story telling shines, the writing lacks. I continued reading the books because I do love the characters and the story. It wasn’t until I picked up the book I am now reading that I decided I needed to re-rate. The book I am currently reading is lush with beautiful writing and carefully crafted prose to co-exist with an intriguing story.
I would love to see this author sit down with this series and a good editor and polish this diamond in the rough. The story of Barnabas and Alys is worth the effort!
January 21, 2019
Disappointing
What a disappointing story. The characters had no depth, not for their individual quests mesh enough to make one desire to read the next book. Drudgery to complete.
What a disappointing story. The characters had no depth, not for their individual quests mesh enough to make one desire to read the next book. Drudgery to complete.
March 8, 2019
The story is fairly engaging and redolent of Renaissance Italy in its deft drawing of scenery, clothing, and atmosphere, but the story bounces between two protagonists with sometimes jarring effect. The result is a vague feeling of discontinuity, as though meaningful chunks of time have been omitted. Hopefully book 3 will draw the loose ends together.
March 7, 2017
Good historical fiction
Reading the descriptions of cloth & style of dress had me doing lots on online searches to see what it all looked like. Best kind of book when it leads you to seek out further details.
Reading the descriptions of cloth & style of dress had me doing lots on online searches to see what it all looked like. Best kind of book when it leads you to seek out further details.
June 9, 2019
3.75.
Not up to Dorothy Dunnett but entertaining. Perhaps it is I who is so desperate for another fictional Lymond
Not up to Dorothy Dunnett but entertaining. Perhaps it is I who is so desperate for another fictional Lymond
July 8, 2019
Well written but not a whole book! These series drive me nuts I get interested in the characters and then cliffhanger and have to buy the next book...
February 1, 2021
Hmm
I feel like the story is missing something. Not sure what. I will continue to book 3 and book 4.
I feel like the story is missing something. Not sure what. I will continue to book 3 and book 4.
May 17, 2020
A sad tale of Barnabas and Alys who travel through Europe, Africa and Asia trying to connect and better themselves. Nothing works out for them and there is no conclusion to this story which makes for unsatisfying reading.
March 16, 2016
Europe in the Renaissance was an exciting time to be alive. It could also be dangerous. In this second book of the Renaissance Sojourner series, Kristin Gleason continues the adventures of Barnabas, formerly the imp of The Imp of Eye, the first book in the series.
Barnabas travels across continental Europe in the company of the mysterious Mustapha al Qali who enabled him to escape from England. Under al Qali’s tutelage, Barnabas has learned many languages, including Arabic and Turkish. The two of them use their translation skills to gain access to collections of rare manuscripts in search of a particular manuscript that al Qali is anxious to find. Barnabas also engages in money-making ventures on the side. He is not averse to making contact with a beautiful woman now and then either. Eventually he travels with al Qali to the Ottoman Empire, where he finds al Qali has sold him in exchange for the manuscript he has been looking for. In Turkey he is given yet another new name. Bad things happen to him there, which cause him to vow revenge on al Qali should he ever escape his Turkish captors.
Meanwhile, Alys, with whom Barnabas had the beginnings of a relationship before leaving England, has been separated from her mistress. Looking for something to do with the rest of her life, she hits on the idea of trying to find Barnabas. Accompanied by Joanie, a former fellow servant, she sets out for Paris. When Alys fails to find Barnabas in Paris, she continues on to Venice, where she has heard he might be. Along the way she is at one point robbed of almost everything she owns. The same incident leaves her with a badly broken leg, which never heals properly. And after all those months of guarding her virtue with great difficulty, she is at last forced to become an apprentice to a courtesan in order to live.
There are other adventures too, and at the end it is obvious that neither Barnabas nor Alys is done
with their journeys.
This is a good read. It is filled with scenes that put you in the middle of life in the various cities and countrysides the characters pass through.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Barnabas travels across continental Europe in the company of the mysterious Mustapha al Qali who enabled him to escape from England. Under al Qali’s tutelage, Barnabas has learned many languages, including Arabic and Turkish. The two of them use their translation skills to gain access to collections of rare manuscripts in search of a particular manuscript that al Qali is anxious to find. Barnabas also engages in money-making ventures on the side. He is not averse to making contact with a beautiful woman now and then either. Eventually he travels with al Qali to the Ottoman Empire, where he finds al Qali has sold him in exchange for the manuscript he has been looking for. In Turkey he is given yet another new name. Bad things happen to him there, which cause him to vow revenge on al Qali should he ever escape his Turkish captors.
Meanwhile, Alys, with whom Barnabas had the beginnings of a relationship before leaving England, has been separated from her mistress. Looking for something to do with the rest of her life, she hits on the idea of trying to find Barnabas. Accompanied by Joanie, a former fellow servant, she sets out for Paris. When Alys fails to find Barnabas in Paris, she continues on to Venice, where she has heard he might be. Along the way she is at one point robbed of almost everything she owns. The same incident leaves her with a badly broken leg, which never heals properly. And after all those months of guarding her virtue with great difficulty, she is at last forced to become an apprentice to a courtesan in order to live.
There are other adventures too, and at the end it is obvious that neither Barnabas nor Alys is done
with their journeys.
This is a good read. It is filled with scenes that put you in the middle of life in the various cities and countrysides the characters pass through.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2016
Picking up the story which began in the wonderful ‘Imp of Eye’, Barnabas the boy with second sight is now older and wiser and has turned mischief into cunning as he continues his travels in the employ of Mustafa al Qali, a man whose own obsession leads Barnabas into considerable danger and intrigue. Still fearing arrest for witchcraft he seeks to discover the secret of his master’s quest in order to break free from servitude and further his own ends. Meanwhile, childhood sweetheart Alys, is forced by circumstance to leave all she has known and venture abroad in search of Barnabas, unaware of the trials that await.
Barnabas is a great favourite of mine, a marvellous character, expertly brought to life by the author. He’s a rogue and a charmer with the wit to turn most, but not all, events to his advantage. In this second book in the series, he is tested rather more than he would wish for and we see him emerge from an incorrigible boy into a determined, worldly-wise young man.
Against a background of well researched historical detail the author skilfully leads us on a rich and vibrant journey from the politics of the English court through Christendom, blending historical fiction and pacy high adventure with such ease that I was immersed from the first page. Not shy of presenting the darker side of late medieval life, Gleeson doesn’t sugar coat the realities of life or romance in those times and there is a subtle undercurrent of peril that haunts both protagonists. As the story unfolds, swinging back and forth between Barnabas and Alys, I found myself on tenterhooks, hoping that both would overcome their many challenges and right would prevail.
A real page turner and a definite recommended read. Can’t wait for the next instalment!
Barnabas is a great favourite of mine, a marvellous character, expertly brought to life by the author. He’s a rogue and a charmer with the wit to turn most, but not all, events to his advantage. In this second book in the series, he is tested rather more than he would wish for and we see him emerge from an incorrigible boy into a determined, worldly-wise young man.
Against a background of well researched historical detail the author skilfully leads us on a rich and vibrant journey from the politics of the English court through Christendom, blending historical fiction and pacy high adventure with such ease that I was immersed from the first page. Not shy of presenting the darker side of late medieval life, Gleeson doesn’t sugar coat the realities of life or romance in those times and there is a subtle undercurrent of peril that haunts both protagonists. As the story unfolds, swinging back and forth between Barnabas and Alys, I found myself on tenterhooks, hoping that both would overcome their many challenges and right would prevail.
A real page turner and a definite recommended read. Can’t wait for the next instalment!
March 19, 2016
Impish charmer Barnabas balances on a razor-edge of intrigue and danger, while courting a few rare opportunities in the bargain. He’s at it again in this sequel to the Imp of Eye. Here we see him a young man well versed in many languages, and a few new names, under the patronage of Mustafa al Qali, a man whose scruples come into question over a rare manuscript.
But Barnabas must free himself from the formidable grip of such a master if he is to venture out on his own and, more importantly, be reunited with Alys, his childhood sweetheart. With the threat of witchcraft always on his heels, we see Barnabas endeavoring to maintain his secrets, dodging peril in the most enterprising manner while striving to keep his true identity under wraps.
Gleeson is truly head and shoulders above other authors of her period. Exhaustive research is evident as we are drawn into her authentic world with nuanced depictions of clothing, culture and the appalling living conditions of the time. You can be sure that anything she writes will truly entertain readers; the skullduggery, the dialogue and an array of mesmerizing characters will keep you spellbound to the very last page.
My only complaint about the novel is that it had to end. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author and hope that the Renaissance Sojourner series has a few more tales to tell.
But Barnabas must free himself from the formidable grip of such a master if he is to venture out on his own and, more importantly, be reunited with Alys, his childhood sweetheart. With the threat of witchcraft always on his heels, we see Barnabas endeavoring to maintain his secrets, dodging peril in the most enterprising manner while striving to keep his true identity under wraps.
Gleeson is truly head and shoulders above other authors of her period. Exhaustive research is evident as we are drawn into her authentic world with nuanced depictions of clothing, culture and the appalling living conditions of the time. You can be sure that anything she writes will truly entertain readers; the skullduggery, the dialogue and an array of mesmerizing characters will keep you spellbound to the very last page.
My only complaint about the novel is that it had to end. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author and hope that the Renaissance Sojourner series has a few more tales to tell.
December 11, 2016
4.5 stars..
A good book but I enjoyed Book 1 the best, possibly because the Duchess was more prominent. A favorite author whose style is varied and always enjoyable.
A good book but I enjoyed Book 1 the best, possibly because the Duchess was more prominent. A favorite author whose style is varied and always enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews