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Renaissance Sojourner #3
The Quest of Hope
Venice/Africa 1446 Only revenge can make Barnabas whole again. Dependent on opium and driven by anger over his former mentor’s appalling treachery, Barnabas leaves his beloved Alys in Venice and sets out for Africa on a quest to find the lost Kingdom of Prester John and ultimately, the man who deceived him. When the expedition takes a deadly twist and loyalties are questioned, he realizes that Alys is the only one who can help him. Angry and devastated over Barnabas’s recent betrayal, Alys finds comfort in her painting but as the few securities of her confined life crumble around her she faces a desperate choice. Saving Barnabas becomes the greatest test of her life. The Quest of Hope is a vividly portrayed historical romantic adventure that will keep you turning the pages to the very end. If you like tensely plotted historical novels filled with intrigue then you’ll love the Renaissance Sojourner Series. Praise for the “story-telling at its best” “Fast-paced and moving”
285 pages, Paperback
Published July 27, 2017
About the author
Kristin Gleeson
31 books116 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 2, 2018
Despite being third in the Renaissance Sojourner series The Quest Of Hope reads well as a stand-alone. Beautifully written it pulled me in from the very beginning. Vivid descriptions of Venice and Africa made me feel as if I was on a journey with Barnabas and Alys.
In Barnabas and Alys Gleeson gave us two well-crafted characters who I really cared for. Learning their story, what they've been through, I really hope that the future is bright for them.
Just one little issue - I really do not like cliffhangers. It was all going so well. All the threads joining nicely. And then that ending. I guess I'll just have to read the next book in the series. And if it's anywhere as good as The Quest Of Hope, it'll definitely be a worthy read.
In Barnabas and Alys Gleeson gave us two well-crafted characters who I really cared for. Learning their story, what they've been through, I really hope that the future is bright for them.
Just one little issue - I really do not like cliffhangers. It was all going so well. All the threads joining nicely. And then that ending. I guess I'll just have to read the next book in the series. And if it's anywhere as good as The Quest Of Hope, it'll definitely be a worthy read.
March 2, 2018
I really enjoyed reading, The Quest of Hope, although it is the third book in the Renaissance Sojourner Series, you can read it as a stand alone novel, which I did. The main characters Barnabas and his Alys are bought to life within the pages of this historical novel. Due to the vivid descriptions of Venice and Africa it feels as though you are really there along with Barnabas. I would recommend this book, and would now like to read the first two books in this series.
February 14, 2018
I love the historical fiction genre and the fact that this was set in a period and a place I haven't read much about was a bonus.
The stories of Alys and Barnabas were built up well and I enjoyed the descriptions of the people and places along their journey.
The legends recounted made the story more informative.
I look forward to reading the next book to know what happens after this teaser of an ending!
The stories of Alys and Barnabas were built up well and I enjoyed the descriptions of the people and places along their journey.
The legends recounted made the story more informative.
I look forward to reading the next book to know what happens after this teaser of an ending!
February 12, 2018
I loved this book from the get go! Powerfully written it pulls you into the story from the first page, with characters that are full of realistic quirks.
The story has twists and turns throughout, and paints a realistic picture of the past attitudes and intricacies of life, in a way that places the reader in the middle of the action packed story line.
This story does stand on it’s own although part three in a series, and having loved every second of this, i will now be returning to read all three!
This is not a book to be missed, heart warming and edge of the seat storyline all at once, this Author has a true talent for creating a gripping storyline that you can dive into.
But be warned... you may just end up reading it all and wanting more before you realise where you are! Authors such as this are the ones who make characters come to life in your mind, so that you find yourself wanting to hug, scald and weep with them throughout, and miss them when the book has come to an end.
The story has twists and turns throughout, and paints a realistic picture of the past attitudes and intricacies of life, in a way that places the reader in the middle of the action packed story line.
This story does stand on it’s own although part three in a series, and having loved every second of this, i will now be returning to read all three!
This is not a book to be missed, heart warming and edge of the seat storyline all at once, this Author has a true talent for creating a gripping storyline that you can dive into.
But be warned... you may just end up reading it all and wanting more before you realise where you are! Authors such as this are the ones who make characters come to life in your mind, so that you find yourself wanting to hug, scald and weep with them throughout, and miss them when the book has come to an end.
October 5, 2019
Fascinating
An absorbing and fascinating historical novel of the live of Barnabas and Alys and the not so “romantic” life in the 1400s.
An absorbing and fascinating historical novel of the live of Barnabas and Alys and the not so “romantic” life in the 1400s.
February 1, 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!
December 31, 2019
This book explores corners of history where most authors don’t even know to go.
In this third book of The Renaissance Sojourner series, things take an even stranger turn than in the previous book. Barnabas – or Giacomo, as he has more recently been called – plans to journey into Africa to find Moustapha al Qali to take his revenge for al Qali’s having sold him to the Turkish Grand Vizier in the previous book. The hardships of this journey are many and severe. But in the process, Barnabas meets up with a man who manages to finally cure him of his opium addiction. When he finally catches up to al Qali, he finds that somehow his revenge has lost its urgency. But in the end, they no longer have to worry about al Qali.
Meanwhile, his sweetheart, Alys, who he left in the role of courtesan back in Venice, finds herself expecting his child. Alys barely manages to give birth to the child alive, and her sponsor, Alessandra has threatened to send it to be raised in a convent so that Alys can return to her role of courtesan. In the event, however, Alessandra suddenly develops a fondness for the child once it is born, and with some misgivings, Alys leaves the baby in her care while she too makes her way to Africa in search of Barnabas.
In this third book of The Renaissance Sojourner series, things take an even stranger turn than in the previous book. Barnabas – or Giacomo, as he has more recently been called – plans to journey into Africa to find Moustapha al Qali to take his revenge for al Qali’s having sold him to the Turkish Grand Vizier in the previous book. The hardships of this journey are many and severe. But in the process, Barnabas meets up with a man who manages to finally cure him of his opium addiction. When he finally catches up to al Qali, he finds that somehow his revenge has lost its urgency. But in the end, they no longer have to worry about al Qali.
Meanwhile, his sweetheart, Alys, who he left in the role of courtesan back in Venice, finds herself expecting his child. Alys barely manages to give birth to the child alive, and her sponsor, Alessandra has threatened to send it to be raised in a convent so that Alys can return to her role of courtesan. In the event, however, Alessandra suddenly develops a fondness for the child once it is born, and with some misgivings, Alys leaves the baby in her care while she too makes her way to Africa in search of Barnabas.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews