Listen to the Wind

The Orphans of Tolosa #1

by Susanne Dunlap

Two orphans flee for their lives during the last crusade of the French against the Cathar heretics in the Midi. With no knowledge of their past, they are drawn onward to an uncertain future where they face unimaginable peril. Will they discover the secret of their origins and fulfill their destiny?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medieval, France

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2019

About the author

Susanne Dunlap is the author of more than a dozen historical novels for adults and teens. Susanne grew up in Buffalo, New York and has lived in London, Brooklyn, Northampton, MA, and now Biddeford, ME. Her love of historical fiction arose partly from her PhD research at Yale.

Susanne is also an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach in fiction and nonfiction, specializing in coaching historical fiction and historical nonfiction.

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a history major whose jam is the 20th century, but the author’s first in an intended trilogy made 13th century France come alive for me as no history book has done. It’s the story of two orphans, Azalaïs and Azemar, who get separated through heartbreaking circumstances and their arduous journey back to each other. Dunlap weaves a hypnotic tale that fully immerses you in the period and happily keeps you lost, unwilling to leave their world at the end. So looking forward to the next book in the series! 5/5

Pub Date 22 Apr 2019.

Thanks to Susanne Dunlap, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#ListenToTheWind #NetGalley

[Amy Bruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stayed up way too late last night and Susanne Dunlap is entrely to blame! It was just to hard to put down Listen to the Wind and I have no will power but I sure slept soundly after finishing this incredible novel.

Listen to the Wind features Azalais and Azemar who are living in an Orphanage in Tolosa at the beginning of the novel. The two friends spent their days playing fantasty games of knights and damsels, until one day their Orphange gets raided. A recent illness in the town is being blamed on the Orphanage so they run away and soon get separated, with plans to meet up later.

As Azalais and Azemar embark on their own path they meet people who help them along the way. It actually reminded me a bit about Game of Thrones. It could be because I binged the whole series for the past month! Ha! But really, the way we follow Azemar and Azalais and see who they meet and how they learn from everyone along the way, right to the fateful moment with the two friends finally meet again years later (great scene!) reminded me of Arya's storyline, which was my absolute favorite.

So, take the two amazing main characters, add in a third and equally fascinating character, throw in some knights, a few battles, secret identities, and court intrigue and you have one hell of a read!

Susanne's writing really brought this book to life. She has an amazing way with words. It's a book that will grab you from the start and keep you hooked til the end. I loved it and will be counting the days until the next book in the trilogy, The Spirit of Fire, releases!

[Plateresca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book largely because of the title. That, and the courageous-looking redhead on the cover. This is how I want to live my life.

I enjoyed reading this, but I don't think I'll be reading the sequel.

What I liked:
- Strong female characters.
- Not too much violence. I mean, there is violence, the book is about the Middle Ages; but precisely because it is a book about the Middle Ages, there could be much more.
- Engaging plot.
- No info dump (as it sometimes happens in historical novels), and the author did pay attention to building the atmosphere.
- The herbalist training of the heroine. The description is simplistic, but, well, I'm always partial to literary herbalists :)
- Hints at something magical (although nothing 'supernatural' really happens).

What I didn't enjoy:
- Typos. I've seen worse, but still.
- The ending... I mean, it's not sad. It's Part I of the trilogy, so nothing is really resolved, but I had expected something of the kind. Rather, I felt, as the story progressed, that the characters were becoming more clichéd, the situations more predictable, and the ending seemed a bit too pat.
But, you know, it happens often enough that I like the beginning of a book more than its ending.
- The hero seemed a bit dull.
- The main villains seemed a bit one-dimensional.

Does anybody know if the owl is all right in the end?

[Don Gerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I love to read historical fiction, I have to admit that 13th century France is not one of the areas where I have much knowledge. Author Susanne Dunlop’s well-written knowledge helped greatly with my initial foray into the area, effortlessly blending the history into a compelling story of the fates of two orphans.

Azalais and Alemar are the two orphans, and the author wastes no time uprooting them from their current lives into new paths that are fraught with danger. Ms. Dunlop mixes the history with an interesting storyline, bouncing back and forth between the main characters and always managing to serve up unexpected twists that kept me turning pages until late at night. The other characters in the book are given enough weight to bring them to life, and the interactions help us to understand a world that existed centuries ago.

I liked the way the author created an uncertain world for Azalais and Alemar while always allowing us plenty of opportunities to witness their reactions to the events that surround each of them. The writing is excellent, and the background is enough for us to believe these fictional characters lived back in that turbulent time. This book is the first in a series, and though I worried about the chance of a cliffhanger ending, the author managed to tie enough strings together to satisfy my need while still letting me know that there are still adventures ahead. I, for one, will be there to experience them when the next book becomes available. Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Books Go Social for a complimentary copy of this book.

[Kate Eminhizer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win a copy of this title in advance. Dunlap brings us back to a time of religious upheaval where defying the king and the pope could get you killed. In a land saturated with fear and uncertainty two orphans struggle to find their way back to each other. Along their travels they each learn much about their own resilience and the culture around them. This book is extremely well researched. Dunlap does a tremendous job in describing the lifestyle of so many different classes of people. While certain aspects of the story seem improbable, the events weave smoothly together to make a well-rounded story. I am pleased that this is only the first in an intended series. I look forward to the further adventures of Azemar and Azalais as they continue to discover themselves and their past.

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, what can I say about this book? Thrilling, engaging, illuminating and brilliantly entwined with history and a wonderfully complex story. It takes you on a real adventure through 13th Centaury France, the colourful writing makes every scene so beautifully detailed and vivid you can see it playout like a film in your mind.

I haven’t read any of Susanne Dunlap’s work before, but after reading this – or should that be; devoured – I will definitely be reading more, her writing is so imaginative and atmospheric that you become completely lost in the story and before you know it you have whiled away a full afternoon.

The story opens with siblings; Azalais and Azemar who are living in a orphanage in Tolosa, they live a happy simple life roaming around the woods and surrounding area, making up games with the other orphans abuts knights in shining armour and damsels in distress. Everything in their life is good, that is until a illness spreads throughout the area and the people who were supposed to be protecting them soon turn on them and the other orphans, thinking it them that has caused all this illness and death. The children flee for their lives and in the melee Azalais and Azemar become separated, promising to meet up.

But, all doesn’t go to plan and what should have been a simple meet each other again in the next town turns into years of uncertainty and adventure for our two youngsters. What at first appears to be a very simple story of these two young people trying to forge their way through such hardships and attempting to find one and other again, you soon realise that this is far more then that. There is a ethereal and magical quality to the story, that is both surprising and addictive reading. We soon see that there is more to these two then meets the eyes, they have secrets buried within them that even they don’t know and even though once they have separated and when they try to find their feet they are more intricately entwined to one and other then originally thought.

So when they meet again years later, which is an amazing and gorgeous scene their shared past and destined future soon becomes clear.

This is an intriguing and complex story with lots of secrets and lies interwoven within the characters personal stories, it is charming, exciting and mesmerising. Ms Dunlap’s writing is wonderfully immersive and brilliantly atmospheric, there is a real starlight quality to this book which will grab any readers attention.

Definitely a must read, I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series.

[Pattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book!! Xx

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh cruel fate! I must now suffer the months til. The Spirit of Fire is released! A medieval plot to love. Ms. Dunlap has a way with words & her characters are fully fleshed out. She details the lives of people in 11th century France. You can learn history & still be entertained.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me high, then low, and then high again. Beautifully written, thanks to the author who sent me a signed copy, my daughter in law will enjoy it next, on loan only.

[Sarah Sabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis: Set in the 13th century at the end of the crusades, orphans Azalaïs and Azemar get separated when they escape the band of outlaws who they thought were their protectors. Along their journeys to find each other again, they are met with trial after trial and begin to discover that they are linked to a mysterious past.

Listen to the Wind by Susanne Dunlap was my very first experience reading a book set before the Revolutionary War. I wasn't sure how I would receive the time period at first, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was immersed into this story of life during the crusades.

Dunlap's writing is delightfully descriptive and captivating. She truly has a way of making the reader feel like they are there in the Midi (now southern France) taking it all in from the wonderfully executed plot to beautifully developed characters. Azalaïs is a lovable heroine whom I couldn't help but root for throughout the entirety of the novel, as well as Azemar, her long lost childhood friend.

I cannot express how much I loved Listen to the Wind and I enthusiastically recommend this book to all readers and lovers of history. The story of Azalaïs and Azemar will not disappoint.

I am anxiously awaiting the sequel in the trilogy, The Spirit of Fire!

Thank you to Susanne Dunlap and Amy Bruno for the complimentary copy of Listen to the Wind in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not normally a reader of Historical Fiction, but this title was recommended to me by a friend who is a huge fan of historical fiction. The historical accuracy of this book was astounding. It was evident that the author did a lot of research and made it a priority to paint a picture for readers that truly transports them back in time. In the beginning I found it a little difficult to keep up with some of the French terminology, but I quickly got used to it, and was able to understand everything through context clues.
Coming from someone who reads a lot of fantasy, I was initially skeptical that the plot would be interesting enough for me, but I was quickly drawn into the story, and the political intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were easy to get emotionally invested in, and I enjoyed the way they each grew and changed over the story. My only complaint was how quickly the ending was wrapped up, but it was clearly being set up for a sequel.

[Hannah | thebookwormsfeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susanne Dunlap brings to life 13th Century France masterfully in this tale. Although I do not know much about the era, this book brought back memories as reading Kate Mosse's Labyrinth - a book I completely adore. I have much the same feelings for Listen to the Wind.

Our two central characters, Azemar and Azalaïs, are separated as children after they are hunted through the forest they live in together. We follow their stories as they wend their way through life, struggling to find each other, with the promise of meeting again in Béziers.

It appears France is a treacherous place to be in the 13th Century - heretics are being sought out and burned, and there is much fighting around Tolosa (Toulouse) where this story is set. This culminates into tension for the narrative, and the feeling of imminent peril around every corner for our hero and heroine.

The ending leaves us with a bit of a cliff-hanger, and a swath of unanswered questions. To say I am eagerly awaiting the next book, The Spirit of Fire, is an understatement. A strong start to the series, and I highly recommend!

Thank you to Susanne Dunlap, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the free copy to review.
#ListenToTheWind #NetGalley

[Amba Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel has alot of potential - lots of interesting ideas and the medieval Languedoc setting is one of the richest settings for a historical novel. I liked the set up of Azemar and Azelais being separated as children and having to make their own way before coming together again. At times it feels a bit slow and I think this is because the author doesn't paint the characters very richly, there is a lot of action and transaction described but you don't get an understanding of what motivates the characters very well and what they are thinking other than the main two. You only see the others through their eyes and it makes them therefore very flat when actually characters like Aniort, Johana, Raimon and Azelais' husband and mother in law could be very interesting if you were to write scenes from their point of view or least give some insights. Jordane is also not very likeable and so difficult to really want things to turn out well for her!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

#ListenToTheWind #NetGalley I received this ARC for a review, and found it enjoyable. It was a bit reminiscent of Roland at Roncevaux., although a different era..

"Two orphans flee for their lives during the last crusade of the French against the Cathar heretics in the Midi. With no knowledge of their past, they are drawn onward to an uncertain future where they face unimaginable peril. Will they discover the secret of their origins and fulfill their destiny?"

Azalais and Azemar, together through some mysterious circumstance as children, and separated by warfare they did not understood, reunite as adults. This is the first of a trilogy and there is sample of part 2 for us to think about. Will the Cathar mystery and that of their own parentage find solutions?
Will they reunite with Johana and Jordane, and what does the future hold for all of them?

[Linda Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading historical fiction: WWI, WWII, Revolutionary and Civil Wars and even Tudor England (how can you not love Henry and Anne?) – but I just took a trip out of my comfort zone and read an adventure story all-be-it historical fiction, too. If you love adventure, you’ll enjoy Listen to the Wind: The Orphans of Tolosa, the first of a trilogy by Susanne Dunlap. Plunge yourself into thirteenth century France with its knights, monks, jousting and troubadours all mixed with Dunlap’s impeccable research of the dangerous conflicts between religion and secular power. This story is ripe with texture, images, and language of the period bringing the reader deep into the rough terrain of the Languedoc region where we are absorbed in the story of two orphans, Azalais and Azemar, separated suddenly when young and finding themselves on dangerous paths that could change history.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel, the beginning of a series, traces the lives and traumas of two childhood friends who are unexpectedly separated and equally unexpectedly reunited, and those around them, including genial friars, evil monks, a rapist, his horrible mother, a loyal servant, and more. Set in the thirteenth century, the book is well-researched if somewhat purple in its prose. The plot is fine, although it is a bit cliched: a peasant girl disguises herself as a boy, then participates in a bed-trick, swapping places with her noble patron. The noble patron also disguises herself as a man in order to escape an arranged marriage and to be with her true love. A fine historical romance, just don't expect complex characters or a lot of reason behind many of their actions.

[Florence · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pace of the story is very fast for a novel first of a series, it does not feel like Susanne Dunlap is short of ideas for the characters. Placed in a remoted country in a past that everybody wants to forget, when the French monarchy was fighting to extend its realm to Langue D'Oc, at any costs, including massacres. the novel, step by step, explains how the "heretics" who survived Simon de Montfort attacks, were obliged to stay in the hiding and fight for their survival. A lot of novels already detailed that theme, but most of the time with an esoteric perk about he "cathares". The true original angle here is to keep the perspective of ficitional characters, women, and women of the Arts of music. The note at the end of the book in fact is so informative that I would recommend to start the story by reading it.
Also, a quick check of facts about Simon de Montfort's doing is necessary, as the cultural clashes between the North and the Occitanie. It must be considered that the times concerned are very violent, on both sides, the plot seems to forget about this reality for the first instalment.
Anyway, the book is hard to put down, as it is difficult to scheme out what will happen next. The suspens is cleverly slowed down by interesting and varied descriptions which do not seem like catalogues. This is a good book, but it is necessary to know about the historical context before reading it, nonetheless I will recommend it and cannot wait for the rest of series.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for a preview copy in exchange for a fair review.

[Ginger Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a story! I could have read this book in one sitting, but I had grandchildren for a few days and I had to sneak my reading time, as my granddaughter demands all of me!
This book starts out fantastic and just gets better and better! Well developed characters that the author makes you care about, adventures all the way through, very hard to put down! This book will keep you up all night!
There's definitely a cliffhanger. I will have to wait patiently for the next book!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you so much, Netgalley!
All opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here’s my review for Book Club Babble:

Susanne Dunlap’s Listen to the Wind is an engaging work of historical fiction replete with sympathetic characters. The novel is set in thirteenth-century Languedoc, a time when families are torn apart by religious persecution. Azemar and Azalaïs are given into the “care” of a band of outlaws when they are very young, supposedly for their own protection. When fate casts the friends separate ways, they vow to meet again. Survivors at their core, each creates a new life among others but their secrets keep them solitary. Always at the mercy of the good and ill will of others, neither knows their true origins nor how to return to them. However it turns out, it is certain that their lots are meant to be drawn together.

In designing Azemar’s and Azalaïs’s character arcs, Dunlap fabricates an imaginary history on the scaffolding of Inquisitionesque terror. The fortitude and ingenuity of her characters helps them adapt to all manner of circumstances, and the result is an engaging tale of escape, secrets, and mental toughness. For those looking for a smartly written captivating read, I highly recommend this first book in the Orphans of Tolosa trilogy.

[Traci Medford-Rosow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by Susanne Dunlap’s latest historical fiction from page one. Strong characters, vivid scenes of southern France in the 13th century, castles, intrigue and a plot with more twists than a pretzel, is just the beginning of the enjoyment of Listen to the Wind.
The story is full of hidden treasures. One of many was a subliminal message that penetrated into my inner being without my awareness that it was happening. To simply get a message to someone in the 13th century, a person had to go to great lengths and often expose themselves to significant danger. The contrast with today’s ease and rapidity of communication made me realize how fortunate we all are when it comes to our freedom of speech.
This book is the first in a series. I can’t wait to read book two!
Traci Medford-Rosow
USAToday bestelling author of Unblinded

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to the Wind, the first book of The Orphans of Tolosa series, it was a pretty good story. It was well written and the characters were interesting. I look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Jan Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, I fell down the research rabbit hole to write a paper on Cathars and the crusade against them, so it was a mixed pleasure to be able to read this novel and revisit that world again. Mixed as a visit to that sun-drenched place in the South of France, the music, the people and their culture is overshadowed by the coming of the northern knights. Ugh, crusade. Invasion and takeover; death and destruction.

Orphaned brother and sister Azalais and Azemar live in the woods with a gang of adult criminals, learning about life the hard way. As a raid scatters the gang, the brother and sister go their separate ways, vowing to meet up some day in a far away city.

Azalais, disguised as a boy, finds her way to the relative safety of a blind hermit and herbalist who teaches her everything he knows, including how to read and write. The nearby abbey he is attached to, however, is well known for hunting out heretics, i.e. Cathars.

Azemar’s education begins at the home of a former knight whose lands have recently been returned to him, as he fought in the last invasion against the northern knights. Azemar learns how to tend the vineyard, to read and write, and eventually is sent out to learn how to be a knight.

As the brother and sister come of age, the storm cloud of war is on the horizon, and they are both entrusted with secrets but find themselves on opposite sides.

The ensemble cast and their ensuing complications, the inevitability of war, and the much anticipated reunion of the brother and sister kept me reading long past my bedtime. Well-written and researched, I loved this book. Looking forward to the sequel!

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Azalais did not know the direction that her life would take when she was picked up by the young noblewoman on the side of the road. Now, she carries a dreadful secret, one that could spell death for her if she and the others are found out.
As she searches for her friend, she is thrust into a role that she was never meant to play, one that could ruin more than one family if the deception is uncovered.

This was a great book! I absolutely loved it!

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book. Holy crap. I’ve always enjoyed Ms. Dunlap’s books, I love her attention to detail, her dedication to bringing history to life, to picking those figures who perhaps you’ve heard of, but know little about them. In this particular tome, we’re brought back to thirteenth-century Languedoc. (Modern Day France.) Two Orphans are separated from one another, and in their journey to find one another again, they face numerous trials. This is the end of the Crusades, which you can imagine brought religious strife to new levels. Azalaïs and Azemar are the main characters and I found Azalaïs to be a brilliant character in particular. I absolutely adored the intelligence, grit and, ingenuity they used to get out of whatever situation they found themselves in. Every character is well rounded, lively, three dimensional. They really come off the pages to tell their story.

I love how vibrant the world is made, how danger really struck fear into my heart, how the pain felt real…everything is beautifully written and I thoroughly enjoyed this. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series. I hope we find more of their origins out, because I am intrigued!

Bravo!

[Coleen Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a trilogy about two young children who are sent away by there parents to protect them as their parents were accused of being heretics. This is the story of Azemar and Azalais and how one of them controlled their own fate and one has fate control them. The two are separated and fate reunites them on opposing sides of a battle. This tale also includes much history of the persecution of the Cathars. A very good read.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful story is set in France when the Huguenots are under siege by the Catholics and there is no place to hide. Two young children, Azemar and Azalaïs, are suddenly sent to live with a group of other children in the forest, watched over by adults they do not know. Then one day their lives, precarious as they already are, are overturned when they must flee a group of knights. The two agree to meet up but years pass. Azemar is taken in by a merchant family and Azalais lives as a boy with a blind hermit, until another monk becomes suspicious and she is forced to flee.

Listen to the Wind is the first in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. The sense of authenticity is enhanced by the use of Occitan, the langue d'oc, for people and place names. It's a wonderful book, and I can't wait for the next in the series to come out!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author at a book fair and took a chance on reading something a little out of my usual genre. I do enjoy historical fiction, but usually not from France or the 13th Century. But it was well worth a jaunt into a world I knew little about (until now!) and to enjoy a story that moves along with a lot of action. At the beginning of the book I was worried it was really a YA book because of the age of the main characters at the start, but it didn't take long for it to move well into adult territory. I always love learning something new in a book and there was lots to learn by the context of the events in this book without even realizing it. The characters stayed with me and I'm glad the sequel is coming out in a few months. Nice job, Suzanne!

[Paula Ptomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of Listen To The Wind by Susanne Dunlap from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Why wasn't history taught like this in school? Susanne Dunlap's story from the French crusades made me go check out the actual history of the crusades. I must say that Susanne did her research well. I loved the storyline, and also learned many things I didn't know. I appreciate the reality of life and situations that are told and yet the story feels so real. You are drawn in and awaiting the final coming together of the story at the end. Great job Susanne Dunlap. I look forward to the next book.

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interested and detailed historical novel. I appreciate the time and research Susanne Dunlap invested in this work.

[Vicki Kondelik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to the Wind is the first in Susanne Dunlap's Orphans of Tolosa trilogy, set in 13th century Languedoc (now a region of southern France). It tells the story of two childhood friends, Azalaïs and Azemar, who were separated from their families in Tolosa (Toulouse), and have only dim memories of their parents. When they are forced to leave the band of outlaws who raised them, Azalaïs and Azemar get separated from each other, but promise to meet someday. The novel takes place during a time when the Catholic Church hunted "heretics" who lived in the region, and who were protected by the local nobility. The King of France, allied with the Pope, wanted to conquer the region for France, and this led to much fighting and bloodshed. The setting will be familiar to readers of Kate Mosse's Labyrinth.

Azalaïs disguises herself as a boy and takes refuge with a kindly monk, who teaches her to read and write, and passes on his knowledge of herbal remedies. But another monk, a Dominican inquisitor, becomes suspicious of her, and she has to leave. She enters the household of Jordane, a willful noblewoman who is in love with a rebel knight and wishes to avoid an arranged marriage to an ally of France. Jordane eventually forces Azalaïs to take part in a dangerous ruse.

Meanwhile, Azemar finds a benefactor in a nobleman with a shriveled arm. Azemar takes care of his vineyards, and the nobleman entrusts him with two objects of great importance, even though he will not reveal exactly what their significance is, before sending him to the city to live in a wealthy merchant's household. In the city, Azemar becomes a man of means, and decides to train as a knight. All the while, he hopes to be reunited with Azalaïs.

Dunlap's characters are engaging, and I thought Azalaïs, especially, was a strong heroine, who always finds a way to get herself out of danger. Even Jordane, who is willful and spoiled, and cruel to Azalaïs, is not entirely unsympathetic. One of the outstanding features of the novel is Dunlap's use of poetry and music throughout. Jordane is a female troubadour, composing poems which she sings, accompanying herself on various musical instruments. Azalaïs and Azemar are also talented in poetry and music.

Listen to the Wind is beautifully written, and Dunlap immerses the reader in the world of 13th century Languedoc. The novel transports you to the forests, a monastery, a baron's castle, a merchant household, and many other locations. The world of the characters comes alive for the reader. I came to care about these characters, even Jordane, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy to find out what happens to them next. I highly recommend Listen to the Wind to anyone who's looking for an excellent historical novel.