About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with questions of faith, the weight of institutional authority, or the courage required to stand by one's truth in a judgmental world. This intense historical drama set in 13th-century France follows Dolssa, a young mystic labeled a heretic, and Botille, a resourceful tavern girl who risks everything to hide her. It is a sophisticated exploration of friendship and survival against the backdrop of the Inquisition. While the story contains moments of significant peril and historical violence, its focus remains on the fierce loyalty between young women. It serves as an excellent bridge for discussing how personal convictions can clash with societal expectations. Due to its thematic depth and some graphic descriptions of the era's harsh realities, it is best suited for mature readers aged fourteen and up who are ready for a challenging but deeply rewarding narrative about the power of the human spirit.
