Daughters of the Grail

I've never read anything about the Albigensian Crusade nor about Cathars before. I mean, I've read mentions of them when reading medieval non-fiction, but it was only in passing and as footnotes. Yet, Elizabeth Chadwick brings it to bold and brilliant life in this book. I felt the peace the Cathars felt as they went willingly to their deaths, the never-ending fear of being forever hunted by a fanatical sector of the Roman Church, and the love that springs between individuals despite the horror of persecution. Chadwick's talent at world building and transporting her readers into the past shows itself again with wonderful skill.

Elizabeth Chadwick brings her characters to vivid life again, as well. I especially enjoyed Magda and her show more romance with Dominic. One of those fated loves are always a joy to read for me. Magda isn't afraid to stick up for what she wants in life, a man who will walk life with her and not only father a child on her. Raoul also was a character after my own heart. A man who devotes his life to his people and his family, trying to better their lives and protect them to the best of his ability given the harsh circumstances of a Crusade against them. I was not especially in love with Bridget, though. I found her very hard to connect with. She seemed almost too good to be true, too sure of her place in life and where that life is to go. There only seemed to be that one goal in life and almost no other direction for her character. Probably why I feel more connected to her daughter than her.

The use of fantastical elements like the Sight and hands on healing actually worked fairly well. I went into the novel expecting to have to grit my teeth and skim over those parts for the beauty of the historical setting that I knew would be there, given the author. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The use of these magic elements were woven into the narrative in a way that presented them as just another thread in the tapestry of the story. They weren't front and center; Magda and Bridget were pretty blase about them actually. And while some of the other characters seemed a little too blase at times (I mean, your girlfriend can heal with a touch and you just blink in a medieval setting?!?!), that part wasn't really that big a part. Things kept flowing on story wise and everything was woven into the overall plot nicely.

I vastly enjoyed this addition to my medieval historical fiction shelf. Elizabeth Chadwick does it again with talent and aplomb. And while some of the characters were a bit hard for me to connect with, everything else came together to create a fantastic story. show less

This is really one of the best books I have ever read. It's not Gone With the Wind or the Far Pavilions, but it's pretty darn close. So much of the historical fiction I read is centered in England, Scotland and Wales, and I enjoyed reading about this period in history in southern France and about a religion I knew nothing about (having not yet read The DaVinci Code).

This was an exciting tale of Cathars, Knights Templar, evil evil priests, Bridget and her daughter Magda - descended from Mary Magdelene, all battling the Roman Catholic Church that is bent on destroying them, and finishes with a heart-stopping page turning, can't put it down until it's done finish. It always astounds me the evil that men will do in the name of "god", and show more that it continues to this day.

I had found this book used in the US last year, and the first time I read it I knew nothing about Simon DeMontfort (the second) and what he tried to accomplish for England before his tragic end. Although I know the part he plays in this novel, with his bastard half brother Dominic, is just a story, it was nice to see some glimpses of him in a minor role as a young boy and then a young man. To learn more about this incredible man, please read Sharon Kay Penman's Welsh Trilogy, Here be Dragons, Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning.

I am always amazed at how this author so effortlessly sucks you into another century with her descriptions of the sights, sounds, food, clothes and battles of another time. show less

Set in France in the early 13th century, Daughters of the Grail (previously published as Children of Destiny) features the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathar heresy. Bridget, while not a Cathar, is a healer who is wanted for heresy nonetheless. Her story is intertwined with that of Raoul de Montvallant, a Cathar sympathizer. The story continues in the next generation with Magda and Dominic.

I’d studied the Cathars in school, but it’s been a while, so I was glad for the opportunity to have my memory refreshed. While I didn’t enjoy Daughters of the Grail as much as I've enjoyed some of Chadwick’s other novels (her earlier books are heavier on the romance than the history), I did enjoy the story, especially in the second half of show more the book, when Magda and Dominic’s stories took over. There is, however, great character development, and this novel is well-researched, as Chadwick’s books always are. I wasn’t too keen on all the “visions” that the characters kept having, and had a hard time keeping track of that was real and what wasn’t. On the other hand, Chadwick’s descriptions are excellent, and the scenes at the end are so horrifyingly real that you feel as though you’re actually there watching it all happen. For more on the Cathar heresy, read the first two pages of the author’s note at the end before reading this book. show less

This is probably my least favourite of all Elizabeth Chadwick's books, that being said it's still a great read. It focuses on the Albigensian Crusade in France in the early thirteenth century, this part I loved as I knew nothing about it before reading this. I think the bit I wasn't as keen on was the mysticism and magical powers Bridget and Magda seem to have, I like the history Chadwick presents in her novels but this was straying into fantasy in parts and it just got a bit weird.

This is the perfect book for when you feel the need to escape. The story will engulf you and take you to a different place and time. Through all the hardship of the story, it will leave you feel reassured about love, though a bit sweetly depressed too.

The story takes place in the middle ages and is set in the south of France. We get to meet some very brave people, they all are of very different beliefs, but this doesn't hinder them as they are just trying to make the best of their lives and not hurt others. This is not as simple as it sounds though as (Church) politics and the hunger for power prove persistent enemies of a peaceful daily life.

When you are acquainted with the beauty of the Languedoc and maybe even have dwelled in one of show more the old Castles and Strongholds, this story will get even more compelling.

I found it a great read and heartily recommend it! show less

Good book, well written, but not an original theme. Another book looking at the Cathar Crusade and a female bloodline descended from a relative of Jesus Christ.

Loved the history and characters, wasn't really into all the mysticism, etc.

Narrator was really good!