The Huguenot Chronicles: Books 13 (Merchants of Virtue, Voyage of Malice, Land of Hope) by Paul C.R. Monk

The Huguenot Chronicles: Books 13 (Merchants of Virtue, Voyage of Malice, Land of Hope) Reviews

• 
  Jeanne Manton

  I could not finish this even though the story line was interesting. The author needs to take a writing 101 class as even though this is a YA novel, it is so poorly written that it is an insult to even a ten year old reader. I am happy I was given this book as had I bought it, I would be furious at the waste of money.
• 
  Michele Cryer

  A Historical Novel of Epic Proportions.
  
  I really enjoyed this trilogy. I had to rush through more than half of it as I had borrowed it on a free trial of Kindle Unli. Ited, therefore I literally stayed up for days and nights in order to complete it on the final day of my trial. It was certainly worth the effort. I haven't read many historical novels, particularly about this period in time, although I have a great interest in it. The trilogy held my attention throughout, with only a very tiny part of one episode which wasn't of quite as much interest to me as the rest of the subject matter. I wish I could recall all of the words that I would use to. Describe this story, it was exciting, frightening to imagine that events such as the ones taking place here really did happen to some people, romantic, educational and funny. I could've imagined 2 people writing the story, one male and one female, I will let you read it to ascertain to which I would give particular chapters. I would love to see this made into a film, one of the great Epics such as Dr Zhivago, this is how much this story has impressed me. Please read and andjoy, you won't regret it.
• 
  Jill

  I have really enjoyed reading The Huguenot Connection Trilogy! Though not usually the genre that I choose to read, I am so glad I gave the first one more than just a glance. This series is a very interesting account of one family's experience of religious persecution. I found myself admiring their steadfast faith and cheering for their resolve. Although a fictional account, these novels nonetheless do justice to a very unsettling time in Christian history – and what trying times early Christians faced! It is very apparent that this series was well-researched as the details really make the story come alive. Mr. Monk writes with much description so that it is easy to envision the struggles as well as the joys of this family. He effectively captures and keeps the reader's attention during the books. Very well-written with excellent character and plot development. . If you enjoy historical fiction, especially early Christian history, I would highly recommend you take the time to read this series.
• 
  Michael Decamp

  I loved this book. Excellent historical fiction depicting a tragic period in European history when Huguenot Protestants were stripped of their possessions and driven into exile by a Catholic king in France. The husband is imprisoned and sent into slavery (among other things) and the wife flees northward. Follow their plight as they face everything from illness to pirates to treacherous thieves—all while trying to find their way back to one another to restore their family.
• 
  Richard Myers

  Wonderful book
  
  This set of three books is about the French Huguenots ( French Protestants) in France in the 17th century. Their stories are about fleeing from or being ejected from France by the French king who was Catholic. Very good character and location descriptions everywhere in the set of books. I recommend this book to everyone.
• 
  Ron Johnson

  This trilogy covers about 12 years of a very important period in both European history as well as the Reformation era.
  
  Some military action, quite a few periods of danger and tribulation for this family of staunch French Huguenot Protestants that refuse to deny their faith for the sake of retaining wealth and property, and even possibly their very lives.
  
  Forcibly separated and driven from their native lands, the father is sentenced to slavery aboard a French vessel. Then he is sold, or "indentured" to a privateer ship.
  
  Their daughters are torn away from them and forced to live in a Roman Catholic school setting that would brook no Protestant nonsense.
  
  The mother is driven into hiding in the home of a lowly weaver, where the high-born but humble woman learns the art of weaving. Eventually she is driven from there but is reunited with her son, a lad of about 9 years, and together they make their way to Amsterdam and then to Geneva, the spiritual "home" of their Calvinistic faith. But alas, even that had to come to an end, and the mother and son make their way to London, where they hope to eventually reunite with their father & husband and daughters.
  
  No more! To learn about all their travails, and how the end is played out, you simply MUST read the books.
  
  I had a couple of quibbles that held me back from a full 5 stars. The first and most important issue that I have is that as this book is all about the trials and tribulations of a group of Protestants severely persecuted by a power-mad Roman Catholic hierarchy, yet very very little is said about the beliefs they hold. Beliefs that they were so committed to that they willingly, even joyfully, gave up every thing they had for the sake of them. Perhaps it is the Calvinist Christian in me saying this, but I would have much preferred that at least some attention was paid to this issue.
  
  Another quibble I have is with character development. The protagonists are drawn very well. The antagonists not so much. The Huguenot family, especially the parents, are portrayed as so noble yet quite humble, so brave, so *good* they almost make one's teeth hurt, as my mother used to say. There is nary a hint of any waywardness that is the lot of all men, derived from the "total depravity", the "sin nature", that we are all born with. As my mother also was wont to say, these folks wouldn't say "shit" if they stepped in it. The closest thing to a fault was that the mother had a bit of a temper that occasionally escaped. A little more of this kind of thing, spread around, would have made these people a little more "real", so to speak.
  
  Likewise, the antagonists are mostly all one-sided. In reality, even the most evil of mankind are born with not only a depraved sinful nature, they are also born carrying the very image of God. But in these books, any semblance of that aspect of their nature is very rare. I would have liked to see a bit more of the "humanity" that lies within.
  
  With those things said, I still would highly recommend this series. Go for it! I mean this!
• 
  Viktor

  France, 1685. Louis XIV has brazenly revoked his grandfather Henry IV’s treaty, which had granted Protestants substantial residential and religious rights. Now the King is determined to unite the nation in one Church – by force, if necessary. A period of persecution of Huguenots commences.
  
  Will the wealthy Delpech family recant their faith and convert to Catholicism? Never! But their attempts at evading the brutal dragoons fail. Banished as a slave, Jacob endures a perilous transatlantic crossing, ending in the sugar plantations of the Caribbean. Jeanne sees no alternative than to entrust her sister with the care of eleven-year-old Elizabeth, Paul, seven, two-year-old Louise and baby Isabelle, and risk the dangerous journey to Geneva and safety.
  
  Unexpected political developments in Europe. Will William of Orange conquer his wife’s Catholic father, King James II, and become the new King of England? If he does, would this offer the family Delpech the possibility of a peaceful new life together, after so many years of separation?
  
  Jeanne is struggling to survive in freezing Switzerland. Should she risk the dangerous journey to England? What about her children? Jacob, having managed to escape from the cruel Caribbean pirates, has been asked to join other Huguenot settlers founding New Rochelle outside the burgeoning city of New York. Could his family somehow join him there? Or should he try for a risky passage back across the Atlantic? What if he gets caught up in the war? Would his pacifist convictions allow him to fight for his faith, if necessary?
  
  Based on true events, this dramatic trilogy is both an extremely well-researched, sobering history lesson and a vivid study of the character and motives of sincere believers encountering the brutal realities of a world ravaged by religious fanaticism and callous profiteering.
  
  Before launching into this epic story, it is advisable to read the short prequel, available as a free novella or audiobook, which introduces the family and sets the scene.
• 
  David Hull

  A trilogy of books - a completely new and, to me, previously unheard of Author, Paul C.R. Monk. Recommended via Facebook. I was not disappointed. It’s a fast paced account around one family’s plight over years, to deal with the oppression of French Huguenots (Protestants) during the Roman Catholic French reign of King Louis XIV. A period I knew very little about really. However, the times are well chronicled and the writing is eloquent and, so far as I can tell, well-researched. While horrifying treatment of the Huguenots is addressed, it’s a captivating insight into a dark past in history. I thoroughly recommend it!
• 
  Alistair Dunlop

  History Brought to Life
  
  I knew the bare facts behind this story but conveniently forgot the conditions that those involved were living in. Every day becomes a struggle to survive, to stay safe and to know who to trust. As the story unfolds it seems that there will be no end to the trials and tribulations to be endured. Families are torn apart. Attempts to escape from it all seem impossible. How will it all end? You have to read it to find out. I found this a most interesting and informative read.
• 
  Tonya Miller

  An Emotional Rollercoaster
  
  The trilogy was a rollercoaster of emotions. There were times I wanted to strangle Jacob and Jeanne. They often let their pride blind them to sensible choices. If you have to tell people you are humble then you probably aren't. They both mention their humility and piety frequently.
  I found it hard to genuinely like them. I appreciated the difficulties they faced and overcame, but liking them was not possible for me. They seemed more interested in regaining their wealth and former lifestyle than reuniting their family.
• 
  Ronnie

  I am a Historical Freak. I have always been fascinated by the Huguenots. I read about this book some weeks back and through the auspices of the Leominster Public Library I was able to get the book. I am for ever indebted to them. I know I wrote this same sentiment about another author....but Paul Monk's writing is relentlessly realistic. Humans. Religions. The Sanctity of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is such a stunning book that for the life of me why it hasn't been talked more about . Read it,.
• 
  Jacqueline Meyer

  The Huguenot Chronicles.
  
  Having learned through genealogy studies that my family had Dukes, Duchesses, Countesses and others centuries ago, and learning that many fortunes had fallen and estates been ravaged through religious persecution, made these chronicles quite interesting to me. Parts of the battle campaign got a little long for me, but that is in keeping with the reality of war.
  I enjoyed the books immensely.