SICILIANA

In this debut historical novel, Treviso tells the story of the Sicilian Vespers, a bloody 13th-century revolt of the Sicilian people against occupying French Angevin powers.

This tale is told through multiple perspectives but centers on a “maiden turned monster turned myth”—referring to Aetna Vespiri, the daughter of a Sicilian winemaker and knight, as well as to Medusa, the Greek mythological figure who features on the Vespiri family crest and symbolizes the determination of the oppressed to avenge injustice. When Aetna’s father dies at the hands of the Angevin cavalry’s commanding officer, Guy de Rochefort, she becomes set on freeing Sicily from French tyranny. This setup allows Treviso to tell a broader story of how Sicilian freedom and nationhood are won. Major storylines follow a mysterious mercenary in the French forces known as “Brother Devil” or Fra’Diavulu, as well as the Knights of the Teutonic Order, a group of Sicilian knights in exile who are loyal to the deposed Sicilian prince, Conradin. The novel is divided into four main sections, with each one featuring a map of regions relevant to the plot alongside excerpts from key character Don Rapaci’s account of the War of the Vespers. Treviso shows thoroughness and consistency while maintaining a snappy prose style and keeping up momentum with short, suspenseful chapters. The work balances education with action, providing a constant flow of historical facts; it even closes with recipes that feature within the story. The author also crucially highlights the diversity of the Sicilian people and their mixed Norman, Arab, and Greek heritages. Siciliana, her friend and fellow rebel Tziporah, and the French royal vicar Herbert Orleans’ daughter Manon Orleans play major roles throughout the proceedings, and Treviso depicts them all with nuance. Don Rapaci and Fra’Diavulu also have compelling backstories that help to drive the plot forward. The last third of the book offers major twists that will keep readers engaged.

An intriguing work that embodies the ferocity of a woman wronged while contemplating complex questions of home and country.