WARRIOR GIRL

Fascination with Joan of Arc has continued for over 500 years. This fictionalized story about the woman who became a saint is given an unusual perspective through the eyes of Joan’s mute cousin and best friend, Mariane, who rides in battle beside her. The two storylines move in concentric circles: Mariane’s redemption of her mother’s murder (witnessing it left her voiceless) and her own battle to keep her deceitful uncle, Sir Gaston, from stealing the estate that was her inheritance; and Jehanne’s (old French spelling) belief in her voices that tell her she must lead a crusade to rescue her country. The interplay of politics and religion, rigors of 15th-century life and the immediacy of combat are compellingly told with believable dialogue. Mariane’s trial to claim her right as liege mistress of La Paix involves an evil priest, her father’s stolen ring/seal and an all-important letter from Jehanne. French words and terms are unexplained, relying on context for meaning. The final chapter resolves the restoration of Jehanne’s good name. Intriguing. (historical note) (Historical fiction. 11-15)