Title: The Soldier’s Return
Author: Laura Libricz
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Blue Heron Book Works
Book Blurb:
The year is 1626. A senseless war rips through parts of Germany. Ongoing animosity between the Catholics and the Protestants has turned into an excuse to destroy much of the landscape situated between France, Italy and Denmark. But religion only plays a minor role in this lucrative business of war.
The young Dutchman, Pieter van Diemen, returns to Amsterdam in chains after a period of imprisonment in the Spice Islands. He manages to escape but must leave Amsterdam in a hurry. Soldiers are in demand in Germany and he decides to travel with a regiment until he can desert. His hope of survival is to reach Sichardtshof, the farm in Franconia, Germany; the farm he left ten years ago. His desire to seek refuge with them lies in his fond memories of the maid Katarina and her master, the humanist patrician Herr Tucher. But ten years is a long time and the farm has changed. Franconia is not only torn by war but falling victim to a church-driven witch hunt. The Jesuit priest, Ralf, has his sights set on Sichardtshof as well. Ralf believes that ridding the area of evil will be his saving grace. Can Pieter, Katarina and Herr Tucher unite to fight against a senseless war out of control?
My Review:
A riveting, realistic tale that takes the reader back into living the 17th century life of people during the tumultuous days of the Thirty Year War. This book is the second book of a series but stands on its own as a great read. The author manages to tell the personal story of many people. The angst of getting through the basics of life is stridently presented. Katrina is a heroine that resonates with the reader and the ending of this book, once more, leaves the reader wanting more.
A brilliant, realistic historical tale that brings forth all aspect of the suffering people went through in this violent period of German history.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
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Author Biography:
Laura Libricz was born and raised in Bethlehem PA and moved to Upstate New York when she was 22. After working a few years building Steinberger guitars, she received a scholarship to go to college. She tried to ‘do the right thing’ and study something useful, but spent all her time reading German literature.
She earned a BA in German at The College of New Paltz, NY in 1991 and moved to Germany, where she resides today. When she isn’t writing she can be found sifting through city archives, picking through castle ruins or aiding the steady flood of musical instruments into the world market.
Her first novel, The Master and the Maid, is the first book of the Heaven’s Pond Trilogy. The Soldier’s Return and Ash and Rubble are the second and third books in the series.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.lauralibricz.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraLibricz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralibricz/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lauralibricz/
Reviewed by: Mr. N