The third book concludes the exciting trilogy of Flower from Castile where Isabella continues her search for Miguel, despite the truth that he has met his death on the pirate ship.
The years are 1494-1496. The third book concludes the exciting trilogy of Flower from Castile where Isabella continues her search for Miguel, despite the truth that he has met his death on the pirate ship. Columbus’s promise to find gold in large quantities for the Spanish crown has become elusive, sifting as sand through his fingers. The refugees from Castile’s 1492-forced exile are now faced with a new threat—Portugal has promised the Spaniard Monarchs to expel all non-Christians from their lands. The imperative call to the Jewish refugees is to find immediately a safe haven away from the Inquisition. Read the shocking conclusion as the secret to their origins is revealed amid the drama of an impending exodus.
Professional Reviews
Amazon Reviewer pinotcanoz
In Book III Isabella continues the search for Miguel by sailing into pirate infested waters off the coast of West Africa. The author continues to work 3 plots lines in parallel. Isabella searching for her husband, the trials of Miguel aka White Ali as he passes through the slave trade and pirate encounters and the second voyage of Columbus into the New World. Columbus certainly had his hands full with a soldier mutiny, hurricane and hostile Indian while trying to find the elusive gold that would satisfy his patrons. The fast paced action keeps you turning pages. The ending ties together a number of loose ends but leaves open the possibility of a book 4 set in the New World. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “At that moment she knew that life was blended with great moments of happiness and times of sorrow. That one cannot bear sorrow without joy to erase the pain”. It helps if you have read the first two books but the author does provide enough history for Book III to work on it's own.
Ravina Andrea Kurian
First, I apologise for dragging my feet with this book. The cover took me a bit of getting used to. The colour combination, text and that grainy feel to it did not grab me BUT as they say, don't judge a book by it's cover. This book is part of a trilogy and while you can read it as a standalone, I do recommend that you start with book one. By doing this you are able to fully appreciate Lilian Gafni's knack for detail when it comes to historical facts.
In essence this is a love story. Isabella searches for her husband even when others ask her to give up. But she perseveres and trust me when I say she does not have it easy. Her hopes and dreams are intricately written into dialogue, scene and settings. The reader is thus led to believe there is more to this adventure. This is what I appreciated most of the book.
Layers and layers of information without making it a dull read. Each character - most rather imperfect - who is introduced is quirky and expressed in a way that is most lyrical. This is definitely a book that can heighten all your senses while staying true to life. In a quest for a better world and a better life, Isabella's voyage teaches us to be grateful for the small things in life.
Would I recommend this read? Yes, the story comes together well and I cannot say enough good things about the historical accuracy.
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings, I would recommend this book for readers aged 13 and above.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
Joan A. Adamak
As the third book in this series, it is not necessary to read Books 1 and 2, although the reader would be missing much history, drama, heartache and adventure. Those books reveal how the Jews of 1492 spent most of their lives settling down and then being harassed by the Catholic Church, especially in Spain under Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, and the trials and tribulations Columbus passed through as he attempted to find the islands of the New World and gold. Queen Isabella financed his trip and three ships on the promise by Columbus that there was much gold and the Catholic faith could be spread worldwide.
In this third book, the young couple, pregnant Isabella and Miguel, after having been saved from being slaves by purchase of a rich Jew, the couple get separated and Miguel was kidnapped by pirates again and in the ensuing battle he received a hit on the head and suffered amnesia. As a slave, he had to give a name and he assumed the name Ali (an Arab name). Isabella purchased and captained a ship seeking Miguel. She was convinced he was still alive. She and her family had settled in Portugal, who accepted Jews. Columbus returned to the New World with seventeen ships of farm animals, soldiers, mining materials, and priests to settle this New World, mine the gold by the local Indians and convert them. He suffered many problems.
As with the other two books, there is an interchange of chapters, concentrating on either Columbus or Isabella, which may slow it down for the reader, but it is worth it so the reader can live those years of 1492. The author’s research and restructure of history in the form of a novel is well written and I recommend it as an historical novel. Also the author’s real life is almost as interesting and I suggest the reader peruse it on the author’s page on Amazon.
I was given this book as a complimentary copy for an honest review.
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