I registered this book for my girlfriend, who is planning to send it to a friend of hers (don't wanna do that without first registering it!).

It turns out we still had this book. I released it in the book basket at the Grubbery.
Happy hunting!

I pulled this book out of the book basket yesterday as I was adding several in. If I don't get to it in a reasonable period of time, I'll send it back to the basket, but the description on the back sparked my interest. Thanks!!

Handed off today to a fellow BCer for her enjoyment.

received this book at a bookcrossing meeting. it is in my TBR pile.. thanks!!

This story starts in 1553, covering about a 5 year span, and is the story of Hannah Green, a Jewish girl fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition with her father. They settle in England. Hannah has the gift of "Sight", which allows her glimpses into the future. She is adopted by the glamorous and powerful Robert Dudley, who brings her to court as a "holy fool" to the Queen Mary. Hannah is promised in marriage to Daniel Carpenter, another Jewish man who has fled persecution in Europe, but has to choose between a glamorous and sometimes dangerous life at court and the safe life of a commoner and wife. This book is filled with vibrant period detail and exciting characters. I found it hard to put down. I hope the next reader loves it too!

Now on my TBR pile

I found this book interesting from a historical perspective and also because the main character Hannah was a Marrano Jew. Marranos were originally Jews living in the Iberian Peninsula who had converted, or been forced to convert, to Christianity, some of whom continued to observe rabbinic Judaism in secret. The converts were also known as Cristianos nuevos (New Christians) and conversos (the converted). It's interesting to note that Marrano used to mean pig or filthy back in the 1500's. I couldn't help but feel a bit desperate for these families who always had to live in fear of being found out. Even the Protestants had it mighty bad during Queen Mary's reign, though. It is always amazing to me the horrendous acts that are done in the name of religion.

The story itself was compelling, lots of drama, emotion, fighting, backstabbing, and intrigue. I found a little bit of it tiresome, but I think that really is the way things happened at court in those days, seats of power moved back and forth, and nobody knew who they could trust.

Hannah was a sympathetic character most of the time, except during times she was flip-flopping so much that I wanted to slap her. But all in all a good tale! Now on to the next reader....

Off by mail to a friend.