Beautifully written look inside one of the most fascinating women/heroines in history! A fictionalized portrayal of Joan of Arc, and yet could so easily have been an autobiography written by Joan herself. Very interesting, and a must-read for historical fiction fans!

I love finding historical fiction about a person, time or place I haven’t yet learned about. I knew the basics about Joan of Arc, but I’ve never read a book about her.
This book takes you back to Joan’s early years, starting in 1422. I doubt the term tomboy existed back then, but it describes Joan. Unloved by her parents because she’s an ugly girl, she is an independent young soul.
Joan’s father is a nasty, evil man. But Joan has a sense of decency and fairness to her, repeatedly standing up to him. Her life isn’t easy, long before she goes to war. But it prepares her for what is to come.
The book portrays Joan as a very large woman, bigger than most men. And not one ruled by faith. In fact, she’s not very religious. “And she thought, Faith didn’t save her life, and I would rather have the strength that keeps me alive to see a new morning.” She certainly doesn’t have visions. It is others who believe her gifts and talents come from God. She sees herself foremost as a warrior. Her pride is both her strength and her downfall. As Chen writes in her Afterword, “She is proud bordering on arrogant. Flawed but charismatic. Full of rage and capable of inflicting great destruction and death but also loving, introspective, hopeful for better days ahead. In other words, still very much human.”
The writing is lush and descriptive. It’s easy to envision the scenes as they play out. The risks to Joan involve political intrigue in the Dauphin’s court as much as her time on the battlefield. I found it interesting that the story ends before Joan’s life does.
This is a very different type of historical fiction. Chen starts each section off with a summary of the actual time line. But then, she delves into true fiction, more of a “what if” tale. What if Joan was able to achieve so much not because of her faith in God but her upbringing by a brutal father? Chen, herself, calls the book a “re-imagining.” This is not the sort of book that at the end, I felt I had learned anything about what actually happened due to all the liberties taken by Chen. Which isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy it. Because I did.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

This is a lovely reimagining that had me entranced very early on in the book. I really enjoyed thinking about Joan of Arc in a different way––she wasn't just a silly teenage girl, but a true heroine and complex woman. I also enjoyed seeing 13th century France through another lens. This book is perfect for anyone who desires a thrilling, feminist read!

“Joan” by Katherine Chen, is a reimagined version of Joan d’Arc’s life. In this book, Joan is not beset by visions - instead she’s a farm girl who, from a young age, has had to use her wits (and strength) to survive. While I applaud what Ms. Chen has done - she’s made Joan more “human” or, possibly, more accessible, it didn’t always work for me. Some of the small bits about Joan’s life - such as how she identified the Dauphin in a crowd - I rather like (though, later, Joan tells the Dauphin that she’d know him by how he carries himself). At times I found the writing too lyrical for my taste and I found myself skimming sections. It is obvious that Ms. Chen did a lot of research into Joan d’Arc, and for that I applaud her. From other reviewer’s ratings, my opinion is in the minority, so if a story about Joan d’Arc interests you, please do give this book a try.

As the author states in her notes, this is Joan of Arc reimagined. A wonderful historical fiction story about this remarkable young woman. This is the first historical fiction book I've read about Joan and I am not sure if there are others. This is a really good read with no dry places. It takes you from her childhood right up to the moment of her death. Was it her pride/ego that got the best of her or her true belief of her mission. You decide! Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion

Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Katherine J. Chen is a great historical fiction that gives a great story to the fabulous Joan of Arc. I loved it!

I have read several books and watched several movies depicting Joan of Arc, so obviously I was excited to read this. I really, really liked it. The historical detail, the evident passion and research that took place to compose this novel…all of it made this book beautiful, raw, and real.

The author did a great job bringing the past into the present. It felt real, relevant, and the author made it feel as if it all just happened. At times, it was hard to read, knowing how it would all end, but it was so beautifully written that I couldn’t tear myself away. It is only fitting that she was canonized in 1920.

I highly recommend this historical fiction.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/5/22.

A wonderful recreation of the great Joan Of Arc.
A must read for any fan of this incredible woman. Thank you NetGalley for ARC and to the author,

A stunning, evocative and fascinating novel. Chen's has summoned another time and brought historical characters to life so well that they leap off the page. The writing is lyrical and beautiful. The story is profound. This is a more layered and nuanced Joan than you have read before. Bravo!