I enjoyed this, found it well written and informative, with likeable characters. The story of the Cathars and the tragic persecution of these quiet religious people by the Catholic Church has always fascinated me, and this was an intimate view of this dreadful period. I found it much better than 'Labyrinth' and the other Kate Mosse books, and would definitely read more from this author.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

Languedoc - 13th century - the height of the persecution against the Cathars, whose beliefs put them in the firing line of the Catholic Church, and gave rise that that potent phrase "kill them all, God will know his own".

The story begins with Francois de Beaufort, knight and Cathar, who loses his inheritance, fights two battles, is maimed horribly, makes a pilgrimage, ends up losing his lady love at the hands of the Inquisition.

So - multiple stories, multiple voices; and whilst we get a different perspective of events as they unfold, you can lose sight of what is going on and what is happening to whom. It may have worked better if not presented as a first person narrative but just as a compelling story of religious controversy.

Unfortunately I found this story very repetitive and disjointed.
This was just not for me.