Reviews: The Secret of the Abbey
(Scroll down for Reviews of The Sword of the Maiden and The Keys of the Watchmen)
I would love for you to post a review on Amazon or Goodreads after you have read any of the books in The Watchmen Saga.
The reviews are starting to come in for The Secret of the Abbey.
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read.
ByAmazon Customeron September 3, 2017
No strings left untied. Darn, no chance for more sequels! A great read.
From Jacqui's blog: THE FRENCH VILLAGE DIARIES
Having really enjoyed books one and two in this trilogy I couldn’t wait to get back into the exciting world of Watchman Katelyn Michaels, whose travels through time for her missions to save the abbey on Mont St Michel bring French history to life. Yet again Kathleen Perrin has filled in the gaps of my historical knowledge of France with her easy to understand descriptions, which always include plenty of drama to keep me turning the pages.
Katelyn is a great character, believable (despite her ability to travel through time), intelligent, strong and independent. This time she and Nicolas are sent to Mont St Michel in 1577 when France is being torn apart by religious differences. Katelyn finds her place in the male dominated era she arrives in, and proves yet again why she deserves to be a Watchman. This book also reveals to her why she, an 18-year-old American girl, was chosen for the important role as Watchman; answers she needed for the strange events that have occurred in her life since she first arrived on Mont St Michel as a reluctant tourist.
This book is action packed and full of real history woven into readable fiction. Emotions run high when Katelyn is reunited with Nicolas, who has lost all memory of her, the special bond between them and the work they have carried out together as Watchmen in the past. There are also plenty of heart stopping moments as she carries out her risky plans to save the abbey from destruction, often working in dangerous situations, alone and undercover.
I’m really quite sad to be leaving Mont St Michel and this series of books behind. Although written for young adult readers, they are perfect for anyone with an interest in French history, told with excitement and the fresh ideas of youth. If you haven’t yet read them, do take a closer look, but be warned, one book won’t be enough.
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing history, suspenseful, with lots of challenges
By Ruth on August 18, 2017
Amazing read which covered the French historical time period plus lots of unexpected twists, suspense between the characters with the challenges of life and between the "enemy" and the "watchmen" . So glad I read this series learned the various characters, faced their challenges with them and found what they believed in and how they stood for values...more people should apply some of these to today's life.
5.0 out of 5 stars I was looking forward to the final one and I was not disappointed. I admire Kathleen for having done the extraordinary ...
By Brigitte on July 28, 2017
After reading the first 2 volumes, I was looking forward to the final one and I was not disappointed. I admire Kathleen for having done the extraordinary research in the war of religions, living conditions in the earliest centuries, various locations in the Mont St. Michel and surroundings. Some of the characters of those days mentioned in the book were real which piqued my curiosity in searching more about them. Placing a modern young American woman and having contacts with them was a unique idea. One of the lessons taken from this book is that our modern times have some of the same issues as then.
Veronica's Book Blog: LibriAmoriMiei
5.0 out of 5 stars
I was anxiously waiting for the release of the third and unfortunately last episode of this really addictive and so well-written series. Lovable characters, amazing setting, great historical reconstructions and fascinating descriptions: it is impossible not to love this book.
Katelyn is a Watchman and must guarantee peace and freedom of Mont Saint Michel. To do this she has the power to travel over time. During her first mission, she met Nicolas, who she had fallen in love with and he was in love with her but during the second mission she had to abandon him in coma in 1429. When she meets him again he has lost his memory and doesn't remember her. Katelyn will have to fight hard to save her new homeland and to regain her great love.
You can read it as a standalone because the author provides the basic elements of the first two books to understand the story but I recommend for more fun to read the series in order.
I love the style of this author, simple, slowing, engaging. The plot kept me on edge from start to finish. I was excited each time I got to turn the page. Katelyn is a great character and it was really interesting to see her grow and mature during the series, she was a fragile girl, now she is a strong, determined and intelligent woman. Together with Nicolas they are a very sweet and romantic couple.
It's a charming, interesting, enjoyable reading with a perfect mix of action, mystery and romance.
If you love French history and stories with time travel this book will not disappoint you
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing Storyline
By Stewart on August 11, 2017
I enjoyed the historical facts woven into a compelling fictional story of love and courage. I had been anxious to read the last book of the saga and I was not disappointed.
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read series!!
By Amazon Customer (UK) on 1 Aug. 2017
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and whilst books one and two were excellent and I did not think they could bettered, book three is stunning in its pace, continuation of the excellent plot and excellent standard of writing!
The only downside for me is that this is reputed to bet the last book and I would like to enter a heartfelt plea for more as there is definitely room to continue!
I cannot recommend the series or the author highly enough!
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
By Gale Crim on July 18, 2017
Kept my attention through the series.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
By K on August 4, 2017
AMAZING AUTHOR!
5.0 out of 5 stars
By Amy C on July 23, 2017
The Secret of the Abbey is the third and final book from The Watchmen Saga. I have not read the first two books from the series, but the author did a good job summarizing what had happened previously to the point where I did not feel too lost or confused. Right from the start, I was hooked and was drawn into Katelynn and Nicholas's story. It was fascinating how Kathleen C Perrin was able to weave such a tale. I loved how she used actual historical events and included footnotes on the bottom of the pages to note those events.
I was a little intimidated at first by the size of the book but had no problem turning the pages and was sad when it ended. I found it to be a fabulous and clean novel full of intrigue, action, and adventure. One of the best time travel stories I have read - right behind The Outlander. I have added the first two books to my wish list and hope to read them very soon. I cannot wait to see what Kathleen C Perrin comes up with next.
Great book!
5 plus stars.
4.0 out of 5 stars Strong finish to this highly recommended series rich in history and romance
By L. Gott on August 16, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
"The Secret of the Abbey" is the third book in Kathleen C. Perrin’s impressive series of historical romances, The Watchmen Saga, set in medieval France. All these books have gorgeous covers displaying on-site photography; Perrin acknowledges her daughter Christine for their design. Book III has perhaps the most beautiful cover so far. The young woman’s face mirrors the alert intelligence and strength of purpose of the book’s heroine, Katelyn Michaels, and the red gown will figure in the plot.
In each installment of the saga, Katelyn travels back in time to three key moments in the history of France, when the outcome of events will determine the fate of Mont-Saint-Michel and its survival as a stronghold of faith. In The Keys of the Watchmen (Volume 1), Katelyn receives her unexpected calling as a Watchman and discovers her first mission defending the Mount in 1424 against an attack by English forces during the 100 Years’ War. In The Sword of the Maiden (The Watchmen Saga) (Volume 2), Katelyn returns to a point five years later when her mission takes her to meet Joan of Arc. Katelyn proves to be the perfect counselor and friend for La Pucelle, the Maiden, who must overcome serious obstacles–opposition from her countrymen and struggles within herself–before she can fulfill her own calling to save France. Katelyn knows that history must take its course, because securing the French throne will also safeguard Mont-Saint-Michel, but it is agonizing to watch her friend, Jehanne, the courageous maiden, suffer her cruel destiny as a martyr.
Ultimately, it is the Archangel Michael who is the defender of Mont-Saint-Michel. The Watchmen receive their calling and their instructions through his spiritually intimated instructions. Jean Le Vieux (his name means ‘the old one”) passes along his wisdom as he trains Katelyn, young Nicolas le Breton, and the middle-aged, retired Brother Thibault, all of whom will play key roles in protecting The Secret of the Abbey. They are needed because the most dangerous foe of the Mount is not earthly at all but rather a fallen angel named Abdon who inhabits a series of bodies of wicked men with the aim of discovering the secret of the ancient stones that are hidden deep within the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. Abdon and his master hope to usurp the power of the stones in service of cosmic evil.
At the end of Book II, Nicolas was gravely injured in a battle with Abdon’s host, whom he killed, and he was still in a coma. Katelyn was herself near despair. Brother Thibault sent her back to the future (without her consent), to her home and family in America, hoping to spare her months, perhaps years, of anguish. That is where The Secret of the Abbey takes up the thread of all their lives. Unable to share her feelings with anyone in her time, Katelyn resumed her life, finished high school, and wrote an account of her adventures with Joan of Arc, disguised as a historical novel. Presumably, this was Book II, The Sword of the Maiden . This novel turns out to be a surprise publishing success, and she receives a sizeable advance to write a prequel. She will use this money to travel back to France and hopefully return to her beloved Nicolas, provided the Archangel lays the groundwork. She inherits an inn on the Mount, not so fortuitously called L’Auberge de l’Archange (the inn of the Archangel), and it seems she has been provided with the means to stay in France and provide for herself and her family to join her there. She promptly takes up this opportunity and begins managing the inn, while she waits for her next mission from the Archangel to be communicated to her.
Meanwhile, back in the 15th century, Nicolas wakes from his coma, but with amnesia for the last several years. He does not remember Katelyn or their missions together. Nor does he remember the death of their beloved mentor, Jean Le Vieux. Brother Thibault, who has been faithfully caring for him, fills him in on events as best he can, but he hesitates to reveal to Nicolas his relationship with Katelyn in his present state of mind.
Katelyn was warned that Nicolas would not remember their relationship–neither their romance nor their marriage in the 15th century. But Abdon and the French Huguenots are on the move against Mont-Saint-Michel in 1577 during the French Wars of Religion, and that is their first priority. There is a wonderful moment when Katelyn wins over the French governor of the Mount to her plan, using a combination of assertive argument and subtle threats. Nicolas is enormously proud of her abilities, and yet confused by the strength of his feelings for her. As usual for them, there is “no time” for them to work this out before being separated; Nicolas and Katelyn each go undercover with prominent French Huguenot families to learn their plans vis-à-vis Mont-Saint-Michel. The unfolding of events is beautifully plotted. I admire Perrin’s skill in working out all the complex details to contribute to the big picture, consistently and meaningfully. Katelyn will finally learn the Secret of the special stones hidden in the crypt of the Abbey Church.
At the end of this highly enjoyable reading journey, I can highly recommend this book and the whole Watchmen Saga. Kathleen Perrin is equally strong in creating engaging, believable characters and in managing complex plots, transforming them into well-paced, suspenseful, and romantic fiction. And she does her research! I have to say that Katelyn and Nicolas are people I’d want to meet in any century, and I feel that special fondness for them that only a gifted writer can inspire.
(Scroll down for Reviews of The Sword of the Maiden and The Keys of the Watchmen)
I would love for you to post a review on Amazon or Goodreads after you have read any of the books in The Watchmen Saga.
The reviews are starting to come in for The Secret of the Abbey.
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read.
ByAmazon Customeron September 3, 2017
No strings left untied. Darn, no chance for more sequels! A great read.
From Jacqui's blog: THE FRENCH VILLAGE DIARIES
Having really enjoyed books one and two in this trilogy I couldn’t wait to get back into the exciting world of Watchman Katelyn Michaels, whose travels through time for her missions to save the abbey on Mont St Michel bring French history to life. Yet again Kathleen Perrin has filled in the gaps of my historical knowledge of France with her easy to understand descriptions, which always include plenty of drama to keep me turning the pages.
Katelyn is a great character, believable (despite her ability to travel through time), intelligent, strong and independent. This time she and Nicolas are sent to Mont St Michel in 1577 when France is being torn apart by religious differences. Katelyn finds her place in the male dominated era she arrives in, and proves yet again why she deserves to be a Watchman. This book also reveals to her why she, an 18-year-old American girl, was chosen for the important role as Watchman; answers she needed for the strange events that have occurred in her life since she first arrived on Mont St Michel as a reluctant tourist.
This book is action packed and full of real history woven into readable fiction. Emotions run high when Katelyn is reunited with Nicolas, who has lost all memory of her, the special bond between them and the work they have carried out together as Watchmen in the past. There are also plenty of heart stopping moments as she carries out her risky plans to save the abbey from destruction, often working in dangerous situations, alone and undercover.
I’m really quite sad to be leaving Mont St Michel and this series of books behind. Although written for young adult readers, they are perfect for anyone with an interest in French history, told with excitement and the fresh ideas of youth. If you haven’t yet read them, do take a closer look, but be warned, one book won’t be enough.
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing history, suspenseful, with lots of challenges
By Ruth on August 18, 2017
Amazing read which covered the French historical time period plus lots of unexpected twists, suspense between the characters with the challenges of life and between the "enemy" and the "watchmen" . So glad I read this series learned the various characters, faced their challenges with them and found what they believed in and how they stood for values...more people should apply some of these to today's life.
5.0 out of 5 stars I was looking forward to the final one and I was not disappointed. I admire Kathleen for having done the extraordinary ...
By Brigitte on July 28, 2017
After reading the first 2 volumes, I was looking forward to the final one and I was not disappointed. I admire Kathleen for having done the extraordinary research in the war of religions, living conditions in the earliest centuries, various locations in the Mont St. Michel and surroundings. Some of the characters of those days mentioned in the book were real which piqued my curiosity in searching more about them. Placing a modern young American woman and having contacts with them was a unique idea. One of the lessons taken from this book is that our modern times have some of the same issues as then.
Veronica's Book Blog: LibriAmoriMiei
5.0 out of 5 stars
I was anxiously waiting for the release of the third and unfortunately last episode of this really addictive and so well-written series. Lovable characters, amazing setting, great historical reconstructions and fascinating descriptions: it is impossible not to love this book.
Katelyn is a Watchman and must guarantee peace and freedom of Mont Saint Michel. To do this she has the power to travel over time. During her first mission, she met Nicolas, who she had fallen in love with and he was in love with her but during the second mission she had to abandon him in coma in 1429. When she meets him again he has lost his memory and doesn't remember her. Katelyn will have to fight hard to save her new homeland and to regain her great love.
You can read it as a standalone because the author provides the basic elements of the first two books to understand the story but I recommend for more fun to read the series in order.
I love the style of this author, simple, slowing, engaging. The plot kept me on edge from start to finish. I was excited each time I got to turn the page. Katelyn is a great character and it was really interesting to see her grow and mature during the series, she was a fragile girl, now she is a strong, determined and intelligent woman. Together with Nicolas they are a very sweet and romantic couple.
It's a charming, interesting, enjoyable reading with a perfect mix of action, mystery and romance.
If you love French history and stories with time travel this book will not disappoint you
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing Storyline
By Stewart on August 11, 2017
I enjoyed the historical facts woven into a compelling fictional story of love and courage. I had been anxious to read the last book of the saga and I was not disappointed.
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read series!!
By Amazon Customer (UK) on 1 Aug. 2017
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and whilst books one and two were excellent and I did not think they could bettered, book three is stunning in its pace, continuation of the excellent plot and excellent standard of writing!
The only downside for me is that this is reputed to bet the last book and I would like to enter a heartfelt plea for more as there is definitely room to continue!
I cannot recommend the series or the author highly enough!
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
By Gale Crim on July 18, 2017
Kept my attention through the series.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
By K on August 4, 2017
AMAZING AUTHOR!
5.0 out of 5 stars
By Amy C on July 23, 2017
The Secret of the Abbey is the third and final book from The Watchmen Saga. I have not read the first two books from the series, but the author did a good job summarizing what had happened previously to the point where I did not feel too lost or confused. Right from the start, I was hooked and was drawn into Katelynn and Nicholas's story. It was fascinating how Kathleen C Perrin was able to weave such a tale. I loved how she used actual historical events and included footnotes on the bottom of the pages to note those events.
I was a little intimidated at first by the size of the book but had no problem turning the pages and was sad when it ended. I found it to be a fabulous and clean novel full of intrigue, action, and adventure. One of the best time travel stories I have read - right behind The Outlander. I have added the first two books to my wish list and hope to read them very soon. I cannot wait to see what Kathleen C Perrin comes up with next.
Great book!
5 plus stars.
4.0 out of 5 stars Strong finish to this highly recommended series rich in history and romance
By L. Gott on August 16, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
"The Secret of the Abbey" is the third book in Kathleen C. Perrin’s impressive series of historical romances, The Watchmen Saga, set in medieval France. All these books have gorgeous covers displaying on-site photography; Perrin acknowledges her daughter Christine for their design. Book III has perhaps the most beautiful cover so far. The young woman’s face mirrors the alert intelligence and strength of purpose of the book’s heroine, Katelyn Michaels, and the red gown will figure in the plot.
In each installment of the saga, Katelyn travels back in time to three key moments in the history of France, when the outcome of events will determine the fate of Mont-Saint-Michel and its survival as a stronghold of faith. In The Keys of the Watchmen (Volume 1), Katelyn receives her unexpected calling as a Watchman and discovers her first mission defending the Mount in 1424 against an attack by English forces during the 100 Years’ War. In The Sword of the Maiden (The Watchmen Saga) (Volume 2), Katelyn returns to a point five years later when her mission takes her to meet Joan of Arc. Katelyn proves to be the perfect counselor and friend for La Pucelle, the Maiden, who must overcome serious obstacles–opposition from her countrymen and struggles within herself–before she can fulfill her own calling to save France. Katelyn knows that history must take its course, because securing the French throne will also safeguard Mont-Saint-Michel, but it is agonizing to watch her friend, Jehanne, the courageous maiden, suffer her cruel destiny as a martyr.
Ultimately, it is the Archangel Michael who is the defender of Mont-Saint-Michel. The Watchmen receive their calling and their instructions through his spiritually intimated instructions. Jean Le Vieux (his name means ‘the old one”) passes along his wisdom as he trains Katelyn, young Nicolas le Breton, and the middle-aged, retired Brother Thibault, all of whom will play key roles in protecting The Secret of the Abbey. They are needed because the most dangerous foe of the Mount is not earthly at all but rather a fallen angel named Abdon who inhabits a series of bodies of wicked men with the aim of discovering the secret of the ancient stones that are hidden deep within the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. Abdon and his master hope to usurp the power of the stones in service of cosmic evil.
At the end of Book II, Nicolas was gravely injured in a battle with Abdon’s host, whom he killed, and he was still in a coma. Katelyn was herself near despair. Brother Thibault sent her back to the future (without her consent), to her home and family in America, hoping to spare her months, perhaps years, of anguish. That is where The Secret of the Abbey takes up the thread of all their lives. Unable to share her feelings with anyone in her time, Katelyn resumed her life, finished high school, and wrote an account of her adventures with Joan of Arc, disguised as a historical novel. Presumably, this was Book II, The Sword of the Maiden . This novel turns out to be a surprise publishing success, and she receives a sizeable advance to write a prequel. She will use this money to travel back to France and hopefully return to her beloved Nicolas, provided the Archangel lays the groundwork. She inherits an inn on the Mount, not so fortuitously called L’Auberge de l’Archange (the inn of the Archangel), and it seems she has been provided with the means to stay in France and provide for herself and her family to join her there. She promptly takes up this opportunity and begins managing the inn, while she waits for her next mission from the Archangel to be communicated to her.
Meanwhile, back in the 15th century, Nicolas wakes from his coma, but with amnesia for the last several years. He does not remember Katelyn or their missions together. Nor does he remember the death of their beloved mentor, Jean Le Vieux. Brother Thibault, who has been faithfully caring for him, fills him in on events as best he can, but he hesitates to reveal to Nicolas his relationship with Katelyn in his present state of mind.
Katelyn was warned that Nicolas would not remember their relationship–neither their romance nor their marriage in the 15th century. But Abdon and the French Huguenots are on the move against Mont-Saint-Michel in 1577 during the French Wars of Religion, and that is their first priority. There is a wonderful moment when Katelyn wins over the French governor of the Mount to her plan, using a combination of assertive argument and subtle threats. Nicolas is enormously proud of her abilities, and yet confused by the strength of his feelings for her. As usual for them, there is “no time” for them to work this out before being separated; Nicolas and Katelyn each go undercover with prominent French Huguenot families to learn their plans vis-à-vis Mont-Saint-Michel. The unfolding of events is beautifully plotted. I admire Perrin’s skill in working out all the complex details to contribute to the big picture, consistently and meaningfully. Katelyn will finally learn the Secret of the special stones hidden in the crypt of the Abbey Church.
At the end of this highly enjoyable reading journey, I can highly recommend this book and the whole Watchmen Saga. Kathleen Perrin is equally strong in creating engaging, believable characters and in managing complex plots, transforming them into well-paced, suspenseful, and romantic fiction. And she does her research! I have to say that Katelyn and Nicolas are people I’d want to meet in any century, and I feel that special fondness for them that only a gifted writer can inspire.
Reviews: The Sword of the Maiden
(Scroll down for Reviews of The Keys of the Watchmen)
I would love for you to post a review on Amazon or Goodreads after you have read The Sword of the Maiden.
The reviews are coming in. Below are a few from Amazon and Goodreads:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
By Merry G on July 10, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This book deserves a five plus rating for the history and research required to write it. I appreciate the author's explanations at the end to answer my questions.
⚔
5.0 out of 5 stars Good versus evil in a time hopping story
By Carolyn H on July 5, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I found this to be an interesting story with a lot of historical context. It was well written and included engaging characters in the never ending battle between good and evil.
⚔
5.0 out of 5 stars This book has more about the main Watchmen characters, with Joan of Arc's story added. Good history and good writing.
By Marlou on June 26, 2016
I did enjoy the sequel to the "Keys of the Watchman". This story is centered a lot on Joan of Arc. It was good to learn more about what she was like, well researched on the author's part. Again we are with Katelyn and Nicolas with a new Watchman added to the mix who can cook. It felt so yummy to read of what he creates. I enjoy history mixed with what the author portrays, making the impossible sound so possible. Loved Katelyn's "magic boxes" and how she accomplished such wonderful things. However, I was a little disappointed for Katelyn and Nicolas, so I do hope there will be another story to heal Nicolas and bring him to Katelyn. I do not like the separation, after we were led to believe they would not be alone again.
Even though this is a "young adult" story, as was the first story, I think we are as young as we feel and I am glad that this 78 year old woman was not disappointed by these two books. Hoping for a third part that won't leave us hanging.
⚔
5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable read!
By Rogers P. on June 4, 2016
I read this second book in the Watchmen Series before reading the first. Perrin made sure the reader understand what had happened in the first at the beginning of this book. (I did go back and read the first book after reading this one.) I loved this book so much and read it over the course of just a few days. I love historical fiction, and this account of Joan of Arc did not disappoint. I was drawn in to the story almost immediately. Perrin is able to paint a picture with her descriptions of the setting, and I now can't wait to visit Mont St. Michel in person! I also really enjoyed learning about Joan of Arc and her life.
⚔
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series!
By Simply Driftless on May 9, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I read both this book and the first one in the saga. I love them! Well-written, time travel, historical, and plenty to keep me hooked. I am hoping there is a third book on the way as I waited eagerly for this second one. Ms Perrin, I'd love to review any future books you release; you are quickly becoming a favorite author of mine! :)
Note: I believe this book is intended for teenagers and appreciate that it is clean with a great, compelling story. However, I'm in my 30's and enjoyed it immensely. In fact, I believe my own mother would appreciate it as well.
⚔
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Entertaining Historical Fiction
By Amazon Customer on April 4, 2016
Format: Paperback
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I loved both the first and second book in this saga. (Hopefully “saga” means many more adventures for Katelyn and Nicholas to come!) I usually read a lot of English historical novels, so I have enjoyed learning more about important French historical events. My sister has been to Mont Saint Michel and said that it is amazing! Now, if I ever get there, it will be so much more meaningful after learning about the Hundred Year’s War.
When I saw that it was about Joan of Arc’s story, I expected Katelyn and Nicholas to be doing their own thing within the timeframe of dates and places, but I was pleasantly surprised by the intimate look into who Joan of Arc might have been as a person, what motivated her, scared her, and made her happy. It is also evident that Ms. Perrin knows well the history, places, and people concerned in this novel.
Besides the look into the Maiden, I really liked the addition of the joyful monk, Brother Thibault. I enjoyed the fun play about technology in the 1400s, especially how Katelyn had to use it so that crucial events would happen. I was sad that Katelyn and Nicholas didn’t spend more of the story working together, but I guess that “no time” is one of the elements leaving me waiting for the next novel in the series!
⚔
5.0 out of 5 stars In love with Katelyn and Nicolas
By Tammy L Geisinger on March 29, 2016
So in love with this series. I enjoy the history lessons along with the adventures of Katelyn and Nicholas. I had the hardest time putting the book down and just wanted to keep reading to find out what will happen next. I can actually feel their love for each other through centuries of time and feel their agony of not being able to be with each other. I can't wait till their next adventure and praying they will once again find each other and in the end will be able to be with each other forever and grow old together.
⚔
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and suspenseful historical novel
By wordsandpeace on March 26, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
VERDICT: Powerful and suspenseful historical novel on an essential page of French history. Great mix of information and modern technology at the service of Medieval history. When time travel gets really smart and irresistible!
Reading outside your comfort zone can be a very rewarding experience. I did it with The Keys of the Watchmen, so I was thrilled to renew the experience with The Sword of the Maiden.
Indeed, I hardly ever read books pertaining to YA, New Adult, romance and time travel. Well, this book has elements from these four categories, and it marvelously worked for me!
Let me tell you right away that if you didn’t read book 1, you will be fine, as the author recapitulates what happened then. But anyway, after reading book 2 you will absolutely want to read book 1 and book 3 (coming up next December), so you might as well read them in order and get a richer experience, as you will see Katie, the main character, evolve and mature.
Katie is back in her modern world, though wounded because of what happened to her when she was sent back to 1424 to help Mont Saint Michel inhabitants resist the English army during the Hundred Years’ War.
She is now almost 18 and eager to go back in time, especially to meet Nicolas. But she can’t, unless she is summoned for a special mission. She receives the summon in a dream, through a mysterious message: “Learn of the Maiden, and take her the sword.”
Through her studies, she discovers the Maiden is none over than Jehanne, that is, Joan of Arc (1412-1431), and that this is about a very important sword in French history.
She prepares for her mission learning more French and French history, but also fencing, wall climbing and anything than can become handy – as well as acquiring some modern gadgets. And she gets better at listening to her intuition!
The chapters alternate between Katie’s, Jehanne’s and Nicolas’ perspective. Katie will indeed be sent to help Jehanne, but will she meet again Nicolas, and their evil adversary, eager to destroy light and goodness? I will let you read the book to find out.
In the process, you will get much more than a great story, which is already fantastic of course!
It is incidentally full of suspense, as each chapter ends at a very important place in the narrative that makes you want to turn the pages faster!
You will at the same time learn a lot about a major page of French history in its difficult years again the English army. The book is very well researched on the period, on the daily life (neat passage in chapter 11), and of course on Joan of Arc.
It may sound weird that a young twenty-first century American girl would go back with her electronic gadget to support a young teen in the 15th century, but believe me, it does work under Perrin’s penmanship!
She takes great pain at not disturbing history. Katie’s mission is not to rewrite history, but to follow it faithfully, to reinforce it, and to be of support to Joan. The novel was actually for me the occasion of reflecting n the concept of history. Can we change history? What would that mean?
The book broadens the perspective of human history by placing it in the context of a wider struggle between darkness and light. Each part opens up with a quotation of the Bible, as well as old French songs of the period, both in French and English translation.
I am eagerly waiting for book 3, especially to finally understand the enigma connected with the 3 central Hebrew letters, as well as the Mont Saint Michel secret.
At the end of the book, the author includes a great explanation on the historical background and the choices she made to write the book. There are also recommendations for your next trip to France, to follow in the footsteps of Joan!
⚔
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved several features about this story
By Annette on March 23, 2016
I did not read book 1 in this series, but in the beginning pages of book 2, the author caught me up with the adventures of Katelyn Michaels.
The Sword of the Maiden is a time traveling story. The time period shifts from present day to 1424. The Hundred Year's War between England and France is in process.
I loved several features about this story: time period of 1400s, history, travel, culture, society, romance, and the introduction of a French humble maid.
An additional factor in the novel is angelic beings. These messengers are both heavenly and demonic. Unseen and seen forces are at work. A dark force is described as on the prowl and can appear at any moment. The people are on guard and work to prepare for an encounter.
The story is not a Christian fiction genre, but Bible verses are included, and throughout the story God is actively shown working in the lives of people.
The romantic element is pure. Their feelings for each other is a self-sacrificing love. Their love transcends time. They are patient, kind, gentle, and have self-control. These are descriptions written in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
Katelyn's character is both a supportive role and main role. She is supportive as a warrior. She trains intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and physically to fight both seen and unseen forces. She has a dual supportive role by helping Nicolas and a young maid named Jehanne d'Arc. Katelyn has a main role in the story because she is a narrator. The story centers on her voice, feelings, and strengths.
The Sword of the Maiden is a young adult read, but I enjoyed reading the story and recommend the book to both young adults and older adults.
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March 10 review by Lucy Pollard-Gott, Phd. The Fictional 100
In my Goodreads review of The Keys of the Watchmen, I wrote: “Kathleen Perrin’s instincts for portraying a 21st-century teenager’s speech and emotions are unerring, and she has created one of the most engaging, instantly involving characters I have read in quite a while.” In that first book, her heroine, Katelyn Michaels, was drafted by the Archangel Michael to save Mont-Saint-Michel, under siege by the English in what became the Hundred Years’ War. To do this, she must travel, using a divinely empowered key (her own unique enseignedisk), to 1424 and discover her calling as a “Watchman.” For me, she not only jumped back in time, but also jumped off the page, and I am delighted to tell you about Book II of The Watchmen’s Saga, The Sword of the Maiden.As Book II opens, Katelyn is back in her own time, living at home in the U.S. with her brother Jackson, her father, and her father’s new wife Adèle. Katelyn is recovering from a grave injury she received in the past, but she must keep the true facts from her family, instead devising a story about suffering a bad fall during their recent visit to Mont-Saint-Michel as tourists. Her ordeals in the past have changed her perspective and she has made peace with her new stepmother, even reaching out to her in friendship. Katelyn is 18 and a senior in high school. But she is still a Watchman. This new identity is ever-present in her mind, as is Nicolas le Breton, the young man in 15th-century Normandy who shared her Watchman’s assignment and, in the course of things, became her husband. What was conceived as a necessary part of their scheme to defeat the English (and stop the demonic adversary Abdon) soon turned into a bond of real love, although the couple never had the chance to be truly husband and wife.
Part of being a Watchman entails receiving messages, sometimes direct and sometimes subtle, from the Archangel Michael. Present-day Katelyn continues to receive those intimations of how she must still help safeguard Mont-Saint-Michel and its divinely ordained secret. Her last adventure was only part of the larger mission to prevent the English from wiping out this stronghold in the long conflict of the Hundred Years’ War. The next phase of her mission comes to her in a dream. She hears the voice of Jean le Vieux, her old mentor who prepared her for her first tasks:
I could feel the caring emanating from him. I had known Jean for such a short time, and yet his love was all-encompassing. It gave me an instant understanding of the love God feels for all of his children. That love filled the crevices of hurt that had opened up in my heart. It filled the spaces of doubt and discouragement that had been drilled into my mind, and it soothed the constant pain of my knitting bones and healing skin. (p. 16)
He reminds her of her sacred trust as a Watchman and that more will be required of her now. He assures her, typical of all the Archangel’s messages, that she will know what to do when the time is right. Finally, he gives her the cryptic message that only her dedication and perseverance can fully decode and realize:
“Learn of the Maiden, Katelyn, and take her the sword.”
Since she is back in the present-day world, she has all the resources of the internet to help her research and learn about the Maiden, whom she soon understands to be La Pucelle, the Maid of Orléans, Joan of Arc–the great heroine and martyr-saint of France. At the same time, Katelyn begins to prepare herself for her new challenges, following the lead of the Archangel. She finds that, by angelic intervention, she is already enrolled in different high-school classes than she expected: Medieval history, French language, and rock climbing! She also gets the message to study fencing and horsemanship on her own–no easy task to explain and to convince her parents to pay the bills for these lessons! When she knows she is ready, something very unexpected happens; she hears from her beloved Nicolas in the way she might least have expected–a Facebook message! Perrin shows great imagination and control of tone in crafting their exchange of vital messages.
Clearly, the time for action has come, but she must first get back to Mont-Saint-Michel, and the place where her special key will unlock her way to the past. Abdon, the emissary of Satan that they fought in the first book, is still on her trail but in a new host. Nevertheless, Katelyn’s road to meeting Jehanne, as Joan was known in her native village of Domrémy, may soon be opening up. The obstacles on Jehanne’s path, however, are thorny and complicated. It is no small thing for an unlettered peasant girl to claim that God has spoken to her, commanding her to lead a great army and ensure that the rightful king is crowned. Katelyn’s role will involve much more than simply bringing a very special sword to the Maiden. Katelyn has to cope with the constant awareness that a cruel martyrdom awaits Jehanne, but she cannot speak about this or risk changing history. Instead, she must learn how best to support, aid, and encourage this devout young girl who would soon inspire all of France.
Perrin is anxious not to appear to detract from Jehanne’s courage, divine call, or accomplishments because of the events of the novel in which Katelyn serves as a significant help to her, ingeniously carrying out her own appointed mission as Watchman. Perrin writes about this sensitively in her Author’s Notes. Jehanne’s–Joan of Arc’s–saintliness and her accomplishments against nearly overwhelming obstacles cannot be denied and the novel’s portrait of Jehanne does her justice in this regard, both in the chapters that recount Jehanne’s experience of her quest (in the third person) and in Katelyn’s first-person chapters, where she offers her impressions of Jehanne. Early in her time with Jehanne, Katelyn says to herself (in her own unique way):
she doesn’t even realize how amazing she is. Jehanne has all the qualities of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ heroes wrapped into one. She has Dorothy’s loyalty and persistence, the Good Witch Glinda’s compassion, the courage of the Lion, the heart of the Tin Man, and, yes, even the brains of the Scarecrow. She learns quickly and retains nearly everything. Jehanne even has Toto’s bite. She will do well rebuking the soldiers, because this girl has a lot of righteous indignation, which comes from her pure devotion to God. In every way, this girl is remarkable, and it humbles me to think that I was given the responsibility to help her carry out her mission. (p. 332)
If Katelyn’s “magic” devices brought back from the future were instrumental in this novel, the implication is that, historically, God used other instruments and other people to support this saintly young girl and aid her cause. Joan’s purity and determination were God’s gifts to her, and God’s chief instruments, from the point of view of the sacred story which runs throughout the novel. It remains respectful of the facts, the speculations, and the evidence of faith that have come down to us through history. As Jehanne begins to assume her leadership role with greater confidence, Katelyn watches her in awe and reflects:
Her words are eloquent and moving, and I cannot help but marvel at her power and the strength of her personality. She speaks with authority, and in spite of her humble beginnings, she speaks with such magnetism, it’s like our souls are bound to hers. This is her gift from God, and it is certainly one that I don’t have. (p. 377)
Perrin notes that we only see a few significant moments in Joan’s life, because this novel is really about Katelyn and Nicolas and their difficult charge to serve as Watchmen. How will it turn out for them? Will they be reunited in a time when they actually have the opportunity to live as the married couple that they are? And in what century will they live? These questions about their destiny must unfold in the novel, and the author never falters in carrying the story through convincingly to the end.
I can most heartily recommend The Sword and the Maiden, along with Book I, The Keys of the Watchmen, to anyone who loves engagingly written historical fiction, peopled with believable characters and full of life. Kathleen Perrin succeeds in touching the broad range of emotions–disbelief, doubt, anger, fear, pain, despair, joy, love–that a modern person might experience if thrust into the past, in the midst of great events.
We still have not learned the “secret” of the Mount, the one that demands tremendous sacrifice from so many. There are hints near the end, and I have high hopes that Book III, due out in December 2016 will reveal even more!
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4.0 out of 5 stars Joan of Arc
By Kathleen Kelly on March 24, 2016
Format: Paperback
The Sword of the Maiden takes place where The Keys of the Watchmen left off, where Katelyn Michaels visited Mont Saint Michel with her brother. They were there to visit their father and his new bride. A strange encounter at the abbey whisks them back to the medieval time, where she finds out she is a Watchman.
In The Sword of the Maiden, Katelyn is recovering from her injuries and getting on with her life. She misses her husband Nicholas le Bretonand knows that she will soon have to undertake a new mission. In a dream, a man from the past tells her it is her duty to find the sword and give it to the "maiden" so that Mont Saint Michel is saved. She needs to go back in time again so off to France she goes to be reunited with Nicholas and to learn more about her mission.
The Hundred Years war was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Plantagenet, rulers of England and against the House of Valois, rulers of France. Jehanne (Joan of Arc) is known as the Maid of Orleans, who was raised in the village of Donremy in what was then in the northeastern part of France. The sword that Katelyn is to find is also the sword that she needs to take to Jehanne. Jehanne gets "visions" of Saint Margaret, Saint Catherine and Archangel Michael telling her to support Charles VII and recover France from English domination. We all know of the fate of Joan of Arc so I won't say anymore. Katelyn and Nicolas's mission is fraught with danger from one of their enemies, Abdon, a supernatural being bent on stopping Katelyn and Nicolas from completing their mission.
This book is very well researched, the reader gets a glimpse into medieval France during a turbulent time in history. I learned quite a bit more about The Hundred Years War and it was actually a fascinating time in history. This book, even with all of the history in it, was easy to read. I love time travel stories and this one was very good, poignant but triumphant as well. Can history be changed? Probably not but it is worth thinking about. I enjoyed it very much and I look forward to reading The Watchmen Saga, the third and last in the series.
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Jacqui's review on Amazon and The French Village Diaries
Five stars out of Five Page-turning excitement bringing history to life, March 9, 2016
FrenchVillageDiaries
This review is from: The Sword of the Maiden (The Watchmen Saga Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and couldn’t wait to get back into Katelyn’s world where medieval history becomes daily life. I would suggest starting with book one, The Keys of the Watchmen, to understand how a 17-year-old American receives her calling to become a Watchman and helps to save the future of France.
In this second adventure, Katelyn Michaels again travels back in time to Mont St Michel at the end of 1428. Once there she must prepare to journey on to the east of France, with Nicolas le Breton, another Watchman, to fulfil their mission to give a sword to a young maiden trying to save France from the English. This time Katelyn is more willing to help, more prepared and most importantly more confident in her ability to succeed. Her only doubts seem to be about her future with Nicolas, but their dedication to the mission means for the moment they have no time for or to themselves. Once again they are thrust into a country at war and must ensure the correct decisions are made to save France without rewriting history.
This is a very readable book that takes you to the heart of the action and all the grime and hardship of life in medieval France and I really felt history coming alive. I loved the preparations Katelyn makes before her journey, to ease the pain of her mission and the clever twists where modern day gizmos make sly appearances to help things along. Although with their archenemy, the evil Abdon, who will stop at nothing to halt them, Nicolas and Katelyn can never be sure who to trust or what might be lurking around the next corner. The little cliff-hangers at the end of the chapters frequently had me thinking ‘Oh no!’ and I often had my fingers crossed as I was reading. Not since Harry Potter have I been so captivated by a Young Adult novel and I had no idea French medieval history could be so interesting. I loved it and can’t wait for more from Kathleen.
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Erin's review on Goodreads: Mar 08, 16 A solid 4.5 stars.
A great sequel to the first book “The Key’s of the Watchman.” All the characters are back (except I wish there was more of Jackson. His intellectual side was really great in the first one!). And all I can say is there better be a third one, I need more Katelyn and Nicolas!
What makes this book so great? The character development continues, and the story is not only a continuation of the first one, it just enhances the first. I never felt bored or “yep, read this in the first one”. I liked reading about Katelyn’s confidence in herself and how she uses her power and knowledge for good.
This book made me want to not only visit France, but learn more about Jehanne, Joan of Arc. It really brought her to life in my mind and showed how much she influenced France and the world. She believed in herself and she believed in those around her and above her to help. Her moments of doubt showed more courage and bravery and was really inspiring to act with confidence when you know what is right!
There’s lots of references to current pop-culture. It’s funny and keeps the book modern.
Favorite quotes from the book:
Chapter 1- “I’ve figured out that harboring bitterness isn’t going to solve anything. It will just make me a miserable person.” –Katelyn Michaels
Chapter 3- I could feel the caring emanating from him. I had known Jean for such a short time, and yet his love was all-encompassing. It gave me an instant understanding of the love God feels for all His children. That love filled the crevices of hurt that had opened up in my heart. It filled the spaces of doubt and discouragement that had been drilled into my mind, and it soothed the constant pain of my knitting bones and healing skin.” –Katelyn Michaels
Chapter 14- “True happiness doesn’t come from stuff. It doesn’t even come from having a toilet and a hot shower. No, happiness comes from others. It comes from positive relationships, from having a sense of purpose and from serving others.
Chapter 17- It’s more than I dreamed of, beyond anything I could’ve imagined. It’s magic and wonder and safety. It’s comfort and love in a form I’ve never before experienced. It’s like coming home after being lost, like drinking in the water of life after nearly dying of thirst. It’s the purest form of total devotion I’ve ever experienced.
Chapter 26- It’s from Nelson Mandela. He said , “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Chapter 30- “Jeanne, “ I begin, “if you want to have a certain quality, you must act as if you already have that quality.”
I truly believe it . Remember, Jehanne, you have been called by God to serve Him. He has complete and total confidence in you. He sees something deep within you that you cannot even see in yourself. And I promise you that if you continue to act as if you have that confidence, soon that quality will actually be yours. Soon, you will truly have that attribute.” ⚔
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Sequel!
By Lauralee on March 6, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Katelyn is now back home in America and in her own time. Even though she is back with her family, she still is not happy. She wishes she could still go back to the fifteenth century to be back with her love Nicolas. When she is called back on a mission to bring the sword to The Maiden, Joan of Arc. Katelyn is happy that she can now finally be reunited with him. Can Katelyn fulfill her quest and save France?
I liked Katelyn much better than in The Keys of The Watchmen. Katelyn is very mature. She has come to have much respect for those around her. She also takes a responsibility for her role as a Watchman. She is focused on her task, and duty comes first in her priorites. While Katelyn is not as temperamental as she was in the first book, she is still very feisty. She can save herself. At times, she is very emotional. However, she is very understanding of her situations. She is also a strategist and plans everything very meticulously down to the last detail. She is wiser and makes smarter decisions than she did in the the first book. Therefore, Katelyn’s character has developed much more, and I found her a likable protagonist.
Overall, this book is about love, friendship, choices, and responsibility. The message of the book is that there is hope. This book is very slow in the beginning, but halfway through it picks up. It is full of action, mystery, and adventure. I did not like how the perspectives kept changing. Katelyn’s story is told in first person and the other chapters focusing on other characters are told from a third person perspective. I think that the author should have kept the perspective in third person so that the story would flow better. The characters were very fun and engaging. I especially liked the chapters focused on Joan of Arc’s story. Joan was a very brave woman who sincerely believed in her calling, and I found her story to be very compelling. The story was left unresolved, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in timeless romances, Joan of Arc, and strong heroines.
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5 out of 5 stars: CAPTIVE IN KONA, AGAIN!
By WN Morgan on March 5, 2016
The Watchmen Saga books are great traveling companions! Last year, I read THE KEYS OF THE WATCHMEN while traveling in Kona, HI, and this again this year had the good fortune of reading THE SWORD OF THE MAIDEN while again in Kona. It was such compelling reading that although I had the actual book with me, I downloaded the Kindle version so I could read it at night while traveling in the car! The author has a gift of weaving history, values, mystery, and intrigue. I came to know more about Joan of Arc and her character by reading this book than I learned in previous history classes. Looking forward to Book 3 of this saga at the end of 2016!
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5.0 out of 5 stars I learned a lot of true facts due to the detailed research and excellent writing by Kathleen
ByBrigitte on February 29, 2016
Format: Paperback
Reading the book showed me how much I did not know about Jeanne d’Arc ‘s history and, even with the imagined back-in-time adventures, I learned a lot of true facts due to the detailed research and excellent writing by Kathleen. I am looking forward to reading the 3rd book.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read
By Victor D. Cave on February 24, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Very well researched. Easy to read. I like the back and forth between our century and the 1400s. I like the details on the days of Joan of Arc. You can see that the author has searched and searched for proof and evidence. Well done Mrs Perrin. Two out of Two.
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5.0 out of 5 stars... is hard for me to put down and I love that I get to learn about history while being
ByAmazon Customer on February 4, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This book is hard for me to put down and I love that I get to learn about history while being entertained
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5 out of 5 stars Exciting till the end, January 11, 2016
By Amazon Customer
I loved reading this book! It is full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing. The author does an incredible job of combining history, religion, modern day, and exciting adventures. I can't wait for the next book!!
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5 out of 5 stars Loved this book, January 10, 2016
By michelle
Loved this second book. I enjoyed it a bit more, only because in the first book the plot needs to be set and now the story moves forward and it's an amazing book. I truly could not put this book down, loved the adventure and the history.
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5 out of 5 stars: Danger, romance, history and spiritual insights all rolled into one exciting book.
By Joan Rond on December 15, 2015
Completely engaging! Delightful historical fiction. I gave 5 stars because the fictional characters are well developed and appealing, the history research was clearly done and there are spiritual insights (like the works of CS Lewis).
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5 out of 5 stars I've really enjoyed the Watchmen Saga so far
By Becky Clayton on December 5, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
I've really enjoyed the Watchmen Saga so far, and I loved immersing myself in this book. It's well-written, it kept my interest throughout the entire story, it's exciting, and I even learned a lot! Can't ask for much more than that! Joan is a challenging subject to broach in a novel (I think anything so well-documented is), but I think she did a really great job of weaving fiction and non-fiction together. I know so much more about Joan of Arc now that I ever did before! Great read.
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A very enjoyable read!, June 4, 2016
By Rogers P.
This review is from: The Sword of the Maiden (The Watchmen Saga Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
I read this second book in the Watchmen Series before reading the first. Perrin made sure the reader understand what had happened in the first at the beginning of this book. (I did go back and read the first book after reading this one.) I loved this book so much and read it over the course of just a few days. I love historical fiction, and this account of Joan of Arc did not disappoint. I was drawn in to the story almost immediately. Perrin is able to paint a picture with her descriptions of the setting, and I now can't wait to visit Mont St. Michel in person! I also really enjoyed learning about Joan of Arc and her life.
(Scroll down for Reviews of The Keys of the Watchmen)
I would love for you to post a review on Amazon or Goodreads after you have read The Sword of the Maiden.
The reviews are coming in. Below are a few from Amazon and Goodreads:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
By Merry G on July 10, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This book deserves a five plus rating for the history and research required to write it. I appreciate the author's explanations at the end to answer my questions.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Good versus evil in a time hopping story
By Carolyn H on July 5, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I found this to be an interesting story with a lot of historical context. It was well written and included engaging characters in the never ending battle between good and evil.
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5.0 out of 5 stars This book has more about the main Watchmen characters, with Joan of Arc's story added. Good history and good writing.
By Marlou on June 26, 2016
I did enjoy the sequel to the "Keys of the Watchman". This story is centered a lot on Joan of Arc. It was good to learn more about what she was like, well researched on the author's part. Again we are with Katelyn and Nicolas with a new Watchman added to the mix who can cook. It felt so yummy to read of what he creates. I enjoy history mixed with what the author portrays, making the impossible sound so possible. Loved Katelyn's "magic boxes" and how she accomplished such wonderful things. However, I was a little disappointed for Katelyn and Nicolas, so I do hope there will be another story to heal Nicolas and bring him to Katelyn. I do not like the separation, after we were led to believe they would not be alone again.
Even though this is a "young adult" story, as was the first story, I think we are as young as we feel and I am glad that this 78 year old woman was not disappointed by these two books. Hoping for a third part that won't leave us hanging.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable read!
By Rogers P. on June 4, 2016
I read this second book in the Watchmen Series before reading the first. Perrin made sure the reader understand what had happened in the first at the beginning of this book. (I did go back and read the first book after reading this one.) I loved this book so much and read it over the course of just a few days. I love historical fiction, and this account of Joan of Arc did not disappoint. I was drawn in to the story almost immediately. Perrin is able to paint a picture with her descriptions of the setting, and I now can't wait to visit Mont St. Michel in person! I also really enjoyed learning about Joan of Arc and her life.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series!
By Simply Driftless on May 9, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I read both this book and the first one in the saga. I love them! Well-written, time travel, historical, and plenty to keep me hooked. I am hoping there is a third book on the way as I waited eagerly for this second one. Ms Perrin, I'd love to review any future books you release; you are quickly becoming a favorite author of mine! :)
Note: I believe this book is intended for teenagers and appreciate that it is clean with a great, compelling story. However, I'm in my 30's and enjoyed it immensely. In fact, I believe my own mother would appreciate it as well.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Entertaining Historical Fiction
By Amazon Customer on April 4, 2016
Format: Paperback
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I loved both the first and second book in this saga. (Hopefully “saga” means many more adventures for Katelyn and Nicholas to come!) I usually read a lot of English historical novels, so I have enjoyed learning more about important French historical events. My sister has been to Mont Saint Michel and said that it is amazing! Now, if I ever get there, it will be so much more meaningful after learning about the Hundred Year’s War.
When I saw that it was about Joan of Arc’s story, I expected Katelyn and Nicholas to be doing their own thing within the timeframe of dates and places, but I was pleasantly surprised by the intimate look into who Joan of Arc might have been as a person, what motivated her, scared her, and made her happy. It is also evident that Ms. Perrin knows well the history, places, and people concerned in this novel.
Besides the look into the Maiden, I really liked the addition of the joyful monk, Brother Thibault. I enjoyed the fun play about technology in the 1400s, especially how Katelyn had to use it so that crucial events would happen. I was sad that Katelyn and Nicholas didn’t spend more of the story working together, but I guess that “no time” is one of the elements leaving me waiting for the next novel in the series!
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5.0 out of 5 stars In love with Katelyn and Nicolas
By Tammy L Geisinger on March 29, 2016
So in love with this series. I enjoy the history lessons along with the adventures of Katelyn and Nicholas. I had the hardest time putting the book down and just wanted to keep reading to find out what will happen next. I can actually feel their love for each other through centuries of time and feel their agony of not being able to be with each other. I can't wait till their next adventure and praying they will once again find each other and in the end will be able to be with each other forever and grow old together.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and suspenseful historical novel
By wordsandpeace on March 26, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
VERDICT: Powerful and suspenseful historical novel on an essential page of French history. Great mix of information and modern technology at the service of Medieval history. When time travel gets really smart and irresistible!
Reading outside your comfort zone can be a very rewarding experience. I did it with The Keys of the Watchmen, so I was thrilled to renew the experience with The Sword of the Maiden.
Indeed, I hardly ever read books pertaining to YA, New Adult, romance and time travel. Well, this book has elements from these four categories, and it marvelously worked for me!
Let me tell you right away that if you didn’t read book 1, you will be fine, as the author recapitulates what happened then. But anyway, after reading book 2 you will absolutely want to read book 1 and book 3 (coming up next December), so you might as well read them in order and get a richer experience, as you will see Katie, the main character, evolve and mature.
Katie is back in her modern world, though wounded because of what happened to her when she was sent back to 1424 to help Mont Saint Michel inhabitants resist the English army during the Hundred Years’ War.
She is now almost 18 and eager to go back in time, especially to meet Nicolas. But she can’t, unless she is summoned for a special mission. She receives the summon in a dream, through a mysterious message: “Learn of the Maiden, and take her the sword.”
Through her studies, she discovers the Maiden is none over than Jehanne, that is, Joan of Arc (1412-1431), and that this is about a very important sword in French history.
She prepares for her mission learning more French and French history, but also fencing, wall climbing and anything than can become handy – as well as acquiring some modern gadgets. And she gets better at listening to her intuition!
The chapters alternate between Katie’s, Jehanne’s and Nicolas’ perspective. Katie will indeed be sent to help Jehanne, but will she meet again Nicolas, and their evil adversary, eager to destroy light and goodness? I will let you read the book to find out.
In the process, you will get much more than a great story, which is already fantastic of course!
It is incidentally full of suspense, as each chapter ends at a very important place in the narrative that makes you want to turn the pages faster!
You will at the same time learn a lot about a major page of French history in its difficult years again the English army. The book is very well researched on the period, on the daily life (neat passage in chapter 11), and of course on Joan of Arc.
It may sound weird that a young twenty-first century American girl would go back with her electronic gadget to support a young teen in the 15th century, but believe me, it does work under Perrin’s penmanship!
She takes great pain at not disturbing history. Katie’s mission is not to rewrite history, but to follow it faithfully, to reinforce it, and to be of support to Joan. The novel was actually for me the occasion of reflecting n the concept of history. Can we change history? What would that mean?
The book broadens the perspective of human history by placing it in the context of a wider struggle between darkness and light. Each part opens up with a quotation of the Bible, as well as old French songs of the period, both in French and English translation.
I am eagerly waiting for book 3, especially to finally understand the enigma connected with the 3 central Hebrew letters, as well as the Mont Saint Michel secret.
At the end of the book, the author includes a great explanation on the historical background and the choices she made to write the book. There are also recommendations for your next trip to France, to follow in the footsteps of Joan!
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5.0 out of 5 stars I loved several features about this story
By Annette on March 23, 2016
I did not read book 1 in this series, but in the beginning pages of book 2, the author caught me up with the adventures of Katelyn Michaels.
The Sword of the Maiden is a time traveling story. The time period shifts from present day to 1424. The Hundred Year's War between England and France is in process.
I loved several features about this story: time period of 1400s, history, travel, culture, society, romance, and the introduction of a French humble maid.
An additional factor in the novel is angelic beings. These messengers are both heavenly and demonic. Unseen and seen forces are at work. A dark force is described as on the prowl and can appear at any moment. The people are on guard and work to prepare for an encounter.
The story is not a Christian fiction genre, but Bible verses are included, and throughout the story God is actively shown working in the lives of people.
The romantic element is pure. Their feelings for each other is a self-sacrificing love. Their love transcends time. They are patient, kind, gentle, and have self-control. These are descriptions written in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
Katelyn's character is both a supportive role and main role. She is supportive as a warrior. She trains intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and physically to fight both seen and unseen forces. She has a dual supportive role by helping Nicolas and a young maid named Jehanne d'Arc. Katelyn has a main role in the story because she is a narrator. The story centers on her voice, feelings, and strengths.
The Sword of the Maiden is a young adult read, but I enjoyed reading the story and recommend the book to both young adults and older adults.
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March 10 review by Lucy Pollard-Gott, Phd. The Fictional 100
In my Goodreads review of The Keys of the Watchmen, I wrote: “Kathleen Perrin’s instincts for portraying a 21st-century teenager’s speech and emotions are unerring, and she has created one of the most engaging, instantly involving characters I have read in quite a while.” In that first book, her heroine, Katelyn Michaels, was drafted by the Archangel Michael to save Mont-Saint-Michel, under siege by the English in what became the Hundred Years’ War. To do this, she must travel, using a divinely empowered key (her own unique enseignedisk), to 1424 and discover her calling as a “Watchman.” For me, she not only jumped back in time, but also jumped off the page, and I am delighted to tell you about Book II of The Watchmen’s Saga, The Sword of the Maiden.As Book II opens, Katelyn is back in her own time, living at home in the U.S. with her brother Jackson, her father, and her father’s new wife Adèle. Katelyn is recovering from a grave injury she received in the past, but she must keep the true facts from her family, instead devising a story about suffering a bad fall during their recent visit to Mont-Saint-Michel as tourists. Her ordeals in the past have changed her perspective and she has made peace with her new stepmother, even reaching out to her in friendship. Katelyn is 18 and a senior in high school. But she is still a Watchman. This new identity is ever-present in her mind, as is Nicolas le Breton, the young man in 15th-century Normandy who shared her Watchman’s assignment and, in the course of things, became her husband. What was conceived as a necessary part of their scheme to defeat the English (and stop the demonic adversary Abdon) soon turned into a bond of real love, although the couple never had the chance to be truly husband and wife.
Part of being a Watchman entails receiving messages, sometimes direct and sometimes subtle, from the Archangel Michael. Present-day Katelyn continues to receive those intimations of how she must still help safeguard Mont-Saint-Michel and its divinely ordained secret. Her last adventure was only part of the larger mission to prevent the English from wiping out this stronghold in the long conflict of the Hundred Years’ War. The next phase of her mission comes to her in a dream. She hears the voice of Jean le Vieux, her old mentor who prepared her for her first tasks:
I could feel the caring emanating from him. I had known Jean for such a short time, and yet his love was all-encompassing. It gave me an instant understanding of the love God feels for all of his children. That love filled the crevices of hurt that had opened up in my heart. It filled the spaces of doubt and discouragement that had been drilled into my mind, and it soothed the constant pain of my knitting bones and healing skin. (p. 16)
He reminds her of her sacred trust as a Watchman and that more will be required of her now. He assures her, typical of all the Archangel’s messages, that she will know what to do when the time is right. Finally, he gives her the cryptic message that only her dedication and perseverance can fully decode and realize:
“Learn of the Maiden, Katelyn, and take her the sword.”
Since she is back in the present-day world, she has all the resources of the internet to help her research and learn about the Maiden, whom she soon understands to be La Pucelle, the Maid of Orléans, Joan of Arc–the great heroine and martyr-saint of France. At the same time, Katelyn begins to prepare herself for her new challenges, following the lead of the Archangel. She finds that, by angelic intervention, she is already enrolled in different high-school classes than she expected: Medieval history, French language, and rock climbing! She also gets the message to study fencing and horsemanship on her own–no easy task to explain and to convince her parents to pay the bills for these lessons! When she knows she is ready, something very unexpected happens; she hears from her beloved Nicolas in the way she might least have expected–a Facebook message! Perrin shows great imagination and control of tone in crafting their exchange of vital messages.
Clearly, the time for action has come, but she must first get back to Mont-Saint-Michel, and the place where her special key will unlock her way to the past. Abdon, the emissary of Satan that they fought in the first book, is still on her trail but in a new host. Nevertheless, Katelyn’s road to meeting Jehanne, as Joan was known in her native village of Domrémy, may soon be opening up. The obstacles on Jehanne’s path, however, are thorny and complicated. It is no small thing for an unlettered peasant girl to claim that God has spoken to her, commanding her to lead a great army and ensure that the rightful king is crowned. Katelyn’s role will involve much more than simply bringing a very special sword to the Maiden. Katelyn has to cope with the constant awareness that a cruel martyrdom awaits Jehanne, but she cannot speak about this or risk changing history. Instead, she must learn how best to support, aid, and encourage this devout young girl who would soon inspire all of France.
Perrin is anxious not to appear to detract from Jehanne’s courage, divine call, or accomplishments because of the events of the novel in which Katelyn serves as a significant help to her, ingeniously carrying out her own appointed mission as Watchman. Perrin writes about this sensitively in her Author’s Notes. Jehanne’s–Joan of Arc’s–saintliness and her accomplishments against nearly overwhelming obstacles cannot be denied and the novel’s portrait of Jehanne does her justice in this regard, both in the chapters that recount Jehanne’s experience of her quest (in the third person) and in Katelyn’s first-person chapters, where she offers her impressions of Jehanne. Early in her time with Jehanne, Katelyn says to herself (in her own unique way):
she doesn’t even realize how amazing she is. Jehanne has all the qualities of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ heroes wrapped into one. She has Dorothy’s loyalty and persistence, the Good Witch Glinda’s compassion, the courage of the Lion, the heart of the Tin Man, and, yes, even the brains of the Scarecrow. She learns quickly and retains nearly everything. Jehanne even has Toto’s bite. She will do well rebuking the soldiers, because this girl has a lot of righteous indignation, which comes from her pure devotion to God. In every way, this girl is remarkable, and it humbles me to think that I was given the responsibility to help her carry out her mission. (p. 332)
If Katelyn’s “magic” devices brought back from the future were instrumental in this novel, the implication is that, historically, God used other instruments and other people to support this saintly young girl and aid her cause. Joan’s purity and determination were God’s gifts to her, and God’s chief instruments, from the point of view of the sacred story which runs throughout the novel. It remains respectful of the facts, the speculations, and the evidence of faith that have come down to us through history. As Jehanne begins to assume her leadership role with greater confidence, Katelyn watches her in awe and reflects:
Her words are eloquent and moving, and I cannot help but marvel at her power and the strength of her personality. She speaks with authority, and in spite of her humble beginnings, she speaks with such magnetism, it’s like our souls are bound to hers. This is her gift from God, and it is certainly one that I don’t have. (p. 377)
Perrin notes that we only see a few significant moments in Joan’s life, because this novel is really about Katelyn and Nicolas and their difficult charge to serve as Watchmen. How will it turn out for them? Will they be reunited in a time when they actually have the opportunity to live as the married couple that they are? And in what century will they live? These questions about their destiny must unfold in the novel, and the author never falters in carrying the story through convincingly to the end.
I can most heartily recommend The Sword and the Maiden, along with Book I, The Keys of the Watchmen, to anyone who loves engagingly written historical fiction, peopled with believable characters and full of life. Kathleen Perrin succeeds in touching the broad range of emotions–disbelief, doubt, anger, fear, pain, despair, joy, love–that a modern person might experience if thrust into the past, in the midst of great events.
We still have not learned the “secret” of the Mount, the one that demands tremendous sacrifice from so many. There are hints near the end, and I have high hopes that Book III, due out in December 2016 will reveal even more!
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4.0 out of 5 stars Joan of Arc
By Kathleen Kelly on March 24, 2016
Format: Paperback
The Sword of the Maiden takes place where The Keys of the Watchmen left off, where Katelyn Michaels visited Mont Saint Michel with her brother. They were there to visit their father and his new bride. A strange encounter at the abbey whisks them back to the medieval time, where she finds out she is a Watchman.
In The Sword of the Maiden, Katelyn is recovering from her injuries and getting on with her life. She misses her husband Nicholas le Bretonand knows that she will soon have to undertake a new mission. In a dream, a man from the past tells her it is her duty to find the sword and give it to the "maiden" so that Mont Saint Michel is saved. She needs to go back in time again so off to France she goes to be reunited with Nicholas and to learn more about her mission.
The Hundred Years war was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Plantagenet, rulers of England and against the House of Valois, rulers of France. Jehanne (Joan of Arc) is known as the Maid of Orleans, who was raised in the village of Donremy in what was then in the northeastern part of France. The sword that Katelyn is to find is also the sword that she needs to take to Jehanne. Jehanne gets "visions" of Saint Margaret, Saint Catherine and Archangel Michael telling her to support Charles VII and recover France from English domination. We all know of the fate of Joan of Arc so I won't say anymore. Katelyn and Nicolas's mission is fraught with danger from one of their enemies, Abdon, a supernatural being bent on stopping Katelyn and Nicolas from completing their mission.
This book is very well researched, the reader gets a glimpse into medieval France during a turbulent time in history. I learned quite a bit more about The Hundred Years War and it was actually a fascinating time in history. This book, even with all of the history in it, was easy to read. I love time travel stories and this one was very good, poignant but triumphant as well. Can history be changed? Probably not but it is worth thinking about. I enjoyed it very much and I look forward to reading The Watchmen Saga, the third and last in the series.
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Jacqui's review on Amazon and The French Village Diaries
Five stars out of Five Page-turning excitement bringing history to life, March 9, 2016
FrenchVillageDiaries
This review is from: The Sword of the Maiden (The Watchmen Saga Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and couldn’t wait to get back into Katelyn’s world where medieval history becomes daily life. I would suggest starting with book one, The Keys of the Watchmen, to understand how a 17-year-old American receives her calling to become a Watchman and helps to save the future of France.
In this second adventure, Katelyn Michaels again travels back in time to Mont St Michel at the end of 1428. Once there she must prepare to journey on to the east of France, with Nicolas le Breton, another Watchman, to fulfil their mission to give a sword to a young maiden trying to save France from the English. This time Katelyn is more willing to help, more prepared and most importantly more confident in her ability to succeed. Her only doubts seem to be about her future with Nicolas, but their dedication to the mission means for the moment they have no time for or to themselves. Once again they are thrust into a country at war and must ensure the correct decisions are made to save France without rewriting history.
This is a very readable book that takes you to the heart of the action and all the grime and hardship of life in medieval France and I really felt history coming alive. I loved the preparations Katelyn makes before her journey, to ease the pain of her mission and the clever twists where modern day gizmos make sly appearances to help things along. Although with their archenemy, the evil Abdon, who will stop at nothing to halt them, Nicolas and Katelyn can never be sure who to trust or what might be lurking around the next corner. The little cliff-hangers at the end of the chapters frequently had me thinking ‘Oh no!’ and I often had my fingers crossed as I was reading. Not since Harry Potter have I been so captivated by a Young Adult novel and I had no idea French medieval history could be so interesting. I loved it and can’t wait for more from Kathleen.
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Erin's review on Goodreads: Mar 08, 16 A solid 4.5 stars.
A great sequel to the first book “The Key’s of the Watchman.” All the characters are back (except I wish there was more of Jackson. His intellectual side was really great in the first one!). And all I can say is there better be a third one, I need more Katelyn and Nicolas!
What makes this book so great? The character development continues, and the story is not only a continuation of the first one, it just enhances the first. I never felt bored or “yep, read this in the first one”. I liked reading about Katelyn’s confidence in herself and how she uses her power and knowledge for good.
This book made me want to not only visit France, but learn more about Jehanne, Joan of Arc. It really brought her to life in my mind and showed how much she influenced France and the world. She believed in herself and she believed in those around her and above her to help. Her moments of doubt showed more courage and bravery and was really inspiring to act with confidence when you know what is right!
There’s lots of references to current pop-culture. It’s funny and keeps the book modern.
Favorite quotes from the book:
Chapter 1- “I’ve figured out that harboring bitterness isn’t going to solve anything. It will just make me a miserable person.” –Katelyn Michaels
Chapter 3- I could feel the caring emanating from him. I had known Jean for such a short time, and yet his love was all-encompassing. It gave me an instant understanding of the love God feels for all His children. That love filled the crevices of hurt that had opened up in my heart. It filled the spaces of doubt and discouragement that had been drilled into my mind, and it soothed the constant pain of my knitting bones and healing skin.” –Katelyn Michaels
Chapter 14- “True happiness doesn’t come from stuff. It doesn’t even come from having a toilet and a hot shower. No, happiness comes from others. It comes from positive relationships, from having a sense of purpose and from serving others.
Chapter 17- It’s more than I dreamed of, beyond anything I could’ve imagined. It’s magic and wonder and safety. It’s comfort and love in a form I’ve never before experienced. It’s like coming home after being lost, like drinking in the water of life after nearly dying of thirst. It’s the purest form of total devotion I’ve ever experienced.
Chapter 26- It’s from Nelson Mandela. He said , “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Chapter 30- “Jeanne, “ I begin, “if you want to have a certain quality, you must act as if you already have that quality.”
I truly believe it . Remember, Jehanne, you have been called by God to serve Him. He has complete and total confidence in you. He sees something deep within you that you cannot even see in yourself. And I promise you that if you continue to act as if you have that confidence, soon that quality will actually be yours. Soon, you will truly have that attribute.” ⚔
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Sequel!
By Lauralee on March 6, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Katelyn is now back home in America and in her own time. Even though she is back with her family, she still is not happy. She wishes she could still go back to the fifteenth century to be back with her love Nicolas. When she is called back on a mission to bring the sword to The Maiden, Joan of Arc. Katelyn is happy that she can now finally be reunited with him. Can Katelyn fulfill her quest and save France?
I liked Katelyn much better than in The Keys of The Watchmen. Katelyn is very mature. She has come to have much respect for those around her. She also takes a responsibility for her role as a Watchman. She is focused on her task, and duty comes first in her priorites. While Katelyn is not as temperamental as she was in the first book, she is still very feisty. She can save herself. At times, she is very emotional. However, she is very understanding of her situations. She is also a strategist and plans everything very meticulously down to the last detail. She is wiser and makes smarter decisions than she did in the the first book. Therefore, Katelyn’s character has developed much more, and I found her a likable protagonist.
Overall, this book is about love, friendship, choices, and responsibility. The message of the book is that there is hope. This book is very slow in the beginning, but halfway through it picks up. It is full of action, mystery, and adventure. I did not like how the perspectives kept changing. Katelyn’s story is told in first person and the other chapters focusing on other characters are told from a third person perspective. I think that the author should have kept the perspective in third person so that the story would flow better. The characters were very fun and engaging. I especially liked the chapters focused on Joan of Arc’s story. Joan was a very brave woman who sincerely believed in her calling, and I found her story to be very compelling. The story was left unresolved, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in timeless romances, Joan of Arc, and strong heroines.
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5 out of 5 stars: CAPTIVE IN KONA, AGAIN!
By WN Morgan on March 5, 2016
The Watchmen Saga books are great traveling companions! Last year, I read THE KEYS OF THE WATCHMEN while traveling in Kona, HI, and this again this year had the good fortune of reading THE SWORD OF THE MAIDEN while again in Kona. It was such compelling reading that although I had the actual book with me, I downloaded the Kindle version so I could read it at night while traveling in the car! The author has a gift of weaving history, values, mystery, and intrigue. I came to know more about Joan of Arc and her character by reading this book than I learned in previous history classes. Looking forward to Book 3 of this saga at the end of 2016!
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5.0 out of 5 stars I learned a lot of true facts due to the detailed research and excellent writing by Kathleen
ByBrigitte on February 29, 2016
Format: Paperback
Reading the book showed me how much I did not know about Jeanne d’Arc ‘s history and, even with the imagined back-in-time adventures, I learned a lot of true facts due to the detailed research and excellent writing by Kathleen. I am looking forward to reading the 3rd book.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read
By Victor D. Cave on February 24, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Very well researched. Easy to read. I like the back and forth between our century and the 1400s. I like the details on the days of Joan of Arc. You can see that the author has searched and searched for proof and evidence. Well done Mrs Perrin. Two out of Two.
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5.0 out of 5 stars... is hard for me to put down and I love that I get to learn about history while being
ByAmazon Customer on February 4, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This book is hard for me to put down and I love that I get to learn about history while being entertained
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5 out of 5 stars Exciting till the end, January 11, 2016
By Amazon Customer
I loved reading this book! It is full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing. The author does an incredible job of combining history, religion, modern day, and exciting adventures. I can't wait for the next book!!
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5 out of 5 stars Loved this book, January 10, 2016
By michelle
Loved this second book. I enjoyed it a bit more, only because in the first book the plot needs to be set and now the story moves forward and it's an amazing book. I truly could not put this book down, loved the adventure and the history.
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5 out of 5 stars: Danger, romance, history and spiritual insights all rolled into one exciting book.
By Joan Rond on December 15, 2015
Completely engaging! Delightful historical fiction. I gave 5 stars because the fictional characters are well developed and appealing, the history research was clearly done and there are spiritual insights (like the works of CS Lewis).
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5 out of 5 stars I've really enjoyed the Watchmen Saga so far
By Becky Clayton on December 5, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
I've really enjoyed the Watchmen Saga so far, and I loved immersing myself in this book. It's well-written, it kept my interest throughout the entire story, it's exciting, and I even learned a lot! Can't ask for much more than that! Joan is a challenging subject to broach in a novel (I think anything so well-documented is), but I think she did a really great job of weaving fiction and non-fiction together. I know so much more about Joan of Arc now that I ever did before! Great read.
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A very enjoyable read!, June 4, 2016
By Rogers P.
This review is from: The Sword of the Maiden (The Watchmen Saga Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
I read this second book in the Watchmen Series before reading the first. Perrin made sure the reader understand what had happened in the first at the beginning of this book. (I did go back and read the first book after reading this one.) I loved this book so much and read it over the course of just a few days. I love historical fiction, and this account of Joan of Arc did not disappoint. I was drawn in to the story almost immediately. Perrin is able to paint a picture with her descriptions of the setting, and I now can't wait to visit Mont St. Michel in person! I also really enjoyed learning about Joan of Arc and her life.
Reviews: The Keys of the Watchmen
Below are a sampling of the reviews I have received for The Keys of the Watchmen.
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read!
By Lois on July 10, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Loved the story line. Historical facts and fiction blended into a wonderful novel. The characters are well thought out. The reader is easily transported to France. I cannot wait to read the sequel!
5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerized
By Russell Wilson on July 6, 2016
Mesmerizing, this story is great. Did not want it to end! Well done, well done. Thank you for a great read.
5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing
By ka2wij on July 5, 2016
The characters are people you grow to care deeply about, you almost feel you grow with them. and feel their pain and their joy. The story is compelling and hard to put down.
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderfully written story and a must read.
ByMarlou on June 26, 2016
This was a great story, a mixture of time periods brought by an interesting way to travel back and forth through both times with a special key to facilitate the procedure. I thoroughly enjoyed the various characters and loved them all except for (of course) the evil Abdon. Could not bear to put the book down once I started reading. So, like another reader, I HAD to buy the second book. Nicolas and Katelyn are such wonderful characters. The treatise of the story was so very real. Now I know what the 100 year war so much better than before. I hope we do not have that happen here.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
By Amazon Customer on June 26, 2016
I enjoyed this book so much that I did something I rarely do. Since I couldn't bear to not know what happens next, I BOUGHT the next book in the series!
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
By Robin E Caseyon May 16, 2016
The author did a wonderful thing in writing this book and creating the character of Katelyn. I didn't like her just as much as Nicolas didn't--I, too, thought she was a spoiled brat! But just as she proved her mettle to him, she did so to this reader as well. I ended up rooting for her and Nicolas as a couple by the end--so much so that I can't wait to read the next installment in the series! I also love how historically accurate this book is--always nice to learn something while reading something for pleasure!
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful writing style kept me engrossed through the whole book
By Sue on February 23, 2016
This book is one of those rare ones that make me wait awhile before I started another book (I usually read one upon another). Wonderful writing style kept me engrossed through the whole book. I haven’t read the second one yet but will be soon. Highly recommend.
5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting time-travel story! Funny, adventurous, romantic...
By L. Gotton January 24, 2016
What an enchanting book! You can see its beautiful cover, which shows the island fortress of Mont-Saint-Michel off the coast of Normandy. Perrin’s heroine, 17-year-old American teen Katelyn Michaels, is visiting the Mount as a tourist with her younger brother Jackson, when she becomes enmeshed in a centuries-long fight to destroy Mont-Saint-Michel and its place in history: both as guardian of France at a crucial time and as bulwark again Satan and his fallen angels. She is attacked by one of those demonic figures, called Abdon, inhabiting someone in her time. She is also given a key by a “Watchman” from the past, and to escape Lucifer’s henchman–her personal adversary–she must use the key to go . . . she knows not where. She wakes up in 1424 to discover that she herself is a Watchman. How will she react to this news? How would we?
Kathleen Perrin’s instincts for portraying a 21st-century teenager’s speech and emotions are unerring, and she has created one of the most engaging, instantly involving characters I have read in quite a while. She is confronted with a venerable mentor, Jean le Vieux, who teaches her to live and function in medieval France, and the 19-year-old Nicolas le Breton, who finds her exasperating and then, as you might guess, irresistible. Together they must try to defend Mont-Saint-Michel, weakened after a long siege by the English, from an impending attack. Her wits, courage, and modern-day know-how will be tested to the utmost. I am eager to begin on Book II of The Watchmen Saga, The Sword of the Maiden (The Watchmen Saga) (Volume 2).
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
By Camee Thompson on September 8, 2015
Enjoyed this book for its unique theme and charming characters and the author's ability to make me feel and care.
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book. Can't wait for the second to come ...
ByJennifer Dean on September 7, 2015
Awesome book. Can't wait for the second to come out. Even though I've never been to Europe, I enjoyed the setting of the book.
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining..riveting...even humorous
ByPamela Grable on September 3, 2015
Loved this book! Can't wait until the 2nd book is released.
FIVE STARS
Enthralled in 1424
By carica abeyer on Amazon on August 25, 2015
Oh my goodness. I was enthralled in this book. I talked about it when I wasn't reading it and read it whenever I could sneak in a moment. I'm sad that it's over but I loved the ending. Bittersweet. Not sure how I stumbled upon this book but seeing its one in a saga makes me happy that I could read more about Katelyn and Nicolas. Living in Europe, Mont Saint Michel is number one on my bucket list of places to visit and pay tribute to Jean and his son even being fictional. Thank you Kathleen Perrin for a great read.
Wendy on Beauty Brite Blog: on May 29, 2015
I am a complete sucker for historical fiction, and I am intrigued by time travel (when it is written in a unique and adequately descriptive manner, making one actually able to envision themselves there in the middle of the action). I know a book is going to be great if I am completely invested in the story within the first few chapters. This book engaged me into the storyline from the very first chapter and held my complete attention until the very end. I often read more than one book at a time because I love variety, but I didn’t read a single other book while I was devouring this one, it was that good! I felt a little bit of an addictive tendency as I just couldn’t wait to get back to it after having to deal with real life, everyday necessities!
Get this book. Just know that it will take over your life from page one until it is done. I ate an entire bag of Brookside chocolates during the reading of this book — the huge bag! All of it. I am ashamed, thank you very much. But, oh so satisfied!!!
Gabi on BooksABlog on May 22, 2015
8 out of 10
I loved this book! Usually I am not a real big fan of historical fiction but this book…woah. I will have to admit it did start off kinda slow but it did turn around and now I just need to share it with the world. Awesomeness on top of awesomeness. The characters, the story, the characters, the world, and oh did I mention the characters!
I had so much fun with all these characters, I was just over the moon. I LOVED EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER! This is a first. No character annoys me. Yes you heard right there isn’t one character that I dislike. Katelyn is just kick-ass. She is amazing and the perfect definition of heroin. She is just 21st century, unique, and she wants to protect everyone that she loves which I think is a very key factor in being a good character. Nicolas. Oh Nicolas. You were just a bag of sweet tarts with spicy sauce on it. THE SASS! Nicolas is practically a second less glittery Magnus. Oh my love. Plus him and Katelyn together….a kickass OTP [One True Pairing].
Now in this book there are a lot of French phrases and with just this one book, I’m pretty sure I learned a whole bunch of French. When I finished the book, I practically finished a French class. Just wanted to point that out. So as you know I don’t read that much historical fiction that isn’t 1800’s this was WAYYYYY back before the 1800 and I have to say I really did enjoy it. With this book I am 99% sure that one of my next reads will be a historical fiction novel.
I recommended this book to SO many people I lost count.
3 Partners in Shopping Blog on May 20, 2015
Anyone who has read any of my reviews knows that my favorite kind of book is a Time Travel novel. "The Keys of the Watchmen" by author Kathleen C. Perrin is a fantastic time travel story. I loved the storyline and I was hooked from the first page. Katelyn Michaels went on a trip to visit her father and his new wife. Katelyn and her brother are right in the middle when she is sent back in time, alone. Before it is too late she has to find out why she is the one that is supposed to fix everything. She has a ton of feelings going on and has to sort through all of these if she is going to help anyone. I give this book a 5/5.
Five Stars
Gabi on Goodreads on April 21, 2015
Oh my! I freaking loved this book so much. Probably my favorite historical fiction EVER. Characters are just amazing. OTP for life. Amazing is the only word that I can use for this book. Can NOT wait for the next book:) I need more Katelyn + Nicolas.
Four Stars Why was Katelyn Michaels chosen to be a Watchman?
By Emily Weil on April 21, 2015
A combination of historically accurate dates and places with a believable cast of fictional characters that features a strong heroine. A refreshingly moral blend of angels, miracles, love, romance and action. I hope to see more of the Watchmen soon.
By Kstech on April 20, 2015 on Amazon Well done
Five Stars
This one stuck in my mind for more than a month so it deserves a review. It was well written and a very interesting story. I look forward to seeing more of this author's work.
By PS on April 19, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
Great read! Can't wait for the next book in this series!
I enjoyed this well researched, exciting historical romance. It was written from the point of view of an 17/18 year old young woman and reflects her thoughts and inner turmoil with the situation she finds herself in after having traveled back in time to the siege of Mont Sant Michel.
By triplicate on April 19, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
A Page Turner
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Didn't think I would, but can hardly wait for the sequel. My only complaint is that the sequel hasn't been published yet so I am left in suspenseful limbo. Please don't do that again, Ms. Perrin! The book was definitely a page turner, and I really fell in love with Katelyn and Nicholas. Ms. Perrin did a good job of developing each individual character.
By Jessica Villagaray on March 26, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
I'll admit, it took me a while to get into the story. It wasn't until the middle of Part II that the book claimed me. I'm so glad I stuck with it, because I believe this book might actually be the best I've read in a long time...maybe ever. The beginning moved a little slow because there was so much history that needed to be included in the backstory. That history has a lot to do with why this book was so magnificent.
The characters were rich, strong, and surprisingly relatable. There were many twists and turns that I was not expecting within the plot and that made the story that much more enjoyable. I cannot wait for Book 2 to be released. I'm so excited!
By Jeanne Randall on March 23, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
OMG..... I outgrew reading until the middle of the night a very long time ago! However, I couldn't put it down. It was 4:30 am when I finished the book and my alarm was going off in less than 2 hours. I wanted to start the next book IMMEDIATELY........ It was well written, it drew you in from the beginning and kept your attention. I am a Katherine Kurtz fan (Camber of Culdi series, The Adept series and more) and this is as well done as any of KK's books. I think I have added a new "favorite" to my very short list!!!!
Can't wait for the rest of the Saga!, March 21, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
By Marjorie E. Blaine
I really enjoyed this book and had a difficult time putting it down. So many books these days seem similar with very few original themes but this one was different. I got very attached to the characters and drawn into the story quickly. I don't typically write book reviews but feel this book warranted an excellent review. I'm looking forward to the rest of the Katelyn and Nicolas story.
Top 10 Books of All Time, March 18, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
By Andrea L. "Andrea L." (NY) - See all my reviews
Excellent, couldn't put my Kindle down. I hope Kathleen Perrin continues this with a second book.
LOVED it! Perfect combo of humor and adventure, March 18, 2015
By Carol the Bookworm "clurty2" - See all my reviews on Amazon
Five Stars
This was an excellent read with many plot twists and turns that I never saw coming. It was by turns amusing and engrossing. I will look for more from this author. I love her style. I can wholeheartedly recommend this novel to any looking for something new and exciting!
Melinda Unshelfish (Book Reviews) and Amazon March 14, 2015
Five Stars
I absolutely adored this book, a gem offering more than I bargained for. Where do I begin to list the merits of the author and her vision.
From the first sentence you’ll find yourself swept away, caught in the mystique unable to put the book down.
Perrin provides descriptive writing furthering the intrigue of the narrative and its historical focal point. If you’re unfamiliar with Mont Saint Michel you won’t be after reading this book, I’m sure you’ll want to voyage to this landmark island in the very near future or revisit if you’ve been before.
Perrin’s ability to provide an in depth history lesson in painstaking detail without the reader feeling as if they are in a classroom or lecture environment is quite impressive. Comprehensive, well presented, minutely researched. You will know all there is to know regarding Mont Saint Michel, for those already knowledgable you’ll appreciate the historical references even more.
I’m not a huge fan of time travel, I feel it’s overdone, often poorly executed but Perrin manages to weave time travel with ease, so well done. The disparity between the 15th and 21st century was comedic and enjoyable – not overdone and well paced, extremely clever too. A wonderful example of how time travel works without the monotony along with the heaviness of alternating centuries. Truly the merging of past and present at its finest.
The faith references peppered throughout the book are provoking and dimensional. Good and evil displayed, our main protagonist possessing a spiritual connection enhancing her role.
Katie starts off questionable, as the story unravels she blossoms by stepping up to the plate. Her actions admirable, her strength combined with her courage surprises you earning your respect. Nicolas evolves and becomes endearing, Jean a man with compassion, memorable as his painful past is shared.
Perrin undoubtedly creates a very enjoyable read full of suspense all ages will appreciate. The information regarding Mont Saint Michel is outstanding. Fans of historical suspense set in Medieval France will relish Perrin’s amazing debut work. I cannot wait for the sequel.
BOOK NERD
My Review: Four Stars Copy received from France Book Tours for an honest review.
First, I really enjoyed this book. There are a couple of things I think really made all the different elements of this story work. 1) The story begins with and interesting tease, "banished. They had been banished." Immediately I was interested to see who was banished, why, from where etc... 2) Mont Saint Michel is a fascinating place to learn about. Even though I've been to France and loved it, I'm disappointed I did not know about Mont Saint Michel. 3) Katie (the main character) is just an everyday teenager and she finds herself in a very extraordinary situation.
When Katie is transported to the past the story takes on a whole different feel. Now Katie is thrust into the past, she is basically fighting for survival in the mist of war torn area. In a surprising twist of events Katie is the "key" for the survival of Montois who live at Mont St. Michel. Overall, I thought this was a fascinating story. I learned a ton of information about French history. Also, the author provided some light moments so the story did not become too intense. Aside from the wonderful characters and great plot the writing was engaging and the story well-paced. Finally, the author leaves us guessing about the key that the Monk Nicolas put in her backpack and what it means. I'm personally looking forward to the next book!
Rebgirl on Amazon March 11, 2015
Five Stars May God ever bless the watchmen!
I know this story was fictional, but I loved how the author blended the historical facts with the teachings of the Bible and the endless possibilities that could have happened! The heartbreak of the characters is so heartfelt! I loved every moment in time, past or present!!
Words and Peace on Words and Peace, March 9, 2015
Five Stars Time travel at its best
VERDICT: I highly recommend The Keys of the Watchmen to all lovers of historical suspense and Medieval France. It is funny, very smartly thought out, and packed with great information on Mont Saint Michel. Grab your key and follow Katie right now: time travel at its best on one of France most unique islands!
If you have read most of my 425 reviews, you know I very rarely read Young Adults books, that in fact I had NEVER before read a New Adult novel, and that usually time travel is really not my cup of tea. And here we go: 5 Eiffel Towers in all their shine for the amazing historical suspense novel The Keys of the Watchmen. According to my rating, it means “OMG, you have to read this NOW!” Keep reading to know why!
Katelyn Michaels, aka Katie, 17, comes only reluctantly to France, to accompany her younger brother Jackson, 14. Jackson loves history and is really excited at visiting Mont Saint Michel, where a Christian sanctuary was established in the 8th century. Katie is far less interested.
But events take an unexpected turn there for her: first she has this feeling of having been to this place before, and also of being watched by two weirdos: a guy wearing some type of Medieval religious habit and a sinister creature with a Gothic look. “The monk” (Nicolas) secretly puts an ancient medallion in her backpack.
When she follows his directions and uses this “key” in the underground chapel, she is sent back in 1424, a key year for le Mont: we are in The Hundred Years’ War, fifteen years after Agincourt. Mont Saint Michel is the only French territory, trying to stand against the English invasion –Normandy is English by then. The Montois (the inhabitants of Mont Saint Michel) are under siege, starving, desperate and it seems Katie is the only one who can help them.
But imagine: you are a teen used to the comfort of the 21st century, and you end up in the fifteenth century, in the middle of a war torn area. Remember: no shower, no bathroom, no snacks. Aren’t you going to run for your life and use that key to come back to your comfy cozy time? I won’t tell you what decision Katie made of course, but you have to trust me that this book is pure awesome.
It is of course full of suspense, as you discover what Katie’s mission is and what she might be able to do, IF she decides to stay and do it!
It is so funny, hilarious (especially with clashing details on 15th and 21st century society –clothing, hair, tattoos and body-piercing!, modern technology), smart, well thought. Nicolas is totally appalled at how through the ages le Mont has changed into a place of business
He didn’t know much about the twenty-first century, except for what he’d seen in his two weeks there, but Nicolas had immediately recognized it as a self-indulgent society where immediate gratification was the order of the day. p.137
It is packed with tons of information on history (Medieval and modern, as Katie tries to explain for instance the birth of America!, and as she gets inspiration from a page of war against Charlemagne), art, architecture, and also how tides work (they are extremely strong at Mont Saint Michel). Though you never have the impression of reading a textbook
I also really loved how Katie’s adventure connected deep with the religious aspect of le Mont: a legend says that it’s the place where Archangel Michael (hence the name) defeated evil. So this is also all about the struggle between good and evil. Each part of the book actually opens with a quotation from the Bible on the topic.
The characters feel very real, the Medieval ones just as the modern ones. They all struggle at reconciling their present life with life lived in another place and another time. Katie matures beautifully throughout the book, and Nicolas and his mentor show an amazing openness of mind.
I loved also the style of the writing, with the use of the present tense.
Sarah on Amazon, March 7, 2015
Five Stars Impatient for book 2...
I downloaded this because it was free, and the location intrigued me. I wasn't expecting to be quite so drawn in, but I admit it, I found myself very moved by and invested in the characters, especially Katelyn and Nicolas, and in the intrigue as much as the beautifully described setting. I assumed this to be aimed at young adults, since the heroine is a teenager, but I'd consider it appropriate for all ages, and unusually, interesting for all ages. I have high hopes for the sequel, and I also hope it won't be a long wait!
Chris on Goodreads, March 6, 2015
Five Stars
I absolutely blasted through this. I loved it. I loved the history, I enjoyed the story. It was well written, well thought out, and very well edited. I would certainly read more by this author, and would strongly recommend to others.
TigerlilyTX - on Amazon, March 6, 2015
Five Stars WOW!
This review is from: The Keys of the Watchmen (Watchmen Saga Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
As always, I will keep this short and sweet....
Technically, it's a well-done. No grammar issues, and very few spacing errors.... As someone who gets so distracted by these that I will stop reading, even a good book, this says a lot.
Now, the story. Honestly, could not have been any better. I worried, when I read the heroine was 17, that I had gotten another goofy young adult book. I could not have been more wrong. Well written, great plot and believable characters. If the teaser interests you at all, buy this book - You won't be disappointed!
Lakin of Wondrous Reviews on Goodreads, February 09, 2015
Five Stars
I am so glad I accepted this book for review! I don't normally read NA novels, but this one sounded really, really good, and when the author contacted me I couldn't resist that summary and the good things that I had read about it! I mean Mont Saint Michel, history, archangels, a sacred mission, a medallion, and an alluring man named Nicolas? I just had to find out for myself, and you should too, because I'm really glad I did!
I was afraid that I wouldn't like the main character, Katelyn, because the summary said that she was determined to hate every moment of her visit to Mont Saint Michel. I mean, I've read a book or two where the characters complained about everything and that gets annoying. I was relieved to find out that this would most definitely not be the case! Katelyn was smart, savvy, and very sarcastic! Her feelings toward her step mother were understandable, and she did enjoy her enjoy her adventures on the mount with her brother, who she was a really good sister to. I admired her love and loyalty toward her family (and later on, the people of the mount). I found her sarcasm funny, and it made for a really entertaining narrative. I really related well to that and her feeling of inadequacy.
Put in the dangerous situations she was placed in, she proved her determination, ability, and worth. With the help of God, she just might be able to save Mont Saint Michel after all. Though she might not be as much of a history guru as her younger brother, something about Katelyn will make her perfect for the mission she had been given.
Then there was her super smart brother, Jackson, who was into history and gave us all lessons about the Mount that were really interesting and quite essential to Katelyn's success. I appreciated how the author pulled it all together, making all of the details significant, and using history to do so!
And of course Jean and Nicolas! Jean was very kind and grandfatherly. He played such an important role in this story from tutor and mentor, to understanding friend. Nicolas?! He was pretty awesome too! From the moment Katelyn and Nicolas laid eyes on each other, Katelyn knew she could trust him with her life (and it's a good thing too). Then, when she travels back in time and meets him again, they don't exactly get off on the right feet. At all! Which made for some humorous situations that had me laughing so hard! And then there was a fantastic twist that actually made me laugh at its brilliancy! For a while I was beginning to wonder if they would ever come to the realization of how perfect they were for each other. And if they do, will it be to late?
My words can not explain enough without spoiling anything about the plot, so you need to know that it is brilliant, and everything fits together so perfectly. The characters were relateable and strong, the descriptions breath taking, the history interesting, the plot perfect, the action heart pounding, and the plan impeccable! Pleas read this book, trust me, you won't regret it!
It also kind of ends on a cliff hanger, so I can't wait for the next book in the Watchmen Saga to come out!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This in no way affected my opinions, and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
Marianne - February 6, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
At first it started out a little too slow for me and a little too YA bound, but by the end I was not only 1. ready for the sequel, but 2. dying to go visit Mont Saint Michel! A great book for history lovers and Christians.
Lynn - February 3, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
What a great story line! I loved my visit to Mont Saint Michel, and reading the book makes me want to go back. I especially liked the way the heroine used modern-day solutions from her backpack to solve the problems she encountered.
Joan - February 3, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
I finished this book a few weeks ago and can't get it off my mind. It makes you think. It was a wonderful lesson in French history, a great mystery, a romance and fun read. It picks up gradually and by the middle of the book you can't put it down. I loved this book. I want to go to Mont Saint Michel as soon as I can. I am glad I read this book before I go! It will mean so much to me.
Brent - January 29, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
A really fun, educational and well-written read! I learned more about 15th century France than I ever did in school! The story was engaging right to the end and I look forward to #2 in the Watchman series. (Can't wait to visit Mont Saint Michel in person!)
Kristy - January 26, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
I loved this book!! Fast paced, well written, with wonderful descriptions of the historical Mont Saint Michel. I've never traveled there, but I felt like I could picture it from her writing. Can't wait for the second book!!
Brigitte - January 20, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
In addition to being awed with Kathleen's skills and imagination in her writing about a modern young woman transplanted into the 14th century, her other expertise is having the research to provide the factual history of the Mont Saint Michel. Incorporating in her novel modern technology to help brave people of this period in saving the historic monument was exciting to read about. I will look forward to the next book, and hope that Katelyn and Nicolas will reunite somewhere in time, whether it be in the past or the present.
Mom of 2 Boys - January 16, 2015 on Amazon
Four Stars
Captivating, clean, had some romance, and lots of interesting historical background about Mont St. Michel in France. The story really picks up around page 100 (not that the beginning is boring... it's not) and is full of plenty of adventure. The characters change and evolve as they learn new things. I'm always glad about that rather than some books where they have the same attitudes and make the same mistakes in the beginning as at the end (short rant there... sorry!). Looking forward to book #2!
Kenzee - January 15, 2015 on Goodreads
Four Stars
A bit of romance, lots of action/adventure, plenty of historical background... all the makings of my kind of book. I like how the characters actually evolved. I will be looking forward to book #2.
Patsy - January 15, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
As other reviewers have mentioned, the book is fast-paced and really picks up toward the middle. I couldn't put it down! Having been to Mont Saint Michel, I couldn't wait to read this book! I was not disappointed! The book really came to life for me! The author's descriptions are so vivid and well-written that even if you haven't had the opportunity to visit this fascinating location, you will be intrigued by the book! Interesting history is presented in a non-lecture style and values are taught in a non-preachy way. I haven't read a lot of time travel books, but the author did a great job of meshing the present and the past. It was believable and very imaginative! I'm really looking forward to Book 2! The book is labeled as a New Adult historical suspense novel, but all ages would love it! I gave copies to my teenage nieces and also to my 83-year old mom! My husband also read and enjoyed the book!
Emily - January 14, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
Though the start is a little slow this book still grabbed my attention right at the start and the story soon picks up in pace. I especially loved how easy it was to learn a little history right along with the main character. I learned a few historical things that I didn't know before. There is also plenty to think about as the heroine follows her hero's journey. The author includes and integrates many historical and scriptural thoughts and elements. There are plenty of moments where I stopped reading thinking 'wow, I never thought about it like that before'. Now that I am finished there are even a few things that I want to go look up and think about a bit more.
I am ready right now for the next one, but, it isn't out yet. Guess I am stuck hungry for more!
Cynthia - January 10, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
From the beginning I was drawn to the setting of this book, having visited Mont Saint Michel a number of years ago. I still remember the feeling of stepping back in time as we toured the village and abbey. There is an undeniable element of intrigue and mystery that surrounds this medieval French island.
The book was very well written, descriptive and moving. I was drawn into the story from the beginning, but the pace certainly picks up the last half of the book, and was hard to put down. As the mystery evolves, so do the characters in the story.
A well written, clean book, inspiring and compelling.
Looking forward to the sequel!
Becky - January 7, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
Great read! I really enjoyed this story, and I loved learning about the history of Mont St. Michel. Now I need to visit France! I devoured the last half of this book, I couldn't put it down (which resulted in a couple of very late nights)! It's a great story, it's very well written, and I can't wait for #2!
PBH - January 6, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
I admit I almost didn't get past the prologue of this book, but once I read the first chapter I was hooked to the end, so much so that I didn't want to sleep until I finished it. I did make myself go to bed (I'm not a child anymore!), but I tossed and turned for hours thinking about what was happening to Katelyn while I was safe in my room! I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens! If you download a sample and get bogged down in the prologue, just forge on. It's not long and the treat awaiting you is worth eating your vegetables for!
Anne - January 5, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
The Keys of the Watchmen drew me in from the beginning prologue. The characters were dynamic and evolved throughout the story. The writing was descriptive and beautifully conveyed emotion and setting. Overall, this was a great, clean (PG rated) read. I would recommend this to any age 14 and up, and am looking forward to the next book.
Marie - January 4, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
A very good read! When I first read the first couple of chapters I was considering whether or not I would like this book. This is because of the main character. I found her very immature and hard to relate too. However, as I continued to read and the plot thickend I found myself not wanting to put the book down. The main character become intelligent, strong, and a mature woman twards the end of the book. I found myself more drawn to her with every page I read. I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who wished for adventure, mystery, and a budding romance. By the time you finish reading the book you are left with wanting more!
Lane - December 29, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
Engaging Writing, Immense Insights, Unique Perspectives
I rarely read fiction, but I was drawn to read this book! Thank you Kathleen for your engaging writing and your immense insight into this amazing site along with your unique perspectives. I enjoyed your believable touch connecting your characters: Katelyn and her brother Jackson on the front end; Katelyn with her father and his new French wife; and my favorite - Katelyn with Jean and Nicolas working together in the heart of the matter. You wove the threads of a 21st century young woman and some intriguing French history (the 100 Years War) and the particulars of Mont Saint Michele and details about 15th century life during the conflict - along with time travel, discerning evil, and making solid right choices - into a beautiful tapestry. Thank you for sharing your perspective into how the people of Europe and the French specifically view Mont Saint Michele - legend and history and faith and powerful Michael the Archangel. I appreciated the pace of the last half of the book - I could not put it down. While the book is certainly appropriate for youth (thanks for no vampires or werewolves), I would recommend it for youth and adults. Congratulations and much success!https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23843031-the-keys-of-the-watchmen
Below are a sampling of the reviews I have received for The Keys of the Watchmen.
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read!
By Lois on July 10, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Loved the story line. Historical facts and fiction blended into a wonderful novel. The characters are well thought out. The reader is easily transported to France. I cannot wait to read the sequel!
5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerized
By Russell Wilson on July 6, 2016
Mesmerizing, this story is great. Did not want it to end! Well done, well done. Thank you for a great read.
5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing
By ka2wij on July 5, 2016
The characters are people you grow to care deeply about, you almost feel you grow with them. and feel their pain and their joy. The story is compelling and hard to put down.
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderfully written story and a must read.
ByMarlou on June 26, 2016
This was a great story, a mixture of time periods brought by an interesting way to travel back and forth through both times with a special key to facilitate the procedure. I thoroughly enjoyed the various characters and loved them all except for (of course) the evil Abdon. Could not bear to put the book down once I started reading. So, like another reader, I HAD to buy the second book. Nicolas and Katelyn are such wonderful characters. The treatise of the story was so very real. Now I know what the 100 year war so much better than before. I hope we do not have that happen here.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
By Amazon Customer on June 26, 2016
I enjoyed this book so much that I did something I rarely do. Since I couldn't bear to not know what happens next, I BOUGHT the next book in the series!
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
By Robin E Caseyon May 16, 2016
The author did a wonderful thing in writing this book and creating the character of Katelyn. I didn't like her just as much as Nicolas didn't--I, too, thought she was a spoiled brat! But just as she proved her mettle to him, she did so to this reader as well. I ended up rooting for her and Nicolas as a couple by the end--so much so that I can't wait to read the next installment in the series! I also love how historically accurate this book is--always nice to learn something while reading something for pleasure!
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful writing style kept me engrossed through the whole book
By Sue on February 23, 2016
This book is one of those rare ones that make me wait awhile before I started another book (I usually read one upon another). Wonderful writing style kept me engrossed through the whole book. I haven’t read the second one yet but will be soon. Highly recommend.
5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting time-travel story! Funny, adventurous, romantic...
By L. Gotton January 24, 2016
What an enchanting book! You can see its beautiful cover, which shows the island fortress of Mont-Saint-Michel off the coast of Normandy. Perrin’s heroine, 17-year-old American teen Katelyn Michaels, is visiting the Mount as a tourist with her younger brother Jackson, when she becomes enmeshed in a centuries-long fight to destroy Mont-Saint-Michel and its place in history: both as guardian of France at a crucial time and as bulwark again Satan and his fallen angels. She is attacked by one of those demonic figures, called Abdon, inhabiting someone in her time. She is also given a key by a “Watchman” from the past, and to escape Lucifer’s henchman–her personal adversary–she must use the key to go . . . she knows not where. She wakes up in 1424 to discover that she herself is a Watchman. How will she react to this news? How would we?
Kathleen Perrin’s instincts for portraying a 21st-century teenager’s speech and emotions are unerring, and she has created one of the most engaging, instantly involving characters I have read in quite a while. She is confronted with a venerable mentor, Jean le Vieux, who teaches her to live and function in medieval France, and the 19-year-old Nicolas le Breton, who finds her exasperating and then, as you might guess, irresistible. Together they must try to defend Mont-Saint-Michel, weakened after a long siege by the English, from an impending attack. Her wits, courage, and modern-day know-how will be tested to the utmost. I am eager to begin on Book II of The Watchmen Saga, The Sword of the Maiden (The Watchmen Saga) (Volume 2).
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
By Camee Thompson on September 8, 2015
Enjoyed this book for its unique theme and charming characters and the author's ability to make me feel and care.
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book. Can't wait for the second to come ...
ByJennifer Dean on September 7, 2015
Awesome book. Can't wait for the second to come out. Even though I've never been to Europe, I enjoyed the setting of the book.
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining..riveting...even humorous
ByPamela Grable on September 3, 2015
Loved this book! Can't wait until the 2nd book is released.
FIVE STARS
Enthralled in 1424
By carica abeyer on Amazon on August 25, 2015
Oh my goodness. I was enthralled in this book. I talked about it when I wasn't reading it and read it whenever I could sneak in a moment. I'm sad that it's over but I loved the ending. Bittersweet. Not sure how I stumbled upon this book but seeing its one in a saga makes me happy that I could read more about Katelyn and Nicolas. Living in Europe, Mont Saint Michel is number one on my bucket list of places to visit and pay tribute to Jean and his son even being fictional. Thank you Kathleen Perrin for a great read.
Wendy on Beauty Brite Blog: on May 29, 2015
I am a complete sucker for historical fiction, and I am intrigued by time travel (when it is written in a unique and adequately descriptive manner, making one actually able to envision themselves there in the middle of the action). I know a book is going to be great if I am completely invested in the story within the first few chapters. This book engaged me into the storyline from the very first chapter and held my complete attention until the very end. I often read more than one book at a time because I love variety, but I didn’t read a single other book while I was devouring this one, it was that good! I felt a little bit of an addictive tendency as I just couldn’t wait to get back to it after having to deal with real life, everyday necessities!
Get this book. Just know that it will take over your life from page one until it is done. I ate an entire bag of Brookside chocolates during the reading of this book — the huge bag! All of it. I am ashamed, thank you very much. But, oh so satisfied!!!
Gabi on BooksABlog on May 22, 2015
8 out of 10
I loved this book! Usually I am not a real big fan of historical fiction but this book…woah. I will have to admit it did start off kinda slow but it did turn around and now I just need to share it with the world. Awesomeness on top of awesomeness. The characters, the story, the characters, the world, and oh did I mention the characters!
I had so much fun with all these characters, I was just over the moon. I LOVED EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER! This is a first. No character annoys me. Yes you heard right there isn’t one character that I dislike. Katelyn is just kick-ass. She is amazing and the perfect definition of heroin. She is just 21st century, unique, and she wants to protect everyone that she loves which I think is a very key factor in being a good character. Nicolas. Oh Nicolas. You were just a bag of sweet tarts with spicy sauce on it. THE SASS! Nicolas is practically a second less glittery Magnus. Oh my love. Plus him and Katelyn together….a kickass OTP [One True Pairing].
Now in this book there are a lot of French phrases and with just this one book, I’m pretty sure I learned a whole bunch of French. When I finished the book, I practically finished a French class. Just wanted to point that out. So as you know I don’t read that much historical fiction that isn’t 1800’s this was WAYYYYY back before the 1800 and I have to say I really did enjoy it. With this book I am 99% sure that one of my next reads will be a historical fiction novel.
I recommended this book to SO many people I lost count.
3 Partners in Shopping Blog on May 20, 2015
Anyone who has read any of my reviews knows that my favorite kind of book is a Time Travel novel. "The Keys of the Watchmen" by author Kathleen C. Perrin is a fantastic time travel story. I loved the storyline and I was hooked from the first page. Katelyn Michaels went on a trip to visit her father and his new wife. Katelyn and her brother are right in the middle when she is sent back in time, alone. Before it is too late she has to find out why she is the one that is supposed to fix everything. She has a ton of feelings going on and has to sort through all of these if she is going to help anyone. I give this book a 5/5.
Five Stars
Gabi on Goodreads on April 21, 2015
Oh my! I freaking loved this book so much. Probably my favorite historical fiction EVER. Characters are just amazing. OTP for life. Amazing is the only word that I can use for this book. Can NOT wait for the next book:) I need more Katelyn + Nicolas.
Four Stars Why was Katelyn Michaels chosen to be a Watchman?
By Emily Weil on April 21, 2015
A combination of historically accurate dates and places with a believable cast of fictional characters that features a strong heroine. A refreshingly moral blend of angels, miracles, love, romance and action. I hope to see more of the Watchmen soon.
By Kstech on April 20, 2015 on Amazon Well done
Five Stars
This one stuck in my mind for more than a month so it deserves a review. It was well written and a very interesting story. I look forward to seeing more of this author's work.
By PS on April 19, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
Great read! Can't wait for the next book in this series!
I enjoyed this well researched, exciting historical romance. It was written from the point of view of an 17/18 year old young woman and reflects her thoughts and inner turmoil with the situation she finds herself in after having traveled back in time to the siege of Mont Sant Michel.
By triplicate on April 19, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
A Page Turner
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Didn't think I would, but can hardly wait for the sequel. My only complaint is that the sequel hasn't been published yet so I am left in suspenseful limbo. Please don't do that again, Ms. Perrin! The book was definitely a page turner, and I really fell in love with Katelyn and Nicholas. Ms. Perrin did a good job of developing each individual character.
By Jessica Villagaray on March 26, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
I'll admit, it took me a while to get into the story. It wasn't until the middle of Part II that the book claimed me. I'm so glad I stuck with it, because I believe this book might actually be the best I've read in a long time...maybe ever. The beginning moved a little slow because there was so much history that needed to be included in the backstory. That history has a lot to do with why this book was so magnificent.
The characters were rich, strong, and surprisingly relatable. There were many twists and turns that I was not expecting within the plot and that made the story that much more enjoyable. I cannot wait for Book 2 to be released. I'm so excited!
By Jeanne Randall on March 23, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
OMG..... I outgrew reading until the middle of the night a very long time ago! However, I couldn't put it down. It was 4:30 am when I finished the book and my alarm was going off in less than 2 hours. I wanted to start the next book IMMEDIATELY........ It was well written, it drew you in from the beginning and kept your attention. I am a Katherine Kurtz fan (Camber of Culdi series, The Adept series and more) and this is as well done as any of KK's books. I think I have added a new "favorite" to my very short list!!!!
Can't wait for the rest of the Saga!, March 21, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
By Marjorie E. Blaine
I really enjoyed this book and had a difficult time putting it down. So many books these days seem similar with very few original themes but this one was different. I got very attached to the characters and drawn into the story quickly. I don't typically write book reviews but feel this book warranted an excellent review. I'm looking forward to the rest of the Katelyn and Nicolas story.
Top 10 Books of All Time, March 18, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
By Andrea L. "Andrea L." (NY) - See all my reviews
Excellent, couldn't put my Kindle down. I hope Kathleen Perrin continues this with a second book.
LOVED it! Perfect combo of humor and adventure, March 18, 2015
By Carol the Bookworm "clurty2" - See all my reviews on Amazon
Five Stars
This was an excellent read with many plot twists and turns that I never saw coming. It was by turns amusing and engrossing. I will look for more from this author. I love her style. I can wholeheartedly recommend this novel to any looking for something new and exciting!
Melinda Unshelfish (Book Reviews) and Amazon March 14, 2015
Five Stars
I absolutely adored this book, a gem offering more than I bargained for. Where do I begin to list the merits of the author and her vision.
From the first sentence you’ll find yourself swept away, caught in the mystique unable to put the book down.
Perrin provides descriptive writing furthering the intrigue of the narrative and its historical focal point. If you’re unfamiliar with Mont Saint Michel you won’t be after reading this book, I’m sure you’ll want to voyage to this landmark island in the very near future or revisit if you’ve been before.
Perrin’s ability to provide an in depth history lesson in painstaking detail without the reader feeling as if they are in a classroom or lecture environment is quite impressive. Comprehensive, well presented, minutely researched. You will know all there is to know regarding Mont Saint Michel, for those already knowledgable you’ll appreciate the historical references even more.
I’m not a huge fan of time travel, I feel it’s overdone, often poorly executed but Perrin manages to weave time travel with ease, so well done. The disparity between the 15th and 21st century was comedic and enjoyable – not overdone and well paced, extremely clever too. A wonderful example of how time travel works without the monotony along with the heaviness of alternating centuries. Truly the merging of past and present at its finest.
The faith references peppered throughout the book are provoking and dimensional. Good and evil displayed, our main protagonist possessing a spiritual connection enhancing her role.
Katie starts off questionable, as the story unravels she blossoms by stepping up to the plate. Her actions admirable, her strength combined with her courage surprises you earning your respect. Nicolas evolves and becomes endearing, Jean a man with compassion, memorable as his painful past is shared.
Perrin undoubtedly creates a very enjoyable read full of suspense all ages will appreciate. The information regarding Mont Saint Michel is outstanding. Fans of historical suspense set in Medieval France will relish Perrin’s amazing debut work. I cannot wait for the sequel.
BOOK NERD
My Review: Four Stars Copy received from France Book Tours for an honest review.
First, I really enjoyed this book. There are a couple of things I think really made all the different elements of this story work. 1) The story begins with and interesting tease, "banished. They had been banished." Immediately I was interested to see who was banished, why, from where etc... 2) Mont Saint Michel is a fascinating place to learn about. Even though I've been to France and loved it, I'm disappointed I did not know about Mont Saint Michel. 3) Katie (the main character) is just an everyday teenager and she finds herself in a very extraordinary situation.
When Katie is transported to the past the story takes on a whole different feel. Now Katie is thrust into the past, she is basically fighting for survival in the mist of war torn area. In a surprising twist of events Katie is the "key" for the survival of Montois who live at Mont St. Michel. Overall, I thought this was a fascinating story. I learned a ton of information about French history. Also, the author provided some light moments so the story did not become too intense. Aside from the wonderful characters and great plot the writing was engaging and the story well-paced. Finally, the author leaves us guessing about the key that the Monk Nicolas put in her backpack and what it means. I'm personally looking forward to the next book!
Rebgirl on Amazon March 11, 2015
Five Stars May God ever bless the watchmen!
I know this story was fictional, but I loved how the author blended the historical facts with the teachings of the Bible and the endless possibilities that could have happened! The heartbreak of the characters is so heartfelt! I loved every moment in time, past or present!!
Words and Peace on Words and Peace, March 9, 2015
Five Stars Time travel at its best
VERDICT: I highly recommend The Keys of the Watchmen to all lovers of historical suspense and Medieval France. It is funny, very smartly thought out, and packed with great information on Mont Saint Michel. Grab your key and follow Katie right now: time travel at its best on one of France most unique islands!
If you have read most of my 425 reviews, you know I very rarely read Young Adults books, that in fact I had NEVER before read a New Adult novel, and that usually time travel is really not my cup of tea. And here we go: 5 Eiffel Towers in all their shine for the amazing historical suspense novel The Keys of the Watchmen. According to my rating, it means “OMG, you have to read this NOW!” Keep reading to know why!
Katelyn Michaels, aka Katie, 17, comes only reluctantly to France, to accompany her younger brother Jackson, 14. Jackson loves history and is really excited at visiting Mont Saint Michel, where a Christian sanctuary was established in the 8th century. Katie is far less interested.
But events take an unexpected turn there for her: first she has this feeling of having been to this place before, and also of being watched by two weirdos: a guy wearing some type of Medieval religious habit and a sinister creature with a Gothic look. “The monk” (Nicolas) secretly puts an ancient medallion in her backpack.
When she follows his directions and uses this “key” in the underground chapel, she is sent back in 1424, a key year for le Mont: we are in The Hundred Years’ War, fifteen years after Agincourt. Mont Saint Michel is the only French territory, trying to stand against the English invasion –Normandy is English by then. The Montois (the inhabitants of Mont Saint Michel) are under siege, starving, desperate and it seems Katie is the only one who can help them.
But imagine: you are a teen used to the comfort of the 21st century, and you end up in the fifteenth century, in the middle of a war torn area. Remember: no shower, no bathroom, no snacks. Aren’t you going to run for your life and use that key to come back to your comfy cozy time? I won’t tell you what decision Katie made of course, but you have to trust me that this book is pure awesome.
It is of course full of suspense, as you discover what Katie’s mission is and what she might be able to do, IF she decides to stay and do it!
It is so funny, hilarious (especially with clashing details on 15th and 21st century society –clothing, hair, tattoos and body-piercing!, modern technology), smart, well thought. Nicolas is totally appalled at how through the ages le Mont has changed into a place of business
He didn’t know much about the twenty-first century, except for what he’d seen in his two weeks there, but Nicolas had immediately recognized it as a self-indulgent society where immediate gratification was the order of the day. p.137
It is packed with tons of information on history (Medieval and modern, as Katie tries to explain for instance the birth of America!, and as she gets inspiration from a page of war against Charlemagne), art, architecture, and also how tides work (they are extremely strong at Mont Saint Michel). Though you never have the impression of reading a textbook
I also really loved how Katie’s adventure connected deep with the religious aspect of le Mont: a legend says that it’s the place where Archangel Michael (hence the name) defeated evil. So this is also all about the struggle between good and evil. Each part of the book actually opens with a quotation from the Bible on the topic.
The characters feel very real, the Medieval ones just as the modern ones. They all struggle at reconciling their present life with life lived in another place and another time. Katie matures beautifully throughout the book, and Nicolas and his mentor show an amazing openness of mind.
I loved also the style of the writing, with the use of the present tense.
Sarah on Amazon, March 7, 2015
Five Stars Impatient for book 2...
I downloaded this because it was free, and the location intrigued me. I wasn't expecting to be quite so drawn in, but I admit it, I found myself very moved by and invested in the characters, especially Katelyn and Nicolas, and in the intrigue as much as the beautifully described setting. I assumed this to be aimed at young adults, since the heroine is a teenager, but I'd consider it appropriate for all ages, and unusually, interesting for all ages. I have high hopes for the sequel, and I also hope it won't be a long wait!
Chris on Goodreads, March 6, 2015
Five Stars
I absolutely blasted through this. I loved it. I loved the history, I enjoyed the story. It was well written, well thought out, and very well edited. I would certainly read more by this author, and would strongly recommend to others.
TigerlilyTX - on Amazon, March 6, 2015
Five Stars WOW!
This review is from: The Keys of the Watchmen (Watchmen Saga Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
As always, I will keep this short and sweet....
Technically, it's a well-done. No grammar issues, and very few spacing errors.... As someone who gets so distracted by these that I will stop reading, even a good book, this says a lot.
Now, the story. Honestly, could not have been any better. I worried, when I read the heroine was 17, that I had gotten another goofy young adult book. I could not have been more wrong. Well written, great plot and believable characters. If the teaser interests you at all, buy this book - You won't be disappointed!
Lakin of Wondrous Reviews on Goodreads, February 09, 2015
Five Stars
I am so glad I accepted this book for review! I don't normally read NA novels, but this one sounded really, really good, and when the author contacted me I couldn't resist that summary and the good things that I had read about it! I mean Mont Saint Michel, history, archangels, a sacred mission, a medallion, and an alluring man named Nicolas? I just had to find out for myself, and you should too, because I'm really glad I did!
I was afraid that I wouldn't like the main character, Katelyn, because the summary said that she was determined to hate every moment of her visit to Mont Saint Michel. I mean, I've read a book or two where the characters complained about everything and that gets annoying. I was relieved to find out that this would most definitely not be the case! Katelyn was smart, savvy, and very sarcastic! Her feelings toward her step mother were understandable, and she did enjoy her enjoy her adventures on the mount with her brother, who she was a really good sister to. I admired her love and loyalty toward her family (and later on, the people of the mount). I found her sarcasm funny, and it made for a really entertaining narrative. I really related well to that and her feeling of inadequacy.
Put in the dangerous situations she was placed in, she proved her determination, ability, and worth. With the help of God, she just might be able to save Mont Saint Michel after all. Though she might not be as much of a history guru as her younger brother, something about Katelyn will make her perfect for the mission she had been given.
Then there was her super smart brother, Jackson, who was into history and gave us all lessons about the Mount that were really interesting and quite essential to Katelyn's success. I appreciated how the author pulled it all together, making all of the details significant, and using history to do so!
And of course Jean and Nicolas! Jean was very kind and grandfatherly. He played such an important role in this story from tutor and mentor, to understanding friend. Nicolas?! He was pretty awesome too! From the moment Katelyn and Nicolas laid eyes on each other, Katelyn knew she could trust him with her life (and it's a good thing too). Then, when she travels back in time and meets him again, they don't exactly get off on the right feet. At all! Which made for some humorous situations that had me laughing so hard! And then there was a fantastic twist that actually made me laugh at its brilliancy! For a while I was beginning to wonder if they would ever come to the realization of how perfect they were for each other. And if they do, will it be to late?
My words can not explain enough without spoiling anything about the plot, so you need to know that it is brilliant, and everything fits together so perfectly. The characters were relateable and strong, the descriptions breath taking, the history interesting, the plot perfect, the action heart pounding, and the plan impeccable! Pleas read this book, trust me, you won't regret it!
It also kind of ends on a cliff hanger, so I can't wait for the next book in the Watchmen Saga to come out!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This in no way affected my opinions, and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
Marianne - February 6, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
At first it started out a little too slow for me and a little too YA bound, but by the end I was not only 1. ready for the sequel, but 2. dying to go visit Mont Saint Michel! A great book for history lovers and Christians.
Lynn - February 3, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
What a great story line! I loved my visit to Mont Saint Michel, and reading the book makes me want to go back. I especially liked the way the heroine used modern-day solutions from her backpack to solve the problems she encountered.
Joan - February 3, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
I finished this book a few weeks ago and can't get it off my mind. It makes you think. It was a wonderful lesson in French history, a great mystery, a romance and fun read. It picks up gradually and by the middle of the book you can't put it down. I loved this book. I want to go to Mont Saint Michel as soon as I can. I am glad I read this book before I go! It will mean so much to me.
Brent - January 29, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
A really fun, educational and well-written read! I learned more about 15th century France than I ever did in school! The story was engaging right to the end and I look forward to #2 in the Watchman series. (Can't wait to visit Mont Saint Michel in person!)
Kristy - January 26, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
I loved this book!! Fast paced, well written, with wonderful descriptions of the historical Mont Saint Michel. I've never traveled there, but I felt like I could picture it from her writing. Can't wait for the second book!!
Brigitte - January 20, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
In addition to being awed with Kathleen's skills and imagination in her writing about a modern young woman transplanted into the 14th century, her other expertise is having the research to provide the factual history of the Mont Saint Michel. Incorporating in her novel modern technology to help brave people of this period in saving the historic monument was exciting to read about. I will look forward to the next book, and hope that Katelyn and Nicolas will reunite somewhere in time, whether it be in the past or the present.
Mom of 2 Boys - January 16, 2015 on Amazon
Four Stars
Captivating, clean, had some romance, and lots of interesting historical background about Mont St. Michel in France. The story really picks up around page 100 (not that the beginning is boring... it's not) and is full of plenty of adventure. The characters change and evolve as they learn new things. I'm always glad about that rather than some books where they have the same attitudes and make the same mistakes in the beginning as at the end (short rant there... sorry!). Looking forward to book #2!
Kenzee - January 15, 2015 on Goodreads
Four Stars
A bit of romance, lots of action/adventure, plenty of historical background... all the makings of my kind of book. I like how the characters actually evolved. I will be looking forward to book #2.
Patsy - January 15, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
As other reviewers have mentioned, the book is fast-paced and really picks up toward the middle. I couldn't put it down! Having been to Mont Saint Michel, I couldn't wait to read this book! I was not disappointed! The book really came to life for me! The author's descriptions are so vivid and well-written that even if you haven't had the opportunity to visit this fascinating location, you will be intrigued by the book! Interesting history is presented in a non-lecture style and values are taught in a non-preachy way. I haven't read a lot of time travel books, but the author did a great job of meshing the present and the past. It was believable and very imaginative! I'm really looking forward to Book 2! The book is labeled as a New Adult historical suspense novel, but all ages would love it! I gave copies to my teenage nieces and also to my 83-year old mom! My husband also read and enjoyed the book!
Emily - January 14, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
Though the start is a little slow this book still grabbed my attention right at the start and the story soon picks up in pace. I especially loved how easy it was to learn a little history right along with the main character. I learned a few historical things that I didn't know before. There is also plenty to think about as the heroine follows her hero's journey. The author includes and integrates many historical and scriptural thoughts and elements. There are plenty of moments where I stopped reading thinking 'wow, I never thought about it like that before'. Now that I am finished there are even a few things that I want to go look up and think about a bit more.
I am ready right now for the next one, but, it isn't out yet. Guess I am stuck hungry for more!
Cynthia - January 10, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
From the beginning I was drawn to the setting of this book, having visited Mont Saint Michel a number of years ago. I still remember the feeling of stepping back in time as we toured the village and abbey. There is an undeniable element of intrigue and mystery that surrounds this medieval French island.
The book was very well written, descriptive and moving. I was drawn into the story from the beginning, but the pace certainly picks up the last half of the book, and was hard to put down. As the mystery evolves, so do the characters in the story.
A well written, clean book, inspiring and compelling.
Looking forward to the sequel!
Becky - January 7, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
Great read! I really enjoyed this story, and I loved learning about the history of Mont St. Michel. Now I need to visit France! I devoured the last half of this book, I couldn't put it down (which resulted in a couple of very late nights)! It's a great story, it's very well written, and I can't wait for #2!
PBH - January 6, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
I admit I almost didn't get past the prologue of this book, but once I read the first chapter I was hooked to the end, so much so that I didn't want to sleep until I finished it. I did make myself go to bed (I'm not a child anymore!), but I tossed and turned for hours thinking about what was happening to Katelyn while I was safe in my room! I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens! If you download a sample and get bogged down in the prologue, just forge on. It's not long and the treat awaiting you is worth eating your vegetables for!
Anne - January 5, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
The Keys of the Watchmen drew me in from the beginning prologue. The characters were dynamic and evolved throughout the story. The writing was descriptive and beautifully conveyed emotion and setting. Overall, this was a great, clean (PG rated) read. I would recommend this to any age 14 and up, and am looking forward to the next book.
Marie - January 4, 2015 on Amazon
Five Stars
A very good read! When I first read the first couple of chapters I was considering whether or not I would like this book. This is because of the main character. I found her very immature and hard to relate too. However, as I continued to read and the plot thickend I found myself not wanting to put the book down. The main character become intelligent, strong, and a mature woman twards the end of the book. I found myself more drawn to her with every page I read. I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who wished for adventure, mystery, and a budding romance. By the time you finish reading the book you are left with wanting more!
Lane - December 29, 2015 on Goodreads
Five Stars
Engaging Writing, Immense Insights, Unique Perspectives
I rarely read fiction, but I was drawn to read this book! Thank you Kathleen for your engaging writing and your immense insight into this amazing site along with your unique perspectives. I enjoyed your believable touch connecting your characters: Katelyn and her brother Jackson on the front end; Katelyn with her father and his new French wife; and my favorite - Katelyn with Jean and Nicolas working together in the heart of the matter. You wove the threads of a 21st century young woman and some intriguing French history (the 100 Years War) and the particulars of Mont Saint Michele and details about 15th century life during the conflict - along with time travel, discerning evil, and making solid right choices - into a beautiful tapestry. Thank you for sharing your perspective into how the people of Europe and the French specifically view Mont Saint Michele - legend and history and faith and powerful Michael the Archangel. I appreciated the pace of the last half of the book - I could not put it down. While the book is certainly appropriate for youth (thanks for no vampires or werewolves), I would recommend it for youth and adults. Congratulations and much success!https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23843031-the-keys-of-the-watchmen