The Tapestry - Nancy Bilyeau

The Tapestry by Nancy Bilyeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy, and I'm going to miss Joanna's reluctant adventures, as well as her stubborn strength and her compassionate spirit. She's a type of heroine that you don't see very often.

Each book in the trilogy has such a great combination of elements while not being a repetition of the same old story. There's Historical Fiction with a touch of mysticism and suspense, and a mild bit of romance. The focus is on a former novice during and after the dissolution of the priories, one who can't seem to manage the quiet, contemplative life that she longs for. And on top of that, we have the dizzying conflicts and moral struggles of people in the midst of religious upheaval, against the backdrop of a treacherous political scene that causes fear both high and low. (Not to mention beheadings.)

But all that aside, I just really like Joanna and several of the side characters as well. I am happy to report that there's more of both Geoffrey and Edmund in this book than there was in the previous one. I also really enjoyed the addition of the German court artist. And there's no lack of villains either, some not as black and white as they were when we met them before.

Much of this installment takes place in the court of Henry VIII during the time of his marriages to Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard (the 4th and 5th of his wives). One thing I really liked about the first two books was that they were about Tudor times without being centered on the court or the monarch. That changes in this book, but at least it's not focused on Anne Boleyn (which has been done so many times before). It didn't stop me from enjoying this one, but I was glad when the focus shifted away from the court.

Looking back, I believe it's possible some readers could find some lack of focus in the plot, not that it stopped me from eating it all up as fast as possible. Joanna is much less proactive in this one, mainly driven by King Henry's whims. Although there isn't a driving prophecy like in The Chalice, or a murder mystery like in The Crown, there was enough intrigue and danger to keep me turning the pages. It's really about Joanna's small life being caught up in the schemes of the powerful, and how she and a few other insignificant people manage to eke out an existence they can be satisfied with in that toxic environment. Managing to stay alive is always a plus. Anything more than that is a bonus.

I'm so happy with how it ended. It could easily have ended badly, but it was the perfect ending as far as I'm concerned. I have to say I wasn't the biggest fan of the love triangle (a relatively small, well-balanced aspect of the trilogy), but it ended well, and I am satisfied. I'll be eagerly looking for more from this author. This is Historical Fiction how I like it. Not so epic that you can't feel the lives of the individuals. And not at all dull.