Breath-taking! Engaging! Poignant! 

The year is 1572 and the war of Huguenot as the protestants became known as had been raging for ten years. Minou Joubert and her husband Piet Reydon are summoned to Paris to witness the marriage of a royal wedding negotiated by Catherine de’ Medici and Jeanne d’Albret, the wedding of Margot and Henri, the Huguenot king of Navarre creating an alliance between the Catholic Crown and the Huguenots. Minou and Piet are accompanied by their seven-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. 

They were preparing to leave to return to their home in Puivert when on the feast of St Bartholomew, Huguenots are attacked and massacred and Piet and Minou’s daughter goes missing. The family are forced to leave the city without tracing her and instead of returning to Puivert, they make their way to Holland where the settle, always wondering what happened to their daughter.

The narrator, Hattie Morahan had me hooked from the opening sentence and she makes each character seem alive and helped me fall in love with all the characters as they journey from France to Holland and then finally back to France, when they hear that their daughter might still be alive, possibly held captive by Piet’s enemy, Vidal. 

I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Kate Mosse is utterly brilliant at weaving stories while also describing historical events of huge importance. The Huguenots story couldn’t have had a better author to tell their story.

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received an audible copy of the book to review.

City of Tears
Kate Mosse
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher's Macmillan Audio UK for this review copy.  This is my unbiased review of the author's work and style. If you want plot lines and spoilers, please see the publisher's blurb and other reviewers' reports.
This is my first audio book from Netgalley, and I really enjoyed the experience unfortunately listening on my mobile was not my choice but Netgalley does not offer a PC Desktop option, so I am unlikely to try it again. However, the limitation did not ruin my enjoyment of the novel. 
"The City of Tears" is the second volume of Kate Mosses’ trilogy "The Burning Chambers"   and I would strongly recommend anyone not familiar with the first episode of the series to do so. Kate Mosse populates her books with many characters and the trilogy follows the members of the same family's generations. The experience of the first volume will enhance your read of the second. 
The reader of the audio book - Hattie Morahan, does a great job and I was able to relax in her presence. If on the other hand you prefer your historical fiction to be very daring do, then maybe this series in not for you. 
Kate Mosse is renown for her attention to detail and the phenomenal research she undertakes gives her work authority so when she bends or invents aspects of history you know she is doing so because the narrative requires it.
I admit to being a fan of the author, but this book really calls for praise and I look forward to the final part of the trilogy. 
Five stars all the way.

I read this book as part audiobook, part ebook, and loved every page. Kate Mosse is in top form within these pages, and gifts us a wonderful story with a full range of emotions. It's impossible to work out how to feel about where the story takes you, with so many twists and turns. It's a long book, and you'll be glad it is, because you won't want it to end.

A big thank-you to Kate Mosse, Macmillan Audio UK, and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
A great story with good characters and villans set against the St Bartholomew's massacre. A plehora of fictional characters and hostoric figures make this book a compelling read. I never miss the opportunity to read a HF that deals with religious wars and this novel did meet my expectations despite the fact that I had not read Burning Chambers that introduces most of the characters. The narration is top-notch, including pronouncing French names.

This was my first book by Kate Mosse and certainly didn't disappoint. a brilliant story of revenge and loss.  A compelling story.  I had the audiobook and the narrator had a voice that drew you in.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this book

This is the second book in the series. I would suggest you listen to The Burning Chambers first but this can be a stand alone book.
Minou and Piet Joubert are in Paris for the marriage of Henri the Huguenot king of Navarre and Marguerite de Valois in 1572.   An alliance between The Huguenots and Catholics is supposed to bring peace but these are dangerous times.  Minou finds her family is again in danger especially as the Joubert’s oldest enemy Vidal is also in Paris .

Kate Mosse is the master of drawing you into her narrative with ease. I was living and breathing in the sights and smells of 1572. The narrator was wonderful and added to the enjoyment of this epic family saga.
Anyone who like historical novels will love this and even if you don’t it is another great Kate Mosse family saga.

France has been in unwavering instability ever since the French revolution and the conquering of the Bastille. This is more so because of religious conflicts within the same religion (which is very ironic); in this case between the Catholic 'pure' Christians and the Protestant 'impure' Christians. Here, this conflict take solace not only in France, but in the neighboring countries of Belgium and Netherlands.

'The City of Tears' is the second book of the Burning Chambers series, and though I haven't read the first book, this one was highly entertaining and I was under the conviction of it being a standalone.

The story revolves around a family whose members were separated or killed and how they were indirectly caught up in many situations that came to shape France's future.

The writing was impeccable and highly understandable, considering it being a historical fiction. Written from multiple POVs, the story was covered from every side, though I still have a lot of questions and queries on many exchanges and incidents.

The city of tears here refers to Amsterdam, and the events of this story unfolds here and in Paris. The way these two cities were described from the 16th century POV was highly amazing, and the imagery was appalling.

Narrated by Hattie Morahan this book was a long but almost perfect listen. 

Highly recommended! 

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC!

Lovely listen. I enjoyed the book but found the voice a little grating. Easier to read than to listen too but great material

I received this as an audio book and that was a great idea as it its very long. It is wonderfully researched and very well written. I have read the first book in the trilogy which is obviously helpful but not essential to enjoying this one. 
I engaged with the characters and wanted them to succeed in their various quests. Having finished the story I found myself bereft of their company on my walks!
The history its fascinating and appears so thoroughly understood by the author that this knowledge is included almost automatically in the text.
Thoroughly recommended with the warning that this book cannot be undertaken lightly!

I was delighted to be offered the audio version of this title in advance of publication.  I’ve enjoyed all the Kate Mosse books I’ve read and settled in to listen to this during afternoons in the garden,  However, I quickly realised that to truly understand and appreciate this second title in a series, I need to read The Burning Chambers, the first of the trilogy, before listening to The City of Tears.  I think without the background of the first book, it’s all going to seem a little out of context.

The narration is excellent. I listen to a lot of audio titles and there’s a lot of pleasure in a good narrator.  Kate Mosse is an author whose writing is able to transport the reader or listener seamlessly into a different era.  Her settings are genuine with a real historic background and the detail is superb.  In addition to learning a great deal about the period and issues, this is a book with a cracking plot and developing central characters.  There’s a huge amount of detail and these are stories to settle back and truly enjoy.  There’s action too and so many unexpected turns in events that it’s impossible to second guess where it’s all going,  I really enjoyed this and highly recommend this to curl up with during the longer winter days.  

My thanks to the publisher for an audio preview via Netgalley and delivered via the Netgalley App.

I feel SO lucky to have been able to have this early! Kate Mosse is my favourite author, and the City of Tears is up there with her best writing!! 

Rejoining Minouet and Pete 10 years later  feels seamless. Kate’s distinctive writing style sparkles as a always; the richness of her characters and landscapes, the fluency of the French peppered through the dialogue and the fast paced plot all make this for a thrilling next instalment! 

My first audiobook on Netgallery and it did not disappoint. Love the narrator :-)

This is the second book in the series following Minou Joubert and her family in 16th century France. Do not even think about reading this if you haven't read the first book, "The Burning Chambers". You would be lost in seconds!
We are about 10 years on from the end of "The Burning Chambers". Minou & Piet are settled in Puivert with their family around them. Minou's Father, sister, aunt and their children. The Wars of Religion are ongoing throughout France. However, peace is in sight with the royal marriage. Minou and Piet decide to take their family to Paris to the marriage but there is still danger lurking with old enemies not far away.
As always with Kate Mosse's books this is full of historical detail. I have learnt so much about this period of history from reading her books. This is certainly not a light read and quite lengthy. Not for the faint hearted but well worth the read. Once I was immersed in the story I was loathe to stop.
This is a book that has everything - historical detail, great characters, lots of action and an excellent plot.
I listened to this on audiobook which I have to say was fantastic. The narrator was brilliant with such beautiful pronunciation of the French words. She bought the book to life and made it easy to listen to.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

Detailed historical events, emotions and emotive topics flow throughout this book. There is no way you can read this book without being moved to tears. Stories like this open our eyes to a world no one should have to live through, and should remind us how we can prevent history repeating itself. 
I listened to the the audio version of this book and was completely mesmerised by the narrators telling of the tale. Emotions come over even stronger when a story is being told well. 
I would totally recommend this book and would suggest the audio version is well worth investing in for a deeper experience.

Having already read and reviewed an ARC of this book, I was excited to see it offered as an audio book. Given 
the paucity of time and plethora of new titles, there are few books that I enjoy enough to revisit, Kate Mosse's titles are an exception.  This is the second book of the her latest saga and builds beautifully on the first, developing the characters in surprising ways and introducing new ones.  The narration brings it to life beautifully.

I don't often listen to audiobooks, but this was a real treat. A follow on to The Burning Chambers, The City of Tears continues the story of Minou Joubert in late 16th century France.

Minou and Piet's eldest child, Marthe, is lost in Paris during the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. This event colours the future of Minou and Piet; as the religious persecutions carry on throughout France, Marthe's absence remains at the forefront of their minds.

This is a story of passion, power, religion and loss, vividly narrated by Hattie Morahan, whose clear voice and beautiful enunciation adds power to the story. I enjoyed this immensely.

Tears of a City set in the second half of the 16th century covers the violent Wars of Religion in France and the Netherlands. It continues the story of Minou Joubert and Piet Reydon following The Burning Chambers. I listened to the audio of this book. The story is brilliant: Minou and Piet and their family are living in Puivert when they receive an invitation to the wedding of the protestant Henri of Navarre to Marguerite de Valois. The infamous St Bartholomew's Massacre occurs three days after the wedding where thousands of Huguenots are murdered. Minou and Piet and most of the family escape to Amsterdam but lose their eldest daughter Marta, unsure if she is dead or alive. Their bitterest enemy Vidal is still looking for them too..... The story really did carry me through this. I cared especially that they could find Marta. The reader was fantastic too - she was clear and her French and Latin and Dutch were a pleasure to listen to. My one criticism is its length. As over seventeen hours there were times when I exasperatedly spoke to my Ipad - 'for goodness sake get on with it'. The descriptions of detail in the tiniest of scenes from fields and landscapes and to which quay they were taking a barge from or which street they were walking down seemed unnecessary to me and if I had been reading the text i would simply have skipped. Saying that though - the story being so great that for a long journey it s absolutely worth it.

This audio book really drew me in. The narrator had the type of voice that you could listen to and get lost in. The story was fantastic and this author really knows how to keep you hooked.

I listened to this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I absolutely love Kate Mosse's books and have in fact read the book version of this and love it

I feel very lucky to have been able to listen to this and enjoyed it immensely  - I listened in a variety of ways, sat in the garden in the sun, while baking, while ironing.  The perfect way to listen

Loved this and cannot recommend highly enough both book and audiobook versions

I really enjoyed the follow up to the Burning Chambers. The book sees the characters develop further and Mosse manages to add more drama and layers to their story. The way the story was spilt up was interesting and it felt as if all the characters got their portion to tell the story from their point in. There were a couple of moments i got frustrated with the story telling but they were so small that it did not make a drastic impact on how i view and rate this story.