Do you love adventure stories based on true events? Historical fiction? Woman-centered story? With a bit of romance? Can you handle reading about torture?

I loved escaping to 17th century France and learning about the plight of the Huguenots. History unfolded through the eyes of a loyal and fierce 19-year-old, Isabelle Colette from La Rochelle and I eagerly soaked it up! Protestant Isabelle has been harassed, tortured, and intimidated because of her religious beliefs and is desperate to escape persecution by the Catholic King. When a chance comes, it’s an impossible choice: she’ll have to adopt the religion that killed her family and branded her an outcast.

Betraying everything she believes in, Isabelle flees to Canada as a Daughter of the King and reluctantly accepts money, protection and a fresh start. In short, to populate the colony of New France, orphans and poor single women like Isabelle were sent to marry trappers/settlers/soldiers. It isn’t an easy life and Isabelle’s angst over difficult choices continues to plague her in the new world.

I loved the theme of triumph over adversity running through this novel as well as the focus on Canadian history. Canadian Grade 10 Social Studies students learn about the settlement and Les Filles Du Roi but are not educated about the previous life the orphans faced. I was shocked. It’s interesting to think that the French Canadians today are descendants of these 800 brave women!

This first in the Defying the Crown series is a must for historical fiction lovers. A slight warning for those who are queasy about torture or find a ‘foot in the door’ romance uncomfortable.

Drafted in 2017, shelved for 2 years, and finally resurrected, Kerry Chaput’s five-star debut was worth the wait. Isabelle has been patient in waiting to tell her story. I can’t wait for book 2.

Publishes December 16, 2021.

I was gifted this advance copy by Kerry Chaput, Black Rose Writing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.