After the battle of Crecy, Raphael Dubois' world imploded, his mother missing, his cousin dead, he is looking for revenge and knows to seek it in Winchester. After growing up in a monastery Rafi has an education but is employed as an apprentice in Ghent. Seizing a chance to travel to England he looks for answers.
This is a perfectly pleasant piece of historical fiction without being particularly memorable. The knowledge of Winchester and life in the thirteenth century is great, well researched and believable but the plot is rather weak. A solid debut nevertheless.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for this eCopy to review

The Herb Knot by Jane Loftus is a novel that truly captivated me from the very first page. Set in the 14th century, it begins with the heart-wrenching scene of young Rafi Dubois witnessing his mother's murder after the Battle of Crecy.

As Rafi grows up, he carries with him a half-broken family seal given to him by a dying Englishman. This seal becomes a symbol of his quest for identity and justice. The story takes a significant turn when Rafi, now a young man, saves a wealthy merchant's wife from a robbery. This act of bravery earns him the opportunity to travel to England, a land filled with both promise and danger.

Upon arriving in Winchester, Rafi finds himself entangled in a web of long-held allegiances and secrets. The historical setting is brought to life with vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to detail. Loftus does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and smells of medieval England.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is Rafi's relationship with Edith, a market apothecary. Their love story is beautifully portrayed, filled with both tenderness and tension. Edith is a strong and independent character, and her interactions with Rafi add depth to the narrative. Their romance is not just a subplot but a driving force that influences the events around them.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, and Loftus masterfully builds suspense throughout the novel. The themes of love, betrayal, and conspiracy are intricately woven into the story, making it a rich and engaging read. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.

What I appreciated most about The Herb Knot is how it balances historical accuracy with compelling storytelling. Loftus's writing is both evocative and accessible, making it easy to get lost in the world she has created. The novel is not just a historical adventure but also a profound exploration of human resilience and the quest for belonging.

Overall, The Herb Knot is a novel that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It's a gripping, emotional, and beautifully written.

In the aftermath of the battle of Crécy five year old, Rafi Dubois not only witnesses the disappearance of his mother but also the death of an English soldier. Just prior to his death the soldier entrusts Rafi with his family seal which he entreats the young boy to return to his family in England. Years later, as a twenty year old, Rafi finally has the opportunity to travel from Ghent to Winchester, and his quest to return the seal finally begins. This is a task not without risk and Rafi soon discovers that he is faced with more questions than there are answers plus there is also an assortment of people who seem intent to do him harm. His ambitious search for the owners of the seal will bring Rafi into contact with a powerful Winchester merchant, and it is this connection which will lead him into great danger.

With impeccable research medieval Winchester springs to life, its dark and dangerous corners are filled with malice, its mean and moody streets are littered with the detritus of daily life and the sights, sounds and scents of a medieval town are described in realistic detail. That there is trouble ahead for Rafi is evident from the start however, the characters he meets, some inherently good, some downright evil, all add a realistic edge to this beautifully written story of family, friendship and the ultimate need to fulfil a duty promised.

The Herb Knot gives us a fascinating glimpse into a medieval world which is filled with intrigue and danger, whilst at the same time offering shreds of hope and love in a compelling story which lingers long after the last page is turned.

I really enjoyed this book because it was super realistic about the Middle Ages, which is not something I can say about a lot of other books. I loved all the characters; I found a piece of myself in all of them for some reason.

It's clear that the author did their research before writing the book. As someone who loves historical fiction, I really enjoyed it.

I also loved the romance in the book. It felt real. It ends in a way that'll leave you satisfied. I mean, you can understand that the book is over and not left unfinished, not left in the air.

A slow burner of a book that starts just after the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Rafi , his mother and brother Christophe are in the forest hiding from soldiers who are searching the battlefield. Two soldiers appear, one kills Christophe and drags the mother away, the other soldier tried to prevent this happening, but fails and falls to the ground mortally wounded. When all is quiet, Rafi creeps out to the injured man, says prayers for his soul and keeps him company. He is given a matrix seal, the man makes a dying request for this to be returned to his father back home in England. Rafi gives him his solemn promise that stays constant throughout this novel.
Rafi is rescued by Brother Johannes and spends the next ten years in a monastery, learning languages, and finds he has a gift for drawing, painting and illustrations.
Rafi is young and naive, and quickly falls into trouble when he finally reaches Winchester to fulfil his pledge to the fallen soldier. His quest for answers brings him kindness, friendship and support, but not without the occasional fight and injuries.
I found that too many characters and locations were introduced rather quickly, it was hard to keep track of which events happened in Ghent or England.
Two men with the same Christian name just added to the muddle. However, the book picked up pace, the historical detail was well researched, and there was a nice mix of historical and fictional characters, the notes at the back were especially helpful.
The role of women varied greatly according to occupation and class, there were some really sympathetic notes concerning the difficulties of being female in this society.
I have a great fondness for Winchester, and I now have items to look out for on my next visit.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers HQ Books for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review.
I have rated this a three star, mainly due to the confusion and repetition that is present.
I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

This was a lovely little read that did manage to surprise me with a few twists, it wasn't gripping but I happily read through it till the end

The Herb Knot is set in the 14th Century, primarily in Winchester, and the historical setting had clearly been well researched. The small historical details included in the story really help set the scene and immerse you in the way of life for individuals in the 1300s, which I appreciated.

The start of the story is very action packed and leaves you with lots of questions. We are introduced to the MMC, who is quite sheltered and naive in his world view. As the book progresses, his character does develop as he undertakes the quest he's been given, though his decisions are questionable at times, which is understandable as a twenty year old. After quite a shocking start to the story, I felt the story didn't develop as much as it potentially could have and found the pacing a little slow. I didn't fully understand the motivation for some of the side characters' actions and why they were so against the MMC initially. With Rafi's quest, it did also feel his searching for answers did go in circles a little. I loved the innocence and sweetness of the romance and would have liked to have seen this relationship blossom and develop further. Towards the end of the book, there were a few twists that kept me guessing and I ultimately felt that the plot was tied up well with a satisfying conclusion.

This book would suit readers who enjoy stories set in the medieval time period and appreciate historical details, especially those that live in Hampshire.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this novel set in a rather more real and grubby mediaeval setting (Winchester) than many. Post Crecy, 1346 it follows the consequences of an English attack and the bloodlust that ensued on a French family and the English soldiers. involved. I found the characters engaging and there were plenty of twists to the tale to keep you guessing..