‘They are all saints. They are none of them saints. They think she speaks with God. But really, everyone does. It's just so hard to hear.’

A medieval novel that explores the intersections of religion, belief, and the lives of women living independently in a society that doesn’t want to allow them such freedom.

With a heavy focus on the Catholic faith in the 1300s, the religious aspect of this novel reflects more on the way society and daily life was like during this time - how such core beliefs built into the society would affect everyone living within it. From the beginning we see how the different people interpret their faith - some as a verdant belief, some as something that simply needs to be done, and others as a means of power and control.

Aleys, our main character, is convinced she is meant for God - seeing visions within her answered prayers - so when she is unexpectedly betrothed she runs away to join a religious fanatic sect that is seen as extreme even by the church. When she is then forced to live in a community of women who live independently on their own, she realizes how much of what she thought of them was malicious rumor and - for the first time in her life - understands how everyone has their own relationship with religion.

Something I found extremely fascinating in this novel was the historical fiction aspect, and how tightly controlled religion was controlled by the church. With the Pope wanting to eliminate the illegal translations of the Bible from Latin to Dutch, the tight hold of the church is loosening as people are able to read and understand their religion on their own - without having to rely on the church to tell them what to believe. As someone who was raised in a society where people regularly hand you small Bibles as a means to convert, a society where such things would be illegal and prosecuted for weakening the power of the church had never occurred to me

Throughout the novel, we can never be certain what is real and what is simply brought on by the strong belief of Aleys. Does she truly see and experience these visions, or are they hallucinations created by her verdant belief that she should be seeing them? In the same way, the line between her true miracles and simply the coincidence of them is a core issue within this novel. We know Aleys herself is not lying, but once the belief of her miracles and being a saint spreads those in power seek to immediately use her to their own benefit - whether or not they truly believe in the miracles, or her own well-being.

With no way of knowing whether she is truly blessed, and not wanting to be a pawn in a game to hurt the very people she cares about, she elects to hide away in prayer to strengthen her personal relationship with God. However, not everything is as it seems and soon circumstances force her to flee, eventually accepting an impossible choice in order to save the women who widened her worldview past her own personal experiences.

This novel gives us a glimpse into the lives of women living in this society, and the small ways they could take back their power and independence during this time. Religion is seen as both a tool for control and an avenue for freedom, and the belief in it is secondary to the power that those in control of it can wield.

Beautifully written and artfully weaved, this novel is perfect for anyone looking for a historical fiction read that explores the independence of women in a society that deems such things a sin, and that personal belief is as varied as those who follow it. With the line between verdant belief and fanaticism thinning, and the loosening of the tight control of the church on the horizon, this novel explores how one girl navigates her personal convictions in a world that wants her to conform.

A huge thank you to the author, Netgalley, and Spiegel & Grau for providing me this e-ARC.

I love discovering something new in books: a new author, a new-to-me genre, a new culture, etc. I’ll be honest and say that this book cover captivated me - it’s gorgeous. I saw history and intrigue here.

I definitely found myself in a world I hadn’t so closely explored before- the church of the late 1200’s and the place of women in it and in the world. I also love a book that starts at the end and then takes you through the journey to get there.

I would say having a biblical background is useful, but not necessary. While the story topic is very educated and serious, it also gives an air reminding me of the Salem Witch Trials… women who were doubted and punished for being different or stepping out of line.

I’m glad I picked this one up.

I typically read across a mix of genres, but lately I’ve been reaching for more historical fiction and Canticle reminded me exactly why I’ve been drawn to it. From the very beginning, I was intrigued and completely sucked into the story.
Aleys’s journey, especially her relationship with faith and her refusal to let men dictate her choices was both powerful and thought-provoking.
The writing was phenomenal. It was vivid, lyrical, and emotionally grounded. It made the world feel immersive and the characters fully alive.
I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who appreciates historical fiction with strong, complex female characters.

I've been letting this one simmer for a while after finishing it while I decided what to write up for the review. That's by no means a bad thing - I just am not quite sure how I can put into words what this book made me feel.

I was raised Catholic and went to a Christian private school my whole life, so to say that I am deeply entrenched in Christianity and knowledgeable about the history of the Catholic Church is an understatement. I've been disillusioned from the Church for years now, and this book is the first thing remotely related to it that has truly spoken to my soul.

The fact that this is a debut novel for the author is freaking insane. It's so well-researched and, well, REAL that I almost believe I'm reading historical nonfiction. At the start of the book, I wasn't really sure where this was going, even though the initial scene gave me a little hint. That was genius. It gave skeptics like me a concrete reason to stick around. I NEEDED to know the events that led up to the opening scene like I needed air to breathe.

Sometime around Aley's first familial tragedy, I realize that this book isn't going to be just an afterthought once I finish it. This book has the potential to be something huge -- a classic for years to come. The prose within it and the emotions that it evoked from me were visceral. I've never felt so deeply hugged by God and cut by reality in the span of so few pages. The journey Aleys takes is truly beautiful, but what stands out to me the most is the message underneath everything that is happening to her.

The discussion of the corruption of the Church officials, abuse of women, covering up of crimes by clergy members, and the blind devotion of society that caused them to nearly rip a woman apart to save themselves is all so on the head of the nail that I was having whiplash. Never before have I seen something to hit the crux of the issue so squarely on the head -- it's not GOD causing problems... it's the PEOPLE.

And anyway, the book leaves it vague enough if you want to believe God truly exists, or the miracles were an act of coincidence and religious hysteria.

I flew through the last third of the book wanting to know what was going to happen. It was the perfect storm of everything that led to a truly compelling and beautiful story to unfold, with such a perfect ambiguous ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy, and these thoughts are freely given and 100% my own!

I didn't know what to expect when I started to read Canticle. I'm not a religious person so I had some trepidation but was intrigued by the premise. I was almost immediately enthralled by the writing. The tale of Aleys and her beliefs and convictions, her family, and her determination, along with some of the most beautifully written prose I've read in quite a while combine to present a book that I am very happy to encourage others to read.
I don't know when I've enjoyed a debut novel as much as I have this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Set in medieval Bruges, this is an interesting look at the Catholic church and how women fit into that scene. A young woman flees marriage and commits herself to God. A Franciscan friar tries to lead his flock. A bishop tries to make himself important in the eyes of the pope. A community of beguines lead a life of service to the community. There is a lot happening here. Some of these goals conflict each other and the story is about their intersection and all of the fairly awful things they do to each other in order to meet their individual or community goals.

I thought this was well written. I travelled to Bruges last year and I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book set in that medieval city. It was also interesting to see what the Catholic church was up to during that time period. The author clearly did quite a lot of research.

I would recommend this to all of the historical fiction readers.

In Medieval Bruge, Aleys found her devotion in seeking God. At a young age, she was exposed to religious stories and prayers through her mother. Due to an unexpected loss, she was forced to take on a maternal role in the family. Until one day, misfortune fell in her father’s business and she was forced to marry the head of the guild as an attempt to gain a foothold in the thriving wool industry. Torn between family loyalty and her insatiable thirst for God, she had to make a decision. Marry for wealth or marry her God?

In a time where women were not equally treated and respected as men, Aleys was an exceptional character where she defied societal norms and expectations. Her rebellious nature can be excused for thirst for knowledge. Her decision to leave for the brotherhood instead of marry was justified with her search for God. Where women’s agency wasn’t even heard of, this historical fiction gives a glimpse of what women had to endure in the face of a patriarchal society and a corrupt church and government. With what little agency Aleys had, she showed grace and confidence. Even when she was doomed by the very men she trusted, she chose the higher ground. And that what makes her such a great heroine in this story.

You will find yourself immersed in the story of a young girl fervently fighting for what she loved even if it means sacrificing everything.

Canticle is such a rare gem in the book industry where everyone is shouting to be heard (or read) these days. Janet’s writing shines throughout and her characters come to life. I could not put it down. This should be your next read!

5 Stars! I kept checking to be sure this was a debut novel because it was so polished and easy to immerse myself in the reading!

Excellent novel for:
Book Clubs
Historical Fiction lovers
Medieval time period fans.
people interested in Religious orders "back in the day"
Spoiler free review- because Spoilers are just.. NOT IT.

Readers dive into the 13th century Bruges where wealth is measured in wool and social station is highly prized and protected. We meet Aleys- a young girl who's prone to visions and deep passionate feelings, specifically related to the church. I'm unclear if she would have been prone to religiousity in a different time or if that was simply because that was what she had exposure to in her sheltered life. Her only exposure to books is her Mother's richly illustrated psalter which Aleys covets.
Aleys is smart, passionate, and also stubborn and proud. On the eve of her wedding (which would secure her and her families social standing) she runs to join a religious order. There she is tasked with an almost impossible seeming task and to make progress she must reexamine many of her notions about others, God, and her place in society. Change is afoot in the religious community and forces greater than Aleys and her local religious organizations are at play. Aleys must confront her place within this complex situation and, like all young people, make the choices that will determine her life.

As a novel, this book does move at a leisurely pace, with a lot of room for Aleys, and the reader to reflect on religion, prayer, and community. (It is not a religious book, but a book about persons who were highly involved in the religious life at the time- so readers be assured, this is not a religious propaganda type of novel at all.) I found I enjoyed it best by absorbing a few chapters at a time.

Strengths of this novel are the richly detailed descriptions of life in that time period, and the insight into the Catholic church in that time period. I often felt as if I could step right into the Beguine's dormitory, or touch the wool prepared for the market. As a non-Catholic, the explanations regarding different orders and roles flowed easily and did not feel didactic. Aleys herself is a compelling character, though I can't say she is particularly loveable, she was peculiar and interesting and I did want to read on to see how things would play out for her and the community. This is an excellent read for book clubs as historical fiction is very book club popular, and this is a unique time period that isn't well represented in the historical fiction landscape.

This book is scheduled to come out in December, just in time for holiday gifting! While I have an electronic copy (Thank you to Spiegel and Grau and Net Galley for the advance reader copy) I suspect this one may make it on to my wish list. (I'm on an economical book buying ban, but I know I can use all the holidays and birthdays for book hauls!!! Hint hint!)

Amazing book! I was hooked from the beginning and it has something like a mystery on it that makes you stay to keep reading at once

I’ve been reading a lot of romance lately because I’ve been reading for escapism. This book was definitely not an escapist fantasy or a romance, but I really enjoyed it. To me this had the feel of Outlander, but without romance. Just very well written historical fiction.
I really like books that give a lot of information about topics I don’t know anything about-especially when all of the information doesn’t make the story less interesting, but richer. I would recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction. I love the feminist tone the story took as well.

This book was a great look into a period in history and place that we do not often see in fiction as well as a point of view that is unusual. Aleys is a sixteen year old girl in medieval Bruges who leaves home and becomes a religious sister to both fulfill a calling she feels on her life, and to avoid an arranged marriage. The circumstances lead to her live in a community of women society has long scorned and misunderstood, and she finds her long held beliefs challenged and refined. I found Aleys to not be a particularly likable character but her growth throughout the story redeemed her. The glimpse into the politics of the medieval church was also interesting. This book is written in an interesting style with revolving points of view so you can see all the things at work in the characters lives.

Canticle tells the story of Aleys, a Flemish teen in Bruges in the 13th century, who learned of the Saints from her mother and learns Latin in order to be able to read her mother's cherished psalter. When her mother dies and her father arranges a marriage for her, Aleys flees her home for the church, where she tells Father Lukas that she would like to become a female Franciscan monk. She is placed by Lukas in the Begijnhof, a community where the beguines live, women who are not nuns but take a vow of chastity and who help the poor while leading religious lives - which means that the Church fathers consider them troublesome. Aleys eventually becomes an anchorite, a religious recluse living in a small room off of the church, where she is free to spend her days in prayer. I can't say more without giving away some major spoilers but I can say that I enjoyed the novel. This novel is Janet Rich Edwards' first, which surprised me. Her writing style is beautiful - she was able to make me see Aleys as a mystic and seer rather than a religious nut case! And her descriptions made me want to learn more about the role of women during that time period. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel.
#CampNetGalley

Wow! Another phenomenal and inspiring story about a woman suffering at the hands of men. Plus, there’s an orange cat.

I greatly appreciated walking with Aleys through her journey with faith. Her story is the unfortunate reality of many in medieval times who were tried and convicted for crimes that may not have been their own. I also enjoyed the perspectives of the Bishop and the Friar, as repulsive as some of their positions are. It goes to show that the truth can be subjective at times.

I’d really like to point out the criticisms of the medieval Catholic Church. I’m always baffled that people genuinely believed the word of God should only be consumed in Latin which was already a dead language at the time this story takes place. It always makes me grateful that God’s word is so accessible now.

ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Canticle by Janet Rich Edward is a captivating debut novel set in 13th-century Bruges, following a bold young woman named Aleys as she flees an arranged marriage and finds refuge with a community of independent religious women. As she explores faith, freedom, and love. Aleys becomes entangled in political and spiritual upheaval that tests her convictions and courage. I loved the strong female relationship within the Canticle, both within the central female character's relationship with herself and the other women around her. I loved this book because it highlights how women had to go outside the patriarchal narrative about Catholicism. The character arc Aley's goes through is wonderful it made me reflect on my own arc with Catholicism. I loved the strong female relationships throughout this book.

As someone still learning about medieval terminology, I found the words used challenging because I had no background in medieval times religion, but it got easier as I read more of the book.

Overall, this was such a delight to read that I would recommend it to readers who love historical fiction, with some underlying mystical undertones. Thank you, Spigel and Grau, for providing this book for review via NetGallery. All opinions are my own.

Content Warnings: sexual assault, death, and misogyny

I visited Brugge in Belgium last April. I was excited to read a book about Brugge and the women who lived there. I did enjoy the book, but it is not what I thought it would be centered around. This, of course, is more about my preferences than the author/book. I thought it was well written and it did give much information about how women lived and were treated back in medieval times.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this novel. It was beautifully written, but unfortunately not really my cup of tea in the end.

This is a terrific book that I really enjoyed.

This is the story of Aleys, a young 13th c. Flemish girl who is dedicated to God. She runs away from her family to escape a marriage of convenience, and finds herself tied to Father Lukas, a Franciscan friar, who is looking for a young, charismatic woman to bring women to his order. And he thinks he's found her in Aleys.

At first I didn't like Aleys. She is stubborn and frankly selfish. When she runs away from her marriage on the eve of her wedding, she gives little thought to what this will do to her father and her family.

She finds herself in a commune of women, the Beguines, because she refuses to go into a convent. She is willful and disobedient. She doesn't want to join the Beguines because they are viewed as wanton women. But what they are are independent women.

Aleys does not want to have her life choices dictated to her by men. And that's the part of the book that is the most interesting to me. So many men want to tell her what to do: her father, her fiance, her confessor, and Jaan, Lukas's brother and the Bishop of their town, with very high aspirations within the church, who will do whatever he wants to get his way.

But she finds a community of women who don't allow these men to dictate their choices. And this is where Aleys finds what she's been looking for.

Without going into too much more detail, I will say the historical aspects, the political aspects, were well done. But the feminism in this book is what really piqued and held my interest. I honestly would have loved more within the Beguine's compound! Although I found the ending dragged just a little, it was a satisfying ending.

I was incredibly excited for this book as the subject matter - Beguine communities- is one I'm really interested in. Unfortunately, this was a DNF at about 20%. The choppy sentence structures and the writing technique really frustrated me and could not keep my attention.

"Canticle" by Janet Rich Edwards
4⭐

"Let her be God's child, then," he says. "She's no longer mine."

Aleys is 16 and infatuated with faith. Pursuing that passion leads her through interesting experiences and relationships. Some for good, some for bad, but always for growth and God.

This story took a little time to lock me in and I suspect that's because of the writing. As an example:
"The smell of his death is ripe and sweet in her nose, too much, so she sips the air, tiny sips of death and prayer."

While often rich, sometimes the descriptions seem to run away with themselves. It can become cumbersome and wordy.

Something about the multiple perspective shifting didn't quite work for me. It is necessary for the plot. Absolutely. It just feels jarring.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC.

I'd recommend this to my fellow magical realism girlies. Fans of Practical Magic in particular might enjoy this one.

Available December 2, 2025
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Canticle is the story of Aleys, a young woman meant for God in 13th century Flanders. It’s a story of women just trying to BE and all the men who refuse to let them. It was an interesting glimpse into a new culture for me and I enjoyed learning about the Beguines. I thought the character growth was believable and the story did take some unexpected turns to get Aleys to her conclusion. I think if you enjoy beautiful prose and have ties to religion you will enjoy this book!