It is slower paced but enough happened to keep me interested and there were quite a few shocking and mystery filled events. I was very pleasantly surprised to find out that it’s not fantasy and is just historical fiction that deals with the common superstitions of the 1400’s the synopsis is honestly very misleading. To be honest, I thought it sounded cheesy and I wasn’t sure how well Gregory could write fantasy, which is what I thought this book was. It took me a long time to read this book because the synopsis just didn’t pull me in. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft-and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.ĭespite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year-the end of days. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous-and accused of heresy. Let’s get into the synopsis and review! This review will be spoiler free. Most of Gregory’s books are geared toward a New Adult/Adult audience but this series was her first foray into the Young Adult genre.

It is book one of a four book, YA series called Order of Darkness. One of her books that I had never read, however, was Changeling. Most of her books I read before I ever started blogging but I do plan to reread and review them. One of my favorite historical fiction authors is Philippa Gregory and oddly enough, I haven’t reviewed much by her on my blog.

Philippa gregory changeling series