The Cardinal's Heir
Jaki Demarest
(Reviewer - Colleen Helme)
2005 Medallion Press
ISBN: 1932815104

Cardinal Richelieu is dead, a victim of poison.

The throne of France, which he has long protected, is once more unstable as rival factions vie for power. But the Cardinal has appointed two heirs: one to his religious position, & one to head the elite spy ring that has maintained France's fragile political balance.

Associate Reviewer Colleen Helme writes:

Francoise Marguerite de Palis has always used the better part of discretion when mingling with the elite of France. It has served her well as head of the Cardinal's eyes, keeping her & her uncle alive. All of that changes when her uncle is stricken, & she vows to avenge his death.

As he lay dying, he charges Francoise to make an alliance with the handsome Jean de Treville, head of the king's Musketeers & her direct rival. How can her uncle ask her to trust a man who has been her enemy on more than one occasion? There are also other things going on that she must become aware of, if she is to survive.

Someone is killing off highly placed people, including her uncle, for a sinister purpose. She finds that Treville is one of those, & not for the first time, wonders if he is behind her uncle’s death. Matters become more complicated when she feels an irresistible attraction to Treville that is reciprocated. Will the truth free her to love him as she wishes, or condemn her to die?

Side by side, Francoise & Jean descend into a maelstrom of magic as they battle another powerful Sorcier, & enter a bloody race to obtain a fabulous jewel.

Francoise is a most likable heroine who uses disguises & magic to spy on her enemies. In her disguise as a man, she is an expert swordsman, who has bested Treville on more than one occasion. It is fun to delve into the historical world of France with a twist of magic, & meet some of the characters from The Three Musketeers. I particularly enjoyed the exploits of d'Artagnan & Treville.

Francoise, however, was my favorite. Her inner dialogues are witty & fun, & I enjoyed her quick thinking under pressure. In matters of the heart, her experience is less than ideal, but once she learns to trust she realizes she need never be alone again.

Great romantic fantasy!

More from Jaki Demarest: Catseye
(07/03/05)

Colleen
2005©Colleen Helme
A RebeccasReads.Com Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
I have been an avid reader “forever” & live in the Rocky Mountains with my husband & four children. In my spare time (when I'm not reading!) I do watercolor paintings, make music, & WRITE! My first fantasy novel, Child of the Flame was published in 2005.