BEHOLD THE BIRD IN FLIGHT

In Lewis’ debut novel, a young queen endures life in a medieval England that’s constantly at war with a king she doesn’t love.

Eleven-year-old Isabelle Angoulême, at the turn of the 12th century, will be “old enough” to marry in just a year’s time. As she’s the daughter of a count in France, her husband will be a nobleman, and she’ll oversee a castle someday. Isabelle truly hopes for a husband who’ll love and admire her, and she’s soon betrothed to 15-year-old Hugh de Lusignan. Isabelle, however, suspects that Hugh only wants her inheritance. So, when King John of England comes to visit the Lusignan family, Isabelle flirts with the ruler, convinced that this will ignite Hugh’s jealousy. John becomes so smitten that he takes Isabelle away and marries her, without any input from the girl. Now, she’s the queen, but she still secretly longs for Hugh. She can certainly wait, as John is old and often away at war; then again, if he dies, his enemies may come after her or her loved ones. Lewis masterfully blends a fictional narrative with real-life historical figures and a real-world setting. Isabelle lives in a time when women and girls are treated like property—daughters are “sold for the richest husband or the best alliance.” This story chronicles Isabelle’s fascinating life as she suffers tragedies and various ordeals, such as taking blame for a man’s aggressive act after she simply exposes her blonde hair. The author’s lyrical prose flows smoothly throughout, toning down violent sequences as well as the sexual desires and acts of adolescents Isabelle and Hugh. Readers will surely relish following along with and championing Isabelle, who gathers strength and wisdom as she matures.

This wholly engaging bildungsroman doubles as a riveting piece of historical fiction.