This book was expertly written. The author really knows her 12th century medieval french culture. As the reader, I was completely immersed into Lady Siriol's world.
Lady Siri is a woman with much passion and ferocity for life. She is intimated by no one, until she meets Tristan.
Ah, poor, brooding Tristan. Apparently his life has fallen into nothing but shambles, told of in a prior novel. But I didn't need to read it to follow or even enjoy this one. This story held it's own.
The author has an indescribable way with words. They gracefully flow and suck you right into the medieval time period and setting. And the novel is filled with quite the romantic tension. Siri is so blindingly beautiful that suitors fall all over her and some even manage to kiss her. And such, achingly delicious and sometimes scandalous and unwanted, kisses they are. But the book is thankfully a clean read.
Words just can't describe how this book is truly a work of art. After suffering through terrible book after terrible book, I came across a true master piece, and I can say, this author knows her craft. A pleasure to read. ( )

I really liked the historical details in this one. From the intricacies of feudal system relationships to the tumultuous world of the Devil's Brood and their family to the little choice women of the era had over their lives, this book brought the Middle Ages to life like few can. I especially enjoyed being exposed to such little known worlds of illumination outside the monasteries and the court of Prince Richard rather than King Richard.

The characters were enjoyable for the most part. I definitely enjoyed how three dimensional Triston was; he is obsessed with his guilt over past actions and focused on revenge to the point almost of insanity versus his devotion to family and fierce love towards Siri that develops throughout the novel. Siri, on the other hand, I found almost too perfect. Beautiful beyond words, the perfect mother figure for Perrin, feisty and protective towards her person and loved ones... I don't know. I enjoyed to the hilt the fact that she didn't hesitate to hold her dagger to more than one throat, but I didn't encounter any faults in her at all. And that just makes her a little too unreal to me.

I think this novel's greatest attribute, though, was the story intermixed with the romance. The connection between the two main characters was very tangible. Though at times I felt like hitting them over the heads with a 2x4 over how often they let the past and guilt get in the way of happiness, I truly felt they balanced each other and were made for each other. I liked how the back story wasn't all revealed at one time, either. Bits and pieces are strewn throughout the book for a truly jaw-dropping revelation towards the end of the novel that I never saw coming. The author does a great job in letting snippets be peppered throughout the story so the reader is constantly wanting more, to learn more.

Despite some issues with the main female lead and an over-use of past guilt as a story/motivation driver, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a pleasure it immerse myself into the period details, the characters, and the wonderful story. Definitely look into this book if you're looking for a good historical fiction book with some romance as spice.

Note: Book received for free via Good Reads First Reads program in exchange for honest review. ( )

I was a little annoyed at the first quarter or so of this book. For that little while there it was just the same back and forth of Siri clearly pining for Triston as much as he did for her/her-as-Clothilde. It was tiring, but once Siri tried to make herself less like Clo and he started seeing the true differences between them, it turned back to the magic that is Joyce DiPastena! ( )

I had quite a bit of fun reading this novel. It was easy to get caught up in the story and like the characters. It is set in France during the Middle Ages. It was an area of France that I don't remember reading about. I enjoyed that she picked an area that is not the typical romance setting.

This book begins with a mistaken identity scenario. The only problem is the person that Siri is mistaken for is deceased. She tries help Tristan understand that she is not his deceased wife, she yearns to be noticed for herself.

There is revenge, angst, treachery, and of course kissing. I was very happy that I picked this book up. I follow Joyce's blog and realized the amount of research that she puts into her books. I will definitely be reading more of her work in the future.

It's a clean romance book. It helped me to remember how much I adore the Historical romance genre. ( )

Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena is one of the best medieval romances I've ever read. ( )