Books Reviews

Paradise Red – Book Review

By Angela Youngman Jul 15, 2010, 14:45 GMT

As Raimon and Aimery set off to re-gain the flame and the heart of the Occitan, Hugh prepares to lay siege to the Cathar stronghold where the flame burns. Unbeknown to him, his wife Yolanda flees his castle and into the freezing snow. What is Yolanda running from? What underhand game is Aimery about to bring in to play? And will Raimon\'s passion for the flame cause him to ...more

Star crossed lovers caught up in a period of twisted religious hatreds immediately provide the key elements for a good story. 

Yolanda and Raimon are caught on different sides of the religious divide in medieval France in which Yolanda's husband is about to lay siege to the Cathar stronghold in which Raimon has taken refuge.  And what of Yolanda's brother Aimery - his motives and religious inclinations are unclear. 

Is he really all that he seems?  Can the Flame of the Occitan be saved from the French king's clutches?  The setting is stunning, and brought vividly to life as are the characters.  You really sympathise with the struggles of Yolanda and Raimon. 

Paradise Red is the finale in the Perfect Fire trilogy and if you haven't read the first volumes Blue Flame and White Heat; it makes you want to quickly read those so as to fill in all the background details.  A good teen read.