The Order of Darkness #1 Changeling

A historical young adult fiction with underlying religious themes.....Presenting The Order of Darkness #1 Changeling by Philippa Gregory.

Here is the summary of the book:

Dark myths, medieval secrets, intrigue, and romance populate the pages of the first-ever teen series from #1 bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl. Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. 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. Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. 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. Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. 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. The first in a series, this epic and richly detailed drama is grounded in historical communities and their mythic beliefs. It includes a medieval map of Europe that will track their journey; and the interior will include relevant decorative elements as well as an interior line illustration. And look for a QR code that links to a note from the author with additional, detailed information about the setting and the history that informed the writing. With Philippa Gregory’s trademark touch, this novel deftly brings the past—and its salacious scandals—vividly and disturbingly to life.

Changeling the first book in the new series by renowned historical genre author Philippa Gregory, and it is also her first historical YA novel. This book will also be my first Ms. Gregory read (sorry I haven't yet read any of her other works) but while it was a short book, the premise was good and everything....but it really didn't sit well with me (I got bored reading it sorry).....Lets see what the story is about......

Dark myths, medieval secrets, intriguing and romance deftly sprawl the pages of the book. Circa 1453, Italy, Changeling, the first book of the series centers around the holy crusade era, when the Catholic Church ruled the whole of Christendom with an iron will and even thoughts that went against the Church's edicts were charged as heresy. This is the story of seventeen year old Luca Vero, cast out of the religious order for questioning the Church with science he is recruited into a secret society - the order of Dragon and sent all across the Europe to investigate all forms of evil in that year. Luca, along with Isolde, and their faithful companions Freize and Ishraq encounter all sorts of creatures.....werewolves, witches, alchemists and what not.

A fantastic premise, a wonderful plot and a short novel and the heart of it all.....the myths and the superstitions that are prevalent in that era give it a much darker tone. While I highly commend Ms. Gregory's work and the literary finesse in this book.....there is still the fact, that it is a very slow plot....their road travels are much more prolonged than the actual encounter with the forms of evil they are sent to investigate.....so I kinda started to loose interest in the book. Also the synopsis says they encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers but we only see hallucinating nuns and the werewolf....maybe we'll encounter the other in the next book. Then there is the cover, since Isolde is placed at the front and Luca in the rear....so it kinda gives it the impression that the book is primarily about her.....but it is not. Then another negative factor was the fact that very little is revealed about the order - which would really have clarified a lot of things about Luca's mission. But all in all.....Changeling is still a book that can be given much thought....I did like it.

"Historical and likeable"

Genre :      Young Adult, Historical


Publisher: Simon & Schuester Books for Young Readers


My Copy: Pulse It Simon & Schuester group 


Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)