The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau is the sequel to her debut novel The Crown (my review) and it held me enthralled just as the first novel did. As anyone who reads my blog knows I love any novels to do with the Tudor era as it’s my favorite but it’s more than that with Nancy Bilyeau’s books. She brings the world of the 1500’s to life and blends fact with fiction in the most fascinating way that holds a reader’s interest page after page. While this book is a sequel it can be easily read on its own but reading The Crown first gives you a lot of the history of the characters that I think just adds even more to the enjoyment of The Chalice. In The Chalice we are once against thrust into the world of King Henry VIII and the destruction of the priories and monasteries and the plot thickens as prophecies come to light and there are conspiracies against the King at every turn – it is all very exciting!
In The Chalice we once again meet Joanna Stafford, a novice in the church; only now the priories have been destroyed. As a young girl Joanna had been told she was a key element in a prophecy. She would be the one to ensure that the prophecy was carried out but to do so she would have to meet three seers at some point to direct her on the next part of her journey. Despite Joanna wanting nothing to do with this prophecy or her destiny in it she ends up caught up in the turmoil. There is a plot underfoot with plans to kill King Henry VIII and it appears that she may be the only one to put a stop to it. Embroiled in all of this is her desire to only live a quiet life with Brother Edmund but she doesn’t seem to be destined to have this no matter how much she wants it. In order to protect those she loves she leaves on a journey to fulfill this third and final part of the prophecy which leads her through many dangers and in the end of it all it seems that the fate of the King lays solely in her hands.
I think one of the biggest strengths of The Chalice and The Crown is its main character Joanna Stafford. She is strong and determined and very likeable. She is one of those characters that you find yourself attaching to very quickly. It’s nice to read a historical fiction novel that portrays a strong woman who is intelligent and uses that intelligence to do what she feels is right. Joanna is a very real character who has a very strong faith and at the same time feels love for a man. It makes her so vulnerable to the reader and it brings you closer to her. Although Joanna rates as one of my favorite characters ever all the characters in the novel are well fleshed out even if they play a small part. Sometimes in historical fiction you can get overloaded with characters and just end up confused so that’s another thing that impresses me with Bilyeau’s writing. She brings in the characters needed for her story and doesn’t overwhelm it with a whole host of names that you really didn’t need.
As I said with her first novel Nancy Bilyeau is the kind of historical fiction writer that brings me back again and again to these ancient worlds. Her novel is well researched, rich in historical detail, and yet she can bring it to her reader in such a way that captivates and draws them into the story without ever boring or overwhelming them. For me that is the sign of a truly talented writer and I can only hope to see more from Nancy Bilyeau in the future because I will be one of the first in line to read anything she writes. For historical fiction lovers I consider The Chalice, and once again I must mention The Crown as must reads! I loved it!
The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau is touring with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours so be sure to check out the other tour stops for more reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways. You can learn more about Nancy on her website as well as connecting with her on Facebook and Twitter. You can purchase your own copy of The Chalice on Amazon or Amazon Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US only)
I have one copy of The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau to share with my readers. To enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
- For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do let me know and I’ll pass the extra entry on to you as well.
- Tweet, Like on Facebook, or Blog this giveaway for 3 entries.
This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, March 23/13. Good luck!
Source: Review copy provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Publisher. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
I like the sound of the Chalice and would love a chance to win. Thanks for the giveaway.
bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com
I enjoyed The Crown but this book looks even better! I would love to win it!
I would love to win THE CHALICE! Thanks for the giveaway!
Laura Kay
anovelreview(@)yahoo(.)com
I’m already a follower 🙂
Laura Kay
anovelreview(@)yahoo(.)com
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/anovelreview1/status/311104029776285697
Laura Kay
anovelreview(@)yahoo(.)com
The Chalice sounds fascinating. Thanks for this giveaway. I am a e-mail subscriber.
I’ve been eager to read this novel; I loved The Crown and agree with you that Joanna is a strong and appealing character. Thanks for the giveaway.
GFC follower
I really enjoy historical fiction and especially Tudor fiction so this sounds like a great read for me.
GFC follower
This historical novel is compelling. thanks. I subscribe via e-mail.
I liked The Crown. Would love to read this one, too. thanks for the chance to win. I’m a follower.
Historical fiction is a favorite of mine. Thank you for the giveaway. I follow you and will tweet @readsalways
The Chalice sounds perfect for me.I am a blog follower lomazowr@gmail.com.Twitter follower will tweet @rhondareads
Nancy created a fascinating read in ‘The Crown’ and I can’t wait to read ‘The Chalice’. I tweeted the giveaway https://twitter.com/2rjh121/status/311128697191161857
Thank you for the giveaway!
rj_haigh@yahoo.com
Thank you for the giveaway! I can’t wait to read ‘The Chalice’. I thought ‘The Crown’ was wonderfully written and really enjoyed it!
I tweeted :https://twitter.com/2rjh121/status/311128697191161857
rj_haigh@yahoo.com
I love historical fiction and this sounds fabulous!!!
I have shared this on FB as well.
HECK yeah, I’d love to enter! I haven’t read The Crown yet but I am a sucker for any and all things Tudor. Thanks for the tip! 🙂
I’m SO excited about This one. Thanks for giveaway!
I’m a follower.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AmyBooksy/status/311141600006926336?p=p
I have this one, and can’t wait to get started with it, so I am rather excited! Good luck to all your entrants!
I would love to win this book! I have The Crown on my shelves ready to be read, so it would be great to have the second book in the series to read them together! Thanks for the giveaway!
I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner) and email subscriber (candc320@gmail.com).
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/candc320/status/311145271809699842.
I would like to read both this book and the Crown. I read both reviews and you’ve convinced me. I follow your blow via email.
Dying to read this – thanks for the giveaway!
I follow the blog and “liked” on FB.
tiffanyannbutton[at]gmail[dot]com
So glad to see the follow-up top The Crown. I’ve been following The Chalice like it’s the Holy Grail itself. Please enter my name in the draw.
I follow your blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
I also tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/311156617066459136
Thanks again!
Love the review of this book. Sounds like a interesting read. Thank you. I like on FB.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I follow on GFC
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Thanks for this amazing giveaway! This book sounds great and I would love to win it!
klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net
Follow by e-mail!
klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/SuzReads/status/311202883511148545
klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net
Sounds like an interesting book to read while witing for the eighth “Outlander” book to be published! I think I’ll get started on “The Crown” right away. Thank you for the suggestion.
that’s waiting for…
Sounds fantastic..and I would have to read the first one for sure!
Hello: this is a awesome giveaway I hope to win this book…..
So excited for her new novel! Thanks for the giveaway!
GFC follower (Lara Frame)
lafra86 at gmail dot com
can’t wait to read this book, and to win a copy for a friend!
thanks for the giveaway.
I follow you, and here is my tweet:
https://twitter.com/wordsandpeace/status/311287480349519873
Emma
ehc16e at yahoo dot com
My daughter would really like this book, thank you for the chance to win it.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I already follow by GFC (wfnren), Networked Blogs (Wendy Newcomb) and email
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/WendyNewcomb/status/311296866249736192
and shared on my blog: http://wrensthoughts.blogspot.com/p/contests-and-giveaways-good-luck.html
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
This sounds fabulous! I like strong characters, too. Please enter me in this giveaway. I’m a follower and will post it in my blog’s sidebar. Thank you, Darlene.
suko95(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m so excited to read this book! I read her first one and I loved it!
I follow on Google Reader.
5678dancer(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved The Crown and can’t wait to read this one to find out what happens next for Joanna.
I follow by email.
I really enjoyed The Crown and would love to win The Chalice.
I would like to win this book and then can share it.
Maxie mac262(at)me(dot0com
I am a follower of this blog and would like a second entry.
Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
I shared this on my Facebook page. Please give me a third entry. Thanks! Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
Sounds lovely. I love the cover especially.
I want to read this Book I have the first one. Thank you for the giveaway. Tweeted…
Marilyn (ewatvess@yahoo.com)
Endlessly fascinating era. Thanks for the giveaway.
This book has a very mysterious cover, which makes it that much more enticing!
lvsgund at gmail.com
GFC follower
I want this!! I love how the author has been quite successful at blending a bit of mystery + christianity into the HF genre.
marieburton2004 at yahoo dot com
+ 2 Follower
+3 Tweeted
https://twitter.com/BurtonReview/status/312569279142830080
I’ve heard great things about her books.
I am a follower.
https://twitter.com/JustAnotNewBlog/status/312604067337736192
Hello I want to read this book!!!! Hope I win!!!!!!
Hello: I read The Crown and it was a super great book, I want to read the sequel!!!!!!
I need to go buy THE CROWN right away, so I’ll be ready for THE CHALICE. They both sound fantastic, I love historical fiction. I think you learn so much real history that way.
I follow with GFC
I tweeted