The Chalice, a review

The Chalice is the sequel to the novel The Crown, a story of a young Dominican novice whose vocation is interrupted by the political decisions of King Henry VIII. Nancy Bilyeau, editor of DuJour magazine, graduate of the University of Michigan, history major, has taken her readers to the hostile environment of an English King whose lifestyle has cost him the support of the Catholic Pope. King Henry VIII in his decision to dismantle Cathedrals and churches has cost him his faith, as he has been excommunicated, a serious violation in the Catholic faith. Nuns, priests, and novices, and postulates are displaced, unrecognized, and forced to change their lives in order to survive. Joanna Stafford is a distant cousin of the King, so she has many connections to the court, but she has chosen to live her life as a bride of Christ, hoping to have served as a nun but now unable to practice her true vocation. She soon gains the support of fellow Dominicans who all band together to try to survive the changing times. However, when a young child before she entertained thoughts of piety, she had been taken to a seer, a prophetess who had seen into her future. Because her mother was so determined to learn her fate, the young Joanna had to confront this awesome seer to learn her fate. It appears that Joanna is going to play some important role in the history of England, and only she can do it. She is a chosen one in this time of turmoil. Nancy keeps us absorbed in the pace of the novel as we follow Joanna and her friends through this dark period in which they no longer have the consolation of a solid and sound faith since it has been taken from them. Clinging to their beliefs, they are in a whirlwind of destruction as churches tumble, artifacts stolen, and cherished beliefs are tossed aside. ** Because of the fear that King Henry VIII has of prophecy and seers, the original seer is forced to recant making Joanna believe that perhaps the fate dealt to her is not really true after all. Eventually,she learns that the seer avoided telling the court anything about Joanna to spare her in this time of cruel torture and certain death.** The seer is sacrificed but Joanna survived hoping never to have to fulfill this prophecy. However, the true Catholics are hoping that Joanna can indeed save them and their faith due to some action on her part. Thus, she is forced to meet with a second seer and finally a third to learn the truth of her role in English history.** Nancy uses real historical characters along with fictional characters to develop this torturous and cruel adventure. Young Joanna must face watching her friends, relatives, and loved ones die through either the burning at the stake or by the fall of the axe. She proves her own muster and courage in facing down an execution of a caretaker, so that one becomes emboldened by her acts of bravery against all odds. Her prayers and her faith sustain the men at the hour of death.** Joanna is held captive by her love for her Catholic friends so that she is compelled to visit the final seer to complete her mission in learning of her role for the sake of the Crown or the King, or her faith...she finally does succumb and does prove that she is worthy of the trust given to her. Despite the fact that she has been betrayed many times, she keeps her faith, behaves with courage, and remains the sweet, innocent beauty that the men around her love. With her long black hair, her high bosom, she has attracted many men's attention but she has remained true to her faith and her calling, loving only one.** The final seer has promised that they will meet again, so I am hoping that another novel will be in the works.** Well written, exciting, historically sound, and fascinating...The Chalice is a great read.**