School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-A medieval, coming-of-age love story with unexpected twists and turns. Grant takes readers on a journey that becomes an action-packed, behind-the-scenes peek at the legendary Canterbury Tales. Belle, 15, feels guilty for having caused an accident that crippled her father, so she is easily persuaded to join the pilgrimage to Canterbury to pray for his healing. She makes many friends along the way, including Chaucer's scribe, Luke; Walter, a squire who is dashing and kind; and the poet himself. She also makes enemies, most notably the summoner, who is convinced that Chaucer is a spy for the inept King Richard and that Belle is a partner in his scheme. Teens will relate to Belle, who is confused about her feelings for Luke and Walter and struggles with her own idiosyncrasies. This tale is bawdy without being gratuitous and canters along at the pace of a pilgrimage, with enough excitement and interesting characters to keep readers turning the pages. The author's note reveals much about Chaucer. A light, fun read.-Wendy Scalfaro, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Belle, the 15-year-old daughter of a 14th-century bell founder, would do anything to change that tragic day when her carelessness resulted in crippling her father. In an effort to atone, Belle practices mortification of the flesh, rubbing her legs raw and bloody with a pumice stone; when this doesn't feel like enough, she joins Geoffrey Chaucer himself and his fellow pilgrims on their way to the tomb of St. Thomas, hoping for a miracle to heal her father. In this retelling of The Canterbury Tales, Grant (the Perfect Fire trilogy) takes up Chaucer's funny, bawdy style, as she draws Belle into the raucous world of his wandering pilgrims. Along the way, Belle meets two romantic suitors-Luke, the alchemist's son, and Walter de Pleasance, the knight's squire-both of whom add satisfying romantic encounters to her story. Filled with political intrigue, vivid historical detail, and poignant moments, this homage to Chaucer's beloved verse should delight both adult fans of the Tales and teens who will have likely first encountered them in English lit classes. Ages 12-up. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Determined to pray for her invalid father, Belle sets out on a pilgrimage to Canterbury, England, with Geoffrey Chaucer. The story draws from historical information about Chaucer's life; some Canterbury Tales characters also wander in and out. Still, the strongest narrative thread is a romantic one, as Belle is caught in an intriguing (if contemporary-seeming) love triangle. Timeline. Copyright 2010 of The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Blue Flame, 2008, etc.) demonstrates an affectionate and thorough knowledge of the source material (as seen in an author's note and timeline), but Belle's good fortune, self-absorption and inexplicable attractiveness cannot fully compensate for plot holes and underdeveloped characters; she is neither the most reliable nor sympathetic of narrators. Romance, issue book and spy novel--as varied an offering as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. (Historical fiction. 14 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
