This is a great introduction to Joan of Arc‰ÃƒÂ›Ã‚ªs story using two strong, likeable female characters. The story is told from the point of view, Mariane, Jehanne‰Ûªs fictional cousin, and is full of adventure, betrayal, mystery and intrigue. Mariane doesn‰Ûªt always understand her cousin but she loves her and will help her as best she can. It is heartbreaking at the end when Mariane sees Jehanne betrayed, put on trial, and executed, but the final chapter ends on a note of hope and faith. ( )

Set in France in 1428. Marianne’s mother has been murdered & her father killed in battle against the English. The shock of this is so strong that she has lost her voice. She is taken in by relations and is drawn to her cousin Jehanne (Joan of Arc) who asks her to join the cause for a free France. But Marianne has her own battles to fight over her inheritance as her father was actually a knight ( and although he & her mother never married) M stands to inherit his lands & castle if she can prove who she is by presenting a ring with the family seal on it before he wicked uncle steals it away.p.195 – 201Joan rallies the troops, is wounded and must pull out an arrow.