Book Review: The House of the Wind

I just finished another excellent novel.

This book is a story in a story.  One story takes place in 1347. The setting is Tuscany, Italy. Another story takes place in 2007.  The setting is San Francisco, California. 

 Both feature amazing characters....characters you just want to get to know and whom you end up just loving (or hating).  And both stories tie in together.  Both have a little spiritual-ness, mystery, and romance.

Both are very intriguing.

Story Summary

It is 2007 and Madeline Moretti is grieving her fiance's death.  Nothing brings joy to her life any longer.  Her grandmother, a fiery Italian, decides to give her a ticket to Tuscany so she can heal.  Maddie becomes immersed in the mystery of a ruined villa.  It was destroyed centuries ago in a legendary storm on the Eve of St. Agnes.  And ever since, it has been known as the Casa al Vento (the House of the Wind).

It is 1347 in Tuscany.  Mia hasn't said anything, verbally, since her mother's death.  She lives in silence with her beloved aunt Jauquetta.  One dark night, a couple comes looking for refuge in their villa.  They are used to welcoming pilgrims and Mia is entranced by the young bride's radiance and compassion.  But she is mystified by the young woman's hesitation to reveal even her name!  Where has she come from?  Why must her presence be kept a secret?

Each girl searches for a way to step into her future.  Mia and Maddie will be haunted by the myth of the young woman who walked unscathed from the ruins of the House of the Wind.

MY THOUGHTS

This is a book of folklore, mystery, myths and legends.  There is a bit of early Christianity thrown in as well...mainly from an Italian Catholic point of view.

 It is very mesmerizing and is definitely a page turner.  

My favorite parts were the chapters set in Tuscany.  It is an area of Europe on my bucket list of places to see some day.....and this story really drew me in!

I also found myself liking the story set centered around Mia more than the one around Maddie........and I usually don't like stories in the Medieval time frame!  

It is powerful and really absorbing.

The prologue is phenomenal.

The ending.....well.....it seemed liked a great ending and ended predictably for me.  However, I thought the ending would have more "oomph" if you know what I mean. It was well written but I guess I expected a bit more......I don't know.  It just all of a sudden ended.  Although I do like the photo at the end (I can't reveal what it is as I don't want to spoil it for you).

This book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10!