Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

*3.75*

I am officially a fan of Julie Berry now. A few years ago I've read All the Truth That's in Me and I loved it. (Though I think I liked All The Truth That's in Me a tiny bit more)

First of all, I have to say that I don't read historical fiction often. When I read it, it's probably because I trust the author or the plot seems too interesting for me to pass up. I decided to give The Passion of Dolssa a chance because:

1) I loved Julie Berry's other book
2) I have never seen a YA book that took place in 13th century
3) It had amazing reviews on goodreads

I'm glad that I gave it a chance because even though it wasn't what I expected it to be (a lot of Christianity), I really enjoyed it!

Without even knowing I fell in love with the characters (well, except for Dolssa) I loved Botille so much. She was such a strong main character. She was smart, a good talker and an amazing observer. I'm so glad that pretty much the whole book was told from her perspective.

I thought Julie Berry done a great job with "small town" feels. I felt like I knew everyone and their problems at the end. The three sisters and their relationships were great to read about as well. And the romance. The romance was such a small part of the story but I loved it. It was slow and started off them being friends... well maybe not even friends. Though I have to warn you, this is definitely not a romance book. But a good romance is always a bonus for me.



For me, the best thing about this book was... I know you think I'm going to say "the friendship" but no. I really didn't care for Dolssa that much. (I'm a terrible person) It was actually the ending! THAT ENDING. At first I was confused but then I was like



If you are still confused about the ending, this is what I think about it: (view spoiler)[We know that at the end Botille was actually telling her story to a friar... who was accidentally sent by her sister, Sazia. (I'll never forgive her for that. HOW CAN SHE BE SO STUPID?!?!)
So Botille tells her story to this friar but since she knows that her family is also in danger she changes her ending, telling him that Symo (my heart BROKE at that) and her son died. But at the last chapter, the POV from Fernando (the 11 year old kid), we see that he talks with an old woman and she tells him to go to her house and tell Bertran, her kid, "They're coming. Go quickly. I gave you an hour, at most. Take good care of Papa. Go with God."

I read this and I was like "THEY ARE ALIIIIVEEEEEEEE" but then sobered up and said "but she is GOING TO DIE OMG". I love that Julie Berry didn't just tell us what happened but expected us to figure it out. I LOVED that. Even though it is unclear what happens to any of them at the end, I loved the ending so much. I'm pretty sure Symo would never leave her behind but there is also the fact that he has their kid to protect. So I'm not sure what I believe what happens at the end yet. I'm just glad that they were happy when they had each other and their kid for a while. (hide spoiler)]

If you are looking for a YA historical fiction that takes place in the 13th century about female friendship, loyalty, sistership, (and a short, slow burn romance for bonus) give this one a go.