Reviews

Journeys by Jeanne Roland

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Journey is an intense historical fiction set in Medieval Belgium. It has a heroine that is great to root for, romance, adventure, humor, friendship & some good looking Journeyman! All of the characters were well done, distinctive, and likeable but not perfect. I really liked Marieke! She is a fantastic character! She's strong, not afraid to speak her mind & her determination is inspiring. But I loved seeing her grow & embrace who she was both inside & out! It was a fantastic adventure with some great action! Thank you Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours & Jeanne Roland for having me on this tour!

literarycoffeecat's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

jpechman's review

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adventurous funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

100pagesaday's review

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5.0

Since the death of her mother and brother, fifteen year old Marieke has helped her father make arrows as a fletcher in 14th Century Belgium. An accident with a mule has scarred her face and Marieke knows her prospects for marriage are low. Marieke begins dressing in her brother's clothes and putting more effort into fletching. After a trip to her father's former guild, St. Sebastian's, Marieke becomes obsessed with the Journeys. Twelve Journeys are the top archers in the area and compete for six spots in the guild. However, Marieke and her father's visit proves dangerous as a guild member finds her father and causes Marieke to flee. Marieke shears her hair, and in her brother's clothes becomes Marek. She makes her way to St. Sebastian's where she is found huddled outside the entrance. Marek initially taunted, but Journey Tristan makes Marek his squire. No girls are allowed at St. Sebastian's, so Marek embraces being a boy and attempts to be the best squire he can be and get is determined to get Tristan through all three levels of the competition. Tristan treats Marek as a little brother, but complications arise with Marek living among twelve Journeys and their squires. As their friendship grows, Tristan even helps Marek look into the mystery of his father; but how long can Marek live as a boy and keep a secret from the people he now calls family?

I was absolutely taken with Journeys! I could not put this book down and constantly needed to know what would happen next. Journeys is an atmospheric, heartfelt and intense historical fiction set in Medieval Belgium. I was enthralled with everything archery from fletching to form and butts to clouts. I loved the camaraderie of the Journeys and squires even among the competition. I knew I would love Marieke from the beginning, she was strong willed, outspoken and determined. All of the characters were strongly written, even with twelve different Journeys and their squires to keep track of. I liked that Marieke was true to a fifteen year old girl; she made mistakes, ran her mouth and desperately wanted to do what she loved. I was amazed that Marieke was able to embrace her identity as Marek and enjoyed seeing Marek grow, learn and forge new relationships with the brotherhood of the Journeys and squires. Within her role, Marek was able to form a new family for herself. Marek's relationships with Tristan, Taran and some of the squires were the most interesting aspects to explore. Her opinions grew and changed and she got to know them and decided how she would use her time at St. Sebastian's. The mystery of Marieke's father was compelling and was kept as an undercurrent throughout the entire story. This keeps Marek at St. Sebastian's and hidden as a boy as well as fuels Marek's need to get Tristan through the competitions. I couldn't believe the action packed ending and want to dive into the next book as soon as it is out!

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

blueshadow's review against another edition

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4.0

Historical fiction adventure - a girl disguises herself as a boy and joins the local archers guild (a BOYS ONLY club) as a squire to one of the journeymen.

I understand now the high ratings for this book. The writing mechanics were good, the storytelling was EXCELLENT. The author had a good sense of pacing - there are a bunch of short episodes, several medium-length plot lines, and a couple long plotlines, which makes a nice rhythm of action and calm. Bits of humor sprinkled throughout keep the story from getting too serious. And the plot always kept me interested and absorbed, even though "girl disguised as a boy" is definitely not on my list of favorite tropes, nor is archery a favored subject. Even so, it simply was fun to read.

Nearly all the characters are teenage boys. Expect the pranks, crude humor, and sexual scenes you would find in any highschool boys dorm. These, along with the utter implausibility of Marieke keeping her true identity secret for so long, occasionally interrupted the fun, but overall it was still a great book.

illusen's review

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4.0

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I'm typically a reader of dense fantasy and historical fiction, but this was a refreshing change of pace from all the lore and rules in those books. It felt like I could just sink in and understand what was going on because the premise was so simple. The narrative was approachable and relatable because you didn't have to think too much about the little details while reading. I also really enjoy the fact that the book, in my opinion, is suitable for both adults and young adults. I would feel comfortable recommending this book to a young adult because it deals with adult and adolescent feelings in a mature but non-graphic way.

The only issue I had with the book was that I felt it was a bit long. The middle felt like it dragged on a bit and some side plots were a little drawn out for my taste, but that might be my personal preference. I also thought that the ending was a little cheap and rushed, almost like I didn't get enough payoff for slogging through the middle chapters of the book. These were my only issues with an otherwise engaging and entertaining read.

unladylyke4lyfe's review

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5.0

4.5 stars. I loved this book. I really, really loved this book BUT there was a point nearly halfway that I almost quit (I never quit, lol). That being said I felt it my duty to implore anyone considering this book, just stick with it. I’m newish back into the reading scene and this book/ author really took time to establish the scene, all of its many characters, and the storyline was so immersive. I truly feel like I’m an amateur archer at this point. The development took quite some time and then at one point I was so starved for action and for something to excite me and just as I was about to quit, it happened. I finished the book and immediately went to the authors site to get a taste of the next book that isn’t even out yet (you can get chapter 1 of squires emailed to you btw)! And now I’m very impatiently awaiting emails or some sort of news announcing the release of the second book just dying to know what’s next for Marieke and how this insane web will unfold. READ IT, you’re welcome.