Journeys: The Archers of Saint Sebastian

I mostly read non-fiction and 19th-century European novels, but this book swept me off my feet! Roland's brilliant idea to set this romance in a medieval Belgium archery guild offers her the opportunity to bring this rich and dangerous world to life (think gorgeous costumes, elaborate palaces, gut-busting feasts, and cloak and dagger intrigue among princes). The romantic tension is just what it should be--compelling and enticing, but never forced or crude--and the writing is at the level of Anthony Trollope (high praise from me!). What a great holiday read this is, in front of the fireplace or on the beach, for lovers of things at least lightly historical! The characters soon become friends, and the reader soon wishes to become a member of the Guild of St. Sebastian! I am giving copies to all of my friends, young and old, for Christmas!

This was a fabulous book! As other reviewers have said, I couldn’t put it down. All of the characters were so well-drawn and distinctive, and likeable in an imperfect way. This story has it all--a heroine to root for, intrigue, romance, humor, archery, and swoon-worthy boys. What more could you ask for, besides more from Jeanne Roland?I was immediately drawn into the details of Marieke’s world and her obvious love for archery. Roland builds up the mystery of Marieke’s father’s time at the guild, while establishing Marieke’s struggles with the limitations of being a girl at that time. But when Marieke reaches the guild, the story really takes off, as we meet all the gorgeous, but also loveable and at times irritating boys-bordering on men competing to become a Journey. Sometimes you really feel for Marieke, and sometimes you just have to laugh at what comes out of her mouth.I loved that this book is funny and has characters you can get behind, even though it also has all the tension of a book that centers around a competition. I definitely got obsessed with the various Journeys—Gilles, magnificent fashion sense, Falko, laughed every time he entered a scene, Charles and Jerome, love them! And of course Tristan is Tristan. Please take off his shirt more. Even the more villainous Journeys were intriguing. The archery scenes were equally fantastic! This book will appeal to both YA and adult readers. It’s one of those books that makes you keep thinking about the characters after it’s over.

“Journeys” is the first book in the Archers of St. Sebastian series, which takes place in medieval Belgium. Fifteen-year-old Marieke Verbeke doesn’t view herself as “much of a girl,” since an accident has left her face scarred and has essentially ruined her marriage prospects. She’s content to eventually become an unmarried housekeeper for her brother, but her brother dies, leaving her and her father on polite but distant terms. Her father is fletcher, a maker of arrows, and her city, Louvain, is famed for the Journeyman archery competition in which the most talented and gorgeous young men compete to become a member of the prince’s guard. Her brother was slated to follow in their father’s footsteps, and perhaps might even have competed to become a Journey himself. Marieke wishes she could take his place in her father’s eyes, but of course she can’t as a girl.I liked Marieke for her resilience, her passion for archery, and her humorous and slightly sardonic view of her situation. Though she sometimes makes you want to smack your forehead while laughing hysterically, her self-sacrificing nature and honest intentions always come through. Some parts of the competition are truly triumphant. It’s also a story about friendship, with a lot of gorgeous boy shenanigans interspersed amidst the drama. Marieke goes from being an outsider at the guild to wanting to leave her own mark on St. Sebastian’s. She also begins to long for a better romantic future, despite being in an impossible situation.As a fan of Robin Hood, Avatar: The Last Airbender, She-ra and the Princesses of Power, The Lunar Chronicles, and any Kdrama involving a girl disguised as a boy, I loved this book. It’s definitely a good choice to curl up with over the holidays. The end was fantastic. I was desperate for more. Had to contact the author for an excerpt of book 2!

This eloquently written, action-packed book appeals to readers of all ages, from young adult to adult. I couldn’t put this book down! The characters are dynamic (Falko might quite possibly be the best character ever written), and Roland is a master of tension and drama; the relationships Roland creates are interesting and compelling. Love triangle, check; steamy romances, check; gorgeous men, check, check, check. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t say the ending is to die for! I love the symbolism of the hawk and the mouse! Needless to say, I will be buying the sequel! Can’t wait!

Journeys by Jeanne Roland really captured my interest and brought me into the 14th century time period. The characters in the story are lovable, easy to relate to and realistic, full of personality quirks and foibles. Not only could I identify with the main character, but I was able to place myself in other characters viewpoints, as someone with brothers / male cousins of a sporting nature. The simultaneous camaraderie and competitive nature of the Journeys and Squires are well portrayed. Likewise, the setting is beautifully described, giving you enough detail to imagine the time and place without intruding into the story.Roland strikes the right balance of mystery, introspection, romance, loyalty and friendship while portray the coming of age not only of the 15 year old girl at the heart of the story, but the older Journeys and younger Squires also. while I am purchasing a physical copy of the book to loan to my friends! I cannot wait for the next installment in the series! Definitely a modern tale worthy of reading for both sports fans and historical fans, almost a modern Camelot, Canterbury Tales, or other similar story.

I picked this book up during a promotion earlier this week and nearly put it down again within the first few chapters because I just couldn't place it into a neat mental category - was it YA or adult? Historical fiction or more fantastical? After putting aside those (fairly irrelevant) questions though, I couldn't stop reading! And re-reading: Once I'd finished it the first night, I read through it again over the next couple of days and, just this morning, started in on the first few chapters again. It's a rare book that is so new and fresh on each reading!As other reviewers have commented, the characters are well-drawn and three-dimensional and it's easy to care for them. Marieke is a young woman struggling to find her place in a world that doesn't seem to make ready space for her: orphaned, 'ugly' and female. The friends (and enemies) she makes at St Sebastian's are similarly navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood, the pressures of parental expectations and the highs and lows of relationships. After the second re-read, my least favourite thing to note about Journeys is a tendency to too much talking at key moments. However, considering another character agrees with me and calls it 'drivel', I really can't hold it against the novel.I'm looking forward to reading the sequel (possibly after reading Journeys a couple more times!). And in case you were wondering, my mental genre compass is now pointing towards Fantastical Historical Fiction, suitable for young adults through to young-at-heart adults.

I was caught up in this story, plenty happening. Interesting characters with a range of complicated personalities. I enjoyed from start to finish.