The Maid: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Kimberly Cutter

A simple peasant girl is born during the Hundred Year's War in Domremy in 1412. She learns how to read and write only one word - her first name - Jehanne. Her sister gets murdered by the English. She escapes both an abusive father and a forced marriage.

At the age of sixteen, she starts having visions of saving France from English invasions. Her visions are very clear, she needs to get to Chinon before mid-Lent in order to save France. It's not an easy task for a peasant girl to get to the King. She prays vigorously to receive help.

With the received help, she meets the `King' who at the time is Dauphin and later thanks to her gets crowned as king. While the `King' makes his decision, she learns how to horse ride, joust, swordplay and studies attack strategies.

The decision is made and Joan of Arc leads her men. One fight after another is successful until the first arrow pierces her back. Maybe this is the first sign of her losing her powers. The scene of her getting out the arrow is so vivid that it is painful to read it.

At the end, she gets captured due to the lack of support from the King. Her own people betray her, most of all - the King who doesn't pay her ransom. She receives unfair trial. She gets a second chance, but her choice is very clear. As we all know, at the very end she gets burned at the stake in Rouen.

My only problem with this story is the foul language. Otherwise, this is a very engrossing story.

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