Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Volume 1

"Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Volume 1" by Gilbert Parker is an adventure that drops us right into the 1500s during the intense religious wars in France. It mixes real history with a love story about Michel, a brave soldier, and Angele, his sweetheart. They’re both Huguenots, meaning they’re on the run from people who don’t like their beliefs. Michel gets the tough job of keeping an important countess safe as she escapes to England, while Angele waits anxiously on the island of Jersey. Their love gets tested when Michel gets thrown in jail, and Angele has to be super brave to try and get him out. Parker makes the story come alive with great conversations and detailed descriptions so that we can almost feel the tension of a dangerous world where love and loyalty can lead to big problems as much as happiness. In the end, it's a story where love and hope shine bright, even when everything seems dark.