The Island of Enchantment

"The Island of Enchantment" by Justus Miles Forman is a historical fiction novel set in the politically charged 14th century Venice, where young nobleman Zuan Gradenigo is caught in the middle of a war against invading Hungarians, attempting to defend his family’s legacy and regain lost honor after a political scandal. The story explores themes of love, dignity, deceit, and atonement, illustrated against a backdrop of rich cultural details of the time as Zuan is called upon by his uncle to fight the ban of Bosnia who wants to conquer of Arbe. Zuan launches a risky mission to safeguard Arbe, but a storm forces him to crash land and he begins to meet both helpful people and enemies, like Princess Yaga, who he at first sees as an obstacle but then falls in love with. After Zuan learns of Yaga risking herself to save him, his emotions complicate the situation and loyalty to his people, setting the stage for a touching ending about affection in the middle of war and disarray.