Confession: I learned more about the Tudors from Philippa Gregory’s The Boleyn Inheritance than I did from 10th grade global studies and AP Euro in high school. Gregory has this talent for bringing history to life and infusing it with a hefty dose of drama. When the rumor started that she would be writing a YA series, I got super excited especially because Changeling, the first of the Order Of Darkness series takes place in Europe in 1453 and I always brake for medieval times.
Changeling
Changeling follows two narratives and two main characters: Luca and Isolde. Luca was given to the Church but was expelled before taking his vows at the monastery because of MATH, I know! Now he is in a secret order that investigates cool things like werewolves with his BFF Freize — they are sort of inquisitors.
Isolde is an abbess of a nunnery. She is way young and beautiful. Isolde expected to inherit the family title and lands but instead her jerk face brother weaseled his way into the will and pretty much stole the inheritance from her, or that’s how I read it. So, given the choice between marrying a lecherous gross dude and joining the nunnery, Isolde takes the nunnery and is shipped off with her adoptive sister, Ishraq. Ishraq, sidebar, is the best — just a little teaser.
I loved how the two stories and narratives intertwined in Changeling. When Luca and Isolde meet there is a mutual distrust between the two. As all readers can guess, this distrust turns into attraction WHICH IS FORBIDDEN because both are in the Church and I’m pretty sure that once you are dedicated to the Church you can’t get out or anything. Again, I am not going to spoil the circumstances of why there’s an attraction or anything, but let me tell YOU, I was a riveted listener.
Speaking of listening, the audiobook of Changeling by Philippa Gregory is produced by Simon Audio. It is 6.5 hours unabridged and narrated by Charlie Cox who was on Downton Abbey (awww yeah). To be frank, as a listener I think that dual narrators would have kept my attention better and have benefited the story, especially if there was a female narrating the Isolde centered chapters. However, I think that Charlie Cox has the right sort of voice for Changeling. His voice is very serious, medieval sounding and aristocratic. And also quite relaxing. This is probably not the first audiobook I’d recommend to virgin ears, but one that I’d recommend to experienced listeners going on a rainy drive.
Disclosure: Audiobook received for review.
Other reviews of Changeling by Philippa Gregory:
Bibliophilic Monologues – “Easy to read and very entertaining”
A Cupcake And A Latte – “I instantly fell head-over-heels in love”
Hooked On Books – “I completely lost track of time while I was reading it”
Mundie Moms – “A must read for YA fans who love a well crafted historical read”
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The fact that I would get to listen to Charlie Cox for 6.5 hours makes me really tempted to get this from the library. I did not like The Other Boleyn Girl at all, but Charlie Cox.
Also, I like to think of him as being from Stardust, not Downton Abbey, because he was the worst in there, although I do love when Thomas gets told off.
I’m glad to know you liked it — I got a sampler for the book last week in the mail, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read the entire thing.
Yay! Can’t wait to check this one out! I’m almost done with my current audiobook and I totally trust your recommendations! Have you seen the YA titles at http://www.audiobooksync.com for this summer? They look great!
OOOOH I am SO EXCITED for Changeling! I can’t decide if I want to get the audio or the hardcover or BOTH. I have yet to find a male narrator I really like (except for duh Jim Dale), but if you like him (plus he was on Downton Abbey), maybe I’ll listen to the audio on the way to BEA.
Also, clearly I need to read her Tudor books.
I’m a sucker for historical fiction, so this one was on my radar from day one. So glad to hear you enjoyed it! I haven’t quite decided whether I’ll be going print or audiobook version for this one yet, but I’ll definitely be reading it!
Also, Downton Abbey…I really need to get on watching that. I feel like I’m the last person in the universe who hasn’t seen it!
I’m actually super excited to read Changeling, despite not being the biggest fan of historical fiction. however, I don’t listen to audiobooks, so I probably won’t listen to this one.
I really liked this book! Really well paced, awesome historical details, etc.
This review made me fangirl ALL OVER THE PLACE.
The time period.
The investigation of werewolves.
THE TIME PERIOD.
I’m dying.
I totally forgot this was coming out although I knew PG had a YA book coming out at some point. Your review makes this book sound like it is full of win-I am especially intrigued by the attraction between Luca and Isolde…and how they must fight it since it is forbidden.
I *really* want to read this one. Great review!
I love Philippa Gregory and I’m beyond excited for this book!
Okay so I may be the biggest dork-loser in the entire world because I’ve never read anything by this author. And seriously, everyone always talks about how her books are incredible. But honestly, I’m a bit overwhelmed because I’m WAY BEHIND and all that. But now with her having a YA title I feel a little bit better because I can catch it on the front-end, ya know?
Actually, I sort of downplayed that a little bit. I’m actually super duper excited. I kinda fell in love with Grave Mercy and want a little more of these church-centered historical books. Or, you know what I mean. Books like these.
Also, check out that stare the gal on the cover is giving us. She is some serious broad, no? Duuuude. What the hell. Those eyes burn my face.
Hmm I really liked The Other Boleyn Girl, so I think I’ll give this one a try this summer. I know I tried another one of her books and gave up, but this one sounds really intriguing!
I have to tell you, this was one of those times where I didn’t get past the first paragraph of your review before heading to GR to add this to my TBR. I came back and read the rest, but I didn’t need to, you’d already convinced me. The romance in this is going to kill me though…FORBIDDEN, and yet, I want it so bad in that hot for teacher kinda way. But you know, hot for clergy? Hrm…a lesser known fantasy.
O.M.G I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this! I’ve loved Gregory for YEARS, her books are so amazing, I did a happy dance when I found out she was writing a YA.
I need to try me an audiobook or two. Which one would you recommend as a first try? (And I’m not sure if you’ve realized but the GR widget shows that you have read 0 out of 250 books. :/)
“I always brake for medieval times.” I love your reviews because of lines like this. I haven’t read anything by Gregory, although I’ve picked up her books several times while browsing the bookstore. I just can never commit to buying one. HOWEVER, with your stamp of approval, I will definitely be checking this one out. I’ll probably pass on the audiobook (but only because I’m just getting in to audiobooks & am still getting used to following a book by listening to it). I love historical fiction, and this sounds like a good one. Can’t wait to read it!
I can’t wait to check this one out! I’ve read other Philippa Gregory books as well and found them quite fascinating. Thanks for the review!
WAIT WAIT WAIT an accented audiobook
need.