Review of Waldensian Martyrs

[Olga Markova]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Waldensian Martyrs" by Pam Vause.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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The Waldensian Martyrs by Pam Vause is a remarkable historical fiction novel that transports us to the fifteenth century. The story unfolds in Borgata Cyrus, an Italian village located high in the Italian Alps, near the French border. We meet the residents of this village—a unique small community professing Waldensian faith. In defiance of the persecution by the Pope, the Waldenses are educating and sending their missionaries to other cities in Italy to explain the Bible and gain supporters for their faith. This mission is highly perilous, as the papal army pursuing the worldwide dominance of the Roman Catholic Church assassinates with the utmost cruelty all dissenters of the Catholic faith. And it’s not only the missionaries who are in peril—the Pope’s soldiers take over the villages populated by non-Catholics and kill all dissenters. Against this backdrop, we meet the Waldensian de Vaux family. Pietro, the senior son, is a medical doctor leaving his native village of Borgata Cyrus to start his job at the hospital in Firenze, with the covert mission to profess Waldensian faith. But will he accomplish his quest?

The Waldensian Martyrs by Pam Vause is one of the most riveting historical fiction novels I read recently. I liked how thoroughly the novel portrayed the life of the de Vaux family and the Waldensian community. I also liked that nearly every episode had unexpected surprises to unravel. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of photographs of many places described in the novel—Pam took them when visiting Italy to enhance the research for the novel, and I loved how they added remarkable authenticity to the illustrated episodes. As an Anglican, I felt for the Waldensians, and their quest often made me think how blessed we are now with being free to enjoy our faith without fear of persecution by the Vatican. I also enjoyed the glimpses into the Medici family, John Wycliffe’s reformist legacy, and Leonardo Da Vinci’s role. But most of all, I liked the underlying theme of unwavering faith in God.

All in all, this is a fabulous novel, and I disliked nothing. So, I happily rate it five out of five stars.

I highly recommend this novel to adult historical fiction fans. Intermittent scenes of medieval violence make this novel unpalatable for junior and sensitive readers. In addition, devout Catholics may find this novel objectionable because of the negative portrayal of the Roman Catholic Church.

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Waldensian Martyrs
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[Louis Donald]

The historical setting and the portrayal of the Waldensians' unwavering faith in the face of persecution really caught my attention. I’m intrigued by how the novel intertwines history with unexpected twists and even includes real photographs to enhance the authenticity. Given the subject matter and the strong themes of faith, I’d be interested in reading it to see how it unfolds.

[Pearl Flourish]

Pam Vause’s “Waldensian Martyrs” offers a vivid portrayal of 15th-century Italy, immersing readers in the harrowing experiences of the de Vaux family amid religious persecution. The inclusion of authentic photographs enriches the narrative, providing a tangible connection to the historical events depicted. This compelling blend of history and storytelling not only educates but also resonates deeply, highlighting the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

[George Bastem]

The novel paints a vivid and gripping picture of the Waldensians’ struggle for their faith during a brutal time in history. I appreciated how it brought historical events to life with surprising twists and rich details. The personal stories and faith of the characters made it an engaging read, though it’s definitely more suited for adults due to the violence and sensitive themes.

[Bertha Jackson]

I like that the author took time to take pictures of the Italian places where this storyline takes place. I noticed this when I was sampling the book and saw the picture of the ancient city of Borgata Cyrus. I agree with this reviewer that this makes the story more authentic. Thank you for your review.

[rusyalana]

The book sounds really exciting. Sometimes I think that church is more politics and business than actual faith as they are always trying to destroy, bribe, kill everyone whose opinion goes against them. It will be interesting to read this book. Congratulations on becoming BOTD!

[Gabriela Contreras Gonzalez]

This historical fiction novel set in Italy follows a small community of Waldensian faith. Not afraid of persecution, they are determined to share their faith. What happened to them?

[Lauren Stjohn]

This historical novel covers adventure and the dichotomy of religious sects. One would not generally relate religion to war, yet much has been written about dissent since the turmoil of Jesus's stories and enactments. The affirmation of faith is an encouragement during this century we live in. The reviewer has covered the novel's plot and the interaction of dissent. I will read this with great enthusiasm.

[Nazma P]

The summery of the review do sounds interesting. However, religion related fiction is not my cup of tea. But I do believe this book is a great read for the people interested in such topics. Thanks for the free copy.

[Neto Onuoha]

As a Catholic, I have mixed feelings about this book but I get why it appeals to non-Catholics. And it will definitely be a good read for them. Either way, it’s a good book but not one I would read. Congratulations on making BOTD.

[Mr Benj]

Waldensian Martyrs" by Pam Vause, a book that features Cyrus, missionaries, and the pope. It will be great to read about the struggles between the various groups and how the papal army went from place to place. This is an interesting book to read.

[Leen282]

15th century, great setting for historical fiction. I like the idea of the book, missionaries of the Waldensian community coming in conflict with the Pope. Real pictures will help the imagination to give a mental image of the actual place with the fictional events including the scenes of medieval violence.

[Kibet Hillary]

Indeed, we have so much to be grateful for right now, but some would also wonder whether it also comes with another consequence of many being lukewarm. The story of the de Vaux family sounds really interesting and I am happy that every episode has great surprises.
Many thanks for this amazing review, @Olga Markova.

[Chris Agbara]

"The Waldensian Martyrs" by Pam Vause is a riveting historical fiction novel that masterfully portrays the struggles of the Waldensian community in 15th-century Italy. With vivid descriptions, unexpected twists, and a strong theme of faith, this book is a must-read for historical fiction fans. 5/5 stars!

[Magdalyne chebet]

"The Waldensian Martyrs" by Pam Vause is a gripping historical novel that brings 15th-century Italy to life. The story of faith, persecution, and resilience is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Vause’s vivid storytelling and real-life details make it a powerful, thought-provoking read. Congrats BOTD!