Posie Graeme-Evans, The Innocent

I chose The Innocent by Posie Graeme-Evans as an independent study novel in my 11th grade english class. Reading it was very interesting for me as I have always been a big fan of medieval literature, princesses, kings, queens and the like.

The Innocent is a book about a young girl who falls in love with a married king only to come across the information that she is the daughter of the preceeding king who was killed in battle. This causes great anguish with the young girl as she must choose between her heart and what is necessary.

The description in this book was perfectly crafted. It clearly depicted the queen as being royal and elegant as well as it described the dirty, stench of the London streets.

The "risk factor" as I called it, is the fact that Anne finds out her true identity and risks taking over the kingdom that's rightfully hers, and the risk of her professing her love to the king through sex, even though he's married.

The only bad part was the ending which left many questions but leaves a lot of space for it's successor.

The Innocent

Posie Graeme-Evans

Atria, Apr 2004, $14.00, 400 pp.

ISBN: 0743443721

In 1450, no place in England can be considered safe as the War of the Roses soaks the country in a bloody conflict. A group of soldiers are attacked in a forest. One of the escorted females Jehanne helps a pregnant woman obtain relative safety. However, the woman dies giving birth to Anne. Out of no where, Deborah appears to escort Jehanne and Anne to a haven. Over the next fifteen years Deborah raises Anne like she is her own daughter within the sanctuary of the forest. The youngster learns about herbs and healing while living a pleasant peasant life.

After a scything, Deborah takes Anne to London where her radiant holy-like smile obtains her a servant's job in the household of Mathew Cutifer. Not long afterward, word spreads through the streets of the city about this extraordinary healer living in the Cutifer household. When her skill saves the life of the queen, King Edward IV moves her into his place as a royal healer. However, Edward and Anne fall in love, but both know nothing beyond clandestine trysts can happen between them because his monarchy remains shaky though the civil war is over and he cannot afford a scandal.

THE INNOCENT is a magnificent medieval love story starring a fabulous protagonist who readers will cherish. The story line has plenty of royal intrigue, but focuses on the star-crossed taboo relationship between the married monarch and the heavenly healer. If this delightful fifteenth century relationship drama is any indication, sub-genre fans have a treat as Posie Graeme-Evans owes two more tales in this trilogy.

Harriet Klausner