Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The Curse Of Maiden Scars finds Renna Covert, an 18th century workhouse orphan turned courtesan, struggling to understand her past, survive the machinations of people determined to use her, and hold onto a semblance of self in the midst of a challenging existence. None of these come easy, and before long, Renna faces danger from all directions as long-buried family secrets, from a past she can't remember, are finally unearthed.
Prose: Croft's prose is lovely—even when describing painful moments—and transforms the most gruesome parts of the story into lyrically beautiful scenes. She never shies away from the brutal reality of what women faced in 18th century England, showcasing Renna's quick mind and resilience amid a time in history when women were persecuted and abused.
Originality: The Curse of Maiden Scars is a noteworthy tale, reconstructing itself over time to much more than the story of a poverty-stricken orphan. The book becomes a commentary on society's ills: prostitution, mistreatment of the mentally ill, indifference toward the ravages of poverty, and more, with Croft ably using Renna's life to educate readers in a way that's neither overly obvious or heavy-handed.
Character/Execution: Renna is a sympathetic heroine who readers will root for from page one. She is scarred inside and out, and her headstrong naivete gets her into more trouble than anyone would wish—but that's precisely why she is so memorable. The supporting cast are, like Renna, fully drawn characters in their own right, from best friend Max to authority figure Mother Shipton to Renna's three suitors: Alistair, Henry, and Donovan, all of whom badly want Renna, but for very different reasons.
Date Submitted: August 18, 2024
Croft’s novel is rich in imagery and history, clearly bolstered by her own research into the era, and historical fiction fans will relish following Renna’s compelling life. The power of “scars [to] tell stories” is a recurring motif throughout the book, threading the past with the present, the known with the unknown, and when Camilla’s son, Max, Renna’s sole friend, divulges a dark secret to Renna—that the scarred girl in the asylum is her sister—it triggers a dangerous avalanche of events that put Renna, Max, and Camilla in harm’s way. As a result, Renna and co. must flee to Venice, where Camilla’s sister, Danielle, an enigmatic figure herself, takes them in.
Renna’s time in Venice, where she’s fashioned into a courtesan for the Venetian elite by Danielle, is crafted in shades of excess, wealth, and her fight to have some semblance of control over her own future, all set against the stark backdrop of an ever-changing Venice beset by its efforts to stay neutral amid Napoleon Bonaparte’s shocking victory. In the end, Renna, much like Venice, is forced into a controversial decision in her pursuit of security, highlighting Croft’s shrewd grasp of history and its treatment of women.
Takeaway: 18th century orphan girl fights for belonging in this rich historical fiction.
Comparable Titles: Alyssa Palombo’s The Assassin of Venice, Harriet Constable’s The Instrumentalist.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
