Ernestine by Kate Reynolds

Ernestine is the tale of a small-time bunco artist turned nun. In 1527, Sister Ernestine arrives reluctantly in Inquisition-shackled Spain carrying guilt and a document that can change the European balance of power. Her plans to repent are interrupted when she discovers that she's been tracked to Spain by a French spy who covets the document she carries. Ernestine must decide whether to risk her life trying to fulfill a promise or stay and face her fears in the abbey that has offered her succor and friendship. Ernestine is a story of honor, love, and friendship.

Semi Finalist

Plot/Idea: 10 out of 10

Originality: 10 out of 10

Prose: 10 out of 10

Character/Execution: 9 out of 10

Overall: 9.75 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot: Reynolds’s intricate plot transports the reader to sixteenth-century Spain. Ernestine is a plucky, likable heroine, surrounded by equally intriguing characters.

Prose/Style: Atmospheric writing brimming with well-placed historical details pulls the reader into the heart of the story.

Originality: Reynolds crafts a realistic, believable picture of a distant era. Her focus on the idiosyncratic, deeply religious life at the abbey at Granada is a breath of fresh air.

Character Development/Execution: Reynolds’s elegant prose buoys the plot. Ernestine is a delightful character who readers will empathize with.

Blurb: This work of historical fiction brims with life and heart. A story of religiosity, love, and friendship in sixteenth-century Spain are painted with sweeping swathes of color.

Date Submitted: June 03, 2021

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