Act of Faith

This little book was not at all what I expected.  I don't always read the inside cover before I decide on a book.  Most of the time I read the first sentence of the synopsis and decide from there.  So the only thing I knew about Act of Faith by Kelly Gardiner was that it took place in 1640 in England and that's it.  Oh!  I also knew that it had a seal on the cover stating it won some kind of award I had never heard of in Australia.  Based on these two things, I felt compelled to read it and boy was it worth it!  I highly recommend it. 

Act of Faith is about a young scholarly woman whose father is arrested because of ideals of liberty and freedom.  They escape but she finds herself alone and taken in by a Spanish Jewish printer.  They continue printing materials that were effectively illegal in their time and finally end up journeying (fleeing?) across Europe to escape the Inquisition and other unsavory characters.  The main character, Isabella, is a strong female in a time when strong females were very unwelcome.  At the same time she is a believable character.  This book contains themes of strength, overcoming trials, and the strong bonds of friendship.  Please enjoy this treasure.