Review by Ian Keogh
A fulsome synopsis opens this volume, explaining the nuance and shifting allegiances of 15th century France more lucidly than in Book I. A young girl called Joan is masquerading as a man called Emil and following the footsteps of Joan of Arc. After taking a leap of faith from captivity to end Book I she now believes the ghost of Joan is somehow helping her, and she must come to the aid of King Charles. She’s already met his power hungry son, the dauphin Louis.
Relatively early here she also meets Charles, not at all the personality expected for keeping the assorted dukes of small kingdoms under control, never mind entirely evicting the English from France. He’s well characterised in a volume that delves deep into the internal period politics over the first third.
In attempting to convey the complexities of the time accurately Yoshikazu Yasuhiko has set himself a difficult task. There’s more told in-story this time, but the volume still requires pages of explanatory notes after the story has ended. Around the halfway point, though, there’s an unexpected swerve in to the activities of Gilles de Rais, a notoriously sadistic general with a fondness for murdering children. Contradictorily, he also accompanied Jean of Arc loyally. Given the prejudice and rivalries of the time there’s now uncertainty as to whether de Rais was the monster bequeathed to history, but that’s the portrait Yasuhiko follows.
It’s presumably intended as a test of strength and virtue, but proves interlude and frustrating distraction as the unpleasantness switches the tone of the story. However, Yasuhiko eventually reveals how the redemption arc impacts on the bigger picture. By the end Joan is back on track for the conclusion in Book III, but much of Book II steps down the wrong path.
