The Stolen Girl: A Gripping Historical Fiction Novel (The Veil and the Crown) - Perfect for Book Clubs & Historical Fiction Lovers

I knew some things about each of these, but did not know of this particular historical connection. Aimee Dubucq de Rivery, the heroine of this part of Wesley’s series, is one connection, and a very interesting one. At the outset of the historical novel, I thought that adventurous, impetuous Rose was the likely protagonist, not Aimee. However, Aimee turned out to be very complex in her innocence, her practicality, her sensuality, and her will to meet her destiny. Wesley’s use of the Irish Pythoness Euphemia David to prophesy the fate of the two teenagers ties the seemingly improbable events of Aimee’s early life together, but when we read the Author’s Note, we encounter Wesley’s assertion that the prophecy was historical fact. Brief research supports Zia Wesley’s assertions about Rose, but the connection of Aimee to the Sultan and Ottoman Empire rests only on legend. However, this is a novel, not an attempt to claim historical fact. As a novel, we find clearly conceived characters, a historically based plot, wonderful descriptions of Aimee’s thoughts and feelings as well as the scenes in Martinique, Paris, and most impressively, the palaces, customs and personalities of Ottoman culture, are informative and expressive of how adaptable young Aimee might have been.