Now that I’m a decent way into Prisoner, I’m happily caught up in the lives of the characters and walking the gardens of Versailles along with them. I can’t quite offer a full review yet (other than, “This is great! Go buy it!” lol), so today I’m going to focus on something Madeleine, the heroine, keeps reminding herself:

“Be wise as a serpent, but innocent as a dove.”

This is a lesson very important in the duplicitous courts of the Sun King, but no less relevant today. As Christians, we need to be aware of those who would oppose us, know the dangers surrounding us, understand this world we live in–but remain untouched by it. A difficult task for anyone. Can you imagine how hard it would be if you’d been torn from your family, and your one hope for reunion lay in besting a king?

Madeleine is a pampered prisoner at the palace, one who needs to play the games of court without letting her heart or soul fall prey to its charms. This heroine, one with a hope for the future but a powerful past threatening to consume her, must rely on her faith to see her through. A fabulous reminder to us all!

I’ve been really caught up in my own projects as I prepare for conference (two days!) and edit A Stray Drop of Blood for its upcoming re-release, but I’m determined to chisel out a few hours to finish this awesome book. There’s something about court intrigue that, er, intrigues me. =)