Cuando Nostradamus, temblando y con los ojos enloquecidos, proclama a la corte francesa su profecía de la gran masacre de San Bartolomé, el asesinato en masa de los protestantes calvinistas franceses conocidos por hugonotes, el joven rey Carlos se ríe de las palabras del adivino. Su madre, Catalina de Medici, presta más at ención a los augurios del profeta, ya que cree que es realmente capaz de ver el futuro. Pero las profecías de Nostradamus no son sólo para aquéllos que gobiernan; también tiene un mensaje para Mélisande, la hija del juglar del rey, porque el adivino está seguro de que el destino le vincula a ella. La joven deberá tener a buen recaudo un secreto por el que los miembros de la alta nobleza francesa darían cualquier cosa. Una sorprendente y profunda aventura que se desarrolla en los turbulentos años de finales del siglo dieciséis en Francia, una época de asesinatos, traiciones, visionarios y luchas de poder.

[This is a review I wrote in 2009]

**Gripping historical fiction set in the religious turmoil of sixteenth-century France**

Background: It's 1566 - a time of religious unrest and intolerance across Europe. In France, Lutheran and Calvinist (Protestant) ideas have been infiltrating across from Germany since the Reformation, threatening the traditional Catholic faith. By 1566 France has entered a period now known as 'The French Wars of Religion'. French Huguenots (Protestants) are destroying religious icons and images across Catholic churches, and are in turn being persecuted for their beliefs. The young King Charles IX is on the throne, having not long ended his mother's (the domineering Catherine de Medici's) regency by declaring his legal majority in 1563 at the age of thirteen. Charles IX however remains under the influence of his mother throughout his short rule, until his death in 1574. Nostradamus (or Michel de Nostradame) is a famous seer and at the age of 62 in 1566, quite elderly by the standards of sixteenth-century-France. He is also favoured, and therefore his prophecies are taken seriously, by the king's mother, Catherine de Medici.

Set against this background of religious unrest and political manoeuvres at court is the story of Melisande, her sister Chantelle, and her father - talented court minstrels who are currently performing at the court of Catherine de Medici and the King. Nostradamus, also making an appearance at court, prophesies a most vile massacre on the streets of Paris. But that is not all, he sees something in young Melisande too and he sees a great difficulty ahead of her. Melisande's story is not all of tragedy; as her purpose becomes clear and her path is set before her she also finds a little romance which helps her with the fulfilment of her destiny.

This is a really gripping novel. You can't help but care about Melisande - she seems like a girl you couldn't help but like if you met her now - so it's easy to fall into her world in sixteenth-century France. The story picks up in pace as it goes along and by the time you're half way though you'll find it hard to put it down until you've found out what happens at the end. A really good intertwining of historical fact and fiction creates a dramatic and authentic tale. Highly recommended. Suitable for older children, young adults and adults. ( )

http://www.monniblog.com/2008/05/the-nostradamus-prophecy/ ( )

Leuk boek over voorspellingen van Nostradamus en de Bartholomeusnacht in Parijs. ( )

Minstrel's daughter Melisande never thought she would be entangled in affairs of state, but when famed prophet Nostradamus foretells a great massacre that will rock France, he has a separate message for Melisande. And it is to Nostradamus that Melisande turns when she is forced to flee from King Charles' court. She finds that her fate is entwined with his, as well as with King Charles, Catherine de Medici, Henri of Navarre and the intriguing leopard-trainer, Melchior.

The Nostradamus Prophecy is a gripping tale of adventure - a historical novel with a touch of the fantastical and a 'fantasy-style' structure following Melisande along her quest to decipher Nostradamus' prophecy. I liked Melisande - her quick wits and good heart made her easy to root for, and I enjoyed the bits of the novel where she explored her musical talent as well. The scene where she sings a song to Paladin the leopard was particularly memorable.

I figured out the prophecy pretty early on - the hints are all there and a basic knowledge of history helped supply the rest, and I admit to being a little frustrated (probably unjustly) with Melisande for being slow to work that out when she was otherwise quick-witted. But I enjoyed reading about the political machinations of the house of Guise (and spying), the religious discussions that would so soon lead to catastrophe, and the medicine and astrology of the time. It was all drawn from history and fascinating.

Breslin also gets the reader to care about a number of the secondary characters as the novel progressed - Giorgio, the apothecary who suffered torture; Lord Thierry, a just lord but dangerous; and of course patient Melchior and his leopard Paladin. I was genuinely concerned for their safety, and I felt betrayed alongside Melisande when those we had trusted turned out to not be quite who we had believed.

The Nostradamus Prophecy was a fast-paced read, and while the story is slower in the middle, I never thought it dragged. It was a gripping adventure story, and one that got me interested in a little more research on the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. ( )