Alice Hoffman weaves an elegant, poetic tale of love, betrayal, and secret identity, set during the Spanish Inquisition. Sixteen year old Estrella deMadrigal believes the bond between herself and best friend, Catalina, can never be severed--that is, until she kisses Andres, Catalina's betrothed, and falls in love. Their covert romance ignites a series of harrowing events which unearth the shadowy history of Estrella's family. A novella--only 166 pages long--this is a captivating story, one well-suited for teens: simple and a quick read, yet alluring: rich in passion, emotional intensity, and authorial craft.
