Thompson, Ricki. City of Cannibals.

Thompson, Ricki. City of Cannibals.
Front Street Books (see Boyd's Mill Press) 2010 269p 18.95
978-1-59078-623-9 ms/hs
To escape her family’s cruelty, Dell runs away from her isolated mountain home to Reformation London, a city she has been told is inhabited by cannibals. If, like me, you expected a zombie novel from the blurb on the back cover -- prepare for disappointment. The back cover on the uncorrected proof reads: “A cloud of smoke filled the air in front of her and stung her eyes. Dripping fat sizzled, and through the greasy smoke, Dell could see something turning on a spit. It was a human leg -- it was the leg of the woman who sat outside the gate. She looked closer. No. Not a human leg. A leg of mutton. Just mutton. Father was right. This city was Hell, and now she was a part of it. Her eyes blurred with tears, but whether they were caused by remorse or smoke, she couldn’t tell.” If, however, you enjoy historical fiction, particularly with a strong female protagonist and spare, elegant prose -- this book is sure to appeal to you. The heroine, Dell, is un-”common” (descended from a royal lady-in-waiting to Katherine of Aragon) yet her adventures expose her (and the reader) to the voices of the common folk who had to walk the fine line of loyalty to the King (or lose your life) or loyalty to the Pope (or lose your soul) in voices which ring true. The idea of a lovely maiden raised by dwarves stretches credulity (and carries overtones of certain fairy tales...). Dell is exceptionally gullible and trusting, but the adventure sweeps the (forgiving) reader along. Dell’s blossoming romance with a young (Spanish?) man several weeks from taking his vows with the Church is also unlikely. Few novels set in this time period (Reformation England -- Henry VIII ruling Britain) tell the story from a commoner's point of view. Generally, readers are introduced to the fallout resulting from Henry’s ascension to the Head of the Church of England, and his multiple marriages, from the point of view of a leading historical figure, or an insider of the Royal Court. It is this POV that makes the novel stand out. Readers receive an authentic glimpse of the strain commoners faced in staying loyal to their faith and their sovereign simultaneously. From page one, some of the scenes are a bit earthy -- however the language is appropriate for the era depicted. Welliver, Hilary