Citadel: A Novel (Languedoc Trilogy Book 3)

I've read "Labyrinth" (which I quite enjoyed, and "Sepulchre" (which I liked a little less, but it was still a fun read.) So I expected "Citadel" to be pretty great. A novel about the French Resistance featuring strong women; how can you go wrong? Well, you can when you are overly wordy. Mosse asks us to read on and on and on about everything she can imagine about the characters, their pasts, the forgotten texts of the Gnostics (which really make up a book in themselves), then scenes of excruciating torture and brutality by both the Nazis and the French collaborationists. I thought I would go mad before she ever came to the point in some scenes. The way to create tension is not to drag a scene out unendurably. Tension can be achieved by surprise, psychological switches and other devices.I was also puzzled and dismayed by the ending, which, after the big build-up of the novel, is a massive let-down.One other little note: I didn't mind the supernaturalism Moss adds. That's one of her big features. But I did mind that she hardly mentioned the Allies' part in saving France from the Germans. In fact, she seems to delight in writing about how their airdrops often missed the mark. I was in Paris on the day they marked the anniversary of the landing at Normandy and let me tell you, the French are grateful. Why is Mosse so afraid to mention the Allies' contribution? It doesn't take away from the French Resistance at all.In all, I learned a lot, but I'm still sorry I spent so much time reading this unnecessarily long book

I loved this book, even more than the first two in the Languedoc series. I give it a HUGE recommendation for fans of historical fiction, fans of novels following dual timelines, and fans of mysteries with a touch of magic thrown in.As with the other two books in the series, this third follows two timelines. The first begins in 342 AD, when a possibly heretical monk named Arinius is trying to deliver a strange Coptic parchment holding powerful and mysterious words to a safe place, eventually making his way to Carcaso in southwestern Gaul. The second begins in 1942 France, when 18 year old Sandrine gets caught up in the events of World War II, the German occupation of the north of France, and the supposedly "zone non-occupee" in the south, including Carcassonne in the Languedoc region. Both timelines have their protagonists dealing with military invasion, religious oppression, and the search for and protection of a powerful "key" with world-changing properties, with both protagonists becoming central figures in the resistance of the locals against the invading forces. As with the first two books, the heroes are assisted at times by the enigmatic, preternaturally long-lived Audric Baillard.Even more than the first two books, I found this novel to be fantastically compelling in its writing and its plot. Mosse is expert in lush description of her scenes, doing so without sacrificing plot or pacing. The chapters are of a perfect length - not too short and not too long - such that the reader keeps getting drawn into reading more and more because the end of the next chapter is only a few pages away. Without spoiling the plot, the scene of the denouement near the end is gorgeous in its inspirational writing showcasing the author's true love for the land and people of the Languedoc, and the epilogue was so well-crafted that I had tears in my eyes reading it. I was so captivated by this book that I recommended it vociferously to my parents and friends who don't normally read this type of book.The writing was so good that the notes I take on my phone didn't include even minor grammar, punctuation, or syntax issues as is my normal habit, although I'm sure there must have been one or two. But the book is so good that I'll excuse whatever mistakes might have been included in the final draft.I give this book my highest recommendation for readers of historical fiction with a bit of fantasy thrown in. Go read the first two in this series, then get blown away by this third.

Kate Mosse works hard to please her fans but I think "Citadel" is an example of an author trying to do too much. It is part historical novel, love story, and tale of the supernatural; a little too ambitious in scope.Had she concentrated on the main theme of the role of women in the French Resistance, she could have scored big. The need to throw in a ghost army was unnecessary and a let down in the end. In order to support this theme, mosse developed characters like Audric Baillard, the immortal who is as boring as he is centuries old. I know that Mosse is trying to tie everything together in her trilogy about Langeudoc, but I found it all to be a bit tedious at times.As usual, Mosse is at her best when using her well researched knowledge and wonderful descriptive knack to keep the reader going. Despite this, I found by the time I got to about five hundred pages (of six hundred eighty nine total), that I just wanted it to be over.And the end is no happy ending, which, for a brief time made me wish I had not invested the time. Upon reflection, it was the most realistic end to a story about German atrocity and the martyrs they left in their wake.

Not as good as her first two. Seemed more of a history lesson peppered with so many French phrases/sentences/words that it bogged down the potential enjoyment of the story. This one was too much of a documentary style story that should stand on its own rather than trying to fit itself into a trilogy. The 3 stars are for this separate story because she did well in weaving an interesting tale of women's involvement in the WW II resistance. Ms Moss seemed to try too hard to fit it to the other two in the trilogy so the supernatural elements in the previous stories that provided a sense of mystery seemed tacked on in this story. This novel should have stood on its own rather than trying to be a continuation.

I read this book knowing there is a lot of truth and sadness during this time period but the ending of this story was so awful it left the reader with a feeling of no hope and disillusionment for everything that had happened in the book. I've read other books on the French resistance and this one does not measure up.

A super story about a fictional all female French resistance cell operating between 1942 and 1944 during WWII, which would have stood very well on its own without the slightly irritating and frankly weak, parallel story line occurring in the 4th century. In AD342, a monk called Arinius steals a document that has been labelled as heretic and is earmarked for destruction. This 'codex' must be safely hidden and Arinius takes it upon himself to do just that. Interspersed with the AD342 events is the much more interesting storyline that allows the reader to immerse themselves in 1942 France; a France defeated by Germany, partly occupied by the Nazis, struggling to find her feet again in the climate of the Vichy collaborationist regime. I really got involved with the French resistance part of the story, based in and around Carcassonne - it made me realise how truly scary it would have been to live life on a double edged sword like this, trusting nobody, always afraid of betrayal and capture. France has a very special place in my heart and the author brought out the very best of the 'free French' spirit, in her main character, Sandrine and her fellow resistance fighters, otherwise known collectively as 'Citadel'. The main characters were mostly female and although there is no evidence to suggest the existence of a real all female resistance group, (whch Mosse is up front about), it was a really good idea.However, the story seriously fails to gel when we move into a 1942/1944 search for the codex, so long ago hidden in the mountains by AD342 Arinius. Mosse brings the 2 timelines together by suggesting that the codex has supernatural qualities that will allow a ghost army to arise and drive the Nazi occupiers from the Languedoc region. And this is where the reader's suspension of disbelief is very sorely tested indeed! It's a shame that the codex story line was ever introduced because it gives an otherwise excellent book, a kind of ridiculous foray into hocus pocus land. Also, I'd like to know how the character, Audric Baillard, who features in the entire Languedoc trilogy, was able to hang around the region for some 800 years without anybody noticing!Anyway, as I said, it's great as a story of French WWII resistance and endurance. I was disappointed with the ending, but the prologue did make up for some of the sadness in the story.

This is about the Resistance in and around Carcassonne during the War and much of it reads like a true-life account. The setting is the magnificent World Heritage Site of the medieval city, with is ramparts and pointed towers, and the adjacent more modern town with its narrow streets, wide open squares and the nearby Canal du Midi. There is a counter theme dated in the 3rdC about a forbidden codex which links with the contemporary events. Kate Mosse has graced the readers with several essential maps and if you visit the city, a must for every Francophile, you can track down many of the main locations, thanks to more maps, descriptions and photos.Ideally read the two previous books of the trilogy, set in the Languedoc, but Citadel stands on its own and it is not necessary to have read the two previously set books, Labyrinth and Sepulchre but it is recommened and you are likely to become hooked as well as providing background to the codex story. The whole book breathes France, the culture, the heat and the ambience which pervades the whole 960 pages. Kate Mosse has done her research which gives the plot its authenticity and as she lived for a time in Carcassonne she knows the town intimately. Thoroughly recommended.

I loved this book and while I could have read it in the course of one day, I made it last for three - simply to extend the pleasure of being engaged with the characters and the story.What did I like about it?- It was an action story that was plot driven but was also one whose characters were more than two dimensional and about whom I cared. As an example of this, I found myself wanting to shout at some of the characters at times to give advice or a warning, but they ignored me and made their own decisions...- I was left with questions concerning the characters and plot that I needed to think about. Finishing this book was not just a matter of pressing the "next page" button on the Kindle for the last time and then moving on to the next book. This story demanded that I take time after reading it to reflect on it.- The sweep of the land up into the mountains was matched by the sweep of the story. As I read it I thought I could see some of the dramatic "plot-peaks" it was heading towards but could only guess how it would get there. Sometimes I was right but mostly I was off the mark. I enjoyed being drawn into the story like this.Yes, the ending was emotionally complex and difficult, but for me this was also its final and greatest peak and confirmed the book as much more than just another action story.

The third book in the Laberinth series brings books one and two into focus. Although this story can stand alone it is an advantage to have started reading from book one. The Cathars of the 1200's are an interesting group but remember these books are not history but interesting stories built around that time. It makes me want to visit the Languedoc area.

I enjoyed this book, easy reading to escape into. A plus I find interesting is the Occitane references and language as I live in anOccitaine village near some of the places mentioned in the book. My very old neighbours still speak Occitaine and a lot of the historical facts are well researched and used in the three books. Some romance and wartime drama in Carcassone, great storyline and interesting characters. All three books are recommended