The Plague

Nell and her little brother, George, have been orphaned by the horrible plague that is sweeping across Europe in the mid-1300s. But one strange twist of fate saves them from scrounging for survival on the dirty streets: Nell looks exactly like Princess Joan. In fact, they could be identical twins. After the king discovers this phenomenon, he invites Nell to move into the castle and act as a security double for his daughter. Nell and George continue to mourn the death of their parents, but at least (for now) they're safe. By the time Nell is 15, she has been living with the princess for a few years and they have become good friends; Nell admires Joan's grace and wisdom, and Joan appreciates having company. But like it or not, their lives are about to change again, for the princess is engaged and boarding a ship to join her fiancé. Nell, of course, is accompanying her to continue to act as her security double, and wherever Nell goes, George goes as well. They may never return to England, which both scares and excites them. Joan's older brother, the Black Prince, looks forward to expanding the castle's relations and joins them on the journey. However, the union between nations screeches to a halt when the princess tragically dies from the plague. The Black Prince refuses to give up this powerful union, despite the death of his sister. He forces Nell to take over Princess Joan's life as they continue their journey. Nell attempts to protest with all of her might; her loyalty to the now-dead princess and the king is strong and deep. Only the prince's threat of killing her little brother forces Nell to go along with the masquerade. But not everyone is in agreement with the prince. A plan is hatched, enabling Nell, George and a young soldier named Henry to escape. With the help of some loyal friends, the trio flees into the night. But will they be able to elude the Black Prince's clutches and warn the king in time? Following her horror- and suspense-filled debut, CREEPERS, Joanne Dahme takes a different route in her second book, choosing to delve into the historical past and a Plague-infested 14th century Europe. She brings this frightening time of danger, disease and death to life with vivid descriptions --- "It was cold and damp in this three-walled room, and I swore I could smell the fear of the hundreds of souls who had made this same journey before us. I wondered if our fear, too, would cling to the air long after we left this place." --- and presents readers with a colorful cast of characters that will long be remembered. Nell is especially vibrant, with her tender heart and brave spirit. THE PLAGUE is truly captivating, and I look forward to seeing what she has in store for fans next. --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT, GHOSTS OF THE UPPER PENINSULA and THE BLACK POND

Nell and her brother George are left alone in the world when their parents die from the pestilence that is ravaging London and all of Europe. But then by chance Nell discovers that she looks exactly like the princess Joan, and she and George are whisked to the royal palace to assist the princess and for Nell to act as a decoy to anyone who might wish to harm her. Two years later, Joan and Nell have become friends, and Nell and George are accompanying Joan to her new home in Spain where her betrothed, the prince of Spain, is awaiting her. But on their journey, the pestilence strikes, and Joan is taken. Desperate to make the alliance between the two countries still, Joan's brother, the Black Prince, forces Nell to assume the role of the princess. Fearful of both The Black Prince and the plague, Nell and George flee, unwilling to be a part of The Black Prince's plot. But they will have to evade much more than just the plague in order to survive... The Plague is an interesting and rather different take on the lives of two young people affected by the plague in the year 1348. One element of Dahme's writing that stands out the most is the gritty, harsh description of the land that is the reality of a country consumed by the pestilence and overrun by grime and pests, which lends an air of authenticity to the entire book. Dahme's plot line also offers a more adventurous look at the times, which does its job at drawing readers in, and the superstitious slant propels The Plague along, leaving readers hanging in suspense. However, the occasional anachronisms and slightly unbelievable plot secure The Plague's status as a more adventurous novel meant to entertain more than give a serious look at the struggles of the people in that time, and teens looking for a more introspective look at the time of the plague may want to look up Geraldine Brooks' Year of Wonders as well. Despite this, The Plague is a unique and engrossing read with admirable characters and possess a good, even pace that will even entice the reluctant reader. This is one to stick on the wish list.

Nell and her younger brother George lost their parents to the plague in London, and were only rescued from the fate of being left orphaned and alone in the devastated city by chance. King Edward was traveling through the city to view the devastation of the plague for himself, and happened to notice Nell, who had a strong resemblance to his own daughter, Princess Joan. He decided to rescue the children and bring them to his castle so that Nell could be a companion and double for the princess. Now, two years later, in 1348, fifteen-year-old Nell and nine-year-old George are accompanying the princess on her journey to marry Prince Pedro of Castile. Also along for the journey is the princess's sinister older brother, the Black Prince, who frightens Nell. At the start of the sea voyage, they hear rumors that the plague has returned, and upon their arrival at Bordeaux, they discover the rumors to be truth. When Princess Joan dies of the plague, the Black Prince decides that Nell, as the princess's look-a-like, must take her place so the political marriage can occur as planned. Nell knows that this deception cannot end well and is determined to run away with George and make her way back to England and the King to tell the truth of what happened. Her escape through the plague-stricken countryside is full of peril, and she is not sure which of her unlikely allies she can truly trust. The Plague is an exciting and interesting historical novel that brings to life the plague of 1348, now known as the Black Death, which devastated Europe but which is little-written about for young adults. Although some of the events in the story seemed implausible at times, overall it was a gripping and enjoyable read that I would recommend for readers who enjoy young adult historical fiction. One thing I would have liked to have seen is a historical note about some of the real places, events, and people featured in the story, since many are not well-known to the average reader that would read this book.