Book Review - The Heron Legacy by Leona Francombe

The Heron Legacy
By Leona Francombe

Publication Date: 14th June 2024
Publisher: Merle Books Brussels
Page Length: 399 Pages
Genre: Suspense / Historical

How far can you reach into the past?

When Charles Fontaine returns to Europe to sell his family’s ancestral domain in the Ardennes Forest, he finds that a twelfth-century legend still haunts the property. Clues lead him to a parchment relating the curious tale of a village seeress, whose music enchanted a nobleman with shadowy ties to the present-day Fontaine family. With the help of a famous medievalist and enigmatic woman from his youth, Charles draws ever closer to the truth of this tale and its stunning historical revelation...and to his own buried past. The Heron Legacy is a novel of modern suspense through which history roams freely, its breath still warm.

An enthralling historical what-if from the author of The Universe in 3/4 Time: A Novel of Old Europe, shortlisted for the 2023 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize.

 

Charles Frontaine is a successful lawyer in his father’s firm. He gives off the impression of having it all. However, beneath the surface lies a man with a single desire: to return to his ancestral homelands and to once again explore the estate with his uncle and discover the secrets of his ancestors.

Unfortunately, things are not as simple as they seem. Before Charles knows it, he uncovers the truth about his father’s scheme. A scheme that would see the estate sold for a price Charles could never afford. If he is to save the estate he must stay one step ahead of his father, but that is easier said than done.

Lovers of thrillers/mysteries with a historical and paranormal twist will be thrilled by Francombe’s book, which masterfully weaves together a poetic narrative and a successfully ambitious plot. The Heron Legacy by Leona Francombe is not only highly entertaining but also impossible to set aside. Another page turned into another chapter. This is the kind of book that makes a reader forgo sleep to finish. 

The reader’s first encounter with Charles Frontaine occurs when he is only 17 years old. His father, the rather formidable and uncompromising, Hugues Fontaine, is determined to leave Belgium and start a new life in America. But going to America is the last thing that Charles wants to do. He would rather stay where he was, study history and eventually become a historian like his uncle, Theodore. Charles’ true home is in his ancestral lands in the Ardennes, which includes Villa Antioch, the ruins of Blancheron Castle, the river Semois, and not forgetting the seemingly enchanted forest. Despite this, he has no alternative but to go with his father to America. Once in America, his father is determined to mould him into a younger model of himself, and without his Uncle Theodore’s support, Charles becomes what his father wants him to be. However, beneath the façade of a prosperous lawyer lies a man who yearns to return home and delve into the history of his forefathers and the enigma of the white heron. I thought Charles' portrayal was fabulous drawn. In his youth he is somewhat idealistic and a dreamer to some extent, finding himself drawn into the world of his ancestors through his imagination. He desires to uncover the truth behind the local legends and he feels a deep connection to his ancestral lands, especially the river and the legendary tale of the seeress, Arda. As he approaches middle age, he begins to come into his own and finally takes control of his own life. Charles is an unlikely hero, but to stand up to his father took a tremendous amount of courage, even when he was a man grown. I thought Charles' character came across with a strong sense of realism and he was a character that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. 

Another character that I adored was Uncle Theodore. He is an irresistible source of inspiration, especially when it comes to his love for history and, in particular, the First Crusade. Considering Charles’ deep respect for his uncle and his ardent interest in history, it is logical for him to opt for living with him rather than his father; however, he has to go to America with his father, despite his fervent desire to remain behind. Without his uncle’s influence, Charles soon falls into step with his father’s wishes. Theodore’s portrayal was beautifully depicted; he’s not your typical textbook teacher, but he truly brings history to life as he seemingly lives and breathes it.

Despite being set in the present day, Francombe’s novel effectively resurrects the 11th century and offers readers a realistic depiction of the lives of the early Crusaders. Francombe skilfully illustrates the fervent response of European Christians to Pope Urban II’s call for a crusade to reclaim the Holy Lands from the Muslims, with the arrogant assumption that “Deus vult,” God wills it. With meticulous attention to historical accuracy, Francombe has brought the era to life by utilizing original documents, local legends, the protagonist’s vivid imagination, and a hint of the supernatural. Her portrayal of Godfrey of Bouillon was nothing short of exceptional.

Francombe skillfully engages her readers in the story by appealing to all the senses, such as the scent of Aunt Ida’s perfume, reminiscent of orange blossoms. The warm touch of a stone whose age is infinite. The sun’s warmth and the cool breeze. The squeaky noise of an ancient sofa is accompanied by the scent of aged parchment and books. This approach really brought this story to life and was an absolute treat to read.

I found the supernatural elements of this book particularly captivating. There is a distinct otherworldly quality to the writing that adds to the story’s mystique. As Charles delves deeper into the history and the legends, he gradually comprehends that his uncle was correct all along - history is not as far away as one might believe - it is within touching distance.

Leona Francombe’s book, The Heron Legacy, is brilliantly tantalizing, turning each page into a voyage of discovery. It explores not only the documented history but also the journey of Charles as he learns to fight for his true desires and the life he wants to live. For those who appreciate an exhilarating thriller with a dose of history, this book is a must-read. I’m eagerly anticipating reading more works from this exceptionally talented author.

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Leona Francombe

Author, pianist and composer Leona Francombe is of English and Czech heritage and grew up in the United States. Her novels include: "The Heron Legacy" (Merle Books Brussels, 2024); "The Universe in 3/4 Time: A Novel of Old Europe" (Merle Books Brussels, 2021, shortlisted for the Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize); "The Sage of Waterloo" (W.W. Norton, 2015); "Madame Ernestine und die Entdeckung der Liebe" (Random House Germany, 2014). She is also the author of many short stories and essays. Her work is inspired by, among other things: European history and atmosphere, music, ancient mysteries, Nature mysticism, and the otherworldly. "The Heron Legacy" came to life after the unexpected discovery of a medieval ruin in a remote part of the Ardennes forest. A piano abandoned on a Brussels street one winter's night was the catalyst for "The Universe in 3/4 Time". Leona lives with her family in Belgium.

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