15-year old Belle is living with a terrible burden: the knowledge that she caused the accident resulting in the crippling of her father. To atone for this wrong, and seek a miracle for her father, she decides to set off with a group of pilgrims headed for Canterbury. This rag-tag team of pilgrims includes a knight, squire, summoner, prioress, (among others) and the famous poet Master Chaucer. As the group journeys to Canterbury, romance and intrigue erupt. Walter the Squire is quite handsome, but Belle is drawn to the quiet strength of Luke, Master Chaucer's scribe. And Belle is also disturbed to discover that Master Chaucer might be in the middle of a plot to bring the French over to help Richard II's unstable throne. As the group nears Canterbury, each of the character's true colors start to show and adventure is never far away.

This book would make a good beginning level introduction to get teens interested in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales or the problems surrounding Richard II's reign. It's probably best for readers ages 11-15. I was expecting a little bit more segue between Chaucer's stories and Grant's depiction of the characters in the story. Also, not as much historical detail as I would have liked. There are a few brief references to dress, what life in the city was like, and what some of the jobs were back in the 1380s, but the language and actions of the characters felt more modern than anything. Still, a fun read that kept you wondering what Belle's fate would be in the end. ( )

Belle, absorbed in a world of her own, is responsible for the terrible accident that cripples her father. She feels so guilty that she decides to join a group of pilgrims journeying to Canterbury, so she can pray for healing for her father. Also part of the group are the famous writer Geoffrey Chaucer, a blackmailer and two young men – Walter, a knight’s son and Luke, a scribe. Belle is attracted to both men but also has to dodge the unwanted attentions of the blackmailer.
This is a great story featuring romance, political intrigue and mystery in a medieval setting. Despite the setting of the book it deals with a number of contemporary issues. It would appeal to teenage girls who enjoy historical fiction with strong female characters ( )