You can download a free eBook copy of The Cup from my website: www.melissaaddey.comDownloaded 800 times in its first month of publication.The city of Kairouan in Tunisia, 1020. Hela has powers too strong for a child – both to feel the pain of those around her and to heal them. But when she is given a mysterious cup by a slave woman, its powers overtake her life, forcing her into a vow she cannot … vow she cannot hope to keep. Trapped by her vow, Hela loses one chance after another to love and be loved. Meanwhile in her household a child is growing into a woman who will become famous throughout the Muslim world. So begins a quartet of historical novels set in Morocco as the Almoravid Dynasty sweeps across Northern Africa and Spain, creating a Muslim Empire that endured for generations.
Praise for Melissa Addey’s previous historical fiction:
I enjoyed the human drama, the love and hurt, the scheming for revenge, rivalries and loyalties… Reading this novel was a moving and wonderful excursion into a different time. Editor’s Choice, Historical Novel Society
I loved this beautifully written book, which instantly and seamlessly transported me to a foreign land, century, and culture. Amazon reviewer
more
The Cup (The Moorish Empire #1), my first read from author Melissa Addey. Reminiscent of Kate Mosse’s historical fiction. Extremely well-written, the characters, even the minor ones, are well developed. I’m a character reader, I get into the characters. Who and what they are. Why do they do the things they do. The things that make the reader get invested in the characters and thereby the story. I’ll be reading more from this author, I look forward to her next book, now I just have to get A String of Silver Beads (The Moorish Empire #2). “I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.” The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. Darla Middlebrook’s narration fits the book perfectly! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018).
” We must not be so proud as to believe that we are the only person of Importance to Allah”
This is the story of Hela, a healer who is given a cup with magical properties. She uses it to entice a man she is interested in and he dies. To atone his death she enslaves herself to his sister Djalia. But Djalia has been severely abused by her father as a child, and never really trusts anyone because of the trauma. Hela tries to help the situation, but her own issues continue to pile upon her. When, at last, she allows herself to taste freedom , she is drawn back into this strange family cycle.
Such a sad story of psychological terror surrounding an old red wooden cup. Melissa Addey has laid the foundations for a generational cycle of the Moorish Empire of the 11th century. There are three other books in the series, and I plan to read and review all of them. Recommended 4/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and chose to read and review it]
Islamic Morocco Circa 1000 C.E.
This is a historical fiction about the Islamic Society of Northern Africa. The series of four books eventually includes Moorish Spain, Andalusia, and Morocco. This is a really neat series that causes the reader to become completely enveloped in the culture and climate of that world. It is a very good story that is a bit haunting. I can’t wait to read the next in the series. I received this book for free from the author and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
Although this is a prequel, there is no huge cliffhanger to disappoint. Instead the current situation is thoroughly explained and the ending gives you a peek into what the next book will be about. This was my first time reading Melissa Addey and I can truly say that it will not be the last. Her mesmerizing way of laying out the story kept me rapt all the way through! She took an actual piece of history and brought it down to a couple of families that could have lived then and weaved an intricate and interesting story using fact and fiction. I believe she has a real talent for writing historical fiction! Bring in the next!