School Library Journal
YA The saga of the Heron family in 17th-Century England continues with the story of Alethea, daughter of Simon and Thomazine, protagonists of The Moon in the Water and The Chains of Fate (both Berkley, 1984). At 11, Alethea is sent to live with relatives in London to study painting when it becomes obvious that the jealousy of her older half-brother Kit, who has pretensions of becoming an artist, will make her life at home a misery. As the years pass, her talent develops, and Alethea becomes determined to devote herself to her art and never marry. She struggles to hold onto her dream despite setbacks (among them a pregnancy) and old family feuds and animosities coming back to blight the younger generation of Herons. Belle has created a rich tapestry of Restoration England with the laxity and lewdness of Charles II's courtiers, the horror of the London fire of 1666 and the day-to-day uncertainty of life when death and disease are constant companions. She skillfully weaves together the lives of the fictional Herons with real people. Despite some of the themes, this is no mere ''lusty busty'' account of a turbulent time, but rather the story of a fascinating and warmly human family with Alethea (who is under 20 for much of the book) a particularly determined and endearing member of it. The length will put off some readers, but once begun, they will be swept along. Teenagers will identify with many of Alethea's emotions. Betsy Shorb, PGCMLS, Md.