Not one of my favorites by this author, but enjoyable. ( )

This is not the edition I read which had 302 pages and a non photo cover. ( )

I fully enjoyed most of the book, and thought of how much my granddaughter would enjoy this as well. Freize's attitude was entertaining, and since Luca didn't seem to acknowledge all the ways his innate intelligence helped them it allowed the reader to feel we were in on the secret. I wasn't expecting magic, but I did wonder how deeply the tale would get into Inquisition. I'm still not sure about Brother Peter's role; perhaps we are deliberately left unsure if he is worthy of trust.
Luca's interaction with the Bishop (portrayed as pompous, easily swayed by flattery) in the second section was just rushed thru. The scene in the nunnery where the nuns removed their wimples seemed to be a take-off on some horror movies and not in character for that era, but I suppose most younger readers will appreciate it and not notice the dissonance. It was also odd that the group heads off toward Pescara at the end without commenting on maybe running into the bishop again. I'll have to read the next book to see if they really do. ( )

Review I wrote in 2020:

Changeling (Order of Darkness Book 1) by Philippa Gregory (2 stars)

The first in a four volume historical series for young adult readers. The year is 1453 and 17-yearold
Luca Vero has been accused of heresy and expelled from his monastery. Narrowly escaping
the death sentence Luca’s potential is spotted by what is presumably the Inquisition (though isn’t
named) and he is sent to map the fears of Christendom and to try heretical cases that he finds
along the way.

On his first mission he encounters the beautiful yet disturbing 17-year-old Lady Abbess, Isolde,
recently entrapped in a nunnery by her brother, to prevent her laying claim to her inheritance.

It’s an okay read but I found it a predictable and the history not as well-written as in her full
historical novels. I suspect teenage readers might find it more engaging...? ( )

I enjoyed reading Changeling because I love historical romance and Philippa Gregory can really do her research an write an awesome book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series because a lot was left to unfold. It's like a Sherlock Holmes book: we have a case, we have clues and testimonies and an amazing detective: Luca Vero. In Watson's place we have Peter, Freize, Isolde and, of course, the smart Ishraq. 4 out of 5 stars. Really liked it. ( )