The Perfect Fire Trilogy: Book 1 - Blue Flame

     Many years have passed since the Occitanian knights killed Richard the Lionheart while trying to protect the Blue Flame - sparked at the moment of Christ's death - from falling into the wrong hands. Now it is in danger once again as enemies from the North draw near, preparing to stake their claim to the Flame's promise of power.
     In the midst of the looming battle, lifelong friends Raimon, son of a Cathar weaver, and Yolanda, daughter of a Catholic count, are falling in love. But the arrival of an inquisitor to their beloved Castleneuf changes everything, as his search for the Blue Flame endagers their relationship, their families, and their very lives.

     This deadly religious crusade sets boy against girl, family against family, neighbor against neighbor, South against North. Though many seek to possess the Blue Flame, only one person is destined to wield its power to save the people and the sovereignty of Occitan.



Language
None. Damned shows up a few times, but it's used in correct context...

Violence
Some characters fight, one is almost burned at the stake.


Sexual Content
When Yolanda slips out, one of the guards asks "Who's the lucky boy tonight? If he's unavailable, I'll volunteer." During an inquisitation, the judge asks a man if he slept in his own bed that night, to which he replies "Is there a woman who claims otherwise?"


This was a good book. I'd never really known about this period in history. Beautifully written, as usual, Grant pulls it off flawlessly. The book does contain a lot of talk about burning of heretics. The valley is divided between Catholic and Cathar, both Christians, both equally stubborn and uncompromising. I rate it PG for mild violence and some mature themes.