James Conroyd Martin, Against a Crimson Sky

Against a Crimson Sky

James Conroyd Martin

Dunne, August 2006, $24.95

ISBN: 0312326823

While fleeing the Russian assault on Warsaw, the arrogant Countess Zofia falls off a suburban bridge into the River Vistula, only to be rescued by a teenage peasant and his grandfather. When she recovers, she returns to the capital to stay at the home of her suitor Count Pawel, whose previous offer of marriage she has rejected, as Zofia plans to wed Napoleon. However, she is carrying a child, so Zofia must modify her plans for now, as the Little Emperor remains her ultimate objective.

At the same time, Zofia's cousin Anna has married her true love Lord Jan Stelnicki, who tries to be a father to her son Jan Michal, an offspring of a rape (see PUSH NOT THE RIVER). Anna soon gives birth to their son, Tadeusz at a time when superpowers Austria, Prussia and Russia divide the nation and force the Polish King Stanislaw into exile who seeks help from Napoleon. As Zofia, who has given birth to a daughter, manipulates her way up the aristocratic elite ladder, Pawel plots to place Tadeusz on the throne, and Jan joins the resistance while his wife worries and rusticates raising their two sons alone, even as the years move on.

AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY continues the saga of Anna Berezowska and her family, as Poland is caught in a deadly vise from its more powerful neighbors. The storyline provides a feel for the history, but is more a historical romance spanning over two decades of two people (Jan and Anna) trying to do what they feel is right for their country, yet also keep their loved ones safe. In many devious ways Zofia is the star of the tale as a Lady Macbeth plotting at the cost of others (collateral damage) to achieve her goal. Fans of Polish historical tales and Regency era romances, but in central Europe, will enjoy James Conroyd Martin's fine sequel.