Annette's Reviews > Inés of My Soul
Inés of My Soul
by
by

Annette's review
bookshelves: setting-chile, setting-peru, setting-spain, historical-fiction-1500s, biographical-fiction
Jan 24, 2022
bookshelves: setting-chile, setting-peru, setting-spain, historical-fiction-1500s, biographical-fiction
Ines of My Soul brings two historical figures whose paths cross in Peru. She is a poor seamstress with no prospects for a better life in Spain and he is a Spanish war hero who seeks honor and glory. They share the same illusions, him of founding a kingdom and her being part of something grander.
The story begins in 1500’s Spain; it is the beginning of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. And Ines Suarez, under a pretext of wanting to seek her husband in the New World whose been gone for a few years, leaves the stifling, poor life in Spain to seek adventure in Americas.
Pedro de Valdivia, a war hero, finds the biggest pleasure in books. After reading of the voyages of Columbus, Magellan, Vespucci, Cortes, and many others, he starts craving grandeur adventures of the New World, and to leave behind a corrupt and war-ravaged Europe.
In Peru, he gets embroiled in a civil war under Francisco Pizarro who names him his field marshal. But he doesn’t want to live in the shadow of Pizarro. After hearing about Diego del Almagro’s expedition to Chile, a dream is set in motion of conquering the still innocent territory of Chile.
When the paths of Ines and Pedro cross, they both make a decision to follow their hearts.
The story vividly portrays many layers of the lands being conquered by Spaniards, the search for El Dorado and the rush to get rich, the clashing encounters with the natives, the lush nature of steaming jungles and unknown insects and creepy animals leading to many outbreaks and deaths, the harsh reality and isolation for those who try to found new settlements. The continuous invasions and mistreatment of the natives lead to further buildup of their resentment.
The characters are richly developed with their ambitions, faults, and passion. Ines a poor seamstress turns to found the first hospital in Chile. She goes on building more hospitals, churches, convents, chapels, sanctuaries, and entire towns. Valdivia, a war hero, despite gaining and losing money, he continues to dream big. He conquers new lands and establishes new settlements.
Written with passion, woven with great skill, and with vivid historical background, the story results in an epic adventure of great conquerors.
The story begins in 1500’s Spain; it is the beginning of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. And Ines Suarez, under a pretext of wanting to seek her husband in the New World whose been gone for a few years, leaves the stifling, poor life in Spain to seek adventure in Americas.
Pedro de Valdivia, a war hero, finds the biggest pleasure in books. After reading of the voyages of Columbus, Magellan, Vespucci, Cortes, and many others, he starts craving grandeur adventures of the New World, and to leave behind a corrupt and war-ravaged Europe.
In Peru, he gets embroiled in a civil war under Francisco Pizarro who names him his field marshal. But he doesn’t want to live in the shadow of Pizarro. After hearing about Diego del Almagro’s expedition to Chile, a dream is set in motion of conquering the still innocent territory of Chile.
When the paths of Ines and Pedro cross, they both make a decision to follow their hearts.
The story vividly portrays many layers of the lands being conquered by Spaniards, the search for El Dorado and the rush to get rich, the clashing encounters with the natives, the lush nature of steaming jungles and unknown insects and creepy animals leading to many outbreaks and deaths, the harsh reality and isolation for those who try to found new settlements. The continuous invasions and mistreatment of the natives lead to further buildup of their resentment.
The characters are richly developed with their ambitions, faults, and passion. Ines a poor seamstress turns to found the first hospital in Chile. She goes on building more hospitals, churches, convents, chapels, sanctuaries, and entire towns. Valdivia, a war hero, despite gaining and losing money, he continues to dream big. He conquers new lands and establishes new settlements.
Written with passion, woven with great skill, and with vivid historical background, the story results in an epic adventure of great conquerors.
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Reading Progress
October 21, 2021
– Shelved
October 21, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
January 17, 2022
–
Started Reading
January 17, 2022
– Shelved as:
setting-chile
January 17, 2022
– Shelved as:
setting-peru
January 17, 2022
– Shelved as:
setting-spain
January 17, 2022
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction-1500s
January 17, 2022
– Shelved as:
biographical-fiction
January 24, 2022
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-22 of 22 (22 new)
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Jim, yes, this is exactly the kind of HF I love, from which you can learn so much.

Sweeping and lovely review, Annette!


Thank you Libby. Yes, I was so happy to come across this book and this is exactly what I wanted to read about, the Spanish conquests in S America, and written with such passion. Thus, bringing well-written and amazing story :)

Thank you Debbie. Yes, this is absolutely my favorite book by this author :)

Thank y..."
I do have others on my WTR list that also look very good (e.g. Violeta, The Japanese Lover and The House of the Spirits).


Debbie, I want to read her newest release Violeta. I have a copy of the Japanese Lover, I'm just not sure if I'll like it. The House of the Spirits, I believe is part of trilogy and I didn't like the first book :(

If I recall correctly, we were coincidentally reading about the history of Peru virtually at the same time :). Nice!

Excellent review.