For her Granada is a refuge and a chance to leave behind unhappy memories and traumatic events.

In the contemporary story, Kate’s troubles are domestic in nature and gradually revealed throughout the novel. In the end, both Momo and Blessings are forced to make heart-breaking compromises. For me, there was a perfect balance between the intimate, personal story of Momo and Blessings and the wider story of the historical events of the time – the plots, alliances, treaties, battles and, ultimately defeats. I found the story of Sultan Abu Abdullah Mohammed utterly compelling and admired the way the author brought it to life in such vivid and colourful detail. Their relationship will be tested over the years of political turmoil and war as Granada fights for its survival against the forces of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and to protect the Muslim faith of its people. Despite their different status, Blessings and Momo quickly form a deep and lasting friendship although for Blessings, the relationship becomes more than friendship. The story of Sultan Abu Abdullah Mohammed, known as Momo, is related through the eyes of Blessings, a slave brought as a young orphan from a desert tribe to be companion to the then Prince. *links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme Published in paperback: 11 th January 2018 Genre: Historical Fiction Born of love, in a time of danger and desperation, the fragment will be the catalyst that changes Kate’s life forever.Ĭourt of Lions brings one of the great turning-points in history to life, telling the stories of a modern woman and the last Moorish sultan of Granada, as they both move towards their cataclysmic destinies.įormat: Paperback (448 pp.) Publisher: Head of Zeus It has lain undiscovered since before the Fall of Granada in 1492, when the city was surrendered to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Upon it, in strange symbols, has been inscribed a message from another age. One day in the glorious gardens of the Alhambra, once home to Sultan Abu Abdullah Mohammed, also known as Boabdil, Kate finds a scrap of paper hidden in one of the ancient walls. Kate Fordham, escaping terrible trauma, has fled to the beautiful sunlit city of Granada, the ancient capital of the Moors in Spain, where she is scraping by with an unfulfilling job in a busy bar.

Oh, and do pop over and visit my co-host I’ll Be Fine Alone Reads to read an extract from Court of Lions. Below you can read my review of this fascinating story which moves between the city of Granada in the 15 th century and the present day. I really enjoyed this book when I read it last year and I love its gorgeous new cover (although the previous cover was pretty special too).

I’m delighted to be co-hosting the first stop on the blog tour to celebrate the publication in paperback of Court of Lions by Jane Johnson.