I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

Faith and politics play a crucial role in Brazil as family dynamics continue to spiral in author Armand Du Silence’s “The Sun and the Cross,” book five in the A Marie Usque Ad Mare series.

The Synopsis

A sun that warms everyone. A cross that protects no one.

1756: in the reductions of Paraguay the Jesuits have taught the Guaraní to read, to sing and to work the land in common. Then a treaty signed far away, in Madrid, hands those lands to Portugal, and the Society orders its fathers to obey. Father Lorenzo Malaspina stays with his people as far as Caiboaté, where in little more than an hour the armies of two crowns put out the only experiment that took the Gospel seriously. When the Jesuits are driven out of Brazil as well, all that is left of that world is a bell and a little girl sold at the market in Rio.

1760: the Brama enters the bay of Guanabara with Charles II Martini, his sister Inés, Kofi Osei and the children, still young. They are looking for a safe harbour for the India route, and they find a colony that lives on gold and on men in chains: the mines of Vila Rica running dry, the king’s fifth that nobody wants to pay, the slavers blessed on the quay at Salvador. For thirty years the family puts down roots between Rio, the Minas Gerais and the Andes, where Kojo goes down into the silver mines of Potosí and watches the revolt of Túpac Amaru end in the square at Cusco, while in Quebec the Martini house empties and in Ouidah there remain those who never left.

The Sun and the Cross is the fifth volume of the saga A Mari Usque Ad Mare. From the missions of Paraguay to the mines of the Minas Gerais, from a merchant’s ledgers to the silver of Potosí: thirty-two years in which faith walks beside power and becomes an instrument of conquest, conversion is an obligation and the ideal breaks under the weight of reality, until 21 April 1792, when Tiradentes is hanged in Rio de Janeiro and Inés closes the ledgers of a family that has learned to survive everything.

The cross is a sign that has not protected.

THE REVIEW

This was a fascinating, heartbreaking, and compelling entry in this historical fiction series. The author does a fantastic job continuing to explore this family’s legacy and history over the years, while also delving deeper into the role Religion played in politics and war throughout the world. The vivid details the author brings to the narrative continue to create an immersive experience like no other, allowing readers to feel the intensity and rich atmosphere of the settings this globe-trotting story takes them to.

The rich history and powerful character dynamics remain the heart of this unique series. Aside from the ever-changing dynamics within this generational family, the author takes the time to explore a period of history that is often overlooked in historical fiction and mainstream media productions: the era of the Jesuits and their work in Paraguay, as well as what happens when Portugal takes over the land they are working on, as chaos ensues in Brazil. The film thoroughly explored how war and politics shaped the missionaries’ goals in the country and sparked a deeper conversation about the role religion has played in the development and alteration of various cultures around the world. This storytelling was even more impactful because of the emotional depth of these characters and their personal struggles.

THE VERDICT

Compelling, thrilling, and entertaining, Author Armand Du Silence’s “The Sun and The Cross” is a must-read historical fiction novel. The twists and turns, along with the depth of detail, create an immersive experience that lets readers feel connected to these characters while staying invested in the history unfolding on the page. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy of this amazing novel today!

Rating: 10/10

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Armand Du Silence is an Italian-born author and a traveller by vocation, standing as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary adventure fiction. His literary work is profoundly influenced by personal explorations, allowing him to imbue his books with a realism and depth rarely found in the genre.

He is the creator of the successful saga “A Mari Usque Ad Mare”, an epic work that explores the ancestral relationship between humanity and the great watery expanses, weaving together themes of courage and discovery. Armand’s writing is characterised by its fast-paced rhythm and meticulous geographical and historical reconstruction, the result of notes taken directly in the field.

Beyond his writing, Armand’s life revolves around two great passions: travel and dogs. Firmly believing that there is no better companion than a dog to understand the essence of freedom, Armand frequently weaves the theme of animal loyalty into his plots. Today, he continues to live and write, pursuing a narrative quest that blends classic action with a modern environmental sensibility.