'Ah, the blue of the Renaissance. You know there is lapis lazuli in this blue. It was so expensive they could only use it for important things like the Virgin's robe.’

Two women:
Isabelle du Moulin, also known as La Rousse, is mistreated in every way possible due to her red hair and love for the Virgin Mary in a village of protestants. She is married to an abusive husband, and is trying her best to be a mother to her three children and to keep her secrets from the biting wolves that surround her.

Ella Turner, also known as Ella Tournier, has moved to France in modern day with her less than perfect husband who she may or may not be falling out of love with. To fill her time, she starts to do some research on her family ancestry and in turn figures out a lot about not only the past, but herself in the present.

I adored this book. It was so mundane, yet the understated magic jumped off the page with every word. I felt so cozy in the small village of Lisle-sur-Tarn when following Ella's POV, and equally uncomfortable during Isabelle's POV. Both women were so developed and human. It was very easy to relate to them. And the ending.... I wanted more! I have so many unanswered questions, and sorely wish there was a more in depth epilogue. Props to Tracy Chevalier, because this book was absolutely amazing.