Isabel should be overjoyed that the alguacil of the city wants to marry her, especially since she and her family are conversos — Jews forced to convert to Catholicism — leaving them low in the hierarchy of the new Spanish order. Yet she longs to pursue an independent life filled with poetry and a partner of her own choosing: Diego Altamirano, a young nobleman whose family would never let him court someone with tainted blood like hers.
But Isabel's biggest secret is this: Though the Perezes claim to be New Christians, they still practice Judaism in the refuge of their own home. When the Spanish Inquisition reaches Trujillo, determined to punish such judaizers, Isabel finds herself in more danger than she ever could have imagined. Amid the threat of discovery, she and Diego will have to fight for their lives in a quest to truly be free.
A timeless love story about identity, religious intolerance, and female empowerment, The Poetry of Secrets will sweep readers away with its lush lyricism and themes that continue to resonate today.
“This historical romance is a fast-paced, plot-driven tale with feminist main characters whom readers will root for from the very beginning. A charming Jewish love story set against the bleak backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition.” Kirkus Reviews
“An ambitious epic of the Spanish Inquisition seen through the eyes of a rebellious young woman whose Jewish family faces persecution and death.” School Library Journal
“Absorbing fiction debut…movingly explores the history of religious intolerance.” Publishers Weekly
“Gordon adeptly weaves all of this intrigue, danger, and secret history into an eloquent, romantic story, also offering historical and cultural references that will inform readers of the real-life events that inspired the plot. Isabel’s fight to pursue the people and passions she loves will speak to adolescent readers as the stakes grow ever higher and the Inquisition and its deathly promise come ever closer to Trujillo.” Booklist
“Gordon helps us understand the power of history, the blessing and burdens of remaining a link in the chain of Jewish destiny and the need to take responsibility to keep Judaism alive and thriving.” The Jewish Journal