This story is about gruesome battles between the religious group known as the Vaudois or Waldensians, and the Inquisition/Catholic Church, who slaughtered and tried to annihilate their people, deeming them heretics. They lived in the Alps in Italy and tried to defend themselves with trust in God their only motivation. Many were killed in brutal, despicable ways, rivaling the holocaust of more recent times. My ancestry includes some of these people, so I wanted to read the book, but it is not very entertaining or enjoyable, although the hero of the Waldensians was honorable and exemplary. The story includes the political aspects and people of the time, such as the Duke of Savoy and Lord Cromwell of England.
Rora is the story of a small town in the mountains resisting the Spanish Inquisition, led by their brilliant (former military) leader. It took me almost a year to read Rora, because it isn't very gripping, but once I neared the end I started picking up the pace and it was quite exciting. It is by far the most violent book I've ever read, but it isn't senseless and gory. I would highly recommend Rora, but be forewarned, it isn't a light read and you have to be committed to finishing it. With that in mind, if you are still interested, you should know that this book is something special, and well worth the read.
