Overview: The King of Montréal by author Daniela I. Norris is a most wondrous tale of resilience and adventure.

Verdict: The year is 1800 when Louis-Charles, only fifteen years old, arrives in Montréal. Known to everyone as Charles, he has escaped France aboard the ill-fated packet ship Freedom. Rescued by Basque fishermen, Charles is taken to the port of Montréal and left there to fend for himself as he bears the heavy secret of his true identity.

A story of adventure, resilience, and historical mystery, The King of Montréal takes place in one of North America’s most beautiful cities.

Opening with an acknowledgment to the Mohawk nation - as being recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters of Montréal, which has long served as a place for many First Nations to live, meet and exchange - whilst also recognizing the strong ties that unite the Anishinabek Nation to this territory, which is known by these people as Mooniyang (in Anishinaabemowin), The King of Montréal is a compellingly intriguing, expertly crafted, and diligently guided new novel that had me hooked from the very first chapter.

This quite expertly written and well-sculpted young adult adventure by Daniela is a pure joy to behold. Along the way so much happens to our formidable central character, including the reveal that he is a fisherman-rescued fifteen-year-old teenager who belongs to an aristocratic family in France whose parents were murdered during the French Revolution!

Oh, and he also managed to escape prison, but if I tell you all of Charles’ exploits here it will spoil it for you, so all I will say for now about this part historical fiction / part coming-of-age story is that he is a well-travelled man, who escapes a few trepidatious situations, can speak French and who also manages to find romance with Roisin, an Irish immigrant girl ... all within a serious of short chapters that play out over a crisp 157 page run.

About the Author - Daniela I. Norris, a former diplomat and political writer turned inspirational author and speaker, is the author of three books of nonfiction, four novels and a collection of short stories. When she doesn’t write, read or sleep, she can usually be found shoveling snow somewhere in deepest, darkest Quebec.

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