Gabrielle and the Rebels

At the constabulary, the scrawny clerk who questions me seems to have a drawn his own conclusions.

“I’ll mark the time of death as undetermined.” He dips his quill in an ink pot. “As well as the cause. “

“The cause was murder.” I unpin and remove my hat, then fan myself with it. “My father was stabbed.”

“And robbed. Happens all the time.” The clerk scratches a word on the ledger in front of him.

I looked to the window. Outside, Minx and Ghost are tied to a post. Papa‘s body is still draped across Ghost’s back. The garland stable lad has vanished.

Will Red Beard return with any information? The governor hasn’t even sent a servant to advise me. Has the workhouse fire distracted him as it has everyone else? “The thief didn’t take the horse,” the clerk remarks.

What did Rolf say to Papa? “Those are fine horses, and there are scoundrels of plenty in this city.”

Rolf. Yes.

Could my father‘s former brother-in-arms have a hand in this? Is fear of Rolf the reason that the tavern owner wouldn’t tell the truth?

“It wasn’t thieves,” I say. The clerk mops his brow with a grubby handkerchief.
Did he even hear me?

“We encountered an acquaintance of my father’s yesterday.” I pulled my chair closer to the clerk’s, untidy desk and set down my hat. He knew where we were staying, he wanted to meet my father for a drink. His name was Rolf.”

“Rolf Von Hagen?” the clerk sets down his quill, and his lower lip quivers. “It’s unlikely he would have anything to do with it. He’s far too busy with the governor’s business.”

“My father served the Duke during the war.” I raise my voice since the clerk refuses to look me in the eye. “Lord March was trained to fight. His killer must’ve been someone he knew.”

Someone who wanted the Dukes ring. Minx neighs and my attention is drawn back to the window. A woman in a white bonnet plucks at the twine binding Papa’s body. Meanwhile, her companion clasps his hands behind his back and glances apprehensively over his shoulder.

What do these people want?

Ghost jerks his head, sidles away from the woman. Minx neighs again.
I rise and lean on the windowsill. “Who are these people?”

“Just the levers.” The clerk seems relieved by the interruption. “Since our business is concluded, milady, I’ll ask you to leave.”

“Since when is it concluded? “I wrap on the window to get the woman’s attention.
She glares at me and makes a crude gesture. I don’t know what it means, but I know I don’t like it.

I fling open the door and stride into the yard. “Get away from them!”

The woman has beady eyes and the sharp nose, very much like a rat’s. “How much?” she asks.

I stepped between her and Ghost. “These horses aren’t for sale!”

“I don’t want to buy them,” she states. “How much for the body?”

Review

Known for her sports novels for young readers, Maureen Ulrich takes readers on a thoroughly enjoyable, wild ride in this fantasy for young adults.

From a 2022 SaskToday.ca article, Maureen Ulrich talks about the unique world she created for her new fantasy novel, Gabrielle and the Rebels. She has created a world imagined from 17th century Antwerp, Belgium. The geographical place names in this novel reflect her choice (i.e. Andwarf, Anglia). In this article, she also outlines her fascination with using science to solve problems rather than magic.

The story begins with Gabrielle and her father arriving in Andwarf with the intention of Gabrielle’s entering the Temple. Gabrielle does not want to enter the Temple believing it to be humiliating to spend her life in service of the Goddess as she has been deemed unmarriageable. Before she can be taken to the Temple, Gabrielle’s life is changed forever by the murder of her father, Lord Simon of Lille. His murder leaves her alone in a strange and dangerous city where leaders are power hungry, spies abound, and rebels are trying to free the city from oppression.
The plot drives forward at breakneck speed, with Gabrielle at the centre of the action as she scours the city in search of her brother. The attention to dialogue assists with the pace and immediacy of the action. Along the way, she encounters many fascinating characters, my favorite being the soap makers, the Levers (no doubt named for the long running soap company). Her adventures ultimately take her to the dreaded Temple where she finds a community of brilliant, curiously minded women who aid Gabrielle and the rebels in their quest.

Gabrielle and the Rebels is a well-crafted fantasy with just the right amount of realism, a touch of romance and a fearless female lead whom we cheer for at every turn. A map at the beginning and a glossary at the back of archaic and invented words assist (although likely unnecessary) readers in this romp.

Gabrielle and the Rebels would be a great addition to any YA public or school library collection.