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The Girl from Oto (The Miramonde Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Amy Maroney (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 780 ratings

A captivating historical novel of Renaissance Europe.

Two women. Separated by centuries. Linked by a 500-year-old mystery...

1500: Born during a time wracked by war and plague, Renaissance-era artist Mira de Oto grows up in a Pyrenees convent believing she is an orphan. When tragedy strikes, Mira learns the devastating truth about her own origins. But does she have the strength to face those who would destroy her?

2015: Centuries later, art scholar Zari Durrell unearths traces of a mysterious young woman named Mira in two 16th-century portraits. Obsessed, Zari tracks Mira through the great cities of Europe to the pilgrim's route of Camino de Santiago—and is stunned by what she finds. Will her discovery be enough to bring Mira's story to life?

A powerful story and an intriguing mystery, The Girl from Oto is an unforgettable novel of obsession, passion, and human resilience. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Anthony Doerr.

"Fast-paced, flawless storytelling." —Rose City Reader Reviews

The Girl from Oto is Book 1 of the Miramonde Series, a trilogy of historical mysteries about a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern day scholar on her trail. Read it today and embark on a thrilling adventure into the past.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Miramonde Series
  2. Print length
    524 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 20, 2016
  5. File size
    5.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

How far would you go to reveal a secret kept for 500 years? Scallop shell image, Renaissance
The Miramonde Series books: The Girl From Oto, Mira's Way, and A Place In The World
"A terrific book. I didn't want it to end." BRAG Medallion Awards praise for The Girl from Oto

Editorial Reviews

Review

I loved the lush descriptions and the hard-nosed female characters who find a way to get what they want in a man's world. An exquisite novel.
Martha Conway, author of Thieving Forest ★★★★★

A terrific book. I didn't want it to end.
BRAG Medallion Awards ★★★★★

Fast-paced, flawless storytelling.
Rose City Book Reviews ★★★★★

An absorbing debut novel. I couldn't put it down.
Deborah Swift, author of The Poison Keeper ★★★★★

From the opening sentence, I was utterly enchanted. Maroney has painted a dazzling portrait of two very different times in history. The Girl from Oto is not only luxuriantly detailed, but the story itself is addictive to the extreme. The pages practically turned themselves.
Book of the Month Winner, Coffee Pot Book Club ★★★★★

A powerful story and an intriguing mystery. A Red Ribbon winner and highly recommended.
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards ★★★★★

I was enthralled with Mira, Zari, and their entwined journeys through history and the world of art. As a curator and art historian, it's a rare treat for me to find a novel that so lovingly reflects our joys and challenges. The Girl from Oto delivers—and I can't wait to spend more time with Mira.
Jennifer Dasal, host of the ArtCurious podcast ★★★★★

A gripping tale. Mira and Zari bring us to realize a fundamental truth: throughout history, women have contributed on many levels, and in significant ways, to the world of art.
Erika Gaffney, founder of Artherstory ★★★★★

About the Author

Amy Maroney lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. She spent many years as a writer and editor of nonfiction before turning to historical fiction. When she's not diving down research rabbit holes, Amy enjoys hiking, dancing, and reading. Her latest book, Island of Gold, launched in September 2021 and is part of the Sea and Stone Chronicles, a new series about ordinary people living in the shadow of the Knights Hospitaller in Renaissance-era Greece. To get a free prequel novella to the Miramonde Series, please visit amymaroney.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01LWAHC4H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Artelan Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 20, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 524 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0997521313
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Miramonde Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 780 ratings

About the author

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Amy Maroney

Amy Maroney

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Amy Maroney lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, and spent many years as a writer and editor of nonfiction before turning her hand to historical fiction. When she's not diving down research rabbit holes, she enjoys hiking, dancing, traveling, and reading. Amy is the author of the award-winning Miramonde Series, a trilogy about a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern-day scholar on her trail. Amy's new romantic suspense series, Sea and Stone Chronicles, is set in medieval Rhodes and Cyprus. To receive a free prequel novella to the Miramonde Series, join Amy's readers' group at www.amymaroney.com. (Just copy and paste into your browser.)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
780 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this historical novel engaging, with a well-planned narrative that keeps them reading to the last page. The book features interesting art history elements with a modern twist, strong female characters, and well-researched details. Customers praise the writing quality, with one noting the author's masterful use of detail and dialogue. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it even-paced while others say it's slow at first.

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62 customers mention "Story quality"62 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a historical novel with a well-planned narrative, and one customer notes how the two storylines are intricately woven together.

"...In Amy Maroney’s brilliantly constructed dual narrative novel, Mira, a lost Renaissance artist, and Zari, a modern-day historian on her trail, weave..." Read more

"Part historical, part contemporary, this is a good read. Well written, great sense of place and world-building, interesting characters...." Read more

"...such as Ramon to the tragic ones like Marguerite, the story is full of unexpected turns and casts light on the late Middle Ages/Renaissance and how..." Read more

"...Appealing to modern readers is difficult, but the author succeeded with the story." Read more

47 customers mention "Readability"47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a compelling and fun read that keeps them engaged until the last page.

"Part historical, part contemporary, this is a good read. Well written, great sense of place and world-building, interesting characters...." Read more

"...A FABULOUS read!!!" Read more

"...Thanks to “This History Quill” newsletter for pointing out this excellent book! Best thing? There are two more books to enjoy in this series!!" Read more

"...here and there,.....this is truly an exciting journey that will not disappoint! It will only keep you wanting more!..." Read more

31 customers mention "Art history"31 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's exploration of art history, particularly its unique blend of Renaissance techniques with modern mystery elements. One customer notes how the imagery in each century made sense, while another describes how the narrative follows an artist who painted centuries ago through various twists and turns.

"...a pilgrimage to the past in its own right, settle down and enjoy every scene and nuance, reread those you will inevitably love, and walk with the..." Read more

"...the story is full of unexpected turns and casts light on the late Middle Ages/Renaissance and how women were perceived in those periods...." Read more

"...trade, the life of the mountain people of the Pyrenees, and Renaissance art techniques...." Read more

"...It was clear the author did her research. It was so interesting to read of the art history, how paintings are layered, the wool trade, life in the..." Read more

24 customers mention "Character development"24 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly the strong female characters, with one customer noting how the story revolves around interesting women.

"...Well written, great sense of place and world-building, interesting characters...." Read more

"...She is a gifted storyteller who offers great depth and consistency in each character...." Read more

"...a tremendous amount of research, Maroney uses detail to express her diverse cast of characters --- from their mannerisms to the clothes they wear,..." Read more

"...The characters are so well developed although in the beginning I had a bit of trouble keeping everyone straight but by the end of the book I only..." Read more

20 customers mention "Writing quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its beautiful descriptions and masterful use of detail and dialogue, with one customer highlighting the author's extraordinary use of different voices.

"...A beautifully written novel, the stories are so immersive, so exquisitely crafted that I was completely absorbed in past and present, and willingly..." Read more

"Part historical, part contemporary, this is a good read. Well written, great sense of place and world-building, interesting characters...." Read more

"...The Girl from Oto is a wonderfully detailed novel, with descriptions of the wool trade, the life of the mountain people of the Pyrenees, and..." Read more

"...The dual time lines are very well blended and easy to read. It was clear the author did her research...." Read more

14 customers mention "Depth"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the book, noting its well-researched details and how it immerses readers in the created world.

"...a slow read, savouring the beautiful descriptions and fascinating details...." Read more

"...Well written, great sense of place and world-building, interesting characters...." Read more

"...Art history oozes from each page in a compelling stream of information that is balanced and guides the reader through the tale...." Read more

"...If you like historical fiction, travel fiction, and a lot of detail, then read The Girl From Oto. I am curious to see what Maroney writes next." Read more

12 customers mention "Time travel"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the time travel elements in the book, with one review highlighting its dual timeline format and excellent movement between past and present.

"The Girl from Oto is a beautifully-written novel set in two time periods: the late 1400s-early 1500s and the present day...." Read more

"...I loved the equally engaging dual time line between Zari, an art historian scholar living in the present as she passionately tries to identify the..." Read more

"...The Girl from Oto is told in a dual timeline format, alternating between the late 1400s and present time...." Read more

"Amy Maroney’s “The Girl from Oto” will transport you to another time and place, so much so, that when you finish the last page and look up, it is a..." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it even-paced while others note it starts slow.

"...(others will love it though) and so I would have to say the pacing is a bit off. Still, well worth the read...." Read more

"...nature of its structure The Girl from Oto flows at pace that encourages a slow read, savouring the beautiful descriptions and fascinating details...." Read more

"The book started out a bit slow for me, but as we moved more into the story of the artist from Oto, I was intrigued...." Read more

"...The pace is quietly confident and even paced to start before building to a thrilling back and forth between the modern and historical narratives..." Read more

A Discovered Diamond
5 out of 5 stars
A Discovered Diamond
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review: Helen Hollick founder #DDRevs "This is skilful story-telling at its very best. There are so many strands to the tale, with many hints carefully dropped in along the way."
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Top reviews from the United States

  • HF Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written novel. Highly Recommend.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    There is a haunting quality of well-written historical fiction when you are so intertwined with the narrative you know not your own time or place. And so it is for me in The Girl from Oto. In Amy Maroney’s brilliantly constructed dual narrative novel, Mira, a lost Renaissance artist, and Zari, a modern-day historian on her trail, weave their tales through time and place, each defying destiny and fueled by the courage of their own convictions. A beautifully written novel, the stories are so immersive, so exquisitely crafted that I was completely absorbed in past and present, and willingly gave myself up to Ms. Maroney’s skillful storytelling. Absorbed but never lost, for throughout both narratives, the majestic and beautifully observed presence of the countryside, mountains and forests of the Pyrenees kept us grounded in both women’s lives, and the clever introduction of the Camino de Santiago encouraged me to let Ms Maroney guide the way. And, just as Zari finds herself retracing the pilgrim’s route, so Mira walks ahead of her, just out of sight, around the next corner, beckoning her forward with tantalising breadcrumbs of her hidden artistic signature.
    The level of historical research is fascinating, for Ms Maroney takes us deep into the craft of Renaissance art, the lives of the nuns of the Benedictine abbey, and the crucial role of the wool trade in those distant times to bring Mira to life. Her counterpart Zari is equally interesting, set in the cutthroat world of modern academia, where careers are made and broken on the strength of discovery.
    The first in a series, by nature of its structure The Girl from Oto flows at pace that encourages a slow read, savouring the beautiful descriptions and fascinating details. Knowing this story is a pilgrimage to the past in its own right, settle down and enjoy every scene and nuance, reread those you will inevitably love, and walk with the Girl from Oto on her compelling journey. Highly recommend.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • LeNoir
    4.0 out of 5 stars A darn good historical novel interwoven with contemporary tale
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Part historical, part contemporary, this is a good read. Well written, great sense of place and world-building, interesting characters. But some of it was a bit dragging to my tastes (others will love it though) and so I would have to say the pacing is a bit off. Still, well worth the read. Be prepared: this is book one and the story really does not end until book three.
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  • The Journalist
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Scholarly Triumph!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I had heard good things about this book, but I wasn't prepared for the intensive and complete research with which Maroney crafted her tale. She is a gifted storyteller who offers great depth and consistency in each character.

    Mira's story is a precision-tuned masterpiece from the get-go. Maroney's usage of split-timelines is a trendy tool helping to capture the modern reader, as well. Art history oozes from each page in a compelling stream of information that is balanced and guides the reader through the tale. And if Maroney hasn't hiked "The Way", then she faked me out!

    I had never read anything about the Pyrenees region before, and this story certainly whetted my appetite. From the darker characters such as Ramon to the tragic ones like Marguerite, the story is full of unexpected turns and casts light on the late Middle Ages/Renaissance and how women were perceived in those periods. Contrasting that is the storyline about Zari and her dogged determination to turn a summer in Europe into a longer tenure to further her career. In her fascination with Mira's world, Zari becomes what any historical fiction reader is--hooked, mesmerized, and eager to cast light on all that time has erased.

    A FABULOUS read!!!
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  • Vicki J. Kondelik
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing novel about the Pyrenees
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The Girl from Oto is a beautifully-written novel set in two time periods: the late 1400s-early 1500s and the present day. Both timelines are engaging, even though I think the historical timeline is the stronger of the two. The contemporary story concerns Zari, an art historian researching a Flemish woman artist of the Renaissance. In Oxford, she examines a painting which has been attributed to the artist she's researching, but some details of the style don't match. Zari gradually comes to realize that this painting, and one in a private collection in southern France, may be the work of a women artist named Mira. Almost nothing is known about Mira, and Zari seeks to discover the truth about her life. Meanwhile, a pompous colleague wants the paintings to be attributed to a famous male artist, and Zari wants to prove him wrong.

    The historical part of the story is about Mira's life in the Pyrenees region of southern France and northern Spain, along the Camino de Santiago. Mira (Miramonde) is born to a noble family of Aragon--a family with a dark secret. Her mother, with the help of the midwife and healer Elena, who is my favorite character in the book, has her spirited away to an abbey, where she grows up knowing nothing of her noble birth, and believing she's an orphan. The nuns give her a better education than any of the other girls at the convent, and she learns to draw and paint and discovers she's very talented. Elena teaches her about survival skills and herbal remedies. Mira also makes friends with Arnaud, a shepherd boy who is a skilled woodworker. As she grows up, Mira hates the constricted life of the abbey, and desires to leave and become an artist. But she is in great danger when her evil father and his evil steward discover that she is still alive.

    Amy Maroney gives us rich details of the landscapes of the Pyrenees, both in the Renaissance and today. The Girl from Oto is a wonderfully detailed novel, with descriptions of the wool trade, the life of the mountain people of the Pyrenees, and Renaissance art techniques. I am glad there are two sequels, and I am looking forward to reading them. Also, if you'd like to read more about Elena, there is a prequel novella, The Promise.
    21 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Whitey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Skilful Story-telling
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    In fifteenth-century Spain, a noblewoman gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl. A wise woman helps her, taking the girl away to safety in a convent. In twenty-first-century England, an art historian is attempting to discover the true identity of a portrait painter. How are the two events connected?

    This is a dual timeline novel and some reviewers have said that the historical scenes work better than the present-day scenes. At first, this may be true but, after I'd finished the book, the modern-day characters stayed with me for just as long. However, let's rewind.

    It soon becomes clear that the girl in the monastery and the portrait painter are one and the same, but that's not a spoiler, because almost to the last, we don't know how all this came to be. Mira, the young girl, grows up in the convent, and whilst others learn her identity, she initially does not. The Spanish part of the story is told from various points of view - that of Mira herself, of the abbess, of Mira's parents, and of a rich merchant, whose family have something to do with the story, but quite what, we don't immediately learn. Nor do we learn for quite some time just why Mira was sent away - this part of the story is revealed slowly, and is all the better for it.

    This is skilful story-telling at its very best. There are so many strands to the tale, with many hints carefully dropped in along the way. I hoped desperately that all would become clear, that the strands would tie themselves together, and they did: the role of the merchant family, the history behind the paintings and the origins of their wooden panels, the brutality of Mira's birth family, the reason for her being sent away. Despite the fact that this is one of a series, the loose ends all come together satisfyingly, so it can definitely be read as a standalone. You can choose to revisit these characters, or not. That in itself is the mark of an excellent book. There is a great little reveal, too: Ramon, Mira's father, beats any servant who dares approach him from the left. One assumes this is just a device to demonstrate his temper, but even this fairly minor detail is explained towards the end of the book.

    The plotting is intricate, masterfully worked out, and the pacing is superb. That's not to say it's a fast read; there are many scenes where one can enjoy a lingering look at the expertly-described scenery, watch the local mountain people celebrating, and enjoy the burgeoning romance of the modern-day protagonist, Zari, as she tries to combine her professional and personal lives.

    The author is American, yet chooses to use vocabulary which English readers will find familiar, so the modern day characters use mobiles rather than cell phones, for example.

    To the very last pages, I was unsure how the story would 'pan out' and I found myself saying 'aha' out loud as little hints dropped into the earlier chapters suddenly made sense, and I was genuinely impressed with how the author put all the strands of her detailed plot together. In the closing chapters, a family scene could so easily have been drawn with cliche and assumed responses. Yet the author directs the scene differently and the reactions of the characters, at first surprising, become all too real. To say more would be a spoiler.

    The concept of the novel, of modern-day characters researching a story from the past, is not a new one, but it really works. I was fascinated by the historical sections. The Girl from Oto might have worked as a straight-forward historical novel, but the modern-day scenes added to a sense that so much of history is lost to us, and sometimes we just have a tantalising glimpse of a lost world. The fact that Zari literally walks over the same terrain that Mira has walked before her adds a poignancy to the tale.
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  • Gael
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful subject
    Reviewed in Australia on February 24, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    What a beautiful story interwoven with today and basque life 500 years ago. Well told and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
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  • cb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic story
    Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    For generations, the powerful Oto family of Aragon only produces male heirs: warriors beget warriors. And yet there are rumours in the mountains that at times, newborn girls are left in the forest to perish.

    The Baroness of Oto knows these are not just rumours. After giving birth to twins, a girl and a boy, she seizes on her husband’s absence and entrusts her daughter to a nomadic mountain woman, Elena, charging the woman to secretly take the child to the safety of mountains and be her guide and teacher as she grows to womanhood.

    Elena takes the child to Belarac Abbey and promises the Abbess annual payments of gold for her care. Mira grows to be a quick student, though strong-willed. She is taught to read and write and the healing arts from Elena. It is in this capacity that she meets a master artist who teaches her his art. Eventually, Mira carves an independent life for herself by painting portraits of wealthy merchant families.

    This is a dual-timeline story, and in the present day, Zara is an art historian specializing in female artists during the Renaissance and an expert on the artist Cornelia van der Zee. Zara has been called to examine a painting that was previously attributed to van der Zee. Soon it becomes clear that the painting was not by the artist, raising the question, who painted this masterpiece? Zara links the painting to the unknown Mira and seeks to bring her out of obscurity. Along the way, Zara has to deal with the ruthless politics of academia and prevent a male colleague from muddying the waters for his own glory.

    In both timelines, there are strong women with a voice and a drive to succeed. The abbess is an astute business woman who works to increase the wealth and power of her abbey. Elena is an independent mountain woman who teaches Mira the skills to survive and thrive. And the Baroness, Mira’s mother, is willing to sacrifice herself to protect her daughter. A theme that links both timelines is how women’s accomplishments could be overshadowed by men, but through their intelligence and hard work they prevail. It’s ironic, but in many aspects, the Renaissance is shown as more enlightened than today.

    The Girl from Oto is fantastically researched with rich, historical details that is expertly woven into the fabric of the story. I felt I was there, experiencing the fir scented mountain air. I learned about a time and place that I knew very little about, including the merino wool trade that was the source of wealth for the people in the Pyrennes. I found the art restoration and history equally fascinating. Often with dual timelines, there is one timeline that is weaker than the other, but no so with this book. I enjoyed every moment of both timelines and loved all the characters throughout the story. Maroney has a gift for bringing characters to life.

    Highly recommended!
    One person found this helpful
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  • zenya
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
    Reviewed in Australia on October 24, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Had to keep reading to the last book!!
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  • HildaRose
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good read but should be one book
    Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed the read and the story but I felt it did not need to be stretched over three books. So much info needs to be gone over in each new book, it makes it boring to the reader who has read the previous volumes. Loved the back and forth between time and the academic mystery.
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