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The Familists: A Tale of Faith, Family and Survival in 16th Century Europe (The Seton Chronicles) Paperback – November 5, 2023
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‘A worthy continuation of the Seton Chronicles, packed with personal, political and religious tension and intrigue.' Margaret Skea, award winning author.
Italy 1555. Bethia and her growing family find themselves in the midst of the Inquisition's vicious attack on Jews and Conversos. Despite Bethia's commitment to her Catholic faith, her greater loyalty to her Converso husband forces them to flee onwards to Constantinople – but will it be any safer?
For Will, Bethia’s brother, it’s equally perilous to be a Protestant. Caught up in France’s religious turmoil, where many are burned for their faith, his choice is stark; fight or accept a martyr’s death.
Set amid the treacherous landscape of Reformation Europe, where faiths divide and shifting allegiances dictate survival, can the strength of family endure?
‘…having followed this intimate and remarkable story so closely it’s impossible not to feel like one of the family.’ Esther Mendelssohn
- Print length378 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateNovember 5, 2023
- Dimensions5.06 x 0.95 x 7.81 inches
- ISBN-10183825157X
- ISBN-13978-1838251574
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Reviews
‘I particularly enjoyed the scenes at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is more than 500 years old. How remarkable that such an institution was thriving then and still is!’ Carolyn Hughes, author of the Meonbridge Chronicles
‘I’ve been hooked on the Seton Chronicles from page 1 – terrific stories about a fascinating family’ Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood
Family, politics and religion intertwined in a thrilling story.’ M Lynes, author of the Issac Alvarez Mysteries
‘This has been one of my most enjoyable and informative reads in many years.’ Amazon Reviewer
‘What turbulent times one family faces as they navigate through religious unrest... A myriad of significant historical figures intertwine, from John Knox, Calvin to Suleiman.’ Goodreads Reviewer
"I like historical fiction and this series was excellent! A realistic dive into medieval religious prejudices" Amazon Reviewer
"I loved this series because it has faithfully rendered the history of the times through one families trials and tribulations." Amazon Reviewer
Product details
- Publisher : Nydie Books
- Publication date : November 5, 2023
- Language : English
- Print length : 378 pages
- ISBN-10 : 183825157X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1838251574
- Item Weight : 13.1 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.06 x 0.95 x 7.81 inches
- Book 4 of 5 : The Seton Chronicles
- Best Sellers Rank: #793,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #350 in Renaissance Literary Criticism (Books)
- #398 in Renaissance Historical Fiction (Books)
- #6,544 in Family Saga Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Hello!
Would you like three free historical short stories which tell more of the Seton Family? Visit my website vehmasters (just add .com) and pick up your copies of A Bonny Lass, The Sound of Silence and A Long Wait which build on The Seton Chronicles.
I grew up on a farm near St. Andrews in Scotland. St Andrews is famous as the home of golf but it was once a great religious centre and place of pilgrimage prior to the Reformation in 1560 – all largely disregarded when we were at school. The first time I was ever in its castle was aged twelve when our teacher took us on a rare visit – I was captivated.
The group who held the castle under siege for over 14 months, resisting the many attempts to re-take it, called themselves the Castilians and I remember thinking even then it was the perfect title for a book. I just didn't realise how long it would be before I wrote it!
I' ve now written five books chronicling the adventures of the family Seton as they flee across Europe escaping religious persecution desperately seeking a place of safety.
The Castilians
The Conversos
The Apostates
The Familists
The Pittenweemers
Find me on my website vehmasters com
or facebook - VEHMastersBooks
or Instagram - vehmastersbooks
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book to be a wonderful read and appreciate its historical value, with one customer noting how it faithfully renders the history of the times.
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Customers appreciate the historical value of the book, describing it as revealing historical fiction that includes significant figures and religious events, with one customer noting its realistic portrayal of medieval religious prejudices.
"...A realistic dive into medieval religious prejudices against those of Jewish ancestry, and medieval trade...." Read more
"I loved this series because it has faithfully rendered the history of the times through one families trials and tribulations...." Read more
"...This book tells the story of a part of European history that I was not very familiar with, the religious differences in the 1500’s and how the..." Read more
"While I enjoyed this series because of it historical value, the characterization was lacking in real life...." Read more
Customers find the book to be a wonderful read and part of a series they love, with one customer describing it as a real page turner.
"...characters you get invested in that make this series into a real page turner." Read more
"...That being said, the books are entertaining and a pleasant read. The first book in the series was my favorite." Read more
"This has been one of my most enjoyable and informative reads in many years. The world of trade, religion and intrigue...." Read more
"...I have loved each of the books, and I could not put any of them down until I finished...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2024I would recommend it to people who find the history of the Reformation and all its implications. Too much bloodshed for people who considered he selves Christian’s.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024The Familists is Book Four of V. E. H. Masters’ The Seton Chronicles, so I found myself starting at the end of this series, not the beginning. However, that in no way diminished my enjoyment of The Familists. Nor did I struggle to follow the characters or understand their motivations and actions. Ms. Masters ably brought me into this family and its prior adventures without having to supply one of those awkward expository summaries that other authors often mistakenly include in later books of a series. The necessary background history fits into the present narrative in short memories or dialogue. Thus, that information keeps the present narrative flowing.
And it is an engaging narrative. The novel subtitle states that it is “A Tale of Faith, Family, and Survival in 16th Century Europe.” While the action of the survival story supplies the impetus for the forward motion of the plot, the main focus of this novel is characterization, especially the tensions that four differing faiths place upon this family. Will is a dedicated Calvinist Protestant. His sister Bethia is a devout Roman Catholic who is married to Mainard, a Converso who feels pulled back to his original Jewish religion. Bethia and Mainard’s sons are guided toward their father’s faith until one of them experiences a religious conversion to Islam. At a time when these four faiths are tearing Europe and the Mid East apart with bloody wars, this family seeks a path to family unity and love without any family member surrendering his or her religious identity. Watching that struggle unfold is a delight.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2024I like historical fiction and this series was excellent! A realistic dive into medieval religious prejudices against those of Jewish ancestry, and medieval trade. BEN Masters creates believable characters you get invested in that make this series into a real page turner.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024I loved this series because it has faithfully rendered the history of the times through one families trials and tribulations. The story portrays the challenges and ever present danger of living under extreme religious fervor. I look forward to reading more of VEH Master's work. Thank you.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024The fourth book in the series. I have loved the strong and resilient Bethia and her family. This book tells the story of a part of European history that I was not very familiar with, the religious differences in the 1500’s and how the Spanish Inquisition affected the entire global stage. I hope there’s a book 5.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024I read the Seton chronicles feeling my interest increasing…mostly because as I read, my knowledge of the 16th century increased and the vicissitudes of ALL religions were shown to be starting a new. Geography is also a bonus lesson as well as the actions in various peoples in different towns. Great privilege to have these books to help us understand the troubles of our modern societies as well….
- Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024While I enjoyed this series because of it historical value, the characterization was lacking in real life. The author also put so many adventures in the books, it’s a wonder anyone survives! That being said, the books are entertaining and a pleasant read. The first book in the series was my favorite.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2023This has been one of my most enjoyable and informative reads in many years. The world of trade, religion and intrigue. The families with all the worlds religious offerings and teachings of the times have been a joy to read about and follow throughout this series. Mystery and murder. Historical events from Kings to Sultan and all manor of trade across the worlds at the time of the 16th century. Marriage and families and safety of life were a daily experience and all manner or intriguing situations are visited in these pages. Great read.
Top reviews from other countries
- PallattReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good read.
Great series, love the complexities of diffrrent religions and how they fitted with societies in different times and places
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2025
4.0 out of 5 stars History without psin
Rattles along...has an interesting take on an area of history that I had very little knowledge of. That's one of the great things about historical fiction...the history is usually very well researched and you learn more about the era than you ever would in a history lesson...and it is painless!
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A great story
I've read nearly all the books in the
Seton Chronicles, Ive just one to go. I could not put them down. Its the saga of the Seton dynasty that traverses Europe at a fascinating and turbulent time in history. A truly great read that I can recommend to all lovers historical novels.
- BBNReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Don't expect an action packed adventure, this is an easy to read and enjoyable novel.
It follows the brother and sister of a family broken up by religious turmoil, well worth a read.
- EddieOReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars could have been better
I have read this series and mostly enjoyed a families view on a troubled time. Problem with this book is that it squashed a lot of events into the last part. I dont know if this is last book in the series but I feel it hasnt done itself justice