psychology at the University of
Queensland, in Australia. She currently lives in the UK with her husband and son, and splits
her time writing, raising her son, and working as a psychologist, supporting people with brain
injuries and neurological conditions.
Robleda applied the Page 69 Test to her new novel, Daughter of Fire, and reported the following:
From page 69:Visit Sofia Robleda's website.Normally, Father loved a banquet, just for the opportunity to publicly humiliate his enemies en masse. If left to his devices, he would’ve thrown a somber affair, a pitiful feast, to remind everyone present what he thought they deserved. But they’d gotten ahead of him that year. They’d written to the emperor to complain of last year’s meager portions, and said it was an insult to His Majesty’s honor.Aghhhh, I’m super annoyed because if this test had been about page 68, then it would’ve passed with flying colors! All my main characters are mentioned on page 68, as well as Catalina’s aim and the mess she’s gotten herself into, all the barriers which are preventing her from achieving her goal of re-writing the Popol Vuh. There’s even a little excerpt where she recites a line from it! Plus, a bit about the beautiful scenery with the Guatemalan volcanoes in the background… sigh! But of course, this is about page 69.
Father had been ordered to provide. There was no argument to be had, and so the garden was sumptuously decorated. Since the weather was so pleasant, the tables were out in the open air, ornamented with the palace’s gold-embroidered cloth and silver dining set. The fountain in the middle of the main courtyard was draped in fruits and flowers. A harpist, brought in from Chiapas, plucked an airy tune as we made our way in, trailed by our many guests, who exclaimed as they took in the delights of the garden. Impeccably dressed servants in their blue livery rushed forward with wine served in Venetian glassware.
Father had done his duty, but by the look on his face, he’d rather have swallowed poison than bring so much joy to people he so disliked. People who constantly opposed him, who threatened him and the New Laws, every single day. His mood blackened as his two worst rivals, Bishop Marroquín and Captain Lobo, the lord treasurer, approached him together with broad, satisfied smiles. They gave me a small nod, which I hesitantly returned.
“Don Alonso, what a pleasant change from last year’s gathering,” said Captain Lobo, a grizzly, middle-aged conquistador who was as wolfish as his name. He had a scar across his left cheek and light hazel eyes that could’ve been mistaken for yellow. “Could this be a sign that times are changing for the better, perhaps?”
The feast was one of Lobo’s triumphs over Father, who forced a smile. “The emperor may want you to sup in splendor for the night. But his New Laws remain the same.”
“Come now, another two families left us in the last month. Good, honorable families, gone back to Spain,” said Bishop Marroquín, who was tall and slim, with a small white goatee and balding head. “I implored them to stay, but I had nothing to say against their protestations.”
Whilst page 69 really doesn’t do the book justice, this page does provide quite a good overview of the political and contextual backdrop for the novel from the viewpoint of the bickering Spanish settlers, two of which were real historical figures. It highlights their silly little intrigues and power plays, and some of the pressures Catalina’s father faces in trying to uphold the New Laws, which were meant to prevent the abuse of Indigenous people. It also shows the wealth which they’ve accumulated in the short time since their arrival.
I would hope the page would still draw readers in, particularly those who love historical novels set in the 16 th century, but are hoping for a fresh perspective.
--Marshal Zeringue
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