Book Review: The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo : #HistoricalFiction #blogtour #YardeBookPromotions @HeidiEljarbo @maryanneyarde

 

The Relic Keeper
By Heidi Eljarbo

Publication Date: 18th November 2025

Publisher: Independently Published

Page Length: 162

Genre: Historical Fiction

Italy, 1620.

Angelo is an orphan, lonely and forgotten. Having been passed on from one family to the next, he ends up as a common thief, subject to and under the thumb of a ruthless robber called Tozzo.

Angelo knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence. When he loses his master, his livelihood is shaken. Tozzo’s plunder is hidden in a safe place, but what will happen if someone comes after Angelo to get their hands on the stolen relics? More than that, he feels threatened by words he’s heard too many times; that he’ll always remain unforgiven and doomed.

One day, a priest invites Angelo to help with chores around the church and rectory and, in exchange, offers him room and board. Padre Benedetto’s kindness and respect are unfamiliar and confusing, but Angelo’s safety is still a grave concern. Two older robbers have heard rumors about the hidden treasures and will stop at nothing to attain them.

With literary depictions and imagery, Angelo’s story is a gripping and emotional journey of faint hope and truth in seventeenth-century Italy—an artistic and audacious tale that crosses paths with art collector Vincenzo Giustiniani and the powerful Medici family.

Book Rating:

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.

📚📚 = It was okay.

📚 = Um...! 😕

My Review

The Relic Keeper 

📚📚📚📚📚 - I Highly Recommend it.

The story opens with Angelo, a young orphan trying to survive under the control of Tozzo, a cruel man who uses him to steal relics from churches. Life has been harsh and unforgiving for Angelo, and he has learned to trust very few people. His world changes when he meets Padre Benedetto, a kind and patient priest who offers guidance, shelter, and a chance to see that there might be more to life than mere survival. From there, Angelo’s journey takes him to Rome, where he encounters new experiences and the world of art, including a breathtaking painting that leaves him awestruck and forces him to confront emotions he has long kept buried.

What really works in this novel is the emotional depth and focus on character. Angelo’s growth feels natural, and Padre Benedetto’s quiet wisdom and compassion create a strong emotional anchor throughout the story. The way Eljarbo portrays the priest’s influence makes it easy to see why small acts of kindness can have such a lasting impact. At the same time, Angelo’s experiences in Rome add a sense of wonder and discovery, giving the story both heart and a touch of beauty that contrasts with the boy’s hard early life.

The book isn’t perfect. Some moments move more slowly than others, and the historical details occasionally require careful attention to follow, but they also enrich the story and make Angelo’s journey feel grounded and authentic. Even though the plot is mostly driven by character rather than action, it stays engaging because Angelo’s personal struggles and small victories are compelling to follow.

The Relic Keeper is a heartfelt and immersive read. It balances emotion, moral growth, and moments of awe, giving readers a story that is both moving and inspiring. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong characters, hope, and a quietly uplifting message.

You can pick up your copy of this book on Amazon. If you subscribe to #KindleUnlimited you can read this novel for free.

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

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