Portugal, 1574. Ginebra de Fonseca, a pawnbroker from Covilhã, is facing a death sentence. She is accused of erasing a Christian cross. Nothing short of a miracle may turn the horrific sentence to her advantage. That cross had been drawn by her Christian neighbour on the coating of a halla loaf that Ginebra was secretly baking for the Jewish Sabbath. The act was considered heresy worthy of capital punishment for the young Marrano Jew. The Portuguese Inquisition is demanding justice. Will her secretive education by a mysterious astronomer suffice to instigate the miracle she so badly yearns for? Can she succeed through the fantastic rescue plan she has devised? Entangled in a struggle with two of the most powerful men in Portugal, Ginebra strives to survive. She must recruit the boy-king Sebastian I to her side against the terrible inquisitor Adão de Sosa. Will Ginebra the beautiful pawnbroker manage to overcome all obstacles? The saga unfolds from the mountainous town of Covilhã in Portugal, through the Inquisition’s prison, the secret harem and the royal palace in Lisbon, to the cruel battlefields of Morocco. Love, intrigue, faith and the struggle for dominance over the city of Jerusalem are woven into this breathtaking drama. Editorial Reviews Review "The Pawnbroker from Covilha" "The Pawnbroker from Covilha" is a heartfelt historical novel set in 16th-century Portugal. Reading it is like embarking on a captivating journey on board a Portuguese ship, venturing into an old-new world filled with a passion for life, glory, and love. These are the days of the young and tempestuous Emperor Sebastian I, who stands at the helm of the Habsburg Empire as it nears the end of its golden era. Ginebra, the heroine of the novel, is a young Jewish girl from the Anusim family, who displays remarkable resilience, wisdom, and extraordinary courage. Driven by boundless curiosity, she secretly learns mathematics and astronomy from an elderly astronomer who reveals to her the wonders of science and her Jewish heritage. In the wake of a painful betrayal, she is imprisoned in the dungeons of the Inquisition. Yet, her exceptional skills become her shield in facing the ruthless inquisitor Adiós de Sosa, a cruel and single-minded inquisitor. She even manages to find pathways to the heart of the capricious king. This triangular relationship is narrated with virtuosity and artistry. Unwavering faith is the common thread in the struggles of the three heroes as they strive to realize their religious, political, and personal visions. Each of them is a complex and multifaceted individual, and their weaknesses and strengths intertwine inexorably. Lior Couriel masterfully describes the depths of their hearts against the backdrop of a turbulent, violent, lofty, and dramatic period. Simona Bat, Editor and Literary Critic Editorial Reviews Review "The Pawnbroker from Covilha" "The Pawnbroker from Covilha" is a heartfelt historical novel set in 16th-century Portugal. Reading it is like embarking on a captivating journey on board a Portuguese ship, venturing into an old-new world filled with a passion for life, glory, and love. These are the days of the young and tempestuous Emperor Sebastian I, who stands at the helm of the Habsburg Empire as it nears the end of its golden era. Ginebra, the heroine of the novel, is a young Jewish girl from the Anusim family, who displays remarkable resilience, wisdom, and extraordinary courage. Driven by boundless curiosity, she secretly learns mathematics and astronomy from an elderly astronomer who reveals to her the wonders of science and her Jewish heritage. In the wake of a painful betrayal, she is imprisoned in the dungeons of the Inquisition. Yet, her exceptional skills become her shield in facing the ruthless inquisitor Adiós de Sosa, a cruel and single-minded inquisitor. She even manages to find pathways to the heart of the capricious king. This triangular relationship is narrated with virtuosity and artistry. Unwavering faith is the common thread in the struggles of the three heroes as they strive to realize their religious, political, and personal visions. Each of them is a complex and multifaceted individual, and their weaknesses and strengths intertwine inexorably. Lior Couriel masterfully describes the depths of their hearts against the backdrop of a turbulent, violent, lofty, and dramatic period. Simona Bat, Editor and Literary Critic