SPOILERS!!!
I love how Gabriel narrates how the city of Zaragoza resisted the attack of the French, and it was heartbreaking to read how men and women suffer the consequences of the war. Thousands died and many suffer hunger, disease and isolation.
Jose de Montoria loses his oldest son and his grandchild, which devastates him and his wife. He decides that Agustin is his heir and won't become a priest. When he is wounded, Mariquilla treats his wound, and Jose is thankful. There are rumours that Mariquilla takes after her late mother, who was thought to be a loose woman. Her father, Candiola, is also believed to be in dealings with the French.
When Agustin is promoted to captain, he has orders to execute Candiola, who has been arrested for treason. The young man is filled with anguish, hating the idea to kill the father of the woman he loves. Mariquilla comes to beg him to help her father escape, but Agustin tries to reason with her, explaining that he can't do that. Mariquilla reacts angrily, calling him cruel and ruthless, and she curses him. Jose is there and realises that his son is in love with Mariquilla, and Jose tells Mariquilla that he owes her for helping him when he was injured, but she is being unfair beause his father is sure to have had dealings with the French. Mariquilla swears to Agustin, saying that she doesn't love him. Agustin leaves, saying that he willl pass the orders to some other officer. He won't pull the trigger but he can't help Candiola speak.
In the last chapter Zaragoza finally surrenders. Gabriel, who is a shadow of what he used to be, runs into Agustin, who is also unrecognizable. Agustin says that Mariquilla is dead. She simply died, and there was no blood or any injury. Agustin is broken and decides to spend the rest of his days in a convent. Gabriel decides to leave the city as well.
I really enjoyed this book. I missed the story of Ines and Gabriel, but it was really interesting to read how Zaragoza resisted the attacks of the French army for so many weeks, and how that affected the population and the city.
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