Juana

The novel opens in the turbulent streets of Tarragona after its capture by Marshal Suchet’s forces. Amid the uneasy order imposed by the French, a rag‑tag Italian regiment—renowned for both bold valor and reckless excess—roams the city, their reputation built on daring deeds and a recent, fatal act of heroism. The narrative paints a vivid picture of Napoleonic ambition colliding with local customs, setting the stage for a clash of personalities and loyalties.

At the heart of the story is Captain Montefiore, a strikingly handsome officer of the Montefiore line, whose careful pride hides a restless spirit. He moves through the chaos with a mixture of bravado and caution, earning the nickname “captain of crows” for his instinctive reaction to danger. As he navigates the aftermath of a celebrated yet doomed assault, his path intertwines with a mysterious woman whose presence may alter his fate and the fortunes of the regiment.