Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Blackest Time by Ken Tentarelli is a fascinating journey in time to a small Italian village in the 14th century. Gino Liani lives in the tiny village of Poppi in Tuscany where his family are farmers. Gino discovers he has a talent for preparing and administering remedies for everyday illnesses and finds work as an assistant to the village apothecary. Just as he is beginning to develop his skills, the building is reclaimed by its owner. Now without work, Gino is forced to leave his small village and head to the largest nearby town of Florence, seeking employment. There, as he begins to rebuild his life, he finds employment, fulfillment, and eventually love but dangerous times lie ahead. After two years of non-stop rain and destroyed crops, people are leaving the countryside in droves and heading for the cities; however, famine is rife in Florence and people are starving. Hot on the heels of the famine comes the dreaded bubonic plague that further ravages the population. Gino dedicates his life to using his skills and knowledge of herbs to help as many people as he can who are afflicted by the plague.

The bubonic plague may seem a somber plot for a novel but The Blackest Time truly is a celebration of life, indomitability, and the perseverance of the human spirit over seemingly impossible odds. Ken Tentarelli has created a chilling story that will immediately transport readers back to those terrible times and immerse them in the worst conditions imaginable. His descriptive prose leaves us in no doubt of the depredations unleashed upon the unsuspecting citizens of Florence by both the famine and then the plague. Gino is strong, moral, mostly self-educated, and highly enlightened for the time. I particularly enjoyed the underlying and gentle romance between Gino and Gabriella that slowly developed throughout the narrative. The author’s vivid picture of the filth and disease that infected towns, plus the unwillingness of local officials to address the piles of dead bodies that began to litter the streets was a highlight of the story. The scattering of Gino’s family by the famine and the disease plus his struggles to ensure they survived was a testament to his courage, determination, and courage. This is truly an uplifting and edifying narrative of the inherent ability of mankind to rise above all the worst trials and tribulations. I enjoyed this story immensely and highly recommend it.