Kindle
$2.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Paperback
$14.26
MP3 CD
$39.99
Kindle Price: $2.99

Save $13.00 (81%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $22.04

Save: $9.05 (41%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Kristopher Dukes
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Sworn Virgin: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Kristopher Dukes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 228 ratings
See all formats and editions

Dukes's gripping historical novel tells the tale of a desperate Albanian woman who will do whatever it takes to keep her independence and seize control of her future...even if it means swearing to remain a virgin for her entire life.

When eighteen-year-old Eleanora’s father is shot dead on the cobblestone streets of 1910 Albania, Eleanora must abandon her dream of studying art in Italy as she struggles to survive in a remote mountain village with her stepmother Meria.

Nearing starvation, Meria secretly sells Eleanora into marriage with the cruel heir of a powerful clan. Intent on keeping her freedom, Eleanora takes an oath to remain a virgin for the rest of her life—a tradition that gives her the right to live as a man: she is now head of her household and can work for a living as well as carry a gun. Eleanora can also participate in the vengeful blood feuds that consume the mountain tribes, but she may not be killed—unless she forsakes her vow, which she has no intention of ever doing.

But when an injured stranger stumbles into her life, Eleanora nurses him back to health, saving his life—yet risking her own as she falls in love with him...

“It’s hard to believe that the culture Dukes describes was ever real, but the amount of research she put into this book definitely shines through. The story remains fascinating throughout; readers will definitely find it difficult to put this novel down.”—San Francisco Book Review



 

 

 

 

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    332 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  5. Publication date
    August 8, 2017
  6. File size
    2111 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Dukes’ provocative first outing offers a fascinating look at Albanian culture and the status of women and is sure to be popular with book clubs.” — Booklist

“Kristopher Dukes vividly brings to life a world as unfamiliar as it is endlessly fascinating... a compelling, dramatic, romantic and at times hilarious read. I highly recommend this novel and eagerly look forward to more from this writer.” — W. Bruce Cameron, New York Times bestselling author of A Dog's Purpose

“Dukes has chosen an engaging setting for this novel, with its mix of medieval and modern elements, and fleshes it out with vivid details . . . A compelling story of a woman’s trauma and strength.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Though it takes place long ago, in a culture far removed from my own, this novel touched me, often made me laugh out loud, and ultimately reminded me of how much people judge each other by gender to this very day.” — Cathryn Michon, New York Times bestselling author

“It’s hard to believe that the culture Dukes describes was ever real, but the amount of research she put into this book definitely shines through. The story remains fascinating throughout; readers will definitely find it difficult to put this novel down.” — San Francisco Book Review

“The Sworn Virgin is an extraordinary and fascinating canter through the historical world of Albania at the turn of the 20th century… a compelling read.  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.” — Lady Nicola Mendelsohn

From the Author

As wild as the true tradition of a sworn virgin is,I found it resonating with me on an emotional level. How often do women, even inthe international cities of today, find themselves trading in their femininityin exchange for being treated as respectfully as a man? Diana's story is one ofa unique young woman in a faraway world, but I believe the heart of her journeymirrors many women's. We are countless people throughout our lives, hungeringfor real relationships while struggling not to be defined by them, all while balancingwhat society wills us to want with what our deepest dreams are. 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N8RES69
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (August 8, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 8, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2111 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 332 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 228 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Kristopher Dukes

Kristopher Dukes

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Kristopher Dukes was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her work has been profiled in Amazon’s Book Review, Kirkus, and Elle magazine.

She lives in Manhattan Beach, California, with her husband, Matt, and Doberman, Xena.

"The Sworn Virgin," published by William Morrow, is her first novel, and was nominated for two awards.

You can find historical photos and more of the world of "The Sworn Virgin" at http://www.facebook.com/mskristopherdukes .

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
228 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Teri Stroud
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book full of Adventure, Love and Loss! Highly recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
Kristopher Dukes takes you on a rollercoaster of emotion through the early life of Eleanora, an Albanian Sworn Virgin (yes, they do exist!) during her formative years in 19th century Albania.

Her whole life turned upside down with the death of her only blood relative, her father and facing an arranged marriage, she now, as a sworn virgin, goes on a journey to find his killer. In doing so, she finds the true story of who she really is, through love and loss and adventure.

It's a compelling and intricate subject matter that stems from a medieval tradition in Albania that is bestowed upon a female (when all male heirs are no longer living) to take on the male persona of the patriarch of the family.

In Eleanora's case, and all others, it was a step up in society in that it actually freed her from the confines of being on the same level as a beast of burden, and gave her respect from the community.

It's relevant now, a women have always has to gender-bend in ways and reinvent themselves according to the situation at hand..we are flexible like that!

All in all, a great read that led me to explore this subject at length, as I'm sure other readers will.

I look forward to the rest of Eleanora's life through Kristopher's lens!
14 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
E. Ervin
4.0 out of 5 stars Very unique
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is a very different type of book. I didn't know what to expect and I have been quite interested in it - as I have been reading it. The life style in this book is unlike any I have encountered. The Sworn Virgin is a compelling book that does make a person (me) really appreciate the life style we have now. The writing is quite good as are all of the descriptions. The customs and ideas written about are extremely unusual. I believe that Kristopher Dukes is an excellent story teller.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ed irmis
3.0 out of 5 stars Historical novel of an independent woman in Albania
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
Albania is a fascinating mix of cultures that was cut off from most of the western world until the Communist regime fell. This story is set in the mountains in the 19th century. Women had no rights and no place except in the home. Eleanor was raised by her father, a healer, as an educated cultured woman but without any acceptd role in her society. She was a "duck out of water." After her father's death, she takes the role of the sworn virgin which gives her a position equal to a man. It's a love story and adventure along with an examination of a culture. My rating reflects the slow advancement of the plot. Good story that needed tightening.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Characters in a Wild World
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
I absolutely loved A Sworn Virgin, about a Diana, a young woman in a sexist world who dreams of becoming an artist. Even though she is such a unique character is such a particular place and time, there is something timeless about her independent spirit and her relatively ambitious dreams, and her struggles between being the woman she believes her lover— and the rest of the world—wishes her to be and her dreams of being an independent person. Diana’s journey is a page turner. Totally shocked by the ending and yet it was perfect!
7 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Karen Monsen
2.0 out of 5 stars Unlikeable, irritating characters make this one hard to recommend
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a reluctant recommendation. Superb writing. Complex plot. Brilliant subject based on true circumstances: women left with little choice but to become men to own their own lives but under severe penalty for breaking that oath. Extremely unlikeable characters, who never fulfill expectations for a complex plot and brilliant subject matter. They just remain irritating characters without redemption.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
This was an interesting novel. The story of the sworn virgin is one that you see in many cultures where men are kings and women are slaves. It is a lifestyle of survival when there is no man to protect them. In this early age you see about real survival, imagine traveling without a horse, you have to carry everything, roads curve and you don't know what's around the bend. There seems to be many rules/laws that keep them safe. They don't shoot men who have a woman with them, they don't shoot a man in his own home, arranged marriages etc. If you don't hunt or gather you don't eat. If you don't gather firewood you will be cold. Medicine And treatments were unsafe wives tales past down. I admit I was fairly disappointed in the abrupt ending, it was a real surprise.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
toolmrl
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating subject
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
A great book about a fascinating subject! Set in Albania in 1910, the book is dark, violent and even brutal at times, mirroring the time. It is clear that the research on this book was really well done. Well written, impeccable attention to detail, a story line that is compelling. A great read! Looking forward to the next book!
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Plodding story
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
The story of a young and beautiful girl in old Albania could have been written more succinctly and without the seemingly endless tears. I wanted her to have a backbone or, to at least, to grow stronger through her challenges. It was a chore to complete this. I had high hopes for this story, but, sadly, it did not live up to my expectations.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

niki
5.0 out of 5 stars Intruiging story from beginning to end
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
From the minute I started reading this book I was captivated and immediately found it intriguing and well written. The author is very descriptive and I could almost smell, taste and imagine being there. It is set in Albania in 1910 and the many references to life at that time kept me interested and curious. I read the first 114 pages in one sitting and then read the rest of the book in another afternoon. I really was hanging on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.

When reviewing a book it is easy to give away too much information and spoil it for a potential reader so I will just briefly skirt over the contents of this book and how I felt about the story.

Initially I thought it was a bit of a Cinderella type story, with Diana being spoilt by her dad and her step mom (Mirlinda) being treated unfairly. I soon realised that Diana was going to have a difficult life with many struggles, but she seemed very tough and able to handle herself very quickly. I felt mixed emotions about Mirlinda. At times I felt sad for the life that Diana had and how her life sometimes took on a sad and unfair path but I could see that she could be unfair to Mirlinda and being spoilt by her father as a young girl this spilled over into some of her decisions that got her into trouble. Not all the things that went on in her life were her fault and the decisions she had to make were often more out of survival than choice. Through sets of circumstances she finds herself in, there is violence, hardship and betrayal, but also genuine love.

There are lots of reference to life during this period and it must have been a very difficult time for both men and women. A lot of emphasis is on women of the time and what was expected of them. This book was refreshing and great to see that a woman was the main character. There were many twists and turns in the book and right up until the last page I was wondering how it would end.

I highly recommend this book and found it very entertaining and could visualise the scenes in detail because the author described everything in such fine detail. A very well written and very enjoyable book.
One person found this helpful
 Report
eda
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, fascinating book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
The author has clearly done extensive research and has blended history and fiction beautifully! This is a great read and an eye opener for those who don’t know Albania and its ancient traditions and customs
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report