The Legend Of Pope Joan (Trilogy) is a gender-bending, fast-paced medieval tale about the woman who became Pope. PART 1. Frankia When thirteen-year-old Joan, having gone past the age of schooling for girls, is banned from studying theology, she is devastated. Determined to be a scholar and unable to submit to the expectations for her sex, Joan transforms into a boy, aided by her best friend Michael and a flamboyant entertainer, Amadeus Reichenbach. Together the trio embarks on a journey from Eastern Frankia to Athens where Joan and Michael intend to train as priests. But the road ahead is beset with unexpected challenges, including Joan's burgeoning sexuality. Whether they will all reach their final destination becomes less and less certain.