Wow, this book deserves an award! Nadine Brandes does an amazing job weaving fantasy and history in her new young adult book, Fawkes! It can be enjoyed by guys, girls, and young adult and adult readers alike. You need this book now!
Fawkes has so many amazing elements and layers to it! Ms. Brandes did such an incredible job with this book that I could gush about it forever! I love the concept of the whole story with the magical elements, the historical setting and the faith allegories. I think lovers of Harry Potter and Narnia would really enjoy this book, as many parts of Fawkes are reminiscent of these classics.
Ms. Brandes describes 17th century London so well and very realistically. I loved learning more about the gunpowder plot and the battles that were going on between Catholics and Protestants (also known as Keepers and Igniters in this story). There are great action sequences that will keep your adrenaline pumping into the wee hours of the morning.
The characters are well developed and are sure to become reader favorites. Thomas, the main character, finds himself caught up in a plot full of intrigue and mystery. Thomas is looking for confidence, purpose and identity. Emma, the other main character, is a great role model. I love the interactions Thomas and Emma have with the White Light. Emma and Thomas both learn that the plague or one’s skin color doesn’t define who one is. The story has so many layers to it—religious dissension and persecution, feuds between Catholics and Protestants, religious freedom, race, and Light versus darkness.
There are so many great messages in this incredible read! Fawkes shows how culture affects so much of a person’s life and beliefs. We need to have discernment, seek the source and come to our own conclusions. We need to fight for truth and stand firm in our beliefs. A lot of people do things in the name of God, but He doesn’t ask for murder, etc. Instead, He asks for us to respond to His voice. The plague in Fawkes seems to be reminiscent of sin in our lives and how the Bible talks about us having a heart of stone and that only Christ can ultimately heal our sin and hearts. My husband is already begging to read this book and I want to give it to my nephew as well. I highly recommend Fawkes!
Content: I would give this book a PG-13 rating for some of the graphic descriptions and violence. Some examples of the content are: students drink wine; people drinking in an inn; the word “hell” is used; some graphic descriptions of people who were hung on the gallows or executed; a girl threatens to tell her guardian that a man forced himself upon her; talk of castrating a man; mention of cleavage; a man is drunk; a man and woman slap each other; reference to a concubine and whorehouses.
Rating: I give this book 5 stars!
Genre: Christian fiction; Historical; Fantasy; Young Adult
I want to thank Nadine Brandes, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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I am so excited to read this book! So much anticipation. 💘
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