REVIEW: Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

ISBN: 0785217142

Format: Hardback, E-Book, Audio-Book

Release Date: 10th July


Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo,
B&N, Book Depository

Website,


Rating: 10/10


Synopsis:

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?


Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.


No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back

Review:

Fawkes was one of my most anticipated books for 2018 and it was everything I had hoped it would be. Our main character is Thomas, who is the son of Guy Fawkes, and his journey on finding a cure for the stone plague slowly killing him and his hopes to finally receive his colour mask.

Now first up, the book cover is beautiful. I was obsessed as soon as I saw the cover and I love the small details such as the Tower of London featured at the top and the flames representing the gun powder plot. The cover is as beautiful as the story itself.

I loved that this book focused on Guy Fawkes and the gun powder plot. It had many historically accurate elements with fantasy thrown into the story to create a wonderful and beautifully written tale of desperation and hope. Many people that were known to have taken part in the plot were characters in this book. I really loved how much historical accuracy was included in the book.

Thomas was a wonderful edition to the gun powder plot. There was no concrete evidence of Guy Fawkes and yet Nadine Brandes took the small theories/evidence there was and created a fantastic character that I was routing for the entire book. Through Thomas's eyes we see the war brewing between the Keepers and Igniters. He faces many difficulties and begins to doubt where his path should take him.

I also loved Emma as a character. She faces many struggles being a women in 17th century London, but she stands up for what she believes is right. She was a strong, compassionate and determined character that I loved reading about. All the characters were very complex and I loved the amount of detail that went into their backgrounds and personas. Every character played an important part to the story. I loved the complex relationship between Thomas and Guy Fawkes in particular.

The magic system of the book was an amazing addition to the story. Historical fiction is always a fascinating genre to read from, but add fantasy and you can create something truly wonderful. The masks and colour powers added a compelling and fascinating element to the story that made the book into something truly special.

And of course there is the plot. You may know the story of the gun powder plot, but so many new plot twists are added that you never know what will come next. Although the ending of the story is kept the same, you are still led to guessing at how it will get there. The setting is very vivid and beautifully written, I felt as if I was actually there in London with the character.

From start to finish, I couldn't put this book down. Fawkes was everything I was hoping it would be and more.