I love when history merges with fiction! And Nadine Brandes does that exceptionally well in Fawkes.

Meet the infamous Guy Fawkes, a real man involved in an attempt to kill King James in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Among the other numerous historical characters, we are introduced to a handful of well-developed fictional characters who add dimension to a rather gruesome time period of England's history.

Through the fantastic imagination of Ms. Brandes we're transported to the murky streets of London where great care was taken to detail a setting so real it required little imagination to visualize each scene. The fantasy element is not overdone and gave me no pause as I allowed the story to draw me into a world where color can be given the power to separate or unite. It took me well into the novel to figure out whether that element of the plot was antagonistic or protagonistic to the story. I think that might've been my only issue with the story overall. The amount of detail and story-building is quite heavy through most of the book (3/4) and left me anxious for the action (1/4), which came mostly towards the end. I don't think this prohibited me from enjoying the book and is probably mostly personal preference.

I enjoy learning about something new and I love that Ms. Brandes took some creative freedom fictionally to bring life to a historical event. I think this book bridges genres in a unique way bringing fantasy, history, mystery, suspense, romance, and even some political expression together in a story where characters live bravely or die in the truth of their beliefs, false or not.

**I received this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

At first I thought it was a typical fantasy dystopian book and I almost put it down a lot of times in the beginning but when I got into the middle, being so confused what to believe in, It started to intrigued me as I got into the world and how the color power works I enjoyed it so much. The plot is simple but a page turner. The characters are well developed and enjoyable to read specially when white is starting to get in his head. Thomas have his own mind and that’s what I like about him, seeing two sides of the story and standing up for what he believes in even if all of the people he knew against it.

The action kicks off straightaway in Fawkes, and right from the start, I found myself drawn into Thomas' world. Thomas isn't always the classic hero--he can be petulant--but that made me like him more, because he felt real. After all, no one is actually as perfect as some YA heroes would have us believe. Brandes does a wonderful job of blending her fantasy setting with the true events of the gunpowder plot, and the world building as a whole was well done. There is a romance, but it doesn't take over the story, and the pace throughout was good, with plenty of action moving the story along. I would definitely read more from this author in the future. Check out Fawkes if you are looking for a captivating YA historical fantasy adventure-romance.

publisher 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 it. 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.


Upon finding this book on NetGalley, I requested it right away. It had so much potential I was immediately excited about it. However, the book was a lot of work to read. Thomas was not an interesting character, but almost like a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum. The "color magic" was confusing, and Thomas's smarts are drawn into question when his "eye" is seen by someone and instead of leaving, he goes to sleep, without clothes on ? I feel like this book could be really exciting and amazing, but the beginning really needs some help.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting historical fiction with plague, assassins, and intrigue

This book started abruptly and I could never get fully into it. The main character and the world building was interesting but it all fell flat with confusing explanations of the colors and what these things meant for the characters. I honestly didn't make it all the way through this book.

My excitement for the book I thought would be the first 5-star-rated one of the year 2018? Gone. Completely gone.

First reason: colour powers.
Now, considering that it's an historical fiction and not just some high fantasy novel, considering it's not meant for children, and considering that this colour thing has been already used and used by many other authors... it was really not the best choice that could have been made, if you ask me. And although going on with the book I appreciated it a bit more, considering that there is actually something different from all the other novels where colours are involved, it made me take the hole story less seriously. Of course, this is not exactly positive when the main plot consists in... well, a political plot.

Second reason: Thomas Fawkes.
"He said I could trust you. But I'm not sure. I'm not sure he ever saw the Thomas I'm seeing now - afraid. Selfish. Evasive." She lifted her chin. "Stone cold."
This quote from Emma, one of the main characters, sums briefly who I had to deal with. Some fickle, whimsical, terribly selfish, reckless, grumbling, impulsive boy with victimism complex whose aim is just to obtain a cure for his own plague. Who cares what happens to England as long as he is totally healed?
I'm still wondering how I managed to go on till the end with that brainless puppet carelessly distroying lives with his couldn't-care-less attitude.

Aside from that, though the historical backgroung - the Gunpowder plot - should have made me totally absorbed in the novel, I actually found myself pretty bored most of the time because of the slow pace. I simply didn't feel involved enough to enjoy the story, and this is a real pity.

There is something I did enjoy though, and I'm referring to Emma. She should have been the real main character, as if it's true that she's got her own flaws too (and what character is without any kind of flaw?), at the same time she's such an amazing, inspiring girl who doesn't let anybody chain her because of her past or her sex. The more pages I read, the more I appreciated her initiative, strong will and indipendence.
She's not some kind of idealist who can't see the horrors and unfairnesses in front of her: on the contrary, she's well aware of them and is ready to cope with them.

"Take a breath Thomas. There has always been fear. There will always be fear. It's up to us to stand us tall, even when the fear demands we bow to it."

Come explore the magical streets of London in this book set during Gunpowder plot of 1605.

Thomas Fawkes wants his mask. It's his right and, hopefully, it will finally give him the power to remove his plague.
However, on the day of his test, the unthinkable happened and Thomas is expelled. Maskless and plagued? That's the worst lot anyone can carry.

So off he runs to London in search of the only person who can help him, his father Guy Fawkes, England's bravest and fiercest soldier. Blinded by his selfishness, Thomas is capable of doing anything to achieve the mask. And so he's seen mixed up in the plot to take down the crown and install a new monarchy under a Keeper. To prove his worth, Thomas looks for employment in an Igniter home, only to be forced to spend time with the girl who once called his attention.

In a world divided between Keepers and Igniters, power and control, Thomas will be tested at every corner to not fall for the powers of White Magic and to see people for more than they appear to be. Then, only then, might he find what it really means to fight for a cause.

Full of twists and turns, this book will surprise and astound you through each turn of the page. The most amazing part might just be how solid the historical facts are even though the plot is set in a fantasy world.

I have to admit, I struggled with about 1/3 of this book. Thomas is not exactly the most likable character out there. For a lot of this book, he is really selfish, petty, childish, and a little insufferable. Sure he might have a reason to have that chip on his shoulder, but he acts as if everybody should thank him for his presence just because of his surname. The other reason I struggled with this book is that all I know about Guy Fawkes and the Gun Powder Plot is from V for Vendetta and the poem. Beyond that nada.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2271806685?book_show_action=false

I so wanted to love this novel, and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't love.
The characters are well rounded and deep, the plot is original and moving and I love that the language used fits the time in which the book is situated.
However I feel that the Victorian language used, takes a little away from the novel and I fear it will turn younger YA readers away from this novel.
All in all a good book! Definitely make sure you have a few days to really delve into this monster!

Spoiler Free review!

This book is absolutely brilliant!!!
FAWKES is an exquisite hybrid of history and fantasy that is impossible to put down!
I was blown away by brilliant originality of the plot and am beyond impressed with the author's writing, which made me feel transported right in the middle of all the action.
There are so many wonderful layers to this story. It is a book I know I will re-read multiple times and each time discover a new favorite part.

History absolutely comes alive in this book! The sights and smells are so vivid and every character is distinct and memorable. I felt the characters joys and agonies, which to me is the hallmark of an exceptional story.
I've always wanted to travel back in time and now that I've read FAWKES, I am convinced that I have!!!
What an adventure!!!!!
So captivating and profound! Easily one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. (And I've read more stories than Hermione and Belle combined!)

Even if I spent all day listing the great aspects of FAWKES, I still would have more remaining to compliment it on. It is GENIUS!!!!!
To read it is to LOVE it!!!! To read it again is to love it even more!!!!!

You know a book is good when I was up until 1:00am on a work night to finish it! 😬🙈 But guys, seriously, it's soooo good! A curse, a plot, a mysterious voice, and history sometimes turned on its head are just a few of the things that make this book absolutely amazing, so READ IT!!! ❤️

What a great and beautifully written take on the infamous Guy Fawkes and the group of men who organized the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 with a bit of a fantasy twist that unleashed my inner history nerd.

“Fawkes” begins in a prestigious school that helps young adults choose their color which in this fantasy setting determines a different set of powers they will have control over depending on which color chooses them. Thomas Fawkes is hoping to get the color he wants and his own signature mask created by his father Guy in order to seal the deal and hide his affliction of the stone plague, but quickly things don’t turn out the way he planned and he finds himself alone and ends up on a path towards the would be revolution.

The magic aspect is a great element to stand in for the religious conflict that was the actual root behind the assassination attempt while also conveying a different strength each character had within themselves and what they brought to the table and how people usually ended up being more than what you saw on the surface. It was also interesting to see how both Thomas and Emma managed to each represent other ugly aspects of human history with their individual attributes outside of magic that made them different.

As a giant dork, and someone who only knows the story of Guy Fawkes from the poem I spent a good amount of time googling each new character as they were introduced just to see how much was accurate and who came about with artistic liberties and apart from John Hawkins who was a bit of a side eye with how he’s portrayed, the rest were so on point that it made it even more interesting to see how fact and fiction were woven together with fantasy to create a strong final piece.

This book was a bit of a surprise and I’m glad I got a chance to read it and anyone hoping to explore a new world of magic, betrayal and revolution with the men, and a badass woman, behind the iconic masks look no further and thankfully you won’t have to wait until the 5th of November to get it.

**thank you to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**