While this style of writing (a little flowery, I thought) is not my preference, the story was well told and it's a quick read. You root for the protagonist and feel his pain when he has repeated setbacks. Also, the book provides a history lesson about the dangers of working in mines in 19th-century England.

Out of the Darkness: A Novel by David A. Jacinto is a reimagining using the known facts of his own family history, particularly life events of his great-great-grandfather Thomas Wright, who started his work life at age 7 in coal mines, proud to be working alongside his father. They work the mines of Lord Fitzwilliam in South Yorkshire, England.

The author paints a true picture of a bleak existence to pull coal out of the earth to benefit human needs, and Lord F's pocketbook. Devastating accidents and catastrophes happen too often throughout the tale, with no help or support to workers or the grieving community by the employing agents and company. Loss of life, terror and child labor are woven throughout the fiction as they were in the real life events. Disturbing, yet true.

Tom Wright soon is a strapping young man, battling side-by-side with others against the mine owners and their overseeing thugs with a sincerity that had me interested - I have miners in my family tree as well, just a little north of this site. My people caught a boat out of country as well, about the same time, also from Liverpool. As Martha bids her son Tom, his family and her other children good-bye - never to see them again, I was struck with the enormity of one ancestor's choice on descendants' life paths. . .yours and mine, dear reader. . .no matter where you are as you read this, someone in your family tree made a choice long before you were a twinkle that set you on a path from which there was no turning back.

The author provides a window on his own family's journey, showing the tremendous reasons and motivations that resulted in migrations from one continent to another.

*A sincere thank you to David A. Jacinto, PR by the Book, Forefront Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #OutoftheDarkness #NetGalley

In 19th-century England, the Industrial Revolution is well underway. Technological innovations spring up as former agrarian workers migrate to cities in search of work, but often at the cost of the health and well-being of workers. "Out of the Darkness" by David A. Jacinto offers a stark and engaging look into the life of Thomas Wright and his family as they eke out a living in the mines of South Yorkshire, England. The family suffers numerous trials and tribulations including mining explosions, loss of family, and a corrupt overlord who places profits over people. These struggles light a fire in Thomas to change the miners' lot, pitting him against a system designed to keep him in his place.

"Out of the Darkness" traces Thomas's life starting as a young boy working in the South Yorkshire mines. He works twelve hours a day, six days a week in dark and humid underground environs. A horrific accident literally and figuratively scars him for life.

As he grows, Thomas operates as a Renaissance man, offering advice for enhancing the safety of mines. He fights against the system that has essentially enslaved the lower- and emerging middle-classes during a time when the wealthy often controlled those in places of power. And later, as mentioned in the book summary, Thomas defies the odds and ultimately moves to America with his family.

Drawing upon research, David A. Jacinto offers readers a deeply empathetic and sympathetic look into his family's history. There's a lot to enjoy about this book including authentic research and portrayal of industrial England, a sympathetic but realistic portrayal of the struggles working families endured, and a consistent pace that keeps readers engaged.

Unfortunately, however, Thomas's characterization left something of a bitter taste in my mouth. Though he overcomes so many obstacles, Thomas comes across as an almost messianic protagonist. Almost everyone he meets - with the exception of those in power, of course - show unadulterated adulation of the man, to the point where it feels as if he can literally do nothing wrong. They worship him or love him, and it honestly seems as if he has no flaws. This type of heroic protagonist could work for some people, but, to be honest, I found it lacking.

Otherwise, however, the book is well worth reading for its strong female characters, the historical insights, and so much more.

1837 England: Entering the dangerous coal mines at the young age of 7 to work makes a lasting impression on Tom Wright, one in a long line of coal miners in his family. With the strength of his family values and his own intelligence, Tom rises to become a spokesman for the poorly treated miners and their families against the wealthy landowners. Author David Jacinto has written a well researched and heartfelt book about his ancestors and it is well worth the read.

Out of the Darkness by David A. Jacinto is a spellbinding story about the horrendous working conditions in coal mines in Britain in the 1800s. What makes it especially compelling is that it is based on true stories the author's family experienced during this tragic time. The class divide was extreme with iron-fisted Lord Fitzwilliam living in opulence and the poverty stricken coal miners who literally earned pennies a week with no sight of labour laws. Plus they were forced to risk their lives just to buy scraps of food for their families whose bellies were never full.

The day after Tommy turned seven, he proudly followed in his father's footsteps of working in the coal mine. His first job as a trapper could not possibly be more hellish or dangerous. Jumping onto a moving dilapidated cage hundreds of feet into the stagnant black underground surrounded by skittering fat rats for twelve hours a day not only caused severe mental anguish but also physical pain and fear. Every step meant potential death, every moment of every day. Not only are the details harrowing but the despair seeped into my skin as I read about black lung and drowning. So many babies lost at work. Yet at their tender ages they wanted to make their parents proud.

Tommy's mother instilled in him the need for bettering himself with books and education. She made sure to teach him proper English and manners which carried him through many situations. His pursuit of engineering took him far away to America which must have seemed like manna from Heaven.

If you seek a captivating book, do not miss this one. The achingly beautiful writing is haunting yet hopeful. I became so immersed I hung onto every word and my reading experience ended too quickly.

My sincere thank you to PR by the Book and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this emotive and stellar book.

Thank you to NetGalley and ForefrontBooks for the opportunity to read Out of the Darkness by David A. Jacinto. This captivating and, at times, heartbreaking novel describes the lives of the authors family during the Industrial Revolution in England. Families, during that time, suffered immeasurable loss and indescribable pain at the hands of the Lord who own the coal mine. This story describes the life of Tommy Wright who rises above unfathomable tragedy to reach his dream of success and a home in America. His journey to success is
encouraged ever step of the way by his self-educated and powerful mother.

While I enjoyed this novel, at times it seemed slow moving and filled with added details which were not necessary.

Very interesting! I love reading about people who existed, and I was not disappointed discovering Charles Burns, who tried everything to become free. I found it particularly fascinating to also read about women who, even though they had their own problems and were not necessarily heard in a society where women did not have a voice, did everything to help Charles.
I learned a lot about pre-war times (Secession) along with the political and justice systems in North and South states. Very interesting indeed!
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

5 stars, A Masterpiece

OUT OF THE DARKNESS (BOOK 1 IN THE COURAGEOUS SERIES)
by David A. Jacinto

This fantastic novel is based on the true story of the author's family. I would love to have family records going back hundreds of years.

We follow young Tom Wright, at 7 years old, as he is considered grown up to work in the coal mines with his father and contribute to the family's income. So many children have suffered growing up like that. So sad.

Tom struggles, wanting to be a boy and play and being unable to. There is the unrelenting darkness and the rats, there are always rats.

The tyrannical mine owners don't care about the miners and their suffering families.

There are unbelievable odds for Tom to overcome, but with his mother's love of books, he educates himself and grows beyond the scary dark coal mines in Yorkshire.

I am thankful for the opportunity to read #OutOfTheDarkness from #ForefrontBooks I was under no obligation to post a review.

#triggerwarnings #HistoricalFiction #TheCourageousSeries #England #America #Yorkshire #IndustrialSlavery #FavoriteBooks