Fawkes

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.

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!!! ❤️

You know how some books make you forget you need to eat and sleep? Well, this is one of those.

I know a book is good when I can’t stop thinking about it, when it takes on a life of its own inside my head. This book is robust fiction, and the tough issues that come up in the course of the story are issues we still face today. The issues are handled in a hopeful and honest way, and I loved that the book made me think, and think deeply, while also being entertained.

Everything about the book is perfect. Every element—foreshadowing, story twists, character growth, witty writing, and satisfying ending—they’re all there. The setting of early 17th-Century England is fascinating, and a lot of the history is true. The fantasy element blends smoothly with the history.

The story was one wild ride, and I loved it! It was unpredictable, and I had fun trying to guess what new developments and plot twists meant and what was going to happen and who the bad guy was. Many times the story had me on the edge of my seat. Not many books make me feel the depths of emotion that this one did. Often I was absolutely terrified for the characters.

The characters are each distinct and fascinating. The internal journey Thomas goes on is genuine and organic as he explores his world and searches for truth. Thomas starts out so sure of what he wants and what’s right in the world but then begins to question everything. By the end, there were no easy answers, and what answers he did find came at a cost.

I loved the writing style which was fresh and full of life, sometimes funny, sometimes insightful, always creative. I didn’t notice a single cliche. The difficult subjects and circumstances that come up are handled masterfully by the author.

The writing was never awkward or obvious but instead maintained a wonderful subtlety which made the reading of it a puzzle and an adventure. It fired up my imagination and I enjoyed deciphering and analyzing the meaning behind situations and also what characters were really feeling and thinking beyond what they chose to share. Because of its depth, this book is in every good way like a classic.

This is a book that changed me because it made me think about things in a new way. It made me ask myself thoughtful questions and made me look at history in a new light, but also helped me see our own time in a new way. The themes of truth, hope, freedom, and seeing beyond stereotypes are compelling and complex and exciting.

I knew right away I’d give this book four stars, but gradually as the book went along, it grew better and better and I knew I’d give it five stars. It’s a new favorite of mine. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think you will, too, especially if you like the genres of historical fiction and/or fantasy.

I absolutely was drawn into this story from the very first page. The author did a great job of introducing the main character and his personality in a way that made you understand his heart. I was not familiar with the Gunpowder Plot. This book tells the story from the perspective of Thomas Fawkes, the son of Guy Fawkes. The story is written with enough truth that you can get the general idea, but then adds a bit of a fantasy flair that adds even more interest to a story full of intrigue and conspiracy. I love how the author handles difficult political and social problems that are easily relatable in current events. I also enjoyed Thomas' journey in discovering the truth for himself and his decision to do the right thing even though it forced him to make a difficult decision between the truth and his own father.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and fantasy. I have already pre-purchased a copy for myself because it was such a great read. And that cover!!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I picked up this book not realizing that it was more than a historical fiction. It was so much more! I love the fantasy element of it, and how it fit so well with the time frame. I loved the element of magic and Thomas' journey of self discovery. I also loved the secrets that came out as the story went on, since I was not expecting some of the twists! This is an excellent, unique story.
I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I had tears in my eyes upon finishing this captivating story. Thomas Fawkes goes through such a battle--a battle that we can all relate to today: What society tells us is true vs. What we know is true. The way Nadine portrays Thomas's battle is so realistic. Each of his decisions are not snap decisions without any thought, but he wrestles with every idea, pulled in so many different directions by those he loves. I felt like I was right there, experiencing every decision with him and struggling right there with him.
Also, the story world is so vibrant. I was able to clearly picture the entire town from Nadine's amazing descriptions and clearly understand the world of color power. When I set this book down, it took a moment for me to come back to reality because it all felt so real!
I would highly recommend this book and is definitely one I have pre-ordered! A reader will not be able to easily forget this story world and these characters.

Fawkes captivated me from the first chapter. It's a fast-moving story with well-drawn characters, both fictional and those inspired by real historical figures. The magic system is great, and I especially love how it's used in the end. The rivalry between the Keepers and Igniters was a clever way to fictionalize historical circumstances. Thomas is an interesting hero with both his inner and external conflicts. Emma proves to be a great heroine with her own journey that is as surprising as it is fascinating. The inclusion of real life people such as King James, John Dee, and of course Guy Fawkes only adds to the depth of this story.

Really cool fantasy novel. I can't believe I got to read this for free -it was honestly so good, and I recommend this to anyone who wants to read fantasy.

You have to experience this book for yourself...my words cannot do it for you. Read it NOW....you will so glad that you did. I'm not kidding!!!

Have you ever wanted something so bad and yet it’s just out of reach? Thomas wanted love from his father and to feel like he had a purpose. However, because of the plague he was shunned and looked down upon.
There is a strong message throughout this book of good versus evil and the struggles of those who want to do what’s best. Unfortunately, what appears right might not actually be right. Thomas searches for the truth and finds friendship with someone who has secrets of her own.
Nadine Brandes has written a wonderful story of struggles, hardships of war, biases, love, and acceptance, with a twist of fantasy. This story captured my heart and I felt like I was walking around with Thomas. I felt I was going through all his struggles with him. Nadine Brandes truly has a creative way of writing and I know this will not be the only book I read of hers.
If you want to get lost in a magical world with touches of history, then this is the book for you.
I received this book from the publisher for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I always love a bit of historical fiction, but this was even better. We had magic along side of plot to kill the King, there was a whole barrel of action and adventure going on throughout the whole book.
They story plot itself was amazing, I particularly loved the twist about the plague. All I can say is I was hooked from the beginning. The book is written well and has plenty of action and description going on. It isn't overloaded with character speech and we are in the mind of the main character, Thomas. We get to view the world through his eyes, and what a world it is! 

I would recommend this book, particularly if you like a little bit of historical fiction, but with a twist thrown in. I do love a good twist! It's suitable for teens and young adults (or big adults).

I've been very eagerly anticipating Nadine Brandes' newest release. Her Out of Time series was so good, so impactful. Those books have stayed with me and I'm still thinking about them. So to say I've been excited to see what Brandes had in store next, would be a vast understatement.

First off, how absolutely stunning is that cover? It's so eye-catching and perfectly fits the story! I love, love, love it!

The world building is so fascinating, unique, and intricate. It did take me a minute to get acclimated to the world, but once I did... oh my gosh... I was completely immersed and didn't want to surface back to the real world anytime soon.

And the characters! Wow! So multifaceted! Thomas did get on my nerves at times in the beginning, but I could understand where his bad attitude was coming from. He really grew as the story progressed and I loved watching that growth. By the end of the story he became one of my favorite male protagonists that I've read about lately. And Emma! I really admired her. She's a fierce, independent, strong, and kind young lady. She's awesome.

One of my favorite quotes from the book was, “You can't judge an entire group of people by the actions of a few.” It symbolizes, what I felt to be, one of the core messages of the book and an apt reminder for us right now.

I can't say enough good things about Fawkes! It's all kinds of awesome. It's a book I know I'll want to reread again and again. I highly, highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In a world where, when you come of age, you are presented with a mask that will allow you to control colour (control brown, you can control brown items, mud, bricks etc, blue you can control water, red, blood and so on), there are two belief systems, the Keepers, who believe you should only control one chosen colour, and Igniters who believe you should be able to control them all.

Thomas is still maskless, at the fault of his father not turning up to present him with one, and worse, infected by a spreading plague that slowly turns its unfortunate bearers to stone. Shunned by society, he sets out to find his father, and join him in a plot to assassinate the king and stop the plague. But his fathers views differ to the woman he loves. Who is right, who is wrong and who can he trust?

I really loved this book. It was original and the colour power idea was both interesting and thought provoking. Fawkes has an underlying message of looking beneath the ingrained ideals of society, and even the people we love, to search for your own truth and your own beliefs. Thomas’ dilemmas revolve around deciding what is right, how far he would go to stop the plague and what version of the history he’s been taught is really true. Most of all, he has to decide between doing what he believes is right, saving the woman he loves and the desire to win his fathers pride. Emma, the woman he loves, is brave and daring, even while being forced to act as a noble woman. Although she has opposing views to Thomas, she too believes she is fighting for what is right.

Fawkes is intriguing, with interesting characters and clever concepts. I loved the way the fantasy aspects of the book were mingled in with real history. Part conspiracy and betrayal, part moral anguish with a splash of magic. I highly recommend it!

This is an incredible blend of fantasy and historical fiction! There's people who wear masks and control the color that coincides with their mask. Pretty original! There's assassination attempts and a magical plague. The world building was so unique and I loved the twists to the real historical event. I enjoyed this book so much!

Thomas is Guy Fawkes son and his father is relentlessly trying to get him to join his gunpowder plot. If you remember historically, Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot were real. The stone plague was not. Thomas has contracted the stone plague and he is desperately hoping to find a cure but keeps being distracted by the things unfolding around him. Will he join his father or fight against him?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have tried a few times to write a review of Fawkes, but each time I have just gushed and gushed about how wonderful it is and I do hate including spoilers in my reviews so I think that the best thing for me to do is to tell you to READ THIS BOOK NOW.

It's fantastic and you will not regret it.

A work of staggering and ineffable imagination, Fawkes bursts like a kaleidoscope of gunpowder and colour blasting a perfectly rendered London with indelible aplomb.

An endearing and all too fallible hero shoves away his famous father's shadow to become the hero of the moment. Dizzying and immensely gratifying, Fawkes balances romance, redemption, friendship and sacrifice in a brilliantly evocative way.

My brain hurt in the best way at the complicated threads of this tapestry and in a lesser voice, it might well have fallen apart. Lucky for us, Brandes builds her world in deft and careful bricks so that the intersection of fact and fiction is seamlessly ingrained. I was so excited for this tale and now I can see why.

I haven't read anything like this for a long time. .. and I doubt I will again.

A book to sit and savour in a dark corner by candlelight while the world fizzes away and a fictional one replaces its ordinary canvas.

I. Loved. This. Book. I think I could probably end my review with just those four words, but I’d love to tell you a little about why I so enjoyed this read.
Fawkes is a fascinating twist on historical fiction: the perfect blend of truth and fantasy, bringing new life to history. Brandes does a fabulous job of staying fairly true to the historical facts: she included most of the primary characters of the Gunpowder Plot and the basics of the motivations behind the plot with King James I and his persecution of certain members of English society. As I read, I was impressed with the level of research she must have put into this piece. But then she used her own special tweaks to freshen the tale, turning it from a struggle for religious liberty to a battle for magical freedom.
And I was entranced and so encouraged by Thomas’ theme: do not blindly believe what you are told, don’t simply trust your emotions, but always search for the truth. That is so important for everyone today, young and old, to learn.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. However, you’ll have to wait a few more weeks before you dive in. Fawkes releases on July 10. Trust me, it will be worth the wait! Happy reading 🙂
Many, many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂

What.a.read! This is one of those books that you stay up all night reading.

Thomas Fawkes has a problem: he’s turning to stone from the Stone Plague that infected his eye. If he doesn’t do something about it, he will turn into a statue. When a solution presents itself, it might be the craziest plot he’s ever seen. He is to join his father in a plot to assassinate the king of England, the Gunpowder plot. The plan is to use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow him up. The problem is that by doing so, he will kill the family of the woman he loves, but if he backs away, both his father and his followers end up on the gallows. Which side will he choose and which one can he live with?

Absolutely brilliant! I stayed up until dawn reading this one, between the action and the heart-stopping moments, I couldn’t put it down!

The plot is great, complex, very well developed and packed with action. The premise of the book is the Gunpowder plot, a true event that took place in England in early 1600s where a group of Catholic traitors plan to assassinate the Protestant king. If you don’t know anything about this particular event, I suggest you only research after you read the book. Discovering it through the eyes of Nadine Brandes, who mixes history with fantasy and fiction, is absolutely worth it. Plus, it keeps the suspense until the end of the story. The pace starts by being very fast, then it slows down a bit in the middle and then it’s just full speed ahead. It gives the reader enough space to breathe and process the past occurrences without breaking out of the story itself.

The characters are the story in this case. It’s like they completely ran out of the author’s control and have a life of their own, they are the plot and the plot revolves around them. They rule the plot, but the plot doesn’t control them. Weird, I know!
Thomas Fawkes, the main male lead, isn’t a very likeable character for me and in the end, I couldn’t completely connect with him. He does bring some spice to the story and I do believe he has a strong character and inner strength; he just needs to grow up a bit more. I felt like he complained a lot during the novel. Even though he has some reasons to, he sounded like a whiny kid. Plus, I couldn’t keep up with his actions and decisions, some of them were incomprehensible to me.
On the other hand, Guy Hawkes is something else entirely. He’s a complex, unpredictable and mysterious type of character. I actually re-read most of the scenes with him. Guy is guided by his sense of bringing justice to the Catholics being prosecuted by the Protestant church. He’s moved by his strong morals and values and in the end, it makes him a memorable character. The main female character is awesome and she reveals herself an important piece of the game. She’s one of the reasons I go so attached to the novel. I cannot go into more details of the characters without spoiling the story, so I will let you discover more of them on your own!

The style of writing is compelling, clean and uses the vocabulary of the 1600s perfectly. Brandes does an amazing job with the descriptions, it’s like you can see a picture of the places and the people. Masterfully done!

Fawkes is a fun read, mixing fiction and history perfectly while keeping a great level of action and suspense throughout the story. I recommend it to the fans of historical fiction with a twist and for those you enjoy the setting in 17th-century London. I can tell you, my friends, the trip to this world is totally worth it!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Thomas Nelson and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.