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christygsp's review
2.0
Mmmmmm
Historical fiction isn’t my favourite genre, but the fantasy element had me interested. Unfortunately, it didn’t grab my attention at all. I skimmed and skipped a lot of this book. I got the big plot points this way, but most of it was pretty meh for me.
There was a lot of color power lore that I had to try and get through, but honestly it wasn’t really all that interesting and instead felt a bit much.
I appreciated the historical plot brought to life with the fantasy additions, and I know that would have taken a bunch of research and work.
Just not for me.
Historical fiction isn’t my favourite genre, but the fantasy element had me interested. Unfortunately, it didn’t grab my attention at all. I skimmed and skipped a lot of this book. I got the big plot points this way, but most of it was pretty meh for me.
There was a lot of color power lore that I had to try and get through, but honestly it wasn’t really all that interesting and instead felt a bit much.
I appreciated the historical plot brought to life with the fantasy additions, and I know that would have taken a bunch of research and work.
Just not for me.
degroot_maartje's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
smateer73's review
4.0
I really liked this book. It was a little hard to get into at first, but ultimately it was really great. It challenges a lot of ideas and presents a unique world and plot that just keeps thickening as the story progresses. (Plot- get it?). Emma is absolutely amazing and her bravery and boldness and complete unwillingness to back down in fighting for what she believes in, despite being an African woman was inspirational. Thomas is an interesting character too, and ultimately the entire book was well done.
mbenzz's review
2.0
2.5 Stars.
I really thought I would love this book, but it just fell so flat for me. It started out strong in the beginning, cause everything was new and exciting, but the middle just draaaaggggged. Not enough information is given about the plague or about how the color powers really work. The whole middle is just trudging along with Thomas while he navigates being involved in his fathers plot to blow up Parliament.
The idea of this story was really interesting. I feel like if less time had been focused on the inner-workings of the plot, and Thomas whining about wanting his mask and dealing his with conflicting feelings/emotions, and more on the use of color powers and the background about how all that came to be and why EXACTLY the Keepers and Igniters hate one another, then it would have been a better story overall. We're constantly TOLD how things are, but they're never really explained to us.
My biggest annoyance though came from the White Light. This book takes place in 1604-1605. The way the White Light converses with Thomas inside his head is ridiculous. For instance, on page 76 the White Light responses to Thomas with...
"Doesn't that make me sound awesome?"
Now, while the word 'awesome' did exists in 1605 (I googled it), I have NEVER come across it in any other stories set during this time period (and I've read a lot), nor would it be used in that context. I have no idea why the White Light was given the voice of a cocky 21st Century teenager, but it really took me out of the story.
Overall, this was definitely a disappointment. I didn't hate it, but I don't know that I would recommend this to anyone.
I really thought I would love this book, but it just fell so flat for me. It started out strong in the beginning, cause everything was new and exciting, but the middle just draaaaggggged. Not enough information is given about the plague or about how the color powers really work. The whole middle is just trudging along with Thomas while he navigates being involved in his fathers plot to blow up Parliament.
The idea of this story was really interesting. I feel like if less time had been focused on the inner-workings of the plot, and Thomas whining about wanting his mask and dealing his with conflicting feelings/emotions, and more on the use of color powers and the background about how all that came to be and why EXACTLY the Keepers and Igniters hate one another, then it would have been a better story overall. We're constantly TOLD how things are, but they're never really explained to us.
My biggest annoyance though came from the White Light. This book takes place in 1604-1605. The way the White Light converses with Thomas inside his head is ridiculous. For instance, on page 76 the White Light responses to Thomas with...
"Doesn't that make me sound awesome?"
Now, while the word 'awesome' did exists in 1605 (I googled it), I have NEVER come across it in any other stories set during this time period (and I've read a lot), nor would it be used in that context. I have no idea why the White Light was given the voice of a cocky 21st Century teenager, but it really took me out of the story.
Overall, this was definitely a disappointment. I didn't hate it, but I don't know that I would recommend this to anyone.
allyreadsromance's review
4.0
Interesting premise and unique storytelling! At times it was a little slow and I found myself skimming, but I cared about the characters and the outcome! The author took time and care with historical facts and as a history teacher I loved that!
As far as fantasy goes it’s rather light. It’s more of a clean YA historical fiction. It’s full of moral messages and comments on social & family problems. I think many will find this relatable and enjoyable!
I look forward to future books by this author and I would definitely recommend this book to students!
Thank you netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!
As far as fantasy goes it’s rather light. It’s more of a clean YA historical fiction. It’s full of moral messages and comments on social & family problems. I think many will find this relatable and enjoyable!
I look forward to future books by this author and I would definitely recommend this book to students!
Thank you netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!
english_lady03's review
3.0
'Fawkes' took an extremely interesting idea and concept: weaving a well-known historical event with fantasy elements to create a whole new and intriguing world for readers. I had sort of mixed feelings towards this story at the beginning, but ended up liking it quite a lot.
It was well written, used excellent world-building, and presented the struggle of the two teenage protagonists struggling to find acceptance and their place in the world very well. I felt it also conveyed some of the undercurrents of political unrest and mistrust of the time well.
However: this I can accept this story might not be according to everyone's taste. Some of the irreverent attitudes and behaviors might bother some, and the talk of 'magic' might put off some readers.
Don't let that put you off though, its very much fantasy/allegorical. Its based on the idea that 'The White Light' who I suppose is meant to be God, gives humans 'colour power', the ability to be able to control the movement of objects of a certain colour when wearing special masks. There are two groups. Keepers, who roughly correspond to Catholics, and Igniters to Protestants. Both sides think they are in the right, and are serving 'The White Light' in the way he wants, but 'none bothered to ask'.
There were also a few things which grated on my. Sometimes Thomas came over as whiny, and Emma as overly entitled. Also, whilst some of the modern language and Americanisms weren't very noticeable but I occasionally found myself jarred right out of the story with words like 'swell': and not used in the noun or verb form.
Given that this was Historical Fantasy, I think the reader can be forgiving in terms of historical accuracy and realism. However, there were one or two slip ups that kind of stood out. In one scene, when Thomas and his father were standing outside the Houses of Parliament, (also known as the Palace of Westminster), it is referred to as the House of Lords.
I think the author has conflated the House of Lords, which is an institution , with the Houses of Parliament, which is a building. Sort of like referring to the US Capitol building as the 'Senate'.
Also, the characters seemed to be under the impression that Parliament consisted of the Lords and the King: it has actually consisted of two Houses since its foundation in Medieval times.
The Lords and the Commons. Both of whom meet in the Houses of Parliament in two separate Chambers. Maybe I'm just verging on the pedantic though as a Brit who likes to see our governing institution accurately represented.
That said, the geography of 17th century Britain is probably more accurate in this novel then other novels which are not fantasy. Readers might be interested to note that the building shown on the cover is in fact the Tower of London, and not Parliament.
All in all though, I enjoyed Fawkes more than I thought I might. Its a good choice, perhaps for those who don't want straight out fantasy or are relatively new to the fantasy genre.
I requested this title from the publisher via BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
It was well written, used excellent world-building, and presented the struggle of the two teenage protagonists struggling to find acceptance and their place in the world very well. I felt it also conveyed some of the undercurrents of political unrest and mistrust of the time well.
However: this I can accept this story might not be according to everyone's taste. Some of the irreverent attitudes and behaviors might bother some, and the talk of 'magic' might put off some readers.
Don't let that put you off though, its very much fantasy/allegorical. Its based on the idea that 'The White Light' who I suppose is meant to be God, gives humans 'colour power', the ability to be able to control the movement of objects of a certain colour when wearing special masks. There are two groups. Keepers, who roughly correspond to Catholics, and Igniters to Protestants. Both sides think they are in the right, and are serving 'The White Light' in the way he wants, but 'none bothered to ask'.
There were also a few things which grated on my. Sometimes Thomas came over as whiny, and Emma as overly entitled. Also, whilst some of the modern language and Americanisms weren't very noticeable but I occasionally found myself jarred right out of the story with words like 'swell': and not used in the noun or verb form.
Given that this was Historical Fantasy, I think the reader can be forgiving in terms of historical accuracy and realism. However, there were one or two slip ups that kind of stood out. In one scene, when Thomas and his father were standing outside the Houses of Parliament, (also known as the Palace of Westminster), it is referred to as the House of Lords.
I think the author has conflated the House of Lords, which is an institution , with the Houses of Parliament, which is a building. Sort of like referring to the US Capitol building as the 'Senate'.
Also, the characters seemed to be under the impression that Parliament consisted of the Lords and the King: it has actually consisted of two Houses since its foundation in Medieval times.
The Lords and the Commons. Both of whom meet in the Houses of Parliament in two separate Chambers. Maybe I'm just verging on the pedantic though as a Brit who likes to see our governing institution accurately represented.
That said, the geography of 17th century Britain is probably more accurate in this novel then other novels which are not fantasy. Readers might be interested to note that the building shown on the cover is in fact the Tower of London, and not Parliament.
All in all though, I enjoyed Fawkes more than I thought I might. Its a good choice, perhaps for those who don't want straight out fantasy or are relatively new to the fantasy genre.
I requested this title from the publisher via BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
ultimateplay3r's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK. i never knew about the gunpower plot and thanks to this book, i know so much about it.