Mark James Miller

This book, set in Boston and its surrounds during the early years of the American Revolution, is captivating and visceral in its delivery. The scene settings are rich and highly descriptive, thus transporting the reader into a thrilling and decisive time of the young American Republic's existence. The story focuses on a Boston brahmin family, "The Happy Hartfords" - which built its fame and wealth plying the ship-building trade. Specifically, the story focuses on the eldest son, Josiah, a recent philosophy grad of Harvard who is suddenly expected to take over the shipyard for his ailing father. Fate has other plans for Josiah and the Hartford family.

There is much that is good and interesting in this novel. As mentioned, the mise en scène is rich and rewarding. The historic detail of weaponry, military tactics, tools of commerce and the division of the populace's loyalties under British occupation are well illustrated. The writing seemed to be aimed at young-adults - too risqué for middle-schoolers, in my opinion, but perhaps okay for older readers. The dialogue felt a bit stilted at times and the book would certainly have benefitted from tighter editing.

Publisher: Black Rose Writing
ISBN: 978-1684337798
Pages: 303
Publication Date: September 30, 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction… (altro)

The White Conclave is a historical novel about a Colonial Gentleman ship builder thrust into the Revolutionary War.

It follows his experiences before the War and the beginnings of the War. We experience the brutal battles as much as he does as well as the preparations of war.

We also experience much of the British side and their Officers' preparations and experiences.

Amidst the war, there is some romance of course but nothing gratuitous .

There is definitely some factual data mixed into this book. The fighting tactics, Officers and Battles are real.

I won this from Black Rose Publishing via Library Thing. Reading war stories are not my thing but this one was enjoyable. The ending is obviously set up for more future books - after all the Revolutionary war was 8 years.… (altro)