Guys. It happened. I am now Constance Savery's loyal and devoted servant. My review can in no way capture my real feelings for this book, but I will do my best. And I will try not to use too many capitals or exclamation points. No guarantees.

I unquestionably, undoubtedly, indisputably, unmistakably, completely and utterly adored this book. I have never read anything similar.

Savery's writing style is simple a delight to read. Old fashioned and flowery, it is absolutely beautiful. I wish more people had a similar writing style. I soaked up every word; every piece of dialogue and bit of description. In. Love.

Let's talk characters: THEY WERE ALL AMAZING!!! (shoot, there I go). I love the "redcoats"; Charlotte, Kitty, George, and Joseph. They were all so adorable! Uncle Laurence was an amazing character also; you positively despised him throughout two thirds of the book, but by the end, you loved him. Mama was also very sweet, as were Grandmother and Grandfather. And then Reb.
The story was so unique. Told from the perspective of loyal British subjects, it is not a point of view Americans often learn about. It took me about 3 chapters to really get into it, but once I did, I was hooked! This has now become one of my favorite books of all time. I highly recommend it for all ages! It will take a honored place on my book shelf, and be read over and over.

I can't wait to get my hands on more books by this amazing author! ( )

During the American war of Independence, a young American soldier, still in his teens, is a prisoner of war held captive by a Redcoat Major in his home on the east coast of England. The boy manages to capture the hearts of everyone in the family, the servants, and the neighborhood, with the exception of the man at whose house he is being detained. Misunderstandings, war protocols, and physical and psychological war wounds keep the two men at wary arm's length, compounded by the boy's continuous attempts to escape, and the Englishman's duty to prevent it.

This book was a passion with me when I was about ten years old. I loved it, and recently re-reading it, rekindled my appreciation for a well-written, interesting tale of English and American history at the time of the Revolutionary War. Even now I found it hard to put down. ( )

The first historical fiction I ever remember reading--and still among the best. A true classic. ( )